Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program Bariatric Center

I have to say that I was very impressed with how well run the office was from registration clear through seeing the man himself ... Dr. Williams. I did have a bit of a wait. My appt. was for 8:30am and didn't get in till close to 10, but I expected this and it helped that everone was so professional, warm and greeted me with true smiles (how rare is that in a doctors office!!) My first impression of Dr. Williams was ... wow, what a 'great face' and he spoke with what I believe is a hint of a brogue. He put me instantly at ease, explained the surgery, risks, etc. (diagram and all) and answered all my questions (and I had a ton!) which I'm sure are so repetitive he must want to just run screaming from the room!! < smile > I left my consult knowing more than I went in and quite confident that I had made the right choice in surgeons.

My first impression of Dr Williams, was that without speaking, he made me feel that he was real confident, and when he spoke, he was real comforting. The office staff was so helpful and friendly, and ready for anything I asked. All the risks of surgery were presented to me, and I still felt really good about the operation being done by Dr. Williams.

Dr. Noel Williams was very pleasant and informative. He explained the details of the surgery. When we discussed the various risks of the surgery he let me know what procedures he does to minimize them, which put me more at ease. Dr. Williams has a strong support system that includes a nutritionist, a psychologist, and monthly support group meetings that are run by the nutritionists. I rate Dr. Williams highly and would definitely comfortable reccomending him to others.

Dr. Wernsing is one of the most wonderful people i know. Brilliant surgeon, caring professional....came to see me every single day....i would recommend him to anyone....he literally saved my life :)

I loved Dr. Schuricht from the moment I met him. He was pleasant and friendly as well as open and honest about everything including the risks of having the procedure. He has a great sense of humor and that's what I personally need to take off the edge about going through the procedure. His entire staff was wonderful and very professional. He is very adamant about aftercare. He said he would made sure we're doing what we're suppose to do or else his foot will be up our behinds. He stressed that just because we had the procedure, he and his staff would not leave us high and dry. He would keep close watch on us for years to come. Out of a scale of 1 to 10. I would give him a 10+++++++

What a cutie! But aside from that.. ;-)
I was surprised when my initial consultation was presented with a group of 8 other surgical candidates. However, the efficiency of this format afforded much more time with the surgeon than any individual could be afforded. Every question was answered in an unhurried pace and we all benefitted from the benefit of hearing everyone else's questions and answers.
The office staff is very busy but also very efficient and helpful. The waiting room was a bit crowded and could benefit from some more accomodating seating for the larger patients.

There are no words to describe how much I love Dr.Mathew Kirkland!!! I'll try by answering the questions listed...
My 1st impression of him was that he was sweet, sensitive and very smart. Over time I realized he was so much more than that, he is kind and very skilled and he has a wonderful bedside manner! The office staff has been ok. There was nothing I didn't like about him. Future patients should know that they are in the best surgical hands possible in the Philadelphia area!!!!!
His aftercare has been wonderful, I was allergic to the Monocril (surgical stitching)
which made for a difficult healing. But he continued to bring me in for follow ups. And was always available to me for questions even after hours! He was very honest about the risks involved in this surgery. And he will talk openly about the fatality rate and why it happened. How would I rate him? Well on a scale from 1-10 I'd rate him an 11!!!
He has been a joy, I don't know how to thank him...How do you thank someone for giving you a life! I believe he truly cares! Please go see him you'll understand!!!!
Thank you Dr.Kirkland your my hero!

My first impression with Dr W was that he was a very nice man. Had some age to him which to me means experience. He was clear eyed and soft spoken. My initial consult was very brief....15 min at the most. I had researched intensely and had no questions. I was eager to be accepted and get the ball rolling. I was told I was an excellant candidate and everything went smoothly from then on. He has great support people from nurses to appointment makers.

The aftercare program at Penn is absolutely terrific! There is a well established support group that anyone can utilize and even independant monthly luncheons where we meet laugh, cry and share stories.

As far as bedside manner and surgical competance...A+++ I would highly recommend Dr W to anyone contemplating gastric bypass.

I would have appreciated at least seeing him as I was being wheeled into the OR. I never have seen him since my surgery for a personal visit and I am 9 weeks out (1-16-04) I have been dealing with the nurse practioners and the nutritionist of whom both are terrific about helping and answering any questions that may arise.

I have only met Dr. Schurict once during the initial consultation, but he seems very kind, open and knowledgable. I was so nervous that I really did not ask alot of questions. His office staff seemed to be very thorough. He insists on a lifetime of follow up so it seems he is very concerned about aftercare. I hope to get a better understanding of him on my next visit.

Now that surgery is over, I feel even more strongly that Dr. Schuricht was the right surgeon for me. I have a bit of a problem with his office staff, though. They always tend to be disinterested in me or my question. They do not return calls as they should.

One issue that needs to be made very clear is that Pennsylvannia Hospital is a teaching facility. Dr. Schuricht used residents extensively. I rarely saw Dr. Schuricht while in the hospital, but residents and interns wondered in droves. I would have liked seeing the surgeon a bit more and less of the residents. While I am sure that they did their job, very few introduced themselves or explained why they were there. Disconcerting to say the least.

On my first post-op visit, Dr. Schuricht took a great deal of time to explain things and made sure that he answered everyone of my questions. Very calming feeling after this visit. Office staff still bothers me though.

I went for my consult on Feb. 12 after a long wait of 10 months. Five people and I met with Dr. Schuricht in a conference room and he discussed to pros & cons of the surgery and was very straight forward about it. I liked that, then each of us had individual appointments following and he was very friendly and confident in discussing my needs due to different health issues that I have. The hopeful out come of the surgery is eliminating several medications that I take on a daily basis (12 pills and one insulin injection).
That is the reason I chose to have WLS. So now I am waiting to hear on Monday my surgery date and am starting to get butterflies in my stomach. Hope Dr. Schuricht can get them out.
Till next update, bye..............

B. Bennett