Patient Stories

Dear Dr. Umbach,

I just wanted to thank you so much for being my sister's doctor and fighting for her with the insurance company so that she can have her surgery. She is a fighter. There aren't that many doctors out there that will take the time to fight for their patient's. They would just give up and not give her the time and day. When the insurace said that she needed $6000 upfront for the hospital she almost gave up on her dream. But since God got her this far and a doctor like you, to even think a loving God would turn around and take it all away would be unthinkable. Again, I just wanted to say that I am so thankful for the care that you have given my sister; I love her very much and would like my little sister around for a long time.

With all my thanks,
Debra Dorsey

Dr. Umbach, It's been some time, so I thought I would give you an update. Starting Weight 311 today I am 185 for a total of 126 lbs lost since March. What an outstanding Year. I have kept to the plan and treated this as a tool, and I am trying to keep the tool sharp by not stuffing it and working out all the time. I have only missed a few days since the surgery on working out, and it gets easier every day. I went from size 50 to size 34. I feel fantastic and can do more than I ever thought possible. I just wanted to thank you for the great job you did and I know that you have made a huge difference in my life. Once again thanks.

Jeff Conduff

Dr. Umbach's office is very nice and clean. He has a one stop office for all of your bariatric surgery needs from the protein shakes for your liquid diet to the nutritionist for your insurance approvals. I began to see Dr. Umbach in July of 2010. I fought with my insurance for approval and finally had surgery on December 1, 2010. I was the first patient in that day. Dr. Umbach was early to surgery which was a huge relief to see him wide eyed with a smile and his black coat on!! LOL. I told him this was impressive. I had absolutely NOT ONE complication and I stayed overnight because of the intense gas pains. I went home the next day and once I was on solid foods I was 100% and I still am. The first three weeks I was down 27lbs from my highest weight and 21 from surgery. Weight loss has slowed down for me but I am sure with exersize I will be back on track. I recommend him 100%. So Dr. Umbach is recommended in my book.

Anonymous
12/28/2010

I went to Doc Umbach as a self pay paitent. He is THE BEST!! At the consultation, when I sat down and talked to the Doc he was very down to earth and answered all my questions. On the day of surgery I was the first one in at 7am. Doc walked in with blue jeans and tennis shoes on and I asked if it was casual Friday? He had a good laugh. He made sure my wife and I knew what was going to happen on surgery day and off he went to get ready. When I woke up in the recovery room the nurses got me up and walking right away. A few laps around the floor and I was on my way home around 11am. Four hours unbelivable! At home I was in no pain at all. It was great and I'm on my way to a new me. I can't thank the Doc and his staff enough.

Anonymous
12/21/2010

He was so nice and I really felt let he really cared about me and my heath. His staff was VERY friendly and professional. He went over everything and there were no surprises. I was up and walking around the next day! Its been 12 day after surgery and I've lost 43 Lbs. so far..YEAH! I would recommend him to everybody! send me a message and I'll be glad to talk to you about him.

Anonymous
11/23/2010

When I first seen Dr. Umbach he was wearing flip flops and blue jeans. Very down to earth kind of man. Always taking time to answer all of my questions. His office staff is so nice, kind, and has a uplifting spirit.

Shana
10/15/2010

I am very happy with my surgeon. I feel like Igot a new life. Dr. Umbach ans staff where great. Very helpful an explained every thing. He takes the patients needs as a personnal concern. They have a good after surgical program. He is a great surgeon. This is just my personnal experience.

Anonymous
10/13/2010

My first impression of Dr. Umbach was positive.He made me feel comfortable with my decision to choose Lap Band surgery. He explain all the different types of bariatric procedures and let me choose what I felt was right for me. Dr. Umbach program to help you complete your steps through the pre surgey requirments is one of the best I have ever seen or heard about. He has an excellent staff who help me get thru all the required paper work with little effort. Dr. Umbach is a highly skill surgeon who has done numerious bariatric procedures and I trusted him with my life and he came thru with flying colors. My surgery went very well and I felt no pain during or after. I had my surgery on wednesday and went back to work on friday. He has an excellent after care program that helps you achieve your goal. I highly recommend Dr. Umbach if you are lookin to have a bariatic procedure in the las vegas area.

James Delao
10/05/2010

Dr. Umbach is a wonderful surgeon. He is very knowledgeable. He is very direct and straightforward when discussing my surgery and life after surgery. His staff is wonderful, too. There is nothing that I can say negative about Dr. Umbach or his staff. I am so glad I chose to start this life changing journey with them. Dr. Umbach has indeed changed my life.

Anonymous
09/24/2010

Dr. Thomas Umbach did my Lap Band surgery on August 18, 2010. I have had no problems at all since the surgery, one month ago. This may be due to the education Dr. Umbach insists his patients get. Every monthly visit was spent with Dr. Umbach personally, and I was given whatever time I needed to ask questions and review my progress to that point. Friends who used other surgeons here in town, only saw them once before surgery and less than a minute in the OR. Before and after surgery, Dr. Umbach spoke with me and made sure I had answers to any concerns I may have had. My surgery was performed at Desert Springs Hospital in Las Vegas, NV and they were extraordinary in the care they gave me. I was given about an hour of personal education there before I went home and was given copies of everything we discussed for later perusal. I just had my 1st visit with him since surgery and once again spent time with Dr. Umbach being praised for my progress. His office staff is courteous, kind and very encouraging! Both he and his staff are personally involved in my care and aftercare! It's very much like having family members involved, rather than medical professionals, because they all care so much about even small steps of progress I make! I would recommend Dr. Umbach to anyone considering weight loss surgery. These are, of course, my personal opinions. The only negative was that at first I didn't think he liked me at all, but as time went on, I realized I was mistaken and he thought me to be not only intelligent, but capable of following his instructions and doing the best for myself.

Anonymous
09/17/2010

I had my Realize Band on August 18th, 2010, and feel great!!! Dr. Umbach is fantastic!!! I have to tell you that he makes you feel really comfortable and answers all your questions. I never felt like he wasn't listening to me when I had concerns. Also Holly Hagel is great! She is always there for you if you have a question. I even called her on a Saturday morning and she was so nice to answer my questions. Great people in their office and it's fun to go into the waiting room and talk with everyone that is getting ready for surgery or has already had it. If you live in the area, PLEASE make sure you go see Dr. Umbach. You will not regret it!!!

Anonymous
09/12/2010

I had my surgery by Dr. Umbach on June 16, 2010. His office is very professional and the doctor was very informative and knowledgeable. We chose to have the sleeve procedure done. The day of the surgery everything went great. I am now two weeks post op with two weeks protein shakes before the surgery and have lost 37 pounds. I am off my insulin for my diabetes and my family doctor is adjusting the rest of my medicine. I was back at work 5 days after the surgery and feeling great. Can't eat much food but that is what it is all about. What a great doctor and staff. Thank You.

B. Scheppman
07/02/2010

My first impression of Dr. Umbach was, Can he get the Job done? I had gone through trying to find a doctor to getting the insurance company to approve me, till when I meet him I was not trying to hear another no. As time went by I was ... excited about the surgery, but other little kinks had to be worked out. The staff at Blossom Bariatrics (or should I say Holly?) was very supportive. She called me to keep me motivated; she cried with me and always had a kind word for me even in her own family problems... Thank you Holly... Dr. Umbach always asked me on every visit do I have any questions. I always said no, and he would say, “Are you sure? This is very serious. You could die.” And I didn't want to hear that of all things, but it was the truth. To anyone wanting to have the surgery, I would highly recommend Dr. Umbach. After surgery, the next day Dr. Umbach came and sat with me in my room, talking with me and my family, making sure everything was OK, when some doctors come and stay about five minutes and would not sit down. With my the follow up appointments Dr. Umbach went over all my vitamins and made sure I know the importance of taking them. Yes... As I stated earlier, Every Visit!

Anonymous
04/01/2010

Dr. Umbach was and is GREAT!! He takes time to explain the entire process, he listens to all questions, and answers them so you can understand. His entire staff is helpful, considerate, and professional. I was given over 60 recipes for ideas on what to do with the protein shakes... each one is delicious... even my family wants them now!! I have only been more and more impressed each and every time I have had an office visit. I would rate Dr. Umbach as an excellent surgeon and would recommend him to anyone in the Las Vegas area. Dr. Umbach's bedside manner is excellent, I only wish my other doctors would be as good. The only thing I dislike is some times the wait time for the office visit, but he takes time with each and every patient, so he runs behind schedule.

B. Shahn
03/18/2010

Dr. Umbach and his entire staff are awesome! From start to finish they made the entire process so simple. I would highly recommend them to anyone!!!

Anonymous
02/03/2010

So, I have always thought doctors were in it just for the money, not because they truly care about helping people. Well, Dr. Umbach proved me wrong... big time. He actually cares about people and makes sure you get the time you need at each and every appointment. He has a warm personality that would make anyone feel comfortable. I could go on and on about how wonderful Dr. Umbach is... This may sound corny, but I feel truly blessed to have Dr. Umbach as my bariatric doctor. P.S. Holly Hagel and Holly Umbach are great too!

Lynn
12/03/2009

I must compliment you and your staff for the excellent treatment I received during my recent office visits and surgery. The most satisfying parts for me were how good I felt after the surgery and that there was no pain at all.

Again, thank you for a pain free experience.

L A M

Dearest Dr. Umbach,

Thank you would sincerely understate my appreciation to you. When I first considered having the Lap Band surgery, the doctors and staff at Surgical Weight Control Centers were most helpful. However, the care that I received post surgery was sub-par to say the least

I really felt that I subjected my body to this procedure to no avail. The only option I was given was add or remove fluid from the band. Which was done several times and I still was not getting any results that mirrored the weight loss that I was going to receive by having this surgery

My primary care physician grew increasingly frustrated as did I at the lax approach of the doctors that I was seeing. Searching for some sort of workable solution, he referred me to you.

I was greeted in your office by someone that did not make my attendance seem as an imposition. I was given a thorough examination of my medical history before I was even seen by you. You listened to me and you were not ashamed to say "I don't know". You sir offered non textbook approaches to aid in rectifying my problem and I thank you and my family thanks you. I knew that there had to be a viable solution and you are willing to help me find it. I now feel confident that attaining my weight loss goal is now a reality.

Humbly Yours,
B.S.

First Impression: Smart, clean, and kind. Impression Changes: None for the worse..only got better the more I worked with them. Competent, caring and completely dedicated to their profession. Office Staff: Can't say enough! Trustworthy, competent, diligent, tenacious with the insurance company, reliable and I can totally count on Holly Hagel, who went above and beyond for me. Liked Least: At first, the "openness" of the office atmosphere. Then became to love it. Don't have to hid from what I am or was. Future Patients Should Know: To relax and have confidence in Dr. Umbach's abilities. You can be yourself and not worry about it. Aftercare Emphasis: Adamant about you knowing what to do and what to expect. This is most important! Structured Aftercare Program: Absolutely - great. Risks of Surgery Discussions: Talks about it at every visit, refers you to view online video classes "Emme" for information on before, during and after surgery. Answered all of my questions over and over again. My Rating: 9: No one is perfect! But, they come close! Both surgical competence and bedside manner were great. But, for me the surgical competence is most important in the end.

L.R.

Andrea is doing a video on youtube. She's awesome.
Watch her Posts and Follow her Progress

Amy is doing a video on Youtube. Come see the Progress
Watch her Posts and Follow her Progress

I had my Realize Band on August 18th, 2010, and feel great!!! Dr. Tom Umbach is fantastic!!! I have to tell you that he makes you feel really comfortable and answers all your questions. I never felt like he wasn't listening to me when I had concerns. Also Holly Hagel is great! She is always there for you if you have a question. I even called her on a Saturday morning and she was so nice to answer my questions. Great people in their office and it's fun to go into the waiting room and talk with everyone that is getting ready for surgery or has already had it. If you live in the area, PLEASE make sure you go see Dr. Umbach. You will not regret it!!!

Anonymous
09/12/2010