"Before visiting Dr. Thirlby, I checked him out on the Virginia Mason website. My Aunt has worked with him for 19 YEARS! She told me he was a GREAT surgeon and that he was very detailed and encouraging. It seemed like 4-ever, but the day finally arrived. I had spoken with his secretary(who is such a sweetie~very helpful) and she weighed me right when I arrived. Then she led me to a check-up room to wait. When he first walked in I thought, WHOA! The picture of him on the website must have been taken 25 years earlier! Allthough he looked a whole lot older than I expected, he was friendly and told me I was "At the top of our list as a prime canidate that this surgery was made for." He noted that because of my age and congenital obesity my success should be great. He was very patient as I asked questions. He looked surprised and laughed when I said "Does obesity run in YOUR family?" I guess none of his patients had asked him that before. He said no, but told me how he became so interested in operating on the stomach. I brought my 1 year old son and my mother to the appointment. He was wonderful & kind with them too. The appointment only lasted for 40 minutes total, and I felt very confident and excited when I left. God Bless U all on your new life!"
