USC Bariatric Surgery Bariatric Center

So very relieved to see even a teeny bit of negative reviewers about Dr. K. because I did not have a good or successful experience with this man.

He has had many years of self-congratulating, so when a patient has troubles, as I did, he simply did not believe me, and he was, frankly, very harsh and angry with me.

After my RNY with Dr. K. I had terrible pain on one side that did not stop. He was not interested one day post-surgery, or a year and a half after surgery. He would say to me, "Yes, yes, I know this pain. I don't care. It is fine." Never mind that I flubbed a job interview one year post-surgery because I suddenly had to stand up during the interview and stand doubled-over in pain for 15 minutes unable to move. I had given up on Dr. K long before that happened, but at that point I decided I needed to ask again that he help me. His response was that he would not even entertain the idea anything that anything was wrong with his surgery. He gave me a list of other things to have done, like colonoscopies, the GI with camera, etc., 8 procedures total, before he would consider even an Xray to check on his surgery.

This pain has continued, but ebbed over time to finally, 6 years later, the pain is more mild.

I lost 10 pounds in the first week post-op, and then about 2 pounds a week, to finally stop at about 35 pounds down from my highest weight. My high BP stayed high. In my follow-up visits Dr. K said to me, in a very angry manner, "WHY ISN'T YOUR BP normal? WHY HaVEN'T you lost more weight?" Clearly it was all my fault.

My post-op diet was mostly things like pureed lentil soup, water, tea, and ice pops, as I was not able to find a protein shake post-surgery that didn't come back up on me. Dairy and eggs or egg-white protein are very hard for me to stomach, to this day. I often eat tofu. From my surgery in January 2011 through May of that year, most things I tried to eat came back up. I was perpetually nauseated by any food. In addition food that was not mush will, even years later, get stuck in my esophagus (horribly painful), and I make myself vomit it to stop the pain. Post-surgery I ate frozen fruit pops because the cold seemed to sit better with me, and it basically was a liquid diet in addition to the pureed soup. Dr. K's nutritionist said I did not eat enough food, and that is why I lost so little weight. Apparently not eating enough food can stall weight-loss. But Dr. K was convinced I was sucking down huge vats of ice cream. Well, I am a salty person, not sweet, and post RNY, even now in 2017, I cannot tolerate milk or ice cream: hello vomit or diarrhea! I can digest cheese and yogurt.

Still, I relished and held on to my small weightless until last year. Dr. K's nutritionist at the time was useless, so I paid for one separately because my insurance did not cover it if it wasn't through Dr. K's office. I had a pinched nerve that made it hard to exercise as it affected my left leg, which would not hold my weight on stairs, or if I walked for any distance. My weightless evaporated over the short time I was sedentary. I am staring down the barrel of size 18 pants. :(

In addition, between 2013 and today I became a person whose stomach can hold any amount of food. I believe my pouch has stretched, and I am thrilled to see another person say she has a huge pouch as well. I never feel full.

I am going to a gastroenterologist in a few weeks in the hopes of getting pouch-revision surgery. I no longer live in CA.

Dr. K likes to scare potential patients about leaks, and then say that he sews by hand, so there will be no leaks.

I would rather have had staples, a RNY that worked, and a nicer human as my surgeon.

My first impression was that Dr. Crookes was making me understand and work for the surgery I wanted. He was not willing to give it to me just because I wanted it but that it was the best one for me.

The next time I saw Dr. Crookes was for my EGD/Bravo 3 days before my surgery. He came in with the biggest, warmest, kindest smile that gave me a peace knowing I was in the best hands.

His staff was wonderful, they were very helpful and went to bat for me, helping me to win against HN.

I found out on Thursday that I was having my surgery the next day on Friday... Dr. Crookes and Staff had made it happen!

He is a very kind, true hearted soul and I feel you will be blessed to have him as your surgeon... Sorry folks I didn't have time to find anything negative to say about he or his staff. 100% Pleased!

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Just over 6 months out... having a few issues but over all doing great! 90 lbs down, working out 3 x a weeks with a personal trainer and line dance class on Thursdays.. Thank you Dr. Crookes for saving my life. I have gone from over 20 pills a day down to 3... Life is Grand with my DS!!!

AmAzInG man I do believe god guides his hands and his heart he saved my life! Simply kind hearted and honest!!!!

Dr. K is very "to the point", which is something I like in a doctor. He is a teaching doctor for USC at the University Hospital in Los Angeles, Ca, so if you are looking for total discretion, you might not enjoy him. He always has several students with him. Personally I did not find their presence invasive. The front office staff leaves a bit to be desired, but as I mentioned, it is a place of learning, so the staff is revolving. His Dietician, Ojenee, is great and so is his nurse Michelle. His scheduler Cherie is very good and takes care to make all appointments convenient. I live in Orange County, so it is an hour drive each way because of traffic. They have a great aftercare program including monthly group meetings. Future patients should be aware that if they are looking for a huggy, touchy, feely kind of doctor, this isn't the guy. If you are looking for an expert in the business with a zero mortality rate for laparoscopic gastric bypass surgeries, then this IS the guy. He lets you know about the risks up front and is picky about his patients. If you smoke or are a heavy drinker or recreational drug abuser, then he won't even do the surgery on you. I never once felt unsure about my care with him. I would give this doctor a 10 out of 10 if I had to rate him.

The staff and Dr. Katkhouda were extremely helpful and considerate, but due to the popularity of the procedure in 2002-2003 and Dr. K's schedule my wait would be over 1 year!!

By 2004 I had completed a second round of cardiovascular tests, psych evals, etc. and I was ready for surgery. I had my RNY on July 20th, 2004.

Although I did well the first year on my own, USC had little to no follow-up or support. Their support meetings at the time consisted of group meetings at 12 noon (during work hours), once a month in the back conference room of the staff cafeteria. Very inhospitable for a food addict who had a job and couldn't afford to drive the hour plus each way to the meetings. I went to one meeting, was completely discouraged, and never went back. There was no pre-education requirement at USC, so in retrospect I would make sure that any program I went into had adequate pre and post-operative support. It would have made all the difference.

The first time I met Dr. Katkhouda, we got along well. He is a very straight forward, to the point kind of guy and he doesn't like to beat around the bush. He also appreciates this in the people he deals with.

He has been more than understanding and compassionate since my surgery and has answered all the questions I have had to my satisfaction. He also has a great sense of humor, so it makes a stressful situation a little less so.

My stitches are great and healing well, so he is more than competent in my book :)

Dr. Crookes was friendly and provided a complete explanation of the different procedures. He has a number of research projects underway that helped inform which surgery I chose. His scheduling person was difficult to reach but EVERYONE else I dealt with was amazing. So kind.

And when it came to have the surgery, I was worried about how bad I would feel after the General Anesthesia. His Anesthesiology team listened to my concerns and put together a plan for me. When I woke up after the surgery, I was still sleepy but not nauseous AT ALL and my asthma had not acted up at all.

I cannot recommend Peter Crookes more highly. My surgery was two days ago and I feel great and see a bright future for myself.

He is a short little Irishman, I have nothing against short or the Irish. Heck, I am Irish on my mother's side. His personality is AWESOME and genuinely a nice guy and I felt re-assured about my procedure.rnrnHis office is on the 5th floor, exit the elevator and bam your there. Well lit, clean and comfortable chairs. The staff is very kind, caring and willing to go the extra mile to help you out.rnrnDr. Crookes does the DS, RNY, and Band and will work with the patient to find what best possible procedure would be. I walked in, thinking/knowing that I wanted to have the DS, his response was ok now tell me why you want the DS. He told me that there were higher risks and potential problems associated with surgery. He basically want to know if I had any clue about the surgery and its potential problems. rnrnHe is a awesome surgeon and has a spectacular bedside manner. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the best, I would easily make him a 10.

When I first me Dr. K at the seminar I was intimidated by him, because he is so straight forward and cutting. After visiting him at his office I was expecting the same and I was surprised on how he was attentive and was comforting in a way that I knew I was in good hands. The staff well the ladies at the front desk where nice, but then when I had to get on the phone with his assistant which I heard they call \"his little soldier\" then I was like ok she is not very friendly at all but I could imagine that with so many patients it could be hectic so I just didn't let it bother me, as long as she's not doing my surgery then we are fine....:-) I like that Dr. K has so much knowledge and experience. So far his surgical competence is what I expect from him, Im having surgery on March 31, 2009 and expect to be his patient for a long time.

My surgery was on Dec. 3, 08. I met Dr. \"K\" in an orientation, and from there picked him. Alot of people had said that his abruptness was tough. But, you want someone who is the best, and I feel he is. When you have a roux-en-y you want someone who gives you the dirty along with the sweet. I felt fully informed by the time I went in. There are issues that he has to cover, and he doesn't sugarcoat them. I felt fully trusted with him. Like alot of surgeons they are not great on \"bedside manner\", but like something Dr. K. himself said, \"when you have a pilot flying you across country...do you want someone who is chewing the fat before the flight with all the passengers, or someone who is at the cockpit, studying and getting ready for the flight\". I want the later. It's the same with someone who is re-arranging your stomach and intenstines. I never saw him the day of the surgery but saw his Fellow, Dr. Wu, and many others. Dr. Wu was great, straighforward and concerned. The entire program is great. The protocal is followed to a T. Great follow-up and concern for their patients