Oklahoma Surgery Bariatric Center
Dr. Johnson was kind and supportive before the surgery. He talked to me in "English" so I knew what to expect.
My only complaint is that is that after surgery I got a big list of DON'Ts and that was all. It has been over a year since my surgery and to be honest I have changed jobs an no longer have insurance so I'm not able to see Dr. Johnson. I sure wish I could....I have a million questions!
Clear, concise and competent
First visit was simple and he was very clear about what I could expect. After the surgery I could tell that he really didn't have a lot of experience with the procedure because of the poor advice he gave me about diet, etc.
THe staff is very good and helpful. I thought that Dr. Pittman is a nice man but not as encouraging as a doctor should be.
I don't think he is still doing this surgery.
I'd rate him very high. The nice thing about him is that he does many other kinds of surgery and later on, I needed an emergency surgery and he did an awesome job.
He is a great surgeon, not a bad bedside manner, but merely ok.
The first time I met Dr. Johnson was when I accompanied my daughter for her post op appt. from her gall bladder surgery. He had operated on her twice. I thought he was cocky, but realize now that it is not cockiness, but confidence. He is direct and willing to answer any questions.
I am most impressed that he would give of his own time to attend a monthly bariatric support group meeting. That says a lot and you can just see the joy he has in seeing the success of the patients and a difference in their lives that he has made for them through the surgery.
Most of these questions would not apply since I will be one of the last patients to have surgery from this physician. The malpractice insurance in Oklahoma has increase for Bariatric Surgery so much that Dr. Johnson will no longer be performing these after the end of December 2004.
Dr. Johnson is committed to follow-up care and continuing a forum with patients on a monthly basis who have already had the surgery.
The consultation appointment with Dr Johnson was awesome and so was he. I now understand why the other surgeons didn't work out (see***** below), this is the one I was suppose to be going to. I met Karen, his nurse she can into the exam room and gave me a hug. We'd already talked so much over the phone and she is so warm I felt like I was meeting a friend.
Dr.Johnson was in the hospital the morning before the surgery while I was there having the pre op work done. He's so awesome, he was walking past and recognized me before I recognized him, came over and kissed me on the cheek and visited with me and my Mom. His staff: Karen, Robert and Darrell all came by to see me on a regular basis while I was in the hospital, just to check on me as see if I was being treated well by the hospital staff. I have nothing but the warmest feelings and highest respect for Dr Johnson and his staff.
*****
Due to a change in the PPO list for my insurance company I'm not going to be able to use the surgeon I had originally chosen. However, everything I've read about Dr. Galvin indicates he's very thorough. I'm going to call this week and try to get my appointment made to go see him. I've got my appointment for the siminar with Dr. Galvin's group. Ginger, Dr Galvin's nurse; is always sweet and up beat. I really like her. She's always very helpful and call back promptly.
03/12/03 Back to Dr. Lutrell
03/22/03 Dr Luttrell has taken an indefinite leave of absence! Surprise!!!!!!!! SO, now I'm going with Dr Johnson in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Dr James Johnson was very compassionate with us helped us thru each step and has been there every time that we had one of our silly questions he always has a smile and helps head up our local support group meetings as far as we are concerned he is the BEST and would recomend him to anyone. I might also metion that I have known Dr Johnson for several yrs and have seen other surgeries that he has performed and we chose him to operate on us. if there is one bad thing that i could say about him and that would be the wait in his office to get in his staff is also wonderful and several of them have also had RNY which also helps with the compassion level
Dr. Pittman saved my life! I can never thank him enough for the gift he has given me. I know it was my hard work that made this work for me, but without him it wouldn't have happened. He is kind, thoughtful, and an excellent surgeon. He really cares about his patients. One time he said the Bariatric patients were his favorites because they are almost always happy and each visit there is something to celebrate. My pre-op visits were informative and well planned. Once I decided to have the surgery my consultations were of utmost importance to him. He is careful to ensure his patients are in as good a shape as possible before surgery. He doesn't sugar coat anything. After my surgery the follow-up was excellent. There is a support group and I have made good friends there that have helped me deal with the ups and downs of post WLS life. Dr. Pittman's or his nurse were always just a phone call away 24 hours a day. She is a post-op WLSer herself and that was so helpful. I know they encourage people to say something bad about their experience, but there isn't anything bad to say.
Unfortunately due to Oklahoma's ridiculously high Mal-Practice rates he is no longer doing WLS of any kind. Hopefully someday the system will be brought under control and he can once again help people like me. Thanks Dr. P!