John Kirkpatrick, M.D. Bariatrics Bariatric Center

Great surgeon...appears to be all business but is very personable and very concerned. Explains everything in easily understood language. Office is very busy but the staff is great. Great experience with nurse Kate. Overflow room often turns into an unplanned support group. There is a support group in place at Washington hospital Center.

My first impression of Dr. Kirkpatrick was he is very professional and cares about helping his patients. His office staff is helpful and efficient.

My post-op impression is a little different. I have not been able to see him since my surgery. He has been either on vacation or unavailable. This has left me with only visits from resident doctors. I have not been able to ask Dr. Kirkpatrick some very important questions I would like to ask. I am not very happy with this scenario.

My first impression of Dr. Kirpatrick was I felt he was a very straight forward and honest man. He made sure that I understood the risk involved in having the surgery. He was very honest about his track record, sucesses and deaths, (If you are reading this for the first time for information purposes remember that most all surgeons who perform these surgeries have at least one death and the fatality rate is relativley low). He showed me that because of the co-morbities that I had the reward outwieghed the risks involved. He is very good with his patients and genuinely wants them to succeed and he even has a good sense of humor. His staff is good overall but I think sometimes they (his clerical or support staff not doctors that work with him) should take the time to make sure that patients understands what is thier responsiblity as far as the insurance aspect of the surgery. Dr. Kirkpatrick is Head of General Surgery at the hospital and because of this he is often very busy but he has a very good and competent staff of doctors that are always available to help his patients.

4 NOV-02 My first impression of Dr. Kirkpatrick was that he was nice and this impression didn't change. His office staff was very friendly and helpful. His secretary is just wonderful. His nurse, Connie was very informative, supportive and exremely nice. I was told about a support group that is available but it was not heavily emphasized. The Doc did make absolutely sure that I knew the possible complications of this surgery. Dr Kirkpatrick is the Chairman of Surgery for his hospital and this makes me feel good that he must be a well qualified surgeon in order to hold this post. His office and waiting area aren't very large.

I found Dr. Kirkpatrick to be very much the professional who made you feel at ease and encouraged. His staff, especially Peggy, was a great help in dealing with my insurance situation.

Dr. Kirkpatrick does not have an aftercare program as such, but there is a great peer support group. You can contact Jerome Fowler on Dr. K's staff regard the meeting schedules.

I was informed of all the risks of the surgery, both during and after surgery. This was very informative and it help me better understand what possible risks I could encounter and this helped me in my decision.

I would give Dr. K a 10. He possesses the surgical competency and when he has the time, he has great bedside manner. Just pull his coat tail and you can manage and little more conversation time with him. But overall HE'S A GREAT DOCTOR.
8/16/02
I had a few problems this month. I had a sever fluid build up, but Kirkpatrick took care of it. The most inportant thing is that I have lost 50 pounds since my surgery. Feel a little tired but I know I got better days ahead.

Dr Kirkpatrick seemed to be down to earth, and very concerned with his patients. He has a sense of humor and he is very open in his opinion.

His Secretary Peggy has always been nice and helpful when I needed something or any information.

Dr K wants you to follow up for at least 2 years with him.

He was very open about how many patients he has operated on and how many passed away, and he explained each on individually to me.

If I had to have the surgery done again I would choose him and his team to do so.

I met with Dr. John Kirkpatrick for the first time on April 3, 2002. He seemed like a really soft spoken man who acted as if he truly cared about obesity and helping those who suffer from it. I was impressed with him and his staff. I am looking forward to the surgery. I feel I am in good hands. Dr. Kirkpatrick's assistant, Peggy, has been very helpful. She doesn't seem to mind when I call her to ask her questions and shows a willingness to help. <b>5/31/2002:</b> I have to say that Peggy isn't quite as helpful as she seemed to be in the beginning of this journey. She seems to forget anything I tell her. She seems to be very busy (which I am sure she is) and acts like she just don't care. I really feel like I am on my own here trying to get approved.<b>7/15/2002:</b>I had a pre-op visit with Dr. Kirkpatrick. He is just a wonderful man. You can tell he really cares.

Dr> Kirkpatrick was very up front open and honest with me. He spoke with me and my family and answered all of our questions thoroughly. He has been doing this surgery for 30 years. He addressed all the risks with me in great detail. He is very firm on what you will do after surgery. His bedside manner was wonderful and he listened to me and comforted me with his knowledge. His office staff is great and would highly recommend him.

I was impressed by my doctor, especially since he was the Chair of the Surgery Department of the Washington Hospital Center.
He addressed all the risks of the surgery. He informed me of the number of the surgeries he had performed, and the number of
complicated surgeries. He had a delightful medical staff that visited me everyday, twice a day, while I was in the hospital.
He visited me everyday, and he let me know how great my surgery was.

One year later, Dr. Kirkpatrick is as every caring about me health as the first day I met him. He is also a very thorough
and I constantly refer my close friends and relatives to him for the surgery.

My first meeting with Dr Kirkpatrick was very laid back and informative. Because Kirkpatrick is the chief of surgery at Washinton Hospital Center it provides me with reassurance. I have a friend who also went with Kirkpatrick and had no complicaitons and lost 60 pounds before returning back to work. Peggy, Kirkpatrick's assistant is very overworked but still tries to make everyone's case as important as the next. Kirkpatrick has a group that meets every two months to talk about wls issues. He really doesn't have an "aftercare" program to speak of.