Duke Bariatric Program Bariatric Center

My husband & I attended a seminar that Dr Portenier conducted at Durham Regional Hospital. He was kind and direct and did not sugar coat the surgery, its risks or possibilities or the fact that it was merely a tool in the overall process. We met with him and the rest of the staff on Oct. 8th. He took the time to answer our questions and helped us to determine which proceedure would be the most appropriate for me. I felt his confidence and it set me at ease. He made me no guarantees; he made it clear I was responsible to eat right, exercise and live a healthier lifestyle and if I did I would be successful. If I did not, I would struggle and potentially would be unsuccessful. This is a huge decision for anyone and to have a surgeon in your corner who actually is your partner and makes it known that is his intention, is astounding. I fee very fortunate to have been put in contact with Dr. Portenier and the entire professional staff at Duke Weight Loss Center. I will probably have this surgery right around the new year. What a wonderful way to start a year!rnrnDona LrnChapel Hillrn

Dr Sudan was the greatest. I am so disappointed in his leaving Omaha.

He's great. He didn't get mad at all after I got pregnant after surgery. Twice.

I'm not sure how Dr. Portenier became my surgeon at the Duke Weight Loss Surgical Center but I am glad it happened. I was initially undecided about whether I wanted a Lap Band or the RnY so I set up an extra appt and it was scheduled with Dr. P. From the beginning he was honest and open about the good, the bad and the ugly about bariatric surgery. I felt adequately informed about all aspects of the process. rnrnDr. Portenier also really stresses the importances of long term aftercare. The day after my RnY, he sat in my hospital room and reiterated that bariatric surgery is not the easy way out. His honest and matter of fact style is really appreciated.rnrnI did have some questions/concerns with the post op care I received particularly about fluid advancement/liquid diet tolerance immediate post op and pain control but those concerns were more hospital based rather than surgeon based. If I hadn't been so well informed prior to surgery my experience would not have been as positive.rn

my first impression of dr. sudan was how much he talked and his interest in help the obese people he was short and to the point he was the one with the most experience and his nurse was a caring person in the support classes. the staff in the office seem to be very busy and they ask lots of ?????????he did'nt spend enough time with me i though i felt rushed and he really emphasized aftercare and so did his staff. to my knowledge he does have a aftercare program and it continues on for a year after surgery he did cover all the risk and the best surgery for me. he did tell me that the lapr. instead of the open RNY is what he recommended and i feel he has a good reputation and his staff seem to be great the support group has won me over and the people i met. his surgical competence is great i have yet to see his bedside manner.over all i feel he is the one i would like to do my surgery and all of my aftercare procedures. Dr Sudan is leaving omaha as of the first week in August and he will not be coming back he\"s moving to North Carolina and a Dr. Frese is taking his place along with another Dr who thy are looking to hire.

Dr. Portenier is a nice man with a great bedside manner. He was very informative about what to expect pre and post surgery. He works with the Duke Weight Loss Center and they have an extensive after care program. I look forward to a longterm relationship with him and the program.

He is a wonderful surgeon. A kind and caring man as interested in aftercare as the surgery.

I met him on Sept 5, 2007 and really like him. He is thorough and friendly. Really knows his stuff and is knowledgable in all WLS. A big PLUS for me! rnrnDr. Sudan was wonderful while I was being prepped for surgery. He asked where my hubby was going to stay and we had problems finding a motel because world college baseball games were in town and DH was just going to sleep in the chair in my room. When we got to my room the nurse brought in a fold out chair that turned into a bed for him. Dr. Sudan had told them to get him one. Thanks so much Dr. Suday for EVERYTHING!

My first meeting with Dr. Sudan and his nutritionist was a tearful one, but I had the support of my husband and one of our daughters to help me through. Dr. Suden is very pleasant to talk, he is gentle in a special way, but blunt and too the point at the same time. The office staff was very polite and receptive to our questions. Everything was \"laid out on the line\" from the first meeting.

Dr. Portenier was a very nice dr. he explained everything about my surgery in details he was always available to answer any questions i might have had. He is a very good Dr. i would highly recommend him to other patients i would rate him a 10 + on surgical competence and bedside manner!