Bariatric Surgeons who are Physicians - Jacksonville, FL

"I was referred to this man 7 years ago because I had feelings of food getting stuck, severe indigestion (gas) in my chest and regularly having to vomit to relieve the pressure I felt. He supposedly reviewed my medical imaging and records which showed my stomach protruding in my diaphragm and in his questionable professional opinion, he said I needed to eat slower and smaller portions. He never asked about the other medical history or questioned if I had history of abdomen soreness, history of heart or lung inflammation; anything that a competent surgeon would rule out is caused by my pouch (and now small intestine) protruding in my diaphragm. This year I try again; same office different surgeon, Craig Morganthal. He response, "because I'm an established patient of Hodgett, he refuses to see me." Neither of these surgeons have taken the time to get my history. Hodgett only confirmed there's no stricture so made an uneducated guess that my eating habits were the problem. Incompetence at best and at worse, they prefer to stand with each other rather than uphold to the oath they swore to. "

"I had Roux-Y gastric bypass just over 20 years ago. 7 years ago, after having issues with problems with the feeling of food getting stuck in my throat, throwing up for relief, and pain indigestion in my chest and upper abdomen, A gastroenterologist referred me to Dr. Hodgett for a consult. Dr. Hodgett came in the room, didn't introduce himself and said, "You don't need surgery. I just need to slow down in my eating and chew smaller portions." He never addressed the obvious protrusion of my pouch (stomach) through my diaphragm. He never got from me any other medical issues that would explain the symptoms I've having (pericarditis 4x different times, sever indigestion, sore/painful upper abdomen. Hodgett was incredibly rude and unprofessional, constantly interrupting me. He said I don't have a stricture so the surgery isn't a solution. No physician has ever treated me so poorly in my life. For the record, any family or friends know how incredibly slow I eat. It’s common for me take 2-3 hours to finish meals because I don't want food to get stuck. I went back to that gastroenterologist. He read Dr. Hodgetts notes and apologize that I had a negative experience but never gave me any other referrals to another surgeon. I never understood why but because of that experience my primary doc prescription Omeprazole for some of the symptoms. Now, 7 years later, I go through the same process with another gastro specialist and this time, I'm referred to Dr. Morgenthal, who I'm told has better bedside manner and will review the case. I call the office to schedule and appoint. I’m told the doctor needs to review my records first because I'm asking for a 2nd opinion. I get a call from his nurse the next day who says he's refusing to see me because I’m considered an established patient of Dr. Hodgett. He likely never reviewed my current medical records to see the protrusion now includes my small intestine. In effect, they're refusing to see me to protect their themselves legally. So this nurse, who starts increasingly talking over me as the call continues, tells me Dr. Morgenthal has 2 suggestions: (1) To see the original surgeon (he doesn’t want to touch another doctor’s work) who's now dead or (2) go to another surgeon, either one that’s part of North Florida Surgeons or another network. This nurse sarcastically, said since I’m in insurance, I should know how to do that. When I asked do I have to go to another bariatric surgeon, she said Dr. Morganthal didn't say that either, he just said another surgeon. At first, the nurse was going to give names of other surgeons within North Florida Surgeons but by the end call, she was speaking over me several times (I have documentation of this) and said, "I know over 90 surgeons and i no longer keep up with all their names." While I was asking her question about that response, she starts talking over me again, giving me 1-2 names but not bothering to care if I actually go the info. Actually the nurse suggested I could go back to the gastroenterologist, which makes no sense to me because they first recommended that I see a bariatric surgeon. What is crazy about all of this is that they keep referring to me not having a stricture, now and 7 years ago. As some may know, strictures can happen where they surgically connect the pouch limb to my small intestine. It can tighten and restrict food. I agree I don’t have a stricture! In my records, it’s clear that the gastroenterologist didn’t refer me to these incompetent surgeons about a stricture. They referred because my pouch and small intestine have herniated into my upper abdomen. Trust and believe, if have a life threatening issue as a result of there "good ol' boy" mentality and not addressing the actual medical condition I sought help for, I (or my family) will pursue this legally."

"I needed bariatric surgery and he was the best hands down!!"