Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program Bariatric Center

Unfortunately, during our initial appointment, Dr. Kirkland had an emergency surgery(he is a GI surgeon who does a ton of wls'). His office staff was excellent, though. Cindy Naus, CRNP (nurse coordinator)
is excellent and informative and very, very helpful. The nutrition and support classes are also very good. The program offers post-op classes in nutrition, a 6month out psychological group for dealing with the new you as well as 1 on 1 therapy options and a reconstructive surgeon for those of us who need her. And, Dr. Kirkland has a .25% mortality rate. And both of those patients(which consitute the .25%) were super, morbidly obese patients(>500lbs) with a laundry list of co-morbidities. I couldn't think of a practice I would rather be with then Dr. Kirkland and Associates.

Dr Kirkland is very knowledgable about the proceedure and made me feel very comfortable. My impression of Dr Kirkland has not changed. His office staff is very professional and pleasant. Dr Kirkland was voted a "Top Doc" by Philadelphia Magazine. Dr. Kirkland recommends attending the hospital suypport group and therapy if possible. He explained all of the risks and how they can be lowered by patients actions. I think he's an excellent surgeon and so far he's been great.

He was the best!!!!! very informative, he made me feel very comfortable, HE KNOWS HIS STUFF!! if I had to have any other surgeon I dont think I would have gotten this surgery!

He is just awsome! Very down to earth,easy to understand and he made me feel very comfortable.Hes really funny too!
His staff is great very pleasent.Cathy is just wonderful she has been so nice and helpful.
My only complaint is that its hard to get a return phone call.Im hoping that its because they are so focused on aftercare.

Caring, competant

I just met with Dr. Kurian for the first time on 8/29/03. She was absolutely terrific! She explained all of the various WLS's in full (sometimes using earthy terms) detail. Her friendly demeanor helped put me at ease.

During my interview with her, I could tell that she did not have any predisposition to any particular type of WLS for me. After several probing questions as to my eating and excercising habits, she recommended the LapBand. I was very pleased with this recommendation until she informed me that insurance may not cover this procedure! The alternative being $22,000 out-of-pocket! This was the only "downer" of the day.

A tentative surgery date for late December '03 has been set. Now... for the insurance company battle!

I had my initial consult with Dr. Williams in June, and was throughly impressed with the doctor's compassion and interest in me not just as his patient, but as an obese person in need of his help. It has been a rough 2 years but I had my Lap RNY (proximal) on 11/8/04. I will always grateful to Dr. Williams for providing me with the tool...and the beginning of a new life for me.

The office staff has always been courteous and extremely helpful. The Bariatric team at UPenn are a group of dedicated people all there to help the patients with whatever they are in need of.

The hospital has a monthly WLS support group that meets the second Saturday of the month at the hospital. Many things are discussed and there is a lot of sharing between the pre ops and post ops. There is also an online support group available to all patients of the Upenn Bariatric program.

As far as aftercare, there is the support groups and there is a dietary guideline that the patients adhere to. If any problems arise, we call the office and the problems are taken care of. I am glad to have had my surgery done by Dr. Williams, and I am so glad that I had it done at one of the best hospitals.

I liked him, and I still do. His office staff was very helpful. He is a very busy surgeon, and does many other surgeries. He does not offer pre or aftercare. I would advise an online group. I believe he is an excellant surgeon but more knowledge of the surgery and aftercare should be sought elsewhere.

I went for my consultation appointment with Dr. Williams and staff on 11/17/04. It was a terrific experience. Everyone was helpful and provided explicit and extensive information regarding multiple pre-op, operative, and post-op topics.
Everyone on the staff was friendly and knowledgeable. My husband and I were impressed.
All of my information was submitted to Aetna on 12/10/04 and I am anxiously awaiting to hear about approval.

I really liked Dr. Schuricht's directness and full story about the surgery. No fantasyland version, just the facts, good and bad; all the risks associated with the surgery. He makes no bones about it that things can happen. I also enjoyed his sense of humor. I've heard lots of good things about him and think that he is the right person to do this surgery.
I have mostly dealt with Kathy, but have found that most of the time I can get a quick answer.(I also need to learn to be more patient and realize that I'm not the only one looking for the attention from the staff).
Dr. Schuricht is very strict about the rules. Before the surgery as well as after. He stresses the need to pay attention to his offices' instructions and follow them!
I think Dr. Schuricht is a great Doctor and I'm sure I will find out that he is a great surgeon.
If given the choice between surgical competence and bedside manner, I'd have to say surgical competence is much more important, but of course would like to know that my surgeon has both.