Ara Keshishian Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS, FASMBS

Absolutely FANTASTIC!! I not only have the privilege of knowing Dr. K as my potential surgeon, but also through my work at Delano Regional Medical Center.

I had my initial consult with Dr Keshishian on 10/04. I knew many of his post-op and pre-op patients already, so I already had a good impression of him, but this just enforced it. He answered all my questions on honestly and I felt confident in my decision to choose him as my surgeon. Dee Tinkle, his RN is wonderful!! I also dealt with Lydia his insurance coordinator and Olga who helped me schedule my pre-op appointments in Delano and they were both wonderful as well! Lydia was just on the ball with the insurance company and by coordinating with a contact I found in my insurance company's medical mgmt department I was approved within 24 hours!

DR. K IS TRULY A FINE DR. EVERY TIME I HAVE SEEN HIM, HE SHAKES MY HAND AND ASKS ABOUT MY HUSBAND AS AN OLD FRIEND MIGHT. THE OFFICE STAFF WAS ALSO PLEASANT. HIS WIFE DAWN DID MY ORIENTATION AND SHE WAS A JOY TO TALK TO. THEY REALLY STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF AFTER CARE. THE ONLY NEGATIVE COMMENT I WOULD MAKE IS WHEN I CALLED AFTER HOURS THE ANSWERING SERVICE HESITATED TO PAGE THE DR. OR NURSE. BUT THE OVERALL PICTURE WAS A GOOD EXPERIENCE.

SURGICAL COMPETENCE, AND BEDSIDE MANNER ARE BOTH GREAT. I REALLY CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING NEGATIVE TO SAY ABOUT THE DR. OR HIS STAFF. I CALLED A COUPLE OF TIMES AFTER HOURS AND DEE TINKLE WAS VERY HELPFUL.

THERE IS NOT A WORD THAT CAN DESCRIBE DR. ARA KESHISHIAN. I WAS SO COMFORTABLE AROUND HIM AND HIS STAFF. THEY ARE ALL VERY CARING PEOPLE. LIKE ONE BIG FAMILY. I WAS AT PEACE WITH PICKING DR. KESHISHIAN. I THINK HE IS VERY PERSONABLE. HE WANTS TO MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE DONE. NO SECONDS THOUGHTS. HE ASKS SEVERAL TIMES IF YOU OR ANYONE OF YOUR FAMILY HAS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SURGERY. FROM A SCALE OF 1 TO 10 THERE IS NO RATE FOR HIM BECAUSE HE IS WAY OFF THE CHARTS IN MY BOOK.

9/4 I met with Dr. K and Dee today at my initial consult, was treated nicely by all office staff. The breifing and notebook from Dee was informative, thorough and answered most of my questions.

Dr. K. was thorough going through my history, and he asked alot of precise questions, and I felt that he was really interested in my concerns and he addressed those completely. My main concern was regarding PE since I had experienced multiple blood clots going from my legs into my lungs during a prolonged hospital stay in August of 2000 due to Pancreatitus,and diagnoses of High Triglycerides, Diabetes. I experienced other complications including yeast infections (vaginally, topically) which finally went systemic in my blood from a central line in my groin area, as well UTI, and allergic reactions to medicine. Also have low-back & knee pain, and heart valve leakage (fen-phen), so you can see I have plenty of co-morbidities and risk factors to address. He said he can and will do some preventative measures to address my PE concerns (greenfield filter etc.) He is professional, compassionate, and made me feel completely at ease to address all of my questions.

I asked what I could do to help prepare myself for the surgery was told I could start drinking protein drinks, vitamins & Calcium, to do exercises with weights or tubing, walk (even if only 10 minutes at a time) blow baloons and an incentive spirometer. Doing all of these things can make my recovery easier and build up my immune system. I have full confidence in him and am looking forward to my 10/10/2001 surgery date..Fran from Texas BMI 47.5 consult date weight 272

8/4 I met Dr. Keshishian Friday evening at a group meeting in Ukiah, CA.
Prior to meeting the doctor, I felt like I trusted him just from reading what people have posted about him. Well, after meeting him Friday evening, I know for sure that I have chosen the right surgeon. He was very thurough in explaining the Duodenal Switch and has a really good sense of humor.
The Delano Regional Medical center has just opened a new wing that is for WLS patients. I have heard nothing but excellent comments on the hospital and the staff. THEY KNOW HOW TO TAKE CARE OF WLS PATIENTS.
I have only 11 more days till my consult. I am so excited!!!

Have consult with Dr. Keshishian Aug. 17th
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8/21 Consult on the 17th went very good. Just a few bumps, but all worked out well. The office staff was very kind. Dee and Dr. K were very nice and took time to listen to my questions, all five pages of them. Now it is up to getting the official insurance ok and then a surgery date. I know, patience, patience.
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9/4 Dee Tinkle called me this morning to give me my surgery date. She was sooo sweet and totaly understood my excitement and rambling off and many, many thank you's.

Dr. Keshishian is great. So is Dee Tinkle, one of the nurses in the office. She has had the procedure and knows all the details firsthand.

Dr. K is almost ready to open a Bariatric wing at the hospital (9/2001?) and I imagine he will be hiring a hospital staff of dedicated nurses and aides who are familiar with the Duodenal Switch procedure.

Dr. K is relatively young and quite handsome but his overriding qualifications are that he is a safe, careful, and experienced surgeon.

His bedside manner is light and funny and he somehow manages to remember tiny personal details about his patients. In my case he remembed to ask after my two dogs and whether or not I was feeling up to starting to sing again soon. I was amazed, considering how busy he is and how many patients he has to see in a day.

I would highly recommend him to anyone considering the DS procedure.

WOW WHERE DO I START?? Dr Keshishian and his staff are the BEST !! I am not sure there is enough space for me to convey all the warm feeling I have for them!! My first impression to my last has been that he is very caring and attentive to his patients at all times. I saw him SEVERAL times a day while in the hospital. He and his staff have kept in great, regular contact with me since. I live in Kansas and went California for surgery so the long distance contact has been very important. He and his staff did a great job of educating my doc back here at home too. His support group meeting are wonderful. I sure wish I could make it to more of them. I was so impressed over all by how well rounded Dr. Keshishian is as a doctor. You do not have to give up anything! His dedication in superior BAR NONE ! His bedside manner could not be better!! And as far as his surgical competancy, he has one big vote of confidence from me! In fact after talking to MANY of his patients I cannot find even one who has a bad thing to say about him. From beginning to end my experience with this doctor and his staff has been wonderful. He made sure I knew the risks and possible complications but once he knew I understood them he was behind be 100%. I have had 7 other mojor surgeries in my life and have never before felt like my surgeon was my friend. This whole process has been a "God" thing for me! I thank GOD daily that He lead me to Dr. Keshishian !!!!

I first met Dr.K and his staff at a monthly meeting that I went to with a friend that was already approved for surgery. I had attended one in Ventura but this one took the cake. His personal feeling about what he does comes through so strong. I did some more research and finally made my consult appointment. Dee explained everything so great that she took any concerns my husband had who was with me that he wants it now too. My only problem now is with Blue Cross, they have denied me, but I am fighting back. Dee and the office staff has been so nice with getting things sent to Blue Cross for me. They have listened to me over and over. I will update when and I do mean when I get my date set.

After dealing with several different Dr.'s searching for weight loss surgery I was blessed to have found Dr. Keshishian. The first time that I called them they were wonderful. I knew that they were going to be great people to deal with. However, after meeting the Doctor and his staff in person I was wrong! Great was an under statement they were Awesome. They were so friendly and polite and what was really nice is the nurse that did the educational session with me was His wife Dawn Keshshian. She is trruely an asset to this office. They are both caring and kind individuals.
My Grandmother and my Mother and my Husband all attended support meetings held by Dr. K himself emphasizing the risks of the surgery and the aftercare of yourself and your dietary plan after surgery. I and my husband both commented on how thorough Dr. K is and how He wants you to be fully educated on what you are about to endevor into. I am so thankful that I have chosen Dr. K to do my gr-ds. He is truly God sent to me. I would encourage anyone looking into a weight loss surgery to look up Dr. K. He is straight forward, doesn't beat around the bush, But walks softly on this sensitive issue.