DR. Gerald Kirshenbaum

Has anyone used this Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum for the lap-band and has there been any probelms please help I am thinking of using him.

I did not use him.  I did call his office to set up a consult appt and the gal on the phone (her name was Natalie) was so rude that it turned me off.  However, that being said, that seems to be the exception and not the norm.  I have heard from many people that have used him and really have been pleased.  And they say that is very out of character for Natalie (I think that was her name it was almost a year ago).  Everyone has a bad day now and then, and I must've caught her's.  However, she's just a representative of the office and not the actual surgeon too.  Key is to find someone that you feel comfortable with.  Hence my decision to go with Dr. Snyder.  Good luck to you.  You might also check at http://www.lapbandtalk.com/index.php?referrerid=37242, under the topic Doctors & Hospitals is a whole thread devoted to Dr. K and many of his devoted patients.  Hope that helps.  Good luck to you!! 

Thanks, I actually spoke with Natalie today and she seem to be very nice and professional maybe she was has a bad day.

Great, good luck to you, hope it all works out for you.  Were you able to go to that link at lapbandtalk?  There's lots of info about him there. 

Yes I did and I am weighting my options go to Colorado and pay $9950 or stay in Ga and find something under $15,000.

I've decided to go with him. I have emailed and spoken to Natalie and found her to be very polite and prompt in replying. Even this morning when they had a blizzard and everyone was calling in. Though hotel and airfare is extra, I am still saving four thousand dollars. I couldn't find anything negative about him or his surgery skills anywhere I looked. Since I have to pay for this myself and I don't want to risk my health or safety, I had to do a lot of research on many doctors across the US and Mexico. There are doctors who have about the same price in other parts of the country, but Denver is only about an hour by air from here.

I used Dr. K - surgery 3/18/09.  I was actually there the day of the snowstorm.  I have to say that Natalie has been what has kept me sane.  Dr. K is nice enough and a sweet person, but not clear at all in instructions (there seem to be some contradictions) and failed to give me some information on what to expect.  One time in particular he was very rushed and I felt like I couldn't ask him the questions I wanted to.  He is a real stickler for the diet plan and the fact that this is not a cure-all.

Also, I've gotten contradictory information between the staff and him.   These messages boards have been essential to me.  I didn't know about lapband hell, slider food, dumping syndrome, etc. from Dr. K.  I learned about it all here.

That said, I've been pleased with the surgery (after I finally talked to Natalie and found out about the first month being lapband hell) and if I have any questions I can call her (and she has had the surgery).  The nursing staff where he does the surgery were phenomenal and I've had no complications.  Everybody has been able to work around my very tight schedule (I work and am in law school).  He is a kind man and has an excellent reputation.

I have not heard from the NUT other than the first time right after my consultation.  I guess I expected to her more from her than just that one time.

Yes, I can imagine he's pretty busy.  I did have my phone appointment with him and that went well. He didn't seem to be in any hurry, which is unusual for a doctor. He did talk about the problems I might have after surgery. He explained dumping syndrome, and that it doesn't apply to the band.

I have a couple friends who have been through lapband surgery with two different doctors here. As there are endless places on the net to find info and an overwhelming amount of it, I like having the live folks as well. Neither of them have seen the nutritionist since the required appointment, but you can call if you have questions. I am waiting for my appointment yet. I am very happy the pre-op diet isn't all liquid protein shakes.

I am glad your surgery went well. Hopefully your bad month is just a memory.