Ara Keshishian Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS, FASMBS

My first impression of Dr. K was that he was late. LOL He apoligized profusely though, and gave me plenty of time. I didn't feel rushed, I felt like I was his only patient for the day. My impression has stayed the same over the last 6 months. He always makes me feel like I'm his only patient.

The staff? I have never seen a better staff anywhere. They promptly return emails, messages, calls at 3am! You can ask the dumbest question on the face of the Earth and you would get no qualms with the answer!

I can't say that I have found anything I dislike about Dr. K and his staff.

What should future patients know? You've seen the rest... now PICK THE BEST!

Dr K emphasizes care at all stages. Not just aftercare. And he does have a structured aftercare program with support group meeting every month.

Dr K addressed every possible risk of surgery with me, and in my first inital consult it was covered in a class setting. Then Dr K himself addressed them.

Overall, I would rate Dr K on a scale of 1-10, a 15!

I think Surgical competence and bedside manner are both outstanding. As I've stated, I've never had a doctor so compassionate and caring, and so gifted as a surgeon! Thanks Dr. K! You've given me my life back!

Great doctor. Great staff.

My first impression of Dr. K. was that I found him to be very professional yet personable. My consult took place on Nov. 28, 2001. Dr. K was very nice and went over the surgery and my health problems.
His office staff are also very nice and professional. I noticed that they are discrete when the need may arise. Patients should know that Dr. K, although a very busy man, is quick to smile . He truly expects aftercare to be a major part of the surgery. Lifetime aftercare. His aftercare program begins immediately after surgery, He then has appointments at 1 month, 3 months, 6months, 9 months, 1 year and yearly after the first year. He is very knowledgeable and is straight forward about the risks involved in the surgery.
I must say that if I were to rate Dr. K, I would give him the highest rating available. He is there for you before, during and after the surgery. This last statement addresses surgical competence and bedside manner. In my opinion, one without the other is like the toast without the butter. Dr. K is an outstanding person, physician, and surgion. After my surgery, I discovered that I was born with congenital defects -- my insides were different than the norm. Dr. K did the surgery and then informed me of my "twisted" insides (we now have this ongoing joke using the word twisted)

<P>I originally was pursuing the DGB/DS with Dr. Anthone, but after
being denied twice, I was depressed and did nothing for months.
Well, I finally found out that there was something else I could
do... My medical group/PCP change just came through, so I will be
scheduling my consult with Dr K. I will write more about him
after I have met with him.(I have nothing but good to say about
Dr. Anthone... I would have been more than happy to have him be
my surgeon. The ONLY reason I changed was the insurance problems.)
<P>After meeting Dr. K and seeing the facilities in Delano, I am
not so unhappy that I was denied for Dr. Anthone. Dr K is a very nice, dryly
humorous bow-tie wearing man. :) His office staff bends over backwards
to help you. In fact, some of his staff have had the DS with him...
walking - talking advertisements! The facilities are wonderful, an
entire wing devoted entirely to Dr.K's bariatric surgeries. Even
aftercare in the area is taken care of for out-of-towners... the
local Shiloh Inn gives Dr. K's patients a discount, and they have
a couple rooms set aside for post-op patients to recover in, complete
with special recliners. I have also been to several of Dr. K's
support group meetings. He's fan-ta-bulous! :)

I met Dr. Keshishian last Oct. when I went down for my consult. He was very professional and quite serious about asking me why I wanted to have this surgery and what did I expect. After I talked to him for awhile I could see he also had a sense of humor and I really liked this about him. He is a wonderful surgeon and he really cares about his patients. My impression of him and his staff has only gotten better the past 6 months. They are willing to help you in anyway that they can. They are very courteous and helpful. Truthfully I cannot think of anything that I would say that I did not like about DR. K as we like to call him. I think that when you first meet Dr. K you should realize that he is very serious and wants to make sure that you understand what is going to happen and how you need to do your part in the healing process. If you comply to what is expected of you than you will succeed. Dr. K has a wonderful aftercare program. I live about 8 hours away but I feel like I can talk to him anytime I need to. He has a wonderul staff that relays mess. Or give advice. In fact I love it when I get to go and see him. I can't wait to tell him I wonderful I feel and how well I am doing. Dr. K has a wonderful bedside manner, and he is also a very competent surgeon who really cares for his patience.

I loved the entire staff...just what I was looking for even if I had to travel 3000 miles (which I did)! Dr. K has a wonderfully dry sense of humor and a realistic outlook of this surgery. Be armed with all your questions. Do it right, do it with enthusiasm!

I find Dr. K to be one of the kindest persons I have ever met. I know that I am in good hands. He treated me like an equal and was very kind and helpful dealing with my mental illness. He is the only surgeon willing to work with me around these issues. He will always have a warm place in my heart.

Everyone in dr.k's office bends over backwards to make this an easy adventure and I don't mean just in their office I receive calls and e-mails I have nothing but good things to say and am glad dr. k will be doing my surgery

Dr. K is a very nice man, as a great since of humor but very serious about what he does!
The office staff are a great bunch of people!! Kind and courtious! I can not think of anything I did not like about Dr. K or his staff! Aftercare is extremely important!
Fisrt Dee Tinkle went over the risks about the surgery then Dr. K went over it again. Just to see if I understood! I would rate Dr. K 10+. From what I have read about his surgical competence, he is very very competent!! And his bedside manner is wonderful!!!!!!!

Dr. Keshishian is just fantastic! My impression of him over the years has only improved. His staff is so caring and supportive, and the hospital is one of the best I've been in. One whole wing is just for his patients. I was negligent in my aftercare program, but his staff didn't give up on me. They helped me to get back on track with my vitamins and follow-ups, and I'm doing great. I would hightly recommend anyone to go to him.

Any complaints? No, absolutely none at all. I know this my sound hard to believe, but I've never had such good care, or people so interested in my well-being.