TriHealth Weight Management Bariatric Center
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Dr. Kerlakian is extremely professional. He is first and foremost a surgeon, with bariatrics as just one of his specialties. He was very frank about the procedures and discussed that statistically more was known about bypass than lap-band, but he listened to why I had made my choice and was supportive of it.rnrnThe office staff is wonderful. I love them all, and they, in turn love my daughter and try to steal her every time we're in. :)rnrnThis is a bariatric center of excellence and I have been very impressed with the thoroughness and comprehensiveness of the different aspects of care. They are setting you up for success with support groups, the dietitian (Maria) and the sports physiologist (Tracy) available.rnrnThe only issue I have had so far (and I AM still pre-surgery until tomorrow morning) was a slight delay of a week or two with my insurance company. It was unclear whether the office hadn't sent it (personally I'd trust Tangela) or if the insurance had misplaced it when they received it. Either way, it was resolved within 2 days of me letting the office know that my insurance was saying that they didn't have it. Yay expediency!
I am 11 days post op and down 14 lbs. I am feeling great and confident. Dr. Kerlakian's team was great during my stay at the hospital. rnrnrnI am 7 mos. post op and down 31 lbs.
He was a very nice surgeon i felt at ease. He explained the whole process with me and i understood it very well. If i have any questions all I have to do is call the office.
I have been overweight most of my life, and started looking into bariatric surgery about 4 years ago. I have met with a total of 3 surgeons, and it wasn't until I met Dr. Kerlakian that I felt comfortable. The office staff as well as Dr. Kerlakian stresses the importance of aftercare and provides all the tools for you to get it started. Vicki, the nurse is especially nice and informative and tries to make you feel comfortable, even though the steps you are taking are life changing and a little scary. Tangela, who handles all the insurance stuff is well versed on the necessary steps to go to bat with your insurance company to get your surgery approved. They are all great, and I am so excited to start my new life with them to support me in my journey!
My first impression of Dr. K was a good one. He is not only a doll baby, he is very easy to talk to. He is extremely compassionate and knowledgeable. He is a straight shooter, told me about the risks, and the benefits. I felt comfortable with him immediately. He did not rush me through the consult. This man actually CARES. At least that is how he came across to me. Wow! his office staff, these ladies are incedible, compassionate,and so very caring. Tangela, is the young lady who deals with the insurance company, And she KNOWS her game. I give the office staff an A+. Never once I feel looked down upon on embarrassed. Aftercare is a must! Not a suggestion.
I've changed hospitals, weight loss surgery programs & surgeons since being on here last back in July 06 due to Medicare not being accepted at Tristate Surgical Weight Loss Center,at St Luke W in Florence,Ky(I understand they are now)& also Aetna,my secondary insurance didn't recognize them as a Multidisciplinary program(a 3 mo one)because they don't make you exercise before the surgery(I didn't understand all this insurance info & it wasn't explained to me when I signed up for the program at St Luke.I'm now going to Good Samaritan Hospital Bariactric Program,with Dr George Kerlakian.They are considered a Center of Excellence therefore covered by Medicare,which is my primary insurance since I'm on Disability,& is in my network(a participating hospital)for Aetna which is my secondary insurance.The 2-3 mo program is considered a multidisciplinary program which is required by Aetna (needs to be 3 mo program for Aetna which this should work out to) & Dr G Kerlakian is a participating physician on Aetna.I went to a free Seminar on 10/03/06 to check out the program & to make my 1st step in their program.The seminar was very informative & I was given a binder with a lot of information about their program,their staff,& the surgery.I got to see the staff,including Dr Kerlakian & he went into much detail, including showing films of operations. My 1st consult with Dr Kerlakian was on Oct 23rd. He's nice, skilled,& knowledgeable.He's done quite a few of the surgeries (more of the gastric bypass though than the Lap Band,which is the one I plan to have)& has been a surgeon for a long time.I have confidence in his capabilities.The program seems very organized & the staff seems quite concerned with making your surgery(& before & after it)beneficial to you.I've met with the Dietitian & Exercise Therapist(10/25) & also had my mental evaluation with their Psychotherapist (11/1) I've had 2 more exercise classes & going to have another one on Dec 4th.I'm scheduled to see the Dietitian on 11/27 for a supervised diet plan & will have another meeting with her next month.After all the paperwork is in(including the paperwork I already had from previous tests I took for the St Luke weight loss program)they're suppose to submit the information to my insurance companies for approval.After getting approval for the surgery I will have a 1-1 session with the Dietitian 2 weeks before surgery for a special liquid diet they put you on to improve your health & lose a little weight before the surgery.I'll also see Dr Kerlakian again at that time & sign the consent form for the surgery with a family member or support person present.They even have a pharmacy in the same building as the Bariactric program staff(which isn't located at the hospital) where you can purchase bariactric supplies such as Unjury protein powder & such.This program fee is $500, which is $100 less than St Luke also.
I experienced Dr. Kerlakian and his staff as being top-notch. He leads by example. He is very gentle and sensitive and I never felt rushed to get through an appointment.rnrnHe was very careful durign surgery, He saw a few bubbkes so he was concerned about leaking. He tightened up the sewing and had me do a swallow test the next day. He also kept me an extra day just in case there was a problem.rnrnDr. Kerlakian does emphaisze both pre-surgery and post-surgery care. He does require attending a support group both before and after this surgery.rnrnHe was very upfront about hte risk of surgery. When hemet with my wife, who is an RN he patiently answered her technical quesitons that msot patients would not know to ask.rnrnOverall he was excellent. He obviously cares about his patients. I would recommend him to anyone serious about getting help.
Dr. K was very knowledgeable and upfront and well known. I would have liked to have more hands on with the staff at times the seemed a little disorganized but over all I am very pleased. Dr. K was very upfront about the risks and basically told me if I did not follow the diet I will be back at the weight I am maybe even more that made me feel very challenged and at that moment I knew he was being honest and not sugar coating the situation. Overall I would rate him a 10. I havent had the surgery yet so right now surgical competence is what I like met with another surgeron and I chose Dr. K over him so I did do my research.
'Dr. K. is great! He is very matter of fact and let's you know what's what. I felt so confident having him do my surgery. I would recommend him to anyone. I have had no commplications. Also