USC Bariatric Surgery Bariatric Center
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Dr. Crookes and Maria (his surgical nurse) are very nice people. I was pretty assertive with them both and prepared when having my consultation. I went to the appointment with a great deal of information and a lot of questions. They entertained every question with patience and were very professional. I have been utterly impressed. We will see after surgery!
After meeting with Dr. Crookes I felt he was very confident and could handle anything that I could "dish-out". During my stay at the hospital I felt the same and I had all the confidence that he had a handle on everything. I highly recommend that anyone interested in checking out surgeons give him a try.
Dr. Crookes seems to be a very nice surgeon. I have met with him for one appointment and he explained to me all that is to come. His assistant was really good. The receptionist Veronica is somewhat rude and insensitive. I recently called her up to see if she can fax me the paper where it explains the pre-op prep and she said "no". I guess i will have to get around her.
I first had a surgery date for March 28, 2003 with Dr. Gary Anthone. Things was'nt really going my way. March 28 went by and then months went by. I did a lot of calling and checking on my status for surgery. Finally everything was done with the tests and insurance and all. I finally got a call from Michelle and she is as sweet as pie. She called me in the month of August and gave me my final surgery day for November 17, 2003. I will now be under Dr. Crookes care. When I first met Dr. Crookes it was the day of my surgery and all I can say about him is that he was great. I was really nervous and scared but Dr. Crookes and his team was so warm and made me feel like I had no worries and everything will be okay. And it was. After surgery Dr.Crookes and his team came to my room every morning to check on me and made sure everything was ok. They really made my days at the hospital comfortable. Overall Dr. Crookes is a wonderful person and a wonderful surgeon, I couldnt of ask for anyone else other than Dr. Crookes. He is a really good man.
Consultaion Completed:11/18/03
Dr.Crookes and his staff show to me to be skilled individuals.My personal impression.I was treated with respect,and had all my questions answered promptly.
I have seen Dr Gary Anthone who is leaving California Sept/03. So I talked to Dr Katkhouda who does surgery lap and I'm not a candidate, but really really liked him and would have gone with him!
I will be using Dr Crookes.
Just had consult with Dr Crookes and liked him, now just have to wait for insurance to approve.
i love dr katkhouda,
he has been wonderful since the very first time we meet!as far as his office staff well they are ok but there is one very special girl (letty) she is the best! she has been so helpful! when i first met the dr. he gave me all the info i needed to make this decision i felt very confident going to him he is straight foward and some people may not like that but he speaks the truth. so future patients should know just do as he says and everything should go smooth.
his surgocal competence is fenamenal and his bedside manners were great he is a very sweet and caring man.
i'm so happy he did my surgery i have so far had no problems.i would rate him a perfect 10!
thank you patty rex lay rny 9/25/03
I first met Dr. Crookes about an hour before surgery. I had beeen scheduled w/ Dr. Antoine but since he was leaving, I was switched to Dr. Crookes. Even injust the short time we talked Dr. Crookes made me feel very reassured. Hes a wonderful kind man w/ a reassuring touch. He was genuinely concerned w/ how you are feeling both physically and emotionally. A wonderful man and physician. Ohhhh and very neat w/ his stiching abilities...Looking good
Thank-you ever so much Dr. Crookes
Of course i did come home w/ little information on what to eat or how to contact him if im not feeling well. Guess we all over looked it in my rush to get home.
I see that someone wrote of one person who had a problem during their surgery with Dr K. I am wondering if I am that person. During my surgery two of his tools became stuck while doing the laproscopic surgery. All he had to do was to cut between the tools. That just ment I left with both scars from the lap and full cut. A bit extra sore. I do have a problem now though. I was 373 pounds. I only lost down to 278. Went to another dr who put a scope inside of me. He said I have one of the biggest pouchs he has seen. Now I am wondering if it is from the problem.
I would go back to him in a heartbeat. He has made my life a million times better.
I have choosen Dr Katkhouda because of the fact he accepts Blue Cross Medi-cal and can get me in faster than the others. I had my consult on Aprril 18. I have heard some people say that he was running late. I was in and out of the office in no more than an hour. I have gone to my PCP and spent more time. I liked him alot. He went out to meet my mother after I told him she also wanted the surgery. He told her to come to him. That way with the same dr. we might have the same (don't think of the word) problems and stuff. He liked to do family's together. My mom liked him also. She decided to stay with her dr since the process was already started. His staff!! Boy they need a bit of help. Anna has acted like I was annoying her. I call other people now. The others like Pricilla and Hillary are ok. If you want something done make sure you make a pest of yourself till they do it!!!
I first met Dr Katkhouda at the USC bariatric surgery orientation, and I was very impressed with him. He gave a lot of imformation in a short time, did it in a humorous way, and convinced me the lap RNY was the proedure for me.
His office staff, while being personable and caring, is stretched so thin that they cannot meet the needs of their pre op patients, which really is a matter of paperwork. Having worked for surgeons for 25 yrs myself, I know what it takes. I would suggest potential patients be aware of this and be prepared to "handle it" as much as possible, themselves. His PA, Hillary, has to fill so many shoes I'm amazed she can accomplish anything. As a 2 wk post op patient, it will be interesting to see how it goes.
My main concern about surgery with Dr Katkhouda was that there was NO aftercare info given pre operatively. Other than a discussion by the surgeons at the orientation about clear liquids and mushy foods for 6 wks, there was nothing given out or said about it. I wondered, and am still wondering, what to expect. I believe a pre op visit with the nutritionist would be valuable, along with the other tests, so that patients would really KNOW what they're getting into and what to expect.
Dr Katkhouda addressed the risks of surgery very thoroughly, both at the orientation and with me in his office.
I rate him very highly, both pre operatively and now. I went to him, specifically, because he is a laparoscopic surgeon/teacher and because USC is a teaching hospital.
Dr Katkhouda's surgical competence and bedside manner are great! I am pleased to highly recommend him to anyone.