USC Bariatric Surgery Bariatric Center

I was introduced to Kr. Katkhouda by one of his team members. (He was doing my sister's surgery).
He is chief of the laproscopic surgery department at USC University Hospital. He is also a professor of laproscopic surgery. He has a world renown reputation as a laproscic surgeon and has published numerus articles and books on the subject.

First impression was that he was very serious, well dressed, highly professional and down to business. He was pointed with his questions....and there were many.

As the consult went on, he lightened up and had a delightful personality. He was totally honest about everything, life style changes, after care requirements, risks etc. At the same time, he was very reassuring and easy to talk to and ask questins of. I felt so good after the consult. I knew that I had made the right choice.

He strongly emphasizes aftr care. He has just started a support group for his patients that he will attend as well.

His assistant Anna is very helpful, friendly and pleasent to deal with. She handles so many things for the patients. She has become too busy however and really needs an assistnt herself. Hopefully he will hire one.

I rate him highly...a 10 for sure.

Because of my insurance and location I was able to choose from some of he most popular and well know WLS surgeons around. I chose Dr. Katkhouda and am so happy that I did.

My first impression of Dr. Katkhouda was that he seemed a little cold. He was also really tough during his consultation, but he also warned me that he was going to be really tough. I have had NO contact with him since my consultation, however, everything has preceded quickly and without any snags
He is a great surgeon, but I haven't had enough contact with him for my opinion to change.

I have dealt mainly with Anna, who works for Dr. Katkhouda. She seems very busy, and I usually call her for stuff, not the other way around. I believe if I had not called for pre-op tests, or for a surgery date, that I would still be waiting. From Everything I have heard, the Dr. is really dedicated to this type of surgery and he is good. I understand that he likes to do the surgery first thing in the morning and that he and his staff are very attentive.
I suppose I will have more to post after the surgery though :)

I had my first post-op with my doctor, and I have to say he is growing on me! My doctor is a GREAT surgeon, extremely skilled. That was and is important to me. If you are the kind of person that prefers alot of contact with your doctor, or someone with that Dr. Welby feel, he may not be for you, but I thought he was great.

Sure enough my opinion has changed. I love my doctor, No he isn't Dr. Welby, but he really cares about his patients and his work. He is committed to this surgery and his patients and their post-op care. I am very happy with the quality of care I have received.

Dr. Katkhouda is a very skilled surgeon. I met him at a seminar and later e-mailed him. He called me personally said my inspiring e-mail generated a phone call instead of an e-mail. He has been so encouraging, caring and has supportive. He helped get my pre-test done in a fast manner. His Assistant name is Anna. She organized surgeries, times dates etc. She is so dedicated to her job and highly believes in Katkouda's skills.

He has been very detailed and thorough in educating me about the surgery and my new life style.

My sister Anne had her surgery in Texas in June 2001. She has done very well. I feel so confidant with her example of success, Dr. Katkouda's dedication to his work and because I have faith in myself as well.

I will return to this support enity to let you know of my progress and I look forward to the day I can post before and after pictures.

Dr Crookes is a very down to earth guy from Ireland with a wonderful sense of humor and a killer accent!! He took the time to explain everything to me and answer any questions my husband or I had. He had drawings to explain what would be done, and the nurse, Maria, she has been the best! Always answering my emails in a very timely manner and keeping me posted on what needed to be done next either with the insurance or my pre-op testing! So my hats off to both Dr Crookes & Maria for the wonderful support and care they have given me thus far. Hmmm, instead of hats off, how about POUNDS off?! :)
It is a long process, so you must have patience and be prepared to give information quickly to get things rolling (ie: weight loss history).
All risks were addressed and no question was taboo. Dr Crookes or Maria didn't rush me and were happy to be of help.
All in all, I'd say that their office is a pretty darned good team!

Dr. Crookes is a sweetheart. I was actually looking to have Dr. Anthone do my surgery but Dr. Crookes was available sooner when I called for my initial consult.
My first impression of him was positive. He has a great sense of humor. He speaks a little fast and has an Irish accent so you really have to be listening. He was very complete in his explanations and was very open to my questions. Because I am a revision he wanted some additional tests done and I was concerned about why. He emailed me a very detailed and personal letter why he felt the tests were needed. I say emailed, because regardless how many of messages I ever left for his nurse Maria, she would never call me back. I found if I emailed her she would respond, and my initial concern went to her and she forwarded it to Dr. Crookes. Now that I had his email address, I began to address any concerns directly to him, and he always promptly responded. The secretary there (Veronica) is a snob. She frequently cut me off while I was speaking to her. Once you get past the staff to Dr. Crookes, it's all worth it!

I have only seen him once, but liked him right off the bat. The fact that he is Irish didn't hurt! He is friendly and straight forward and answered any questions throughly. His RN, Maria, is busy but takes the time to answer all my e-mails. That seems to be the easiest method of communication for both of us. Both Dr and Maria were prepared to spend as much time as needed with me at consultation, and neither seemed in a rush to get done. The only negatives have been having to wait 5 months for an appointment, having to wait 1 1/2 hours in office and getting postponed due to the Dr's schedule changing because of the attack on the WTC.
1/10/02
I really like Dr Crookes. Each visit is a joy, he is concerned and answers questions fully. I had a concern one Sunday and had him paged. He called back within an hour and was truly concerned. He talked to me for a few minutes and we got the problem worked out. His "right hand", Maria, seems kind of "hard" at first, but is actually very pleasant. I still don't really have any thing negative to say. I am very pleased with all aspects of Dr Crooks, so far. He and Maria came to see me every day in the hospital and both were readily avaliable if I needed any thing.

Dr. Crookes, LOVE HIM,,, very encouraging and great bed side manners.
His nurse Maria is AWESOME... I love them all. They have a very structured after care program. Dr. Crookes addressed all the risks of surgery, thats why i liked him so much, he was very honest.

I would recommend him to anyone. He is great.

At my initial consultaion, Dr. Crookes was very informative aboout the surgery that he performs. I had spent about 1 year investigating the different types of WLS, so he basically confirmed what I knew.

He talked about the complications, and about his successes and failures, and let me know that he was not God, but he had been very successful.

All in all, it was a very pleasant conversation, and I went away with a good feeling.

I will meet Dr. Crookes "officially" for my consult on 8/16/2000 and will update this after that time.

For now, I can say that I have met him. He seems very pleasant, honest, compassionate and understanding.

Dr. Crookes has a specialty in dealing with swallowing and hiatal hernia problems, so he can help people who have that as well.

His office staff is pleasant. I have waited 5 and 1/2 months for my upcoming appointment, but I feel it has been worth it. In the mean time I have had a physical, sleep study, pulmonary function tests, and prepared myself researching and gathering paperwork and information they need to send to my insurance company.

I know that I am making the proper decision for me because I have researched all the options and I know the risks, benefits, etc. I have the support of family and most of my friends.

I prefer surgical competence and a nice bed side manner and from what I understand, Dr. Crookes fills that bill. We'll soon find out, won't we? :0)

I have to say this, I've gotten excellent care from the doctors I've seen at USC. I am quite pleased with my decision to date.

Fall, 1999 --
For RNY GB in 1987, was Warnock, Kenneth MR
(Wichita Falls, TX) --
I was happy with Dr. Warnock in 1987, and I
see that he has not changed, from the comments
of others (better not be smoking!).

Winter, 1999 --
will be Dr. Peter F. Crookes at USC University
Hospital in Los Angeles, CA on Feb 1, 2000.
He and the office staff are great.

Summer, 2000 --
Dr. Crookes is fabulous, technically and
personally. He, Maria and the office staff,
and the USC University Hosp. have earned my
highest recommendations.