Trying to Choose

I think I have narrowed it down to choosing one of two surgeons. My first choice, because of location, is Leena Khaitain at the Emory Clinic. Secondly my choice is Dr. Dennis Smith at Advanced Obesity Surgery, Woodstock, GA. Any one have any information? Especially info on Dr. Khaitain would be appreciated.

Jeff, Did you try reading the reviews under Bariatric Surgeons. You can usually email the people who have done reviews and get a sense from them. Good luck.

Hi Jeff, Both drs that you are considering are excellent choices, I know several people that have used both. The wait time for the Emory program is horrific and sloooooow moving. Good luck with your decision. Marie post op 12/02/03 lap rny, Dr Hart -137 lbs since surgery -296 lbs from highest weight (539 11/15/01)

Jeff, I don't know Dr. Khaitain, but I can tell you that Dr. Smith is excellent!! I am 5 days post-op having had RNY. I am very happy with my choice of surgeons. Dr. Smith takes every safety precaution. You have to have many test as well as an extensive blood panel work-up, which to me is a major PLUS! I felt it really helped to prepair me for the sugery, and Dr. Smith and his staff are wonderful! Good Luck in your search....God Bless.......Lanie

Hi Jeff, I don't know Dr. Khaitain. I hear great things about Dr. Smith and have a friend who he performed a RNY on, she is doing great. Best wishes with whichever you chose. My surgeon is Dr. J K Champion in north Marietta. He has done 2000 bariatric surgeries laproscopically. 1,990 to be exact. I have friends that he has done also. You are doing your home work, that is very important. Surgeon's experience was very important to me, and I hear that Dr. Smith has good experience also. Meso

My thanks to all of you responded to my request. If I can get appointments with them I am going to see both of them and maybe have a first hand experience. I have seen my share of Drs. in the last year, so the information that Dr. Smith requires so many tests and consults grossly intimidates me, though I can appreciate his overall concern with safety. Again, thanks for the input, I'm sure I'll have another, couple, few, many, 100's, 1000's, 10,000's, eh! you get the picture) of questions to post as I get further along in this. Jeffee