Daniel Baker Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

I have to say that my opinion about Dr. Baker improved dramatically during my stay at the hospital. The first time I met him was at the office during my consult visit. He didn't have too much to say. His office staff are the best around. The morning of surgery he came to see me. He also came to see me in the afternoon and evening of surgery. The next two days, he came to see me at least twice a day. He has a very structured aftercare program. Overall I would give him an A+. Although I feel his surgical competence is slightly better than his bedside manner, I have no complaints about either.

Dr Baker was a very professional surgeon. He had a kind and relaxed bedside manner but was not too personal which was fine for me, it helped my self-esteem level when I realized in a funny way that I was a "patient" not a "friend". I would definate refer to him, in fact, I already have.

What can I say about a man who has given me back my life??
A local tv station (KARE11) did a promo on a couple who
both had RNY done by Dr. Baker - go to the website and
look under the EXTRA feature.
Dr. Baker is not a man of many words, but I could not have
asked for a more competitent surgeon. Both he and his office
staff and the hospital staff at Unity are the best. They went
out of their way to answer any and all of my questions, no
matter what it was about. I would rate his progam as well as
him and his staff as an 11 out of 10.

Met surgeon few years ago when friend was having surgery. Seemed like decent enough guy. Very careful to explain, allow time for questions. I had same experience when I met with him to schedule surgery.

Office staff very helpul.

I have surgery 11/10/03 and will update more later if possible.

impersonal


yes


helpful


he didn't seem to want to get to know me.

he knows what he is doing



it is all a part of the big picture

yes he does
the risks were told to me but he was very reassuring
he is great.
surgical great bedside good

dr Baker, is a kind gentle man wwwhere you can tell he has years of experience and really wants to help his patients. He takes the time to relate to his patients and answer each and every question one might have. the staff is great. many have had the operation and this helps in knowing the process and in them being able to answer questions or giving opinions. Future patients should know that Dr Baker goes by the book. he has researched this ongoing process, and wis continuesly making changes to better the patient. each case is unique and needs special handling. I am just 4 weeks post op but I have been told the aftercare programn is justified for 1wk,6wk,3,6,9 mo. 1 yr and every year after. The staff and the doctor went over the risks of surgery as well as making sure one is up to the surgery they make you lose 10% of excess weight to make it easier, they have you pratice on a spyrometer for breathing, they get you eating right before surgery, and by seeing a psychologist make sure you are mentally ready facing any food issues one might have. It may take 6-8 months or longer before surgery. but the prep time is needed to insure one is ready. I feel both, surgical skill and bedside manner is important cause if you cant relate to a person in his office or he has no appeal to you bedside the relationship wont work. his competence as a surgeon kind of shows in his bedside manner. and we all want a competent surgeon.

Dr. Baker is very professional and knowledgeable. He has been surgeon for over 20 years and has been doing this bariatric program for 12 years. I felt very comfortable with his experience and knowledge. He was very nice and honest about risks/benefits. The office staff is very efficient and nice also. They have all been very very helpful. One of his staff waited on me when I went in to schedule surgery and she was a tiny petite thing, really cute, when I came out to schedule my post op appt. she was at a different desk. On that desk was a picture of a heavier lady. I had to look twice, it was her! 2 years previous before her surgery. It was reassuring to see her and she was encouraging! I haven't had surgery yet, so I am not sure about his bedside manner. During my visit to schedule surgery, he took time to answer all my questions and was personable. I would recommend him to others. Aftercare is stressed very much in his program. Also they stress that it is a "TOOL" not a quick fix. I would not recommend this to anyone wanting a "quick fix". It is a tool and they will stress that. I believe that they were honest and upfront about the risks of surgery, but they had a very excellant percentage of low complications in all the surgeries they had performed, which was very reassuring. I would give Dr. Baker a excellant rating overall.. I think for me surgical competence is the most important thing. Bedside manner is a bonus as far as I am concerned but hopefully you get both!!: )

Dr. Baker was extremely caring and made sure all my questions were answered. He told me that their clinic works very hard to make sure that how they do their surgery, their before and after care brings the best possible outcome for the patient. I told him that I knew that which is why I chose him in the first place. His office staff is always so nice and helpful.
<br>Dr. Baker is one of the leading surgeon's in Minneapolis who is doing this surgery and although he maybe more strict in his regimen than some of the other surgeon's, his track record shows that he knows what he is doing. I had the chance to go to another surgeon who is very well known in the Cities and could of gotten in several months earlier (I know someone who knows someone :) but I had already decided to go with Dr. Baker and I was very comfortable with that decision.

My first impression of Dr. Baker was good. His informational meeting was vert informative and his nurses were very nice. Everyone that I had met with so far has been pleasant and very kind.

I have always been picky about my doctors. Some people have told me if you want skill you gotta forget about the bedside manner and if you find good bedside manner then usually they are lacking in skill. Well not so true. Dr.Baker has both of these qualities. He is one of the most skilled surgeons in his field and has excellent bedside manner. I will be eternally greatful to this man who gave me my life back. Perhaps gave me more of a life then I ever had. I liked him from the first time I met him. He is the "Gold Standard" for RNY.