Had my VSG surgery 2 years ago....August 24, 2023 HW: 322 LW: 135 Current weight: 151 NO Complications to date, surgery... extremely fast Under for less than 50 mins 1 day hospital stay and home the next Man of few words, but what is there to say when his work speaks for itself. He's HONEST. The population of clientele he works with deserves honesty and it takes accountability as a patient The work doesn't happen itself, doesn't happen overnight, but it does happen I would never recommend the Santa Maria Weight loss clinic , a complete mess...you can see why yourself Make the drive to Santa Barbara Advanced Surgical Associates Amazing work. I don't regret the surgery It's permanent, it's a tool If you don't stay the course, you will gain weight back remember YOU NEED TO DO THE WORK AS WELL the hard part is after the 1st year, once your appetite and cravings begin to return Nothing in this life is easy, but again thank you to Dr. Thoman and Cindy and the whole team for their amazing work. Highly recommend to anyone SERIOUSLY interested in the procedure Chefs Kiss !!!!! read more

I went to this guy for a consult before I read the reviews. I have a hernia. He spent less than 5 minutes with him. I told him I was very concerned about mesh especially since my body tends to reject foreign things. He said it shouldn't do that. That's it. Didn't address my concerns. I had to ask him if he even wanted to look at my hernia. No way in hell he's operating on my body. I'll drive where ever I have to until I feel comfortable. read more

This guy has ZERO bedside manor. I had gastric bypass surgery in 2007, lost 174 lbs and kept that off for 7 years, then slowly started to regain weight. I went back to him for help and he LITERALLY LAUGHED IN MY FACE and told me to eat less carbs, then just walked out of the room. I went and sat in my car and I cried. He made ZERO effort to help me or have any empathy whatsoever. After discovering a thyroid problem, my weight started to come off again, no thanks to Dr. David Thoman. I would steer clear of this doctor if you ever want any kind of support after surgery. read more

Surgical update. I had triple hernia surgery on 7/10/2020. It went very well; better than anticipated. Several friends who had had hernia surgery (from other surgeons) said the post-op pain was nearly unbearable. I didn't find that to be the case at all. I took the pain medication the day of surgery (three pills post-op), as a matter of course. The next day, only Advil/Tylenol in the morning and evening. Now, no OTC pain medication at all. The feeling in my belly? Like I did 100 sit-ups. I needed no physical help whatsoever moving around normally ... even the same day, right after surgery! The Surgery Center (Summit) was fine; although surprisingly very busy (crowded) with patients and surgeons. Donning my clothing, by myself, after surgery was a struggle. I was supposed to put on my clothing and shoes while remaining on the gurney (bed). And again, it would be best to get the post-op instructions days-ahead of surgery time ... to properly prepare. I was still groggy from the anesthesia when my instructions were voiced and prescriptions handed to me; and given to my nephew (in writing) who promptly misplaced the documents. Still, it went fine and I would not be fearful of any procedure performed by Dr. Thoman. I'm not sure yet, but I think the doctor has a "wicked" sense of humor! I like it! (Mike Bono, Santa Barbara). read more

If I could give negative stars I would . Dr. Thoman accidentally perforated my esphogas its been over 2 years and I still can't swallow most meats, breads raw fruits and raw veggies as a result ... my life was put on hold a simple out patient surgery turned into a ambulance ride back to the hospital to the ER which I was screaming in the most pain of my life . ( I was released by Dr.Thoman and cottage staff none realizing my Esphogas was perforated during the minor out patient surgery . Then the Tear was discovered by The ER and I was admitted for 5 days in Ridley Tree . Food still gets stuck when I eat which I never had happen untill after this incident . Dr Thoman has never apologized to me and this has caused me emotional stress as well and physical pain and financial hardship My life was altered . A simple Sorry would be nice to hear . This is my result from this surgeon . read more

Dr. Thoman is an excellent surgeon. He uses the latest laparoscopic technique (which should only be used by surgeon's doing ~250 or more operations a year) and in my experience is clearly an expert. I had a bi-lateral inguinal hernia repair with mesh. His incisions were so small that after only three weeks they're practically invisible. I'm sure the scars will get even better with time, but at this point I can only see where they are because the skin is slightly darker and there's internal scar tissue that's a little stiff - it's less than the size of a pencil eraser. read more

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This wonderful man did weight loss surgery on my husband. I tried to get him to let me watch but he wouldn't LOL. Did a perfect job and my hubby is a new man now. Very kind and compassionate. Answers all questions in a way one can understand. I would very very highly recommend him. read more

Great surgeon! He did my gastric bypass in may 2014 and I've lost over 130 pounds in just 9 months. My overall health has improved.

Dr. Thoman is a bariatric specialist and surgeon, whose practice is approved as a bariatric center of excellence. He has surgical privileges at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, which is also a surgical center of excellence. Dr. Thoman is a veteran of the military, and a really fantastic doctor. He is not warm and fuzzy because he is just one of those super focused people. He is caring and wants the best for his patients, even though he is not a bubbly personality. If a doctor is not bubbly but super confident when he is mucking about my innards, I'm good with that. He is really a nice man so don't take me wrong. He was recommended by a friend who had the same problem I did, and after surgery, I followed his directions to the letter and feel so much better. If you have bariatric issues or needs, Dr. Thoman should be your first call. He has several offices, and none close to Bakersfield, but it is a beautiful drive there and his excellence as a doctor make it well worth the extra effort to drive there. read more

Dr.Tolman is amazing Doctor after I had a horrible experience with a Doctor Pryor to him he had a very good bedside manor and he was very attentive and explain and he was very good at the on screen explanation his team handled all the insurance companies for my Sergey and the next thing I new it was done and I will be calling him for all my procedures in my future 5 star across the board for a reconstruction of my Colen read more

Dr. Thoman is a wonderful surgeon! My husband recently had hernia surgery with Dr. Thoman and everything went smoothly. Dr. Thoman is knowledgeable, confident, and gets directly to the point. His staff is AMAZING as well! Deanna at the front desk is very sweet, extremely helpful, and professional. She always has a smile on her face and that goes a long way especially when patients are in need. Cyndi is also just as amazing! She went above and beyond to coordinate my husband's surgery. She was kind and attentive and went out of her way to help. Micheline was also so sweet! Thank you so much to Dr. Thoman and his wonderful team. Grateful for you all!! read more

I've had surgery with Dr. Thoman more than once and I do trust him as a surgeon. He works hard and does a lot of Surgeries BUT if you have issues such as chronic pain, chronic autoimmune issues, and/or anything else really that needs more close monitoring, he's not the guy to go to. My last surgery was brutal and I developed a horrible post op infection and ended up in the hospital for 6 days. I was miserable. For two full days/nights I could not even lay down let alone sleep. The pain was horrific. The only relief I could get was sitting on the toilet and laying my head against the hospital bathroom wall using the railing as some support. How disgusting is that?! But that goes to show just how miserable I was. I kept pleading with the staff and the different resident physicians that would come around to please help me. Dr Thoman, nor anyone else did. They really let me suffer this time. I even had one of the doctors suggest I get some CBD oil!! Oh Sure.. can't lay down and am in horrific pain but can someone wheel me to a local pot dispensary so I can get relief from my post op surgical and infection pain?! Can you believe a doctor/hospital would even suggest such a thing?! I thought Cottage was supposed to be a top notch reputable hospital?! I cried almost the entire time I was there and all they were concerned about was discharging me. One of the nurses was very against pain medication and gave a false report of my symptoms. I was not consulted and No one was interested in anything else but getting rid of me. I have had 11 abdominal Surgeries (some far more serious than the surgery I just had) so I've been in the hospital a lot and this, by far!, was the worst, most painful experience I've ever gone through. Finally, on my follow up visit I was hoping to talk to Dr. THOMAN and let him know just how horrible it was. He didn't care. It was quite a feat for me to even get to his office because I've really been struggling in this healing time. I wasn't even in that exam room 5 minutes and he was done with me and told me to come back in 6 mos. Unfreakingbelievable!! Everything I brought up he didn't care and told me I'm just sensitive. Wtf?! He didn't say anything at all about my infection and I've had to really do some research on my own because it's one that continues to affect you for some time and I am still dealing with the aftermath plus pain. I have had other surgeries with this guy, mind you, and really trusted him so this was quite a blow. I am pretty traumatized and hope I never have to be at cottage or at his Mercy again. I wouldn't wish that experience on anyone except maybe those doctors and the judgemental nurse so they can take better care of their patients. read more

Dr. Thoman is the best ! He removed my gallbladder and the procedure went off perfectly. He is very professional and kind. His office staff was great too. read more

I asked doctors who know and they said he was the best in town. I have to agree.

This guy saved my life after a botched surgery in Ojai. (never go there) I checked around and everyone said he was the best abdominal surgeon in town. They were right. His office staff were great also. read more

After seeing dr thoman for a consult, his office sent me to cottage hospital to schedule hernia surgery. At the hospital, everyone was most friendly, and i was assured that after surgery, i would get what i needed for pain, not to worry. Nothing was further from the truth. Right after surgery, i was given dilaudid every 45-60min. After the first 3 or four hours, i was supposed to go home. As i waited for my ride, my pain ramped up to 10. It was beyond excruciating. Nurses gave me a weak morphine pill (15mg), which did zero for my pain. I I lay there for 30-45 min. w/ cottage staff ignoring me. I had to literally demand medication: "I need something for pain now." I was given the minimum of dilaudid, which barely helped. I had to ask for more. And more. I finally had to ask to be kept overnight due to severe pain. I also asked for dr thoman himself. He assured me i would be kept comfortable. Again, the truth was not even close to dr thoman's promise. Once i got to my room, i was given dilaudid only every 2 hrs. In between, i was given a morphine pill, which again, did nothing. A severely rude/disrespectful nurse (Marley) kept saying that this is all i was getting, and she would not call the dr for every little thing (my pain, apparantly, was a small issue). Due to level 9-10 pain all night, i did not sleep for 1 minute. I demanded that dr thoman give me something for my pain. For half of the night, i was ignored. Then, at 3 or 4 in the morning, dr thoman had ordered ativan, an anti-anxiety medication. again, it did absolutely nothing for my pain. In the morning, some rude dr, who didn't even operate on me, said i would not be getting any dilaudid to take home, only tramadol and the weak 15mg morphine. I repeated that dilaudid was the only thing keeping my pain at bay, that i cannot go home unless i have dilaudid. the dr refused and left rudely. He then discharged me behind my back, w/o even discussing a discharge. After repeatedly asking to speak to a manager or hospital director, a dr shawn diamond, who worked w dr thoman, gave me a dilaudid prescription, enough to keep me semi-comfortable for 5 days. After i ran out of medication and was still in severe pain, i called dr thoman's office, saying i needed a follow-up and pain medication. Instead, a snippy office assistant tells me that i'm on a lot of medicine, that i need to follow up w my pain dr. I explained that "a lot" is relative, and that i just had surgery, etc., etc. My request for dr thoman to give me a prescription for level 10 pain was ignored; the next day, my pain dr refused to help me reduce my pain (surprise). At my follow-up w dr thoman, i again mentioned i was still pain, that i needed something, that the pain dr did nothing to help my pain. Dr thoman just said the pain will get better, to take motrin, that i need to get off narcotic pain meds. I have severe degeneration in my back, dr thoman, and will not any time soon be off medication. then he had the nerve to recommend motrin. he knew i was taking morphine and tramadol, so if those dont address my surgery pain, how the hell will motrin help?? dr thoman may be a decent surgeon, but if you are like me, and have a low tolerance for excruciating pain, surgery pain, i.e., the worst pain you've ever had, then go somewhere else. Avoid dr thoman, avoid cottage hospital, unless you can deal w/ getting operated on and receive minimal to no pain medication afterwards. read more