Duke Bariatric Program Bariatric Center

My first impression of Dr Portenier was he is very confident about what he is doing and loves his work. I saw him first at a Weight Loss Seminar at Duke. And I was very impressed with the Duke staff. They have a great aftercare program where they see you through the first year and once a year after that. rnrnDr Portenier and Katherine Applegate were very thorough in explaining to me about the risk involved in having the surgery. They also wanted us to understand that if we have any depression afterwards to please contact Katherine Applegate. rnrnDr Portenier's bedside manner is great.

I very first impression of him was that he is a very smart person, and he reflects that by his answers to all questions. He explained all the risks of surgery and was very caring. I would rate him excellent on everything1

Dr. Portenier was great! He was friendly, nice, and answered all my questions.

I like Dr. Portenier, a very southern guy, very tall and low key. The staff at the clinic are great and very helpful and nice.

DR. SUDAN IS VERY PROFESSIONAL. HE IS IMFORMATIVE AND PERFECTIONISTIC ABOUT HIS PATIENT'S CARE. HE PROVIDES THE BEST IN PRE-OP AND POST-OP CARE. HE IS ALWAYS PLEASANT, CONCERNED, AND AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS. HE IS KNOWLEDGEABLE ON BOTH PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF BARIATRIC SURGERY. THE STAFF ASSOCIATED WITH DR. SUDAN ARE ORGANIZED, ALSO PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED AND WORK WELL AS A TEAM. THIS PROGRAM MET MY NEEDS BUT IS NOT A WARM AND COZY ENVIRONMENT. THEIR FOCUS IS VERY PROFESSIONAL AND TO GIVE EXCELLENT CARE. IF ONE WANTS WARM FUZZIES, TAKE MOM WITH YOU.

To say that I was impressed with Dr. Portenier was an understatement. He seemed very informative and knowledgeable. He explained the surgery and risks in layman's terms and I felt that anyone would have gotten a good comraderie kind of vibe, knowing that you were putting your life in this surgeon's hands. And by the way, very skillful looking hands if I do say so myself. I somehow got the impression that he was wondering why I wanted to have the surgery. I've always been one who was 'solid' and didn't 'look my weight'. (lol) But tell that to all of my prescription drugs. I also got the impression that he was impressed with my knowledge of the surgery. Some of the information that he shared with me...I sounded like a rapper, I finished his sentence with him. I just hope that he didn't think that I was a smart *zz, even though I thoroughly did my research. The staff at the center have always been very helpful and actually I didn't feel as if they were official...felt like we were some 'down girlfriends and laughed al lot. Actually I am going to miss bugging them 2-3 times a week. Anyone would be very fortunate to be a candidate at Duke Weight Loss Center. Need I say more? (smile)

Dr. Sudan is the best!! The best of the best. He not only did my WLS surgery, he also did both my mom and dad's. He literally saved my dad's life, because he found a rare cancer in him, and took it out during his WLS surgery!! If it wasn't for the surgery, there is no test to detect his type of cancer until it's too late. Dr. Sudan is very caring, professional, and doesn't treat big people differently than little people. His staff is excellent too. I have nothing to say about him, but positives.

my sis and law were very much impressed in the doctor he is very concernin and discriptive . he was good at discribin the different surgerys and the concerns and difficulty. i am totally at easse with him gail

I have not met Dr. Sudan formally he will be the primary surgeon but initial consult was with Dr. Forse. Orientation was very organized and informative. He seems to be very professional and have a passion for his work. rnrn10/05/2007rnCompleted my pre-op testing and met with Dr. Sudan for the first time. He was professional. I couldn't think of any questions because I research so much myself. I did have one and that is how long is the surgery. I did ask as well about the staples he cleared that up quickly. Staples are better becasue there is less infection and because he takes them out after 5 days little to no scarring. Home there are no nasty oozings. Yuk. i am on the count down, 10 days to go.

Dr Sudan and his staff are awesome. They have been very helpful and courteous in this journey so far.