USC Bariatric Surgery Bariatric Center

I meet Dr. Peter Crookes back in 2003 I call him my special angel cause Dr. Crookes is the one that broke the mold. Dr. Crookes goes above and beyond just being a Doctor he has become my life long friend. We worked together with the insurence co. for 4 long years and Dr. Crooks went to bat for me everytime we got shot down, then finally on March 15th he called the insurence co. and I guess they were feeling generous that day cuase they said yes and approved my surgery and I had a surgery date for March 21, 2007, after almost 4 long years, If it had not been for Dr. Crookes caring so much and wanting to help his patients I would probly still be waiting. I credit Dr. Crookes for all my success, he is one of a kind, he is caring, sincere, kind hearted man. You know they'er people who often go out of their way to pitch in when there is work to be done, they show understanding, they lighten our problems they help us in more ways than one. This is Dr. Peter Crookes. He stands beside his patients and helps them through every step in every way he can. He has been blessed in every way he is a wonderful man.

I had been to the seminars for two other bariatric programs before I went to the one for USC University Hospital (Los Angeles, CA), where I first heard Dr. Peter Crookes speak. I was impressed with their program, but I had this feeling about Dr. Crookes. I just knew he was the one. Sometimes you just have to trust your gut.rnrnAt my first consultation with him I weighed 550 pounds. He was very frank and honest with me about the risks involved with surgery on someone my size. But he also explained how he was the head of the department and did all the high risk cases, and that he had done surgery on people like me that had turned out very well, so there was no reason to become discouraged or give up hope. He said he preferred to do the vertical sleeve gastrectomy only at that time, and that after I had lost some weight he could go back and do the intestinal bypass portion of the surgery. As long as I passed all the pre-op testing, he would do my surgery, As I left he put his hand on my shoulder and said, in his delightful Irish brogue, \"I'm lucky, I get to do all you big girls.\"rnrnAfter reading some of your stories. I see what a miracle my experience was. I set the appointments, passed the tests, set the date and had the surgery - no problems, smooth sailing. I had particularly expected problems with the psychological report because I have bipolar disorder and was not currently seeing anyone about it. But the psychiatrist I saw said he would approve me as long as I got into treatment and stayed there throughout the procedure and the first year following it. Well, he was right, I should have been in treatment all along. It's been 18 months since my surgery, I'm still in a treatment program, and I am doing better that I ever have. The support of my women's therapy group has been invaluable. Anyway, my first consultation was in early August and I had surgery in December. Since I was so big I had to have an open procedure. Because of my sleep apnea and general high risk condition I was in intensive care for the first 24 hours. They took such good care of me! And USC University Hospital had a wonderful pain management team. Before the surgery they insterted a epidural in my back, not for the surgery for but tfor post surgical pain control. I had very little pain for the first three days and not a whole lot of pain thereafter. Their reasoning is that you heal faster when you aren't in pain, and I certainly believe them! I had surgery on Friday, went home on Tuesday, and stayed by myself from the first night (my parents were there from Arizona, but I live in a studio apartment, so they were in a motel nearby).rnrnDr. Crooke's personal office follow-up has been good, but the bariatric program at the hospital has fallen apart. Something about the doctors still belongintg to USC but the hospital being bought by someone else. Last I talked to them, a few months ago, they were trying to get things going again to start having support groups. I need to call them again. In the meantime, a few friends and I have been going to a wonderful support group on Tuesdays at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena. So if things change at USC I will update this. rnrnBut Dr.Crookes was wonderful, and I would put my life in his hands without hesitation at any time. I trust him implicitly. As soon as I am confident that USC hospital has their stuff straightened out, I am going to go back and have him do the rest of the surgery. I started at 550, was 528 the day of surgery, and now I am about 375 (I think - I don't have a scale).

My first impression of Dr. Katkhouda was that he was exremely knowledgeable in the field of bariatric surgery and a perfectionist who had clear cut demands for his patients. I went to the seminar planning on having a Lap Band surgery and left the seminar wanting a Gastric Bypass. I didn't want to go through surgery and risk slippage, erosion, or obstruction because if I was gonna go through surgery I didn't want it reversed for any reason, at it seemed that Dr. Katkhouda was able to note less complications with the Bypass surgery. My impression over the last year has not waivered. His office staff has always been helpful but I must say I have felt more rushed by his staff than the doctor himself who has always taken his time with me. I am one of Dr. Katkhouda's biggest fans. Dr. Katkhouda has always been honest about what I should expect and what he has expected of me. I was required to lose 15 pounds prior to surgery as all his patients in order to shrink the liver. I first contacted him in June for a price quote, rather than his staff returning my call, he did so personally. I informed him I needed the surgery in August due to my work schedule, he said we'd be cutting it close but he made it happen. I saw him for the first time in July, all of my questions and fears were addressed, as well as preop tests and aftercare. August 3, 2006 I had a gastric bypass. Surgery took longer than expected but Dr. Katkhouda went and spoke with my family immediately after surgery. I was in some pain after surgery but surprisingly it was only my back that hurt. The nurse informed me it wasn't unusual because of the hard operating table. I was nauseated from the blood in my stomach but nursing staff was very diligent with giving me medication as needed. The only negative was hospital construction so it was very noisy. I was pleased that when I woke up the morning after surgery Dr. Katkhouda came to see me, what's not to be pleased about a man in a suit with a French accent who has just changed your entire life for the better? As of today I have lost 100 pounds, and am only about 10 pounds away from my goal. I have visited him for all of my follow up appointments and have never had very long of a wait. I would send friends, family and anyone who ever asks to Dr. Katkhouda, he is a genious in his field, my scars are barely visible, no complications at all, never sick, no pain, amazing bedside manner. This man is amazing. I would welcome any questions from prospective patients.

I was very pleased with my consultation with Dr. Katkhouda at USC University Hospital. Another person from this website shared her experience meeting him with me, which helped encourage me to remain positive. That helped put me in the right mind set. Him and his staff were extremely professional and kind. He was sincere and straightforward. I did my homework on him and the procedures he offers ahead of time and that impressed him. I found myself highly impressed by his credentials, especially by the French Legion of Honor Award he will recieve shortly, the highest award given in France, started by Napoleon. Both my parents are physicians and are extremely tough to win over, were quite astounded by his credentials. But more importantly, he focused on me and my needs. rnrnI'm in the process of figuring out what procdures I need to have done versus the one's I recently had done for an annual phyical I had. That's getting a little complicated and I wish it was a little more clearly presented by his office with some official documentation (that's what my PCP office said to me) but considering everything, I'm happy with how things have gone so far.

What can I say Dr. Peter Crookes is just a wonderfull and caring Irish man who really cares about his patients. He's always been supportive and encouraging with my entire journey through my WLS. He and his staff are very nice, friendly and non-judgemental. Any questions or problems pertaining to WLS surgery whether before or after, they always respond honestly and in a timely manner. He informed me of all the pros and cons of the procedure and of the lifetime commitment I would make once I had it. His bedside manners was that of like a father who always made sure that you were comfortable, pain free and secure. His experience alone in WLS surgergy is excellent and he answered any and all questions from how many surgeries he had performed to how many deaths and so forth and so forth, didn't hide a thing. He made you feel at ease with your decision to proceed or made sure you didn't until all the requirements were met and that you were 100% sure of wanting to have WLS. He, his staff and those at USC were all wonderfull and I'm very happy to have chosen them for my WLS.

Dr. Crookes is the best of the best, he is one of the most careing Dr. I have ever had, I have not had a easy time due to me be a re-do and what I had done to my own body after 20 yr.s of eating what I should not of been , His office staff is nice , past ..I have not had any problems when going to the ofc. at all..rn I had some problems after surgery and was turned over to Dr. C. to fix them and that he did ...it took another surgrery and some tries at this and that but I ALWAYS feel safe in Dr. C. care..that he will go to the last mile to make things safe for me and that is all that one can ask the rest will be in god hands , I have a daughter that is waiting for USC to be approved a center of excellence for her ins. she is my only child and I am excited that he will be doing her surgery and very very relived that he will be doing her surgery as well ...you just know that he knows what he is doing and everyone loves Dr. C. just as I do that works with him at USC. You NEVER here one bad word about Dr. C. only the top of the line \" OH! you have Dr. C. as your DR. dont you just love him\" ...\" we love him here at USC\" and THEY do ! now thats something !!

My first impression is that he is a perfectionist and takes great pride in his great outcome statistics. My impression did not change, after surgery he continued to be very engaged in my care. The office is at USC University Hospital, it is not as swanky as some other surgeons offices, but my choice to go with him was based on skill and outcomes, not a pretty office. Future patients should know that he is serious about his expectations of you before surgery and he will cancel the surgery if you do not comply with what he asks you to do. For instance, he told me to loose 15 lbs before surgery. He explained that the liver shrinks and it makes it easier to do surgery which would contribute to a better outcome. There is a support group, dietician etc... as support for aftercare. He is very encouraging about what he sees you can become. I will be seeing him after 1 week for my staple removal and 2 weeks for another check. He was very clear about the risks of surgery. He also explained what we would be doing before, during and after surgery to decrease the risks and make sure I had a prefect outcome. I would rate him 10 out of 10. He is not only an excellent surgeon but really cares about his patients.

Dr. Crookes is an amazing surgeon! Love the Irish accent! When I first met him, we spent a long time together going over each of the surgeries he does (he does them all) and he explained the pro's and con's of each. Every question I asked was answered honestly. The decision was mine as to which surgery I could live with for the rest of my life. I chose the duodenal switch and he agreed that it was a good choice for me. During my hospital stay he visited me every day and literally held my hand and made sure I was pain free and doing well. During follow-up visits, he still took the time to answer all my questions. I've never felt rushed when speaking to him. He is a wonderful man and an excellent surgeon. I would very highly recommend him!

Dr. Kaufman didn't come across as over warm and fuzzy on our first meeting, but as very through and professional. He didn't try to push any one surgery -- or even push me to believe I had to have WLS-- but was very direct and honest. He took a good deal of time explaining surgical options to my husband and myself and listened to my concerns. He also explained the risks of each procedure. [Update: I've warmed to him -- I think he's great! My aftercare has been exceptional and, something I love, he seems to remember everything I tell him from one time to the next. His sense of humor is delightfully wry and dry. I look forward to my followups.]rn<p>rnMaria Harrison, who worked with him, was great and has been very quick to return emails and offer support. [Update: the contact has stayed great and helpful. The lady really works hard. However she's move to UCLAs program (they don't do the DS right now). However, she still follows up with me via email and invited me to her new support group. I dearly love her!]rn<p>rnUSC bariatric seems to have an excellent after care program -- though I have to be sure to do my part too. So far everything about the program has been great.

1. My first impression of Dr Crookes was a very good one. He gave the seminar I attended, the seminar was more about the others surgerys, but I liked him. When I met him for my first appointment, I liked him even more, he is very personable.rnrn2. My first impression mever changed over time.rnrn3. His office staff is nice, it has gotten better, in the beginning, the staff was in a upheavel because they were going through staff changes.rnrn4. There was nothing I didn't like about him, he never tried to push me into something that I didn't want.rnrn5. That his is a great person, obviously my opinion.rnrn6. Aftercare is very much expected.rnrn7. Yes, the office has a breakdown of all office visits consistently up to 2 years out, and then once a year after that.rnrn8. He told me what my risks were with what I had going on in my life, my weight, and co-morbidities.rnrn9. I enjoyed him very much. He makes you feel like he is interested in what is going on with you.rnrn10. Both were great. He checked on me everyday in the hospital (5days), and answered all of my questions, even though most of the time I was out of it.