Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program Bariatric Center

7/24/01 I called his office last week, but no one was there. The good news is I got a quick return call from the office. I am hoping to schedule a consult soon.

Dr. Williams is a very busy doctor but has busy as he is he still took the time answer questions.He set a date for surgery July 31,2001 providing I get an approval in time.He once to proform the surgery before he goes on vacation August the 1st and if this date works out I will be able to attend the fall semester which starts Aug.23,01 and hopefully back to work also. I Thought that was very considerate of him.The staff is friendly and patient.

He's very soft-spoken yet confident and I have heard that he is and excellent surgeon and is referred to as "the king" by his patients! He is works with two other doctors at HUP in Philadelphia, all three of whom are known for their surgical expertise. His secretary, Heather, is wonderful and always available. His nutritionist, Allison, has outstanding personal skills and knowledge in the field of WLS!

The HUP program offers a full aftercare program as well as a monthly support group meetings which I've already attended. I found to be very informative and helpful and warm!

I was so impressed with Dr. Williams. I felt very assured that what I am getting ready to have done is in the hands of a very competent, well knowledged, kind person. He made me feel so at eased, and the rest of his staff really made me feel that I made the right decision. Dr Williams not only spent time talking to me, he spent time listening to me as well. I am the one that decided on the bypass surgery and he was fine with it. He spent as much time as I needed with him, and also explained the entire program to me. What I like best about Dr. Williams is the fact that he didn't come off as being a doctor that is gonna do the surgery, extend his hand out and say, "Good luck. My job is done." He is gonna be there post op as well. His staff came in to introduce themselves, and show their support also. I feel very confident that I am in the right hands for this life altering surgery.
I am really trying hard to find any negative feedback from my visit. I went to him on 5/31/01, by 6/5/01 my insurance had approved the surgery, and by 6/08/01 all my tests and evals were scheduled and surgery was set for 6/22/01. If there is anything decouraging to say about Dr. Williams, his nutritionist did say to me that I lucked out when I did to get my appointment with him, because he has a 2 year waiting list now. So I guess that is a negative point to view.

I first met my Doctor by working with him. I am a surgical technologist in the operating room at Pennsylvania Hospital. I had assisted Dr. Kirkland on numerous occasions, and saw his skill level first hand. In deciding which Doctor for the job; I chose him with noone else even coming close.
Dr. Kirkland's staff are both helpfull and informative. They are clothed in kindness and made the steps to getting the surgery easy. I can honestly say I haven't experienced anything bad and overall I would rate the Doctor and his staff a 10!

I have done some research about this procedure on the internet and made notes so I could ask Dr. Kirkland some questions when I meet with him in his office. He answered my questions about side effects and the type of surgery that he does. He informed me that he is a gastroenterology surgeon (specializes in cancer of the gastric intestines). And, although gastric bypass is not his specialty, he has excellent experience and knowledge of the gastric intestines and has performed numerous surgeries such as this one and his patients are very pleased with the results. He, also, told me how long I was going to be in the hospital and the length of my recovery after leaving the hospital. Trisha, his secretary, was very helpful and persistent with contacting my insurance company. It's best to do your own research and make notes so the doctor can answer any questions or clear up any misunderstandings that you may have.

I originally met with Dr Kirkland on March 8, 2001. I went in thinking that he was going to be just an additional opinion because I was sure I was going to go with a different doctor (who I hadn't yet met) due to the fact that the other doctor did a LAP surgery. However Dr Kirkland blew me away!! My husband was also very comforted by him. He was completely confidant in what he does however he was in no way cocky about it!! When I left his office that day I knew I had met my surgeon and was prepared to have it done OPEN! I must say I got off to a not so good start with Jodi, one of the girls in the office (no fault to her though!) My appointment had to be changed a couple times and I was getting very frustrated as I'm sure you can understand. When she called the second time to postpone I kind of let her have it because SHE was on the other end of the phone. I did however apoligize when we met. Jodi and Trish have been fabulous. They helped me get my insurance approval on the first try and I got the date I wanted for surgery MAy 2nd. I actually could have had it earlier but I needed to wait for family reasons. Its now 3 1/2 weeks away and I can't wait. I'll be sure to get back in touch and update everyone!!

I was very impressed with Dr. Kirkland when I met him. He was very thorough in his explaination of the procedure.
His office staff was friendly and helpful.
They took care of all of the insurance paperwork, and had me approved and scheduled within 1 week of my first appointment.

I really only met with DR Kirkland for a few minutes. I met with Dr. Bellin and she and I got along really well. She gave it to me straight she didn't candy coat it and she answered my questions before I asked. The risks of the surgery were discussed fully also care in the hospital, pain management and what I will probably feel like. Dr Bellin told me that I probably will not like her or Dr Kirkland after the surgery becasue I will feel full all the time. I enjoyed talking to her and she spent a lot of time with me. I was refered to Dr Kirkland by my Primary Care Doctor. I felt very comfortable with Dr Bellin and she made a point of bringing in Dr Kirkland to talk to me also. I really liked him also and felt comforatable with him too. I feel that I am in good hands and I thank my Primary Care Physician for recommending them. I call their office about every other week for updates and I have started my pre op tests. I have my last pre op tests on 4/10.
I will update this information when my time gets closer.

Dr. Kirkland is the greatest. I had my consultation on 3-13-01. I was so nervous that whole day, but once I got to his office he made me so comfortable and at ease. He has a wonderful office staff. I had planned on having the surgery at the Alvarado Clinic in San Diego, but I had a bad experience with their office. At first I was upset about the terrible treatment I received at the Alvarado Clinic, but now I think it was the best thing that happened to me, because I found a doctor who is better, more friendlier, and a lot faster at setting up surgery dates. The only thing I have to do now is wait for the insurance approval!!I hope it will not be too long. On a scale from 1 to 10 I rate Dr. Kirkland and his office staff an 11, that is how impressed I was with them...