Ralph Crum, M.D. Bariatrics Bariatric Center

Dr. Crum is a gem. He saved my life in so many ways. First, he pulled not punches with what was going to happen to me if I continued to live the way I was. Second, he prepared me for a life of change to last a lifetime. He is not the most warm and fuzzy Dr. which I found helpful for me. His staff here in CT where AWESOME! I am sure his team in TX will be the same. He prepared me for sugrey and after and when I had to have emergency surgery because of bleeding he saved my life. He is mor than competent and I would trust him with my life anytime. I give him my an A plus. I miss his encouragement and his nagging as well.

I met with Dr crum on Thursday and I found him to very friendly and very thorough. I already have my date and my insurance has already approved me. I like that he takes his time and explains every thing to you and aI also like the fact that he doesnt seem to be very judgemental on you. He is very concerened for his patients and has a excellent aftercare program. So far I would rate him a 10.

My first impression of Dr. Crum was one of curiousity. He is from way up north and I thought he seems a bit stand offish and in a big hurry. rnrnBut I found that was because he was giving a presentation on wls and was all facts and figures. rnrnWhen I met him at my first appointment, he was so personable and relaxed and really listened to what I was saying. I really got the feeling he was interested in me and my view of wls and my expectations. He argued with me regarding the DS surgery, I think to make sure I had done my homework. The RNY is his speciality. But I insisted the DS was the right surgery for me. And after asking me several questions, he agreed to perform the DS surgery.rnrnAnother thing he does is he makes his support group meetings manditory because he want you to succeed.rnrnHe is doing a reversal of my VBG and giving me a DS on 11/01/06. I can't wait.

Dr. Crum is very honest and talks to his patients like he cares. I was scared and nervous about the surgery, but Dr. Crum allows you the oppurtunity to ask any and all questions so that you are informed. He explains in clear and understandable detail. He tells you exactly what he expects and make sure that patients are knowledgeable and ready for a life long commitment. One thing he will not do is sugar coat your information, sometimes it sounds like he's being very blunt, but I understand he only has the patients best intrest in mind. Dr. Crum is also very firm when it comes to after care, you must attend all scheduled appointments, support groups, and follow his dietary instructions. He wants you to be successful. His office staff is always friendly and courteous. Anytime I called or had question they promplty answered them or called me back in a timely manner. If you are going to be a patient of Dr.Crum you have to be 100% committed. He will not tolerate any blatant sabottoge of your weightloss or aftercare treatment. Overall I rate Dr. crum a 10/10. He made me feel like he cared about me and would be there for me. We are going to have a long and happy relationship!

I began with Dr. Frezza in Lubbock and almost gave up on the whole ordeal because of their incompetent business practices and cattle hearding practices. rnrnDr. Crum is a breath of fresh air! He cares, he spends time, his is committed to your recovery, he is extremely informative, he is responsive and he obvioulsy demands the best because he gets that in his staff.rnrnThe office staff calls you back immediately. My other surgeon's office tells you to call back on certain days to talk to anyone...Don't put up with this..there are many better options!

My first impression of Dr Crum was he is blunt! But then come to think of it so am I ! We were either going to match up or we were going to lock horns...so far we have done both! I have grown to love everyone on his staff. They are very imformative, supportive and very kind and caring. I dont know where I would have been through this thing without Meggan. She saved me from going crazy more than once. They will do things by the book. So if you are looking to go see him one day and then have this surgery the next week, It will not happen. He cares deeply about you and your health and you ablility to withstand the surgery. He will do everything in his power to make sure that you have the surgery, you just might have some delays. I have now had my WLS on September 29 2006 and now am at home recovering. I am looking forward to continuing my relationship with Dr Crum and his staff for many years to come. I could not have asked for anyone better. Oh and his bedside manner...one of the best I have ever seen. He always finds words to let you know that you better get back on track \"your killing me smalls\" as for the aftercare program I am looking forward to it! I hear it is something great to be a part of. So here I come to the bench so MAKE WEIGH!!!!

'My first impression of Dr. Crum was that he has a very unique personality which I really like. He simply tells you like it is

Dr Crum was wonderful I am sorry to see him leave the state. and I am going to miss his office staff also they were very friendly and very helpful. It was like going to visit relatives each time I went to an appointment

Whether evaluating his skill as a surgeon, his zealous post-surgical follow-up or his organizing a team of specialists for pre-op evaluation and in-hospital care, Dr. Crum would clearly be among the top surgeons with whom I have ever dealt.
He seems to take a very no-nonsense approach to the need for gastric bypass surgery-- he quickly pointed out during our very first visit that the surgery is merely a tool and that a lifetime of hard work would need to follow for permanent weightloss. You just have to appreciate that kind of honesty.
Although some might consider him a tad too blunt, I have always found him to be, well, charming-- he is as attentive to the issues that have arisen post-operatively as he was during our first meetings when I explained to him the scheduling concerns I had. And, he honored his promise to move up my surgery date (he gave me a week's notice when another patient had cancelled at the last minute).
Particularly impressive for me was his determination to perform his Rous-en-Y's laproscopically-- he has undoubtedly honed his craft for the benefit of his patients (which was particularly difficult given that I started with a BMI of over 60 and a weight of nearly 500 pounds).
He was reassuring in the operating room, engaging during his visits with me in the hospital and encouraging during all of my follow-up visits. Perhaps the greatest measure, I think, of Dr. Crum (to my mind at least) has been the kindness he has always shown my daughters (who were 4 and 5 when I first started seeing Dr. Crum) during my office visits.
He has surrounded himself with a wonderful staff who share his same commitment to patient care. When my wife had questions in the first few days after surgery, Dr. Crum's staff (in particular Jeanette) quickly returned phone calls and helped us out. When I have called with questions about over-the-counter medications or with concerns about pains, the office staff provides quick, but thorough, answers and refers everything to Dr. Crum for possible follow-up. When some very minor problems arose about 4 weeks after surgery (I caught a stomach virus that wreaked havoc with my new pouch), Dr. Crum brought me in immediately to help.
At about 6 months, when it seemed that the incredible pain I was enduring was a stricture, Dr. Crum met me at the emergency room (fortunately, no surgery was needed). At 13 months, when I had (what would later be a gallbladder attack), Dr. Crum had me in the office as soon as I called in and operated on me (and my diseased gallbladder) the next day. At 17 months out, Dr. Crum was once again standing over my unconcious partially clothed body repairing the varicose that had been causing me lots of pain and burning and repairing the skin around the huge clusters that were being removed. The repair work was incredible-- I have been satisfied to be free from the pain that the varicose veins had caused and over-joyed to have had removed the disfiguring skin that hung around my knees. Dr. Crum's reconstruction of my thighs is particularly impressive given the size of the clusters that were removed from above each knee.
In September of 2004, I suffered an internal hernia that Dr. Crum skillfully diagnosed and corrected surgically. Of course, the true mark of his care came when I spoke with him after the surgery about the concerns I was having over re-incorporating food into my diet (after intestinal surgery, you need to return to liquids and soft foods for a while).
Now, I realize that, as I continue to recount my surgeries the typical reader is probably wondering if I truly harbor a desire to appear unconscious and on my back wearing nothing but a hospital johnnie, or if I have just had a little bit of bad luck. The answer probably lies somewhere between the two.
You see, I have had to come to terms that my years of super morbid obesity caused damage to my body-- although, I take comfort in knowing that my vital organs were spared permanent damage. And, there is a certai empowerment in knowing that I can avail myself to surgery to fix what ails me without the fear that confronted during my many knee surgeries when I had been obese.

In all my surgeries with Dr. Crum, I never cease to be amazed by his level of personal attention and by his tremendous skill.

The fact that Dr. Crum is so dedicated to helping his patients maintain their health (and their weight loss) is evident by his attending two support group meetings a month where he answers questions and provides lots of encouragement.
Certainly I am biased because he did give me the opportunity to live a long and healthy life; he guided me to a 154 pounds loss through my first four months and a 300+ pound loss during my first 24 months.
But, having had significant other operations at leading hospitals, I can objectively evaluate Dr. Crum as among the best surgeons and physicians I have ever had the pleasure to know.

Dr. Crum seemed down to earth and he seems to really care about his patients and what he does.

Dr. Crum's staff made me feel welcomed. I was nervouse when I first walked in but then it went away.

Dr. Crum takes his work very serious and he wants his patients to take it seriouse to.

Dr. Crum emphasizes on after care through the whole conversation that you have with him during your appointment.

The Doctor and the support group explain all of the risk that may come from the surgery.

So far Doctor Crum seems to be a great person to have on your side.

Both are better.

This is my personal experience on my first visit with the Doctor.