Association Of South Bay Surgeons Bariatric Center
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I LOVE this man! At first, I have to admit, I wasn't too hep on him, due to the fact that the first time I saw him he looked unkempt, tired, and not exactly a model for what WLS can do for a person, however, my opinion changed quite drastically by the time my surgery time rolled around.
Dr, Klein's office staff is very proficient in what they do. The office is ran smoothly (when Dr. Klein does, at least), and there is fresh coffee available at all times, as well as water. It's also located right next to a pharmacy that caters to his patient's needs.
First thing you need to know is that if you have an afternoon appointment, bring things to keep your mind busy because he takes so much time with individual patients that he is always running late (and I do mean late!), but he is absolutely worth the wait! He is very thorough in his teachings and procedures, not wanting his patients to feel any doubts. He wants to make sure we are confident in our choices and that we know what kind of ride we are in for before AND after surgery.
I didn't get a full appreciation for his sense of humor until after the surgery and the nurse went to look at my wounds. There in bold black letters was "No Touchie the IOBAND!" Like I was gonna anyway, right? Oh, and he's referred to as "The Vampire Doctor" because he usually comes in to see his patients at 2 or 3 in the morning. (However, since he is head of Trauma at another hospital, it is understandable.) And when he does come in, he pulls up a chair and waits for you to ask him questions, if there aren't any, he'll quiz you.
All in all, I'd say my relationship with Dr. Klein is one of great respect. A respect that has flourished beyond belief!
Dr. Solomon was very approachable and easy to talk with. He has a calming demeanor. He's knowledgeable yet doesn't have an attitude of superiority like some doctors do.
What I loved most is that he stated upfront that HE would NOT do any kind of banding procedure, under any circumstance, because I have lupus and a long history of steroid use to control inflammation.
Most of the office staff are very friendly; those that I don't think are friendly are at least professional. The office is quite busy as there are several surgeons affiliated with the medical group.
There is a nurse practitioner on staff who decides when and if a patient moves forward in the process.
I didn't like waiting the 6 months before the medical office submitted to the insurance company for authorization. My insurance company doesn't require a "diet & exercise" program and I just wished that the surgeon's office had submitted sooner. I started with this surgeon's office Aug 2009 and was approved June 2010 after an Independent Medical Review. If they had submitted sooner then I could have appealed sooner.
Dr. Solomon stresses the importance and necessity of exercise - I like that. He also talked about aftercare, but will instruct more the closer I get to surgery date. And he definitely discussed the risks of surgery as well as the risk of obesity.
As far as which is better surgical competence or beside manner: surgical competence.
I've been going to the Torrance Bariatric office now for over a year and I've only met the doctor twice. Once with a group and once I met with him one on one. He seems nice but I can't say I know him well at all. The staff is nice. I haven't heard anything bad about him or the staff. The one meeting we had was maybe 5 minutes so I am a bit scared about my surgery tomorrow.
Can we say that I love this doctor??? Lol. I dont even know where to begin. Dr.Kline is just an awesome doctor. I feel like I am being treated as an individual. Not some one who is being pushed through the mill. My first meeting with him lasted 3hrs, What MD do you know that is going to spend that much time with you? He went through everything so throughly. He adjusted things just specifically for me. There was not lets rush through this and see what happens. Poof and be gone. I dont think that my impression will change in regards to the doc. He staff is also AWESOME!!! They return phone calls the SAME DAY! Everyone is always curteous. Someone is always there to help you out with questions..Oh and if you call the doc.HE calls you back. <3 it! I mean I dont know what else to tell you other than he and the staff at Association of South Bay Surgeons is great. I will have to update the rest as I go along in this process..Oh yeah did I say I love that office? Lol.
My first impression of Dr. Solomon that he was a nice guy. Very knowledgeable and I felt very comfortable talking to him. The office staff was great. Very nice, very socialable and helpfull with all of my questions. Dr. Solomon was straight forward with explanning all the risks of the surgery. I really liked his bedsides manner. Dr. Solomon came back to check on me when I was sent to short stay. And made sure all my questions were answered and if I had any concerns. I would def. recommend Dr. Solomon and his staff.
Switched to Dr. Takahashi who I'm much happier with. Going into surgery is hard enough without being hesitant about your doctor. I'm confident about Dr. Takahashi's skills from stellar recommendations from other doctors.rnrnExpect her to be very matter of fact. The only thing that bothered me is she sometimes is condescending. But, it's obvious she's had too many people not listen to her recommendations in the past and now she reinforces the same messages over and over and over as well as give many explanations spelled out (visit after visit), regardless if you got it or not the first time.rnrnIt's interesting, but it seems like her personality warmed up a lot after the surgery, but I've relaxed too and maybe it just seems that way.rnrnI'm very happy with Dr. Takahashi and highly recommend her. rnrnSome of the office staff isn't reliable with follow up, but Anna's excellent. Both nurse practitioners are great. It helps to go into surgery knowing that so many risks are reduced due to such an incredible battery of pre-tests that are required. rnrn----------------rnrnI didn't have as good of an experience with the first doctor to whom I was assigned. Dr. Baghai as others have posted here, so much so, that I switched to another doctor. My first impression was that she was knowledgeable, but that she didn't want to listen to any of my questions. She talked over me and kept saying that \"she had already told me that\" which wasn't true--she just hadn't really listened to my question so she didn't understand how what I was asking was different than the things she had already explained. (Hope you could follow that!) She was very condescending each of the three times I met and spoke with her. She got especially irritated when I asked her some questions that were suggested we ask our surgeon in the book her boss suggests that all of his patients get--Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies. Plus, she didn't know the answers to questions either, which rose a red flag--she should know her own record, the number of gastric bypass surgeries she had done, her personal complication rate, etc. Didn't know, didn't know. Gave the \"I've done so many I can't keep track answer.\" She did explain the risks. I don't know about her competence--I couldn't get to the point I, personally, felt comfortable about that. In my dealings with her, her bedside manner was very poor and aggressive in a weird way. I understand she's not with the Assoc. of South Bay Surgeons anymore. This was just my experience, I'm glad to see that others had a better engagement with her than I did.
My first impression of my surgeon was Damn! He's cute! :-)rnSeriously...So far I am very pleased with Dr. Solomon. The first time I met with him he was thorough in explaining the procedures available and in making recommendations for me specifically. He has been readily available to answer any questions and/or concerns I've had since then and has never made me feel like I am asking stupid questions. I like that. rnHe is very up front and has a good sense of humor which helps me feel comfortable with him. rnYeah........so far, so good.rnWe'll see......oh yeah and did I mention he's cute? :-)rnOFFICE STAFFrnMy first impression of the office staff was very positive. Everyone has been kind and attentive. However there are some very weak areas. For example, messages do not always get passed on to the doctors and follow-through can be very poor at times.rnPOST-OP UPDATE:rnI have nothing but good things to say about Dr. Solomon. He is an excellent surgeon and a very nice man. He is responsive to my questions and/or concerns and seems to genuinely care about his patients. What a rarity that is!rnI've had no surgery related issues and my recovery was relatively easy and pain-free. I could not have asked for better care.rnAFTER-CARE PROGRAM:rnAfter-care has been excellent. The Association of South Bay Surgeons has a structured program that includes periodic doctor visits, lab work and monthly support group meetings. Dr. Solomon remains involved in my progress and has been a great source of encouragement. I would recommend him highly.
Dr. Takahashi was very straight forward and to the point on my first visit. I felt the same about the first NP that I visited. By the following visits I realized that they are not going to make time for you if you are not serious about losing weight and that is alright by me. Once they see you're serious, they loosen up. My second visit with Dr. Takahashi, I was considering cancelling the surgery due to some personal problems. She took the time to listen to me, answered all my questions and I left feeling positive. I will be having my surgery soon and I feel God has lead me to some very capable hands.rnrn9/6/09 - Dr Takahashi ROCKS!!! She is so awesome! God put me in the best hand possible. I was originally suppose to get the RNY, but when she went in she discovered there was scarring and adhesion from a previous surgery from 10 years ago. When I woke up she let me know that the Sleeve would be in my best interest with my intestines being compromised from the previous procedure. She and the staff at Torrance Memorial Med Ctr took VERY good care of me!