Center for Comprehensive Weight Loss Bariatric Center

Dr. Shina was very imformative. He let us know up front what to expect. He seems to be a no nonsense type of man. The staff was wonderful. They didn't mind that I called about three times even before we got the consultation. I would refer other people to his office.

He seems like a pro. I have spent a long time getting approval for surgery so I have not seen him in a long time....until 1/25/01!


I had my surgery and have had no problems, I will get my staples out on 2/13. The office has answered any questions I've had.

I HAVE JUST HAD MY INITIAL CONSULTATION WITH DR. SHINA AND TOTALLY LOVED HIM. HE SEEMS TO REALLY KNOW WHAT HIS GOALS AS YOUR SURGEON ARE WITH ONLY YOUR BEST INTEREST AT HEART. HE STRESSED HOW MUCH THE AFTERCARE OF THE SUGERY WAS CRITICAL IN YOUR SUCCES. VERY FRIENDLY STAFF, ONE LADY WAS EVEN A PATIENT. SHE SHOWED US HER BATTLE WOUND WHICH SHE RECEIVED 3 YEARS AGO AND IT WAS PRACTICALLY EVEN NOTICEABLE. OVERALL, I WAS VERY IMPRESSED AND KNOW I'LL BE IN GOOD HANDS.

1/18/00 I have read and heard a lot about Dr Shina, but I haven't actually met him yet. When I went for my seminar(8/22), he was elbow deep in someone's stomache and unable to hold consults that day. So, I have finally rescheduled my consult for 1/23/01.

After the consult on 1/23/01 I can say that I really like and respect Dr. Shina and I am very pleased that he will be doing my surgery.

Dr. Shina and his staff are very knowledgable and seem to care about their patients. I was very impressed! One thing that he said to me that really hit home was the fact that whatever baggage I enter into the operating room with (emotional issues over food, family relationship problems, etc.) will follow me when I leave the operating room. He said that I need to be committed to making those changes on my own. There also seems to be a wonderful support network through Norton Suburban Hospital and the Right Weigh program.

My first impression of him was that he is a doctor that expects you to follow his guidelines if you want this surgery to be successful. The office staff was really nice, but I think they all need a vacation (lol). The one thing that I think thatI thought was unprofessional was that in the examining room, Dr. Shina did not talk to me. It seems to me that Dr. Shina want's the approval from the insurance company before he takes too much time on you, and I don't blame him. Dr. Shina put a lot of emphasis on aftercare. He made it very clear that you need to come to the visits when your post-op so that you can be monitored. Dr. Shina was very clear that this surgery is very serious and that I could die from it. He made it clear that he will not perform surgery on someone who will not accept a blood transfusion or on someone who smokes. So far, I would rate this doctor a 10. Rick, who is taking care of the insurance part has also been great. I have e-mailed him several times and he has always gotten back with me and explained where I stand with the insurance company.

Very busy didn't hardly talk to me was in and out.

I am still pretty new to the surgery, but he does take more time.

They are great they always take your call and they answer all your questions.

That he does have a sense of humor that he does care and is quit concerned about you as a patient and he wants you to be successful.

Its what he stresses will make the surgery a success.

Yes

The risk of surgery wasn't addressed hardly at all. I had some complications and it scared me really bad.

Good.

I think both.

I like the fact that this particular doctor insist on training his staff to get information correct the first time. I have had no problems so far. I just got my first consult. date 3/7/00. Will keep you posted on this doctor and his staff.
My consult. was today and I am very impressed with the doctor and his staff. He fully explained the procedure, all of the risks and the pros and cons of sugery. He has done enough of these to know exactly how to handle insur.co's etc. I am really excited now. Dr.Shina is a strict doctor so I am looking forward to getting this thing going. My next comments will be post-op.

Post-op comments: Dr. Shina was great while I was in the hospital. He checked in daily answered all of my questions and had lots of suggestions for me regarding future weight loss goals. Very good doctor/surgeon. I would highly recommend him only for patients who will follow doctors orders. He won't tolerate not doing so.
He is very attentive at my check ups. He doesnot waist time with me which I like. He answers all my questions and concerns and twice he has called me back at home when I have called his office for advice. He is a busy man but it does not seem to get in his way of good care. He also tells me how nice I look when I come in. That is always nice to hear. I guess if I HAD to say something negative about him it would be that he needs more staff. The girls he has are great but they are busy.

Dr. Shina seems to be the bariatric surgeon
of choice here in Louisville. The office staff
is very friendly and helpful...but very busy.
I've spoke to a lot of his post op patients
and have heard nothing but good reports. I
will post more after my surgery. ****Post Op
Today I went for my second post op visit with
Dr. Shina. I just dont have enough good things
to say about him. At first I thought he was
kind of cold and unfriendly but I heard he
was an excellant surgery from so many. After
surgery he is totally different. He is a kind
and caring man, but often you dont see that
side of him because they stay so busy. His
office staff is great and I would highly
recommend him to anyone else considering WLS.
I've been very happy with him as my Dr.

Concerning Dr. Gerald Larson, I found him to be very cold and uninterested.
Office staff was down in the mouth.
There were no support groups according to his diatician. She offered us three sheets of recipes using tofu and said they were thinking about starting a support group.
He did not discuss the risks of the surgery.
Over all, if I have my choice I will not use his services.
Of course surgical competence is better, but you'd think after a Dr. has been doing this for 20 years he would naturally develope a repore with his clients. At least, I think it not unreasonable to expect a smile and a hand shake. These are my opinions and are not the opinions of this web site. I just call 'em like I see 'um. I figure $30,000 ought to buy me the right to complain if nothing else.
Sharon Coomer
4/17/2000

6/15/2000
I know now that I will be using Dr. Mark Shina as my surgeon. I am quite pleased about this choice as Dr. Shina's record is clean as a whistle and he is reported to be greatly gifted as a surgeon. I am off and running 6/26/2000! YeeeHaaa!