University of Minnesota Physicians Bariatric Center

I thought he seemed very nice and open to listening to what my thoughts, questions and worries were. Very willing to answer any and every question I had. Only concern is that he works out of Abbott only one day per month - so I think the process may take a bit longer than other providers. However I was able to see he partner for a pre-op appointment.rnHis staff at Abbott Northwestern Hospital is the BEST! I couldn't be happier with where I am.rnThere was only a 2 day liquid diet pre-op, but a full month liquid diet post-op! Very structured aftercare program - you need to follow up in the clinic quite often. But it doesn't seem like overkill to me either.rnI honestly don't recall going over the risks of surgery in too much detail - but that was my choice since I've been looking at this surgery for over 3 years. I did ask him what his Lap to Open rate was (as this is a major concern of mine) and he told many how many Lap to Opens he had this last year. He also told me why each one converted into an open procedure.rnSo far I would have to rate Dr. Ikramuddin very high - but my surgery is coming up and I'll know more then!

I love Dr Ikramuddin, he has moved though and is now out of reach for me in Minneapolis. I am still near Pittsburgh where he did my surgery.. rnHe did a very good job on my surgery. I had no complications post-op. He thought he may have to open me up but he started out laporascopically and was able to cut through my adhesions and do the surgery lap. I am so glad he didn't just say he was doing open RNY and not try to do lap. I had many surgeries before my RNY and I have tons of scar tissue from abdominal surgeries. I would recommend Dr Ikramuddin to anyone asking about him. He knew I was a high risk patient due to heart and liver problems and previous abdominal surgeries but he took the chance on me and I am so glad. He gave me my life back. He was in with Dr Philip Schauer at the time and I thought Dr Schauer would do my surgery so I was a little disheartened when I found out but now I am glad. Even though they have both moved on from Pennsylvania if you have the opportunity to have them do your surgery take advantage of what they have to offer.

Dr. Ikramuddin is, in a simple sentence, the best of the best, although I didn't really have much interaction with him throughout the process leading up to surgery. I would give his surgical skills a A+ since I have not had any issues post-op at all. His staff has created a few bumps along the way and most of the time prior to authorization I had the impression that I was doing my own case management. Perhaps that's not all that unusual? I've since learned that they were short staffed by a couple of people, so perhaps that will get better to provide future patients with better service.

I heard that my surgeon was the \"surgeon\" of all surgeons to have for this surgery. His staff (except for one) has been excellent and very helpful and understanding. I only wish my doctor would have spent a little more time with me. I never felt that I established a real relationship with him. His surgery skills are excellent and that is the most important but I don't feel he had any time for me other than being on the table. He never came to see me post-op to answer any questions I may have had. I felt kind of like just a body to him and wish we could have established a relationship of trust. But I will get over that. The clinic has very good post-op structured aftercare and I find that very comforting and helpful. I would rate my surgeon a 10 as far as skill goes but only a 2 as far as patient/doctor relationships go. Both are important I feel because I don't feel I can even contact my surgeon if I have any problems so I feel a little lost that way. But at least I know his staff is available and that is good. But I am 100% grateful my surgeon is an excellent surgeon and I am alive and doing very well. One person on his staff should definitely leave and find a new job, though. She is absolutely the worst bedside manner person I have ever met and she shows nothing but unhappiness about the job she has so she should find another job. I definitely will never go back to see her ever again! Someone should definitely talk to her about the quality of care she is giving to patients. She almost made me think about leaving my doctor. That is sad and not good for new patients to encounter.

This is my first writing in this area. I will start out saying that these are things that happened to me or they are my opinions. rn What is my first impression of Dr. Ikramuddin? I would have to say I really tried not to form a first impression as I know that my first impressions may be right, but I like giving the person a little additional time to make an impression.rn My first face to face meeting with Dr. Ikky (as I call him) was the same day as the required seminar. I live in Fergus Falls (an hour South of Fargo on I94). My daughter and I were both looking into possibly having the WLS. Our seminar was set for 10:30 AM on June 8, 2006. My daughter, her 12 month old son, and I had stayed overnight with a friend so that we would be able to make the seminar on time without being exhaused from driving a long distance. Since my grandson was used to taking a nap a bit later in the afternoon, (and due to the long distance) I had set our appointments to meet Dr Ikky at 1:20 and 1:40 PM figuring by the time we were done and on the way home my grandson would sleep most of the way home (No disturbance to his schedule or to our driving experience--I hate driving in rush hour traffic anywhere near the Minneapolis area). We arrived at the doctor's reception area early. We both were called in early to get the 'stats' taken. We were then taken to an exam room. We waited and waited and waited and waited and waited. My grandson became more and more fussy. We did everything we could to entertain or placate him. Yet we waited and waited and waited. I have to say a thank you to the one nurse who finally stuck her head in with a couple of things she thought might help quiet him. It only helped for a short while. And we waited and waited and waited. Finally a nurse and Dr Ikky stuck their heads in. Had we brought any of the reports that would be required? Yes we had. Everything that had been inicated we needed. Dr Ikky and the nurse stepped out to look over the reports. When they popped back in, Dr Ikky told us that there were a couple of the tests that would need to be redone and told us to come back in in 3 months to see him. We were not given any form to have the appointment nurse use. There was only one person left as we walked up the hallway to the appointment desk. That person was almost out the door, but did come back to set our appointments up. She ask for the slip the doctor had given to us regarding when the next appointment. My daughter and I both said we weren't given any paper. The gal ran back to see if she could find anyone to get the form from. Everyone but my daughter, her son, the appointment gal and I were the only ones left. She called Dr Ikky who confirmed the three months. The new apointments were made. Needless to say my daughter and I were extremely upset. We did not get out of that appointment until almost 5:30 PM. Thus we were in rush hour traffic, which added about an hour or so to the 3 hours we already had to travel back to Fergus Falls. Smile on my face? I don't think so!rn Three months later my daughter, her son and I traveled from Fergus Falls to Mpls. We got there in plenty of time for our appointments. We again went through having the 'stats' taken and were placed in a room together. Dr Ikky's nurse practioner come in within a reasonable time. Her first question was something about why we were there. Both my daughter and I were dumbfounded. We told the NP that we were told by Dr Ikky to come back in 3 months to see him not her. She then opened that files. Nope, Dr Ikky had written 6 months in the file. I started to get a little upset. The NP saw us anyway. During the three months I had lost the required number of pounds so the NP said they would continue to work with my. My daughter had gained a small amount of weight so the NP wasn't very nice to her. Upset and angry my daughter gave up (this was around August). At this three month meeting the NP informed me that there were many tests and reports that still needed to be done. When she started listing them, I explained that all of the tests and reports (cardiologist, colonoscopy, upper GI, endoscopy, etc.) had been done and had been given to Dr Ikky and the NP herself at our first meeting on June 8th. The NP advised me to call the appointment nurse to have here check to make sure that the reports were looked for and added to the computer. It took me many costly long distance calls to finally get everything found and on the computer. Each and every time I called to talk to any of the staff I was either told that I needed to leave a message (If the message was left before 3:30 PM that day the individual would bet back to me within 24 hours. NOT) or I was told by the staff person that they would check on 'it' and give me a call back before the end of the day. The end of that day never came. I waited a couple of weeks before calling again and again had to leave a message of that the file would be researched. Finally it got done--wouldn't have if I hadn't kept making phone calls.rn One of the last reprts that were needed was the nut doctor's report. This had been done in plenty of time and had been faxed in. After a couple of weeks (I had already received my copy of the report by mail) I called Ikky's office to make sure they had gotten it. Nope. I asked they check my file again while I waited on the phone. Nope hadn't been received. I contacted the office gal of the nut doctor, yes she had faxed it to the doctor's office. I asked if she would do it again. She did. I waited a couple of weeks and then called again to check if it was now on the computer. NOPE. I contacted the nut doctor's office gal once more. She told me she had been the one to fax the report both times. I asked that she call the individual prior to faxing the report. She did just that as she wanted to know where these reports were ending up if they weren't getting into my file. (Never did find out.) This same thing happened with a report that my local doctor had to fax in (only I didn't wait for the third time to have the gal call before faxing the info).rn Finally, I was given a surgery date (4-25-2007) A week or two later I got a call to move that date to 4-23-2007) Some of my doctor (and other) appointments had to be changed, but there was plenty of time to do so. I was excited. On 3-29-2007 I received another call from Dr Ikky's office. They were once again moving my surgery date up. This time it was moved to 4-9-2007 (the Monday after Easter). Talk about being excited. This change almost blew my mind. Needless to say there were about 5 appointments that had to be changed. I had to make provisions for the care of my bird, arrange for transportation to and from Mpls, times to get on way. I also had to get the pre-op with Dr Ikky done. That appointment was set for Monday 4-2-2007. I asked if everything was a go. I was told yes. I was given my papers and instructions (prep, time to be at hospital, liquid diet, etc.) I had everything in place. One 4-5-2007 AROUND 3:30 PM (mind you this is the Thursday before Easter) I received another call from Dr Ikky's office. Sorry they were cancelling my 4-29 surgery. They said I needed a stress test and until I had it done and they had the report they wouldn't reschedule my surgery. Be happy you weren't the person on the other end of that phone. I refused to allow them to cancel my surgery date. My question to them was, \"Why now?\" Well, my cardiologist had suggest I have one in the future. My cardiologist had said that a stress test was not really needed to have the surgery, but should be done sometime in the future to have a base line. Most of my anger was from the fact that they had had the cardiologist's report since June 8, 2006. I was told that it was overlooked. Then I asked why this hadn't been brought up at the pre-op on Monday as that is when everything that is put together. I was told that the gal hadn't read my file so the omission was missed until then. I have to say I was really really angry. I even spoke with Dr Ikky directly at his home. He was still insistant that the test be done, but he was willing to tentatively reschedule surgery for Wednesday the 11th of April.rn What did I like least about Dr Ikky? His lack of contact and knowledge of his patient's prior history (allergies, special conditions (meshing, etc.), options for closing wound, etc.) Believe it or not, my two minute face to face with Dr Ikky during the time I was being prepped for surgery was actually the first time I had seen Dr Ikky since June 8th 2006. I ended up being on the table for about 6 to 7 hours. My liver was nicked during the surgery causing a bile spill. Because of a minor allergy to surgical staples ( I told Dr Ikky to use them anyway if he didn't have any other options) and a major allergy to most tapes (and Dr Ikky didn't seem to know how to use wound adhesive or mesh) Dr Ikky only used dissolvible stitches. Can you guess what happened? The whole wound split wide (and I mean wide) open. I had thought that since it happened so close to the surgery that I would be taken back in to surgery, have the wound cleaned and that the wound would be closed again. NOPE Because of the nicked liver and the wound issue, I ended up staying 3 or 4 days longer than would have been necessary. It also meant that I could not go home without Home Health Care set up to come in. More expenses!. 25 days out and still having to have Home Health Carern From what I have been hearing (and I hope they are right) Dr Ikky does have a pretty good follow-up (but then I'm not sure who is the one doing the follow-up--NP or DR?)rn I whole heartedly believe in the doctor being competent along with a good bedside manner. I don't fell I really got either. rnrn I know that there are two or three other bariatric surgeions at the University of Minnesota. I have been told that each doctor has their own agenda (need for the number of tests and reports, etc.) regarding bariatric surgeries. They may vary well do a great job and have a great bedside manner. Others may not have had all the difficulties I did with Dr Ikky, but for me, I can not and will not recommend Dr Sayeed Irramuddin to any one thinking of or expressing a desire to check into the bariatric surgery option. Mind you I believe in the surgery and the help it gives I just don't believe in Dr Ikky

When I first met Dr. Burleson I thought he was a very knowledgeable and a no nonsense doctor. But not very personable. With each time I saw him the more I liked him. He seems to loosen up a lot. Dr. Burleson stresses after care. His staff (Rhonda) is wonderful. She would do anything to help. rnDr Burleson on our first meeting gave me a couple of books to read and explained all the dangers of the surgery. What I could expect after the surgery and a timeframe of when different aspects of the surgery would take place. I would highly recommend him to any body. But the sad part is he is moving to Florida to take over a Bariactic center there.rnI will miss him very much! I have switched to Dr Sayeed Ikramuddin, I had my one year check up with him. I like him and his staff very much. They have a wonderful aftercare program. I will have 6 month check ups instead of once a year with Dr Burleson.

This man is very honest and tells it like it is he does not sugar coat any information. He is very busy and has no time to fool around with in office visits but you have to realize he is the surgeon not a family doctor. some people dont realize that so they get mad at him and his office. One thing I keep in my mind is as he stated This is only a tool the rest is up to you.

At my first appointment, which began late because he was still in surgery, Sayeed Ikramuddin seemed exhausted, but attentive, respectful and kind. He projected confidence without arrogance, a neat trick which seems to elude many surgeons. Dr. Ikramuddin answered all my questions and did not appear rushed, although clearly he was busy. Over the past year and a half, I have seen him for at least a few minutes at all but one of my five or so post op visits. I find his obvious intelligence, quiet demeanor and sense of fun make him an easy doctor with whom to work.rnrnI'm not sure his nutritional advice is always sound - he suggests avoiding dairy. His nutritionist rather vehemently disagreed.rnrnAftercare consists of postop visits at one week, one month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 mos, 18 mos and yearly thereafter, I think.rnrnI rate surgical competence more highly than bedside manner, but Dr. Ikramuddin has the whole package. He has a very impressive record of surgical success, and I recommend him highly.

Surgeon is brilliant! He seems rushed at first but know of him through my primary doctor and was repeatedly told that I would be in the best of care. rnHe is very honest and frank, but seems extremely knowledgeable. I know if has done over 3,000 RNY laproscopic surgeries. Having this done laproscopicaly was very important to me and I knew he would be great.rn

Dr. Ikramuddin (Dr. Ik) has an excellent reputation as a surgeon, has done thousands of these operations, and has a low morbidity rate. Because of that, he's very busy and I've only met him once. I saw him for 5 minutes after being at his office for 2 1/2 hours. I'm okay with him being busy because his staff is very, very nice, and very helpful. The word on him is that he's always running behind due to his heavy schedule. I'm trusting what I'm reading about him because I have only ha 5 minutes with him.