Dr. Livingston, M.D. Bariatrics Bariatric Center
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Met him once for a brief consult; heard him speak at the UCLA support group in January; he is very candid (which I truly respect) and answered audience questions for over an hour until the last question was asked.
UCLA has a structured aftercare which I will learn about at pre-op appointment.
Questions on risks were answered and discussed and brought up by him, especially as I am an older patient.
I believe I would take surgical competence over anything.
He is serious, straightforward and not warm-fuzzy, which I can get from my friends; they cannot perform a miracle on me like I expect he will.
I'll have more to say after surgery, I am sure.
When I first meet him, I knew he was the surgeon ffor me . First thing he saaid was why do you think that I can help you? Plus he told me that it was a great time in my life to do this because I have no medical problems.
His office is very very busy and many people come from quite the distances to meet with the Dr.s the office I think has 7 other Dr. that are a part of the surgery teem.
the staff is very helpful for you and understands where you are coming from. Just because its at ucla all the staff are not students most of the swtaff are really front and back office medical assistants lvns and r.ns. and very profesional to.
The one that helped me the most was Gideion Ishmiel.. If he couldnt help with your question he would find someone who could and be very fast about it to.all I can say is I had a ruff surgery like most people that have had on open rny will tell you I AM VERY THANKFUL THAT i HAD THE SURGERY AND i HAD GREAT HELP AND CONSTANT CARE AND SUPPORT FROM MY HUSBAND oR i MAY NOT HAVE MADE IT.
i HAD MY SURGERY DEC 3,2001 AND TO DATE mARCH 30, 2002 i HAVE LOST WITH GODS HELP 97 LB. AND WENT FROM DRESS SIZE 26 TO 16 i FEEL GGREAT NOW IT HAS BEEN HARD, BUT WITH GODS HELP AND MY BRLOVED HUSBAND AND KIDS i WILL MAKE IT.
Dr. Livingston is very direct. I will never forget what he said to me at my intial consultation last November, "You're quite large so I believe that you qualify." I know that he is one of the best. The staff were great. Karen Duff helped me out with disability paperwork and letters for employer, promptly. Gedion was also great.
I waited one year for my surgery date. I was very upset initially. But I was able to save personal time off from work so that I can take a full eight weeks to recover and get use to my new pouch. I also used the time to attend support groups and educate myself.
After surgery, I had no complications. I was walking up and down the hallways.
Dr. Liningston , my first impression of him Wow first meeeting was 10/18/01 let me say this man is the best. Well in my books anyway. He is a matter of fact man. No if ands or buts he is just there for the facts. He did answer any questions I had. I could tell he has done this surgery many many times. I did feel like I was just one more case. But then this man gets paid to be a surgeron not a host. He has a team that takes care of the other stuff. anything you want or need he coordinators are more then capable of helping with. Gideon and Kimberly they know anything and everthing you want to know. The program is one of total care both before the surgery and then after. On that day I was given my surgery date. Boy did that help I didnt have to wait any longet to know when my big day was. Would I refer Dr. Livingston to others OH YES! His knowledge alone is worth having him. When I got out of surgery I saw him once then I was followed up by the residence that assisted in the surgery. I thank God and Pray for this mans daily he has changed my life and I want his to be able to change others as well.
My first impression of Dr Livingston was that he was kinda of blunt. but that was a good thing. Overtime he still was blunt and right to the point. The staff was really friendly and good at letting you know what was going on and what to expect. What I liked least about Dr Livingston was that he was blunt :O) I just expected more incouragement.. I needed it! He makes sure your aware of the risks, and told me about the aftercare program. Overall He is a good doctor, afterall I trusted him to do my surgery so thats a good thing.
I first felt that it was an assemble line type of office.. Then when I meant the doctor this was put to rest.. The office staff was very helpful.. I was told how to team up with the support grp. I least liked when I had a problem with nausea that I was pushed off to a shink and made to feel that this was all in my head... Future pts should have a really complete physical before having this surgery.. The aftercare is not the best it my opinion...I get more support from another gastric support grp than I do from UCLA.As far as the risks in the surgery, I felt that most of them were addressed. Rating my doctor overall... hum.. He was very fustrated with me and the problems that I had with the nausea. I finally found the problem on my own.. I treated the uclers and the nausea went away.. I felt that he did let me down in this area.. He was a kind and concerned doctor with my problems.. He once stated to me that "it never fails I do surgery on a nurse and they are always a pain in the butt."
<b>Nov 8, 2001:</b> I met Dr. Livingston today. I was told that he would be rather standoffish, but I found him very personable. I asked my questions and he filled in additional information. UCLA is a tertiary care center, so Dr. Livingston often fixes the surgeries gone wrong of other doctors. I trust him implicitly.
His staff is great, especially Gedion, who was very upbeat. We had a great conversation while I signed the paperwork.
I liked him. He seemed to know what he was doing. He is a little cold, but he loosens up if you work at it a little bit. His staff is really nice, caring, and willing to work with you. The program at UCLA really stresses aftercare. They want to see you often after surgery. The program is set up so you visit 2 weeks after, and then again at 4 months, six months, and at least every three months after that for B-12 shots. The clinic sends a booklet that explains about the surgery and the risks. The DR. goes over it with you at the first visit and then the staff reviewes it as well.