Ara Keshishian Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS, FASMBS

I had an RNY revision to DS on December 15, and my journey from thinking about a revision (September) to actually getting scheduled was a complete whirlwind. My RNY was in 2002, I was active in WLS online support via Spotlight Health and a board that grew from there after it folded until 2006. Had to start from scratch when trying to get redialed back into the WLS support community. I found DSfacts first, and that's where I read about Dr. K, found y'all not long after that, and learned just how specialized, short the surgeon list is for RNY to DS revisions. I contacted his office via his website and was scheduled pretty quickly for a consult in Glendale.

Dr. K schedules consults with a few patients at a time. He does a presentation, which fully explains the DS procedure, and you have ample opportunity to ask questions. You also can talk to him one on one. He walked in wearing a bow tie, and with paper and assorted color markers. It's a pretty compelling first impression. He knows what he's talking about, really explains. He will cut to the chase, is very direct, very concise...and it's all delivered with humor and compassion.

I knew about the DS but was fairly uneducated about exactly what an RNY revision entailed. He looked at my records from my first surgery, made no bones about his disapproval of the RNY and why, and explained to me what it would take to revise me. Adding that I would be further complicated by my hernia repair and the mesh, other issues I had, likely including scar tissue. He wouldn't know everything until he got in there and could really see. I told him I had 2 other consults set up, and he encouraged me to take them, to read, research, ask as many questions as I needed to.

He talked to me for a looooong time. I was very emotional, felt like I had lost yet another 9 years of my life after my RNY in many respects. Dr. K listened to it all. We talked about nutrition, because I did have really good habits, he explained how my clean eating style of living would need to be tweaked for the DS. When discussing carbs, he talks complex and said, whenever in doubt about a food choice, pick closer to the ground. I love that about him.

But what I walked out of his office feeling the most was validated. For the first time, I finally could take myself off the hook blaming myself for being obese. I wound up living a very similar pre-op life after my RNY and hadn't even realized it. He listened to it ALL. I knew then he was my surgeon, and this was before I read more about him here. He set the bar.

The next consult was the surgeon my PCP wanted me to see, and he was indeed a very reputable bariatric surgeon I was aware of. However, he wanted to do a band over by bypass, his dietician insisted on a 6 month diet and I was like...no way. I could teach her about WLS and regular nutrition, for god's sake.

I canceled the 3rd consult, called Dr. K's office and said I wanted to proceed. I told my PCP I chose Dr. K instead. He said to me, "I don't know this doctor, but you've done your homework?" I said yes. He said, "you need a rockstar to do this surgery" and I said, yes, I knew, and I got one. I am fortunate my PCP was supportive and open minded.

Next was figuring out the medical fee because of a myriad of financial hardships I've undergone, stemming back to my RNY. You can talk to them if you have financial issues, they will review on a case by case basis. I knew nothing about medical financing, and they provided the information and advice.

It's a busy office. But the office girls are smart and know how to work the system, especially processing the insurance approval, your medical leave paperwork, all of it.

To me, that was key. This office wasn't going to make me apologize or prove anything else after what I'd already been through. Much to my shock and amazement, I was approved 3 weeks after my consult and scheduled. They immediately sent a comprehensive packet of information which included the surgery, travel arrangements for out of town people, nutrition information starting immediately post-op, and an explanation of all the supplements.

I next saw Dr. K right before my surgery, and I live, literally, 15 minutes from the hospital, so this is normal. I was very nervous, but I saw him, we talked, he explained, he was patient. As for supplements, he recommended calcium citrate, a multi and D3 daily, with further consult and direction after labs.

After my surgery, he was there every single morning the next 3 days, waking me with a gentle hand on my arm. He gave me the buyer's remorse pep talk my second day when I started to panic. He also saw me roaming the halls doing my walking and I got a thumbs up.

I had a follow-up 2 weeks later and was greeted by Dr. K in jeans, holding his iPhone, and teasing the girls in the office. The drains were coming out, and he warned me it wasn't fun, kept a patter of jokes and humor while he did it to distract me! I saw him again 2 weeks ago to remove my feeding tube.

In between, I emailed him with questions and he always responds. He is ALWAYS available for what you need, no rushing. I bugged him a little about knowing the length of my common channel and size of my sleeve. He had reasons why he didn't want to share this right now, he didn't think it would do me much good at the moment, and I got it. He also posted about it in newsletters on his website. He wanted me to focus on living the DS life, making the most of the surgery in the early losing window. I trust him completely, but he also expects me to continue to learn, question. And he has support groups in Glendale and Delano.

It's rare to find a surgeon like this, as technically skilled and not only an exceptional bedside manner, but so much humor and personality. He's given me a second chance that I never thought I could have.

Here's some newsletter links of Dr. K's I think are very helpful:

Length of the Common Channel
www.dssurgery.com/newsletters/length-of-small-bowel.php

Does Size Matter (Stomach)
www.dssurgery.com/newsletters/does-size-matter.php

Duodenal Swtich and Distal Gastric Bypass (ERNY) more different than similar
www.dssurgery.com/newsletters/duo....tric-bypass.php

Ode to Dr. K
www.dssurgery.com/newsletters/strontium-biphosphonates.php

My DS was performed by Dr. Keshishian at DRMC on June 24, 2013. I cannot imagine having gone through this process with anyone other than this amazing physician! Dr. K’s experience and expertise are well-documented, so I was never worried about placing my life in his hands. But bedside manner is extremely important to me, and I had no idea what to expect. I could not have been luckier than to find Dr. K! The things I love most about him are his no-nonsense approach, his quirky sense of humor, and his knack for gently letting me know when I am whining or making excuses! From my first consultation to my most recent follow-up appointment, I have shown up with lists of questions that he has patiently and thoroughly answered. I have had no complications, and I’ve lost 81 pounds so far. The office staff is knowledgeable, helpful, and upbeat. I feel completely supported as a patient of Dr. Keshishian’s. I would recommend him to anyone considering bariatric surgery!

I was very nervous about weight loss surgery but after meeting and talking with Dr. K my fears were removed and I went ahead with the surgery on 6/24/13. It has been 6 months now and I have lost 130 lbs. I could not be happier with the results or Dr. K. Dr. K's calm demeanor and dry sense of humor really makes me fell comfortable and I appreciate his concern for my well being and overall health.

Dr. K is above and beyond what I was expecting when choosing a doctor for my bariatric surgery. Not only is he the best around, but his sense of humor is second to none. It's not just him that made my surgery better than I hoped. His entire team is full of kind-hearted, helpful people. I'd recommend Dr. K to every single person looking at getting help with bariatrics.

I had surgery June 24, 2013 in DRMC. At first i was iffy about having my surgery done in Delano, but i warmed up to the idea. I showed up to the outpatient surgery room to prepare for surgery at 445am and was scheduled to get my surgery done at 7am. Dr. Keshishian came into the preop room to go over the procedure i was going to have done and to answer any last minute questions i had. He was very respectful and polite at such an early time. After surgery, i was moved to my private room where nurses came in every 2 to 3 hours to check on me to make sure i needed anything. They accommodated my mom in the hospital and even provided lunch to her. Dr. Keshishian came and asked if i felt ok and checked my drains and incision. Everything came out great and i was feeling optimistic. Hey BEAUTY IS PAIN. i am a week out of surgery and i have lost a total of 14 pounds already. Its difficult, but its possible.

Thanks so much Dr. Keshishian for doing my surgery and making me feel confident in myself and my new life.

Dr. Keshishian has taken excellent care of me. I lucked out--when I was first researching weight loss surgery, I thought I wanted a lap-band and thought it would be a less invasive surgery. Dr. Keshishian is the second surgeon I spoke to. I picked him to talk to because he works at Verdugo Hills Hospital, which is a Bariatric Center of Excellence. He told me about the Duodenal Switch surgery. Both doctors recommended that the lap-band would not work for me with my excess weight and eating style. He is an excellent surgeon with a great bedside manner and a great concern for his patients.

I had the surgery in July of 2011 and it has been over a year and a half and I've lost 155 lbs and I am still losing. There are monthly support group meetings in the hospital, though sometimes those are cancelled. The communications concerning the support group meeting schedule are good. He has a website with a calendar and I get an email if there is a change. I feel like Dr. K made it a priority to educate me concerning the surgery options and what would happen before and after. He has a website www.dssurgery.com which is helpful and educational.

Surgery day went as planned at the hospital. The hospital is excellent. My nurses understood about the surgery I had had and my need for water and walking. I was well taken care of and saw Dr. K and my primary care physician at least once a day.

I did end up with an incisional hernia, which was identified a year and a half after my DS and Dr. K did the repair surgery on that, too.

He is a great surgeon, care-giver and teacher. I really appreciate having him as my doctor.

Dr. Keshishian is an excellent surgeon with a great bedside manner. In the middle of January 2013 I traveled from out of state for DS surgery with Dr. Keshishian. The organization in preparing for this by his office staff was wonderful. They were complete and clear in everything. They responded quickly to questions and concerns. They had lots of help and advice for out of towners. The hospital, Verdugo Hills, had arrangements with a local hotel with an excellent nightly rate.

Attended a consultation with Dr. Keshishian the day prior to surgery. I had been pretty well prepped on details prior to coming to town but this was the time for me to confirm that I wanted surgery with him and for him to confirm I was qualified. It was excellent, he is funny and with a dry sense of humor. Loves bow ties.

Surgery day was smooth at the hospital. The hospital is excellent. Never have I been to a hospital that was so patient oriented. Dr. Keshishian saw me before surgery and talked to my wife right after. Excellent communication and made us feel confident in his skill. He came to see me in the hospital almost as soon as I was in my room. Gave me time to wake up so that I could communicate. He followed up every day usually more than once.

I had an excellent recovery and from surgery on Wednesday morning I was released Saturday noon. I was in town another week and released to travel back home. All has gone very well. Recovery has been slowed a bit the last week with a kidney stone but the DS is doing well! I attribute the success to Dr. Keshishian's skill, expertise, and experience. I cannot recommend him any more highly!

I know this sounds too good to be true as did some of the other reviews here but believe me when I say I don't make up good reviews, they are earned. Dr. Keshishian is highly recommended by me. As is Verdugo Hills Hospital.

Now that time has passed, and I have been very sick for several years, I would not recommend this doc to anyone. I felt very little support, and there was a part of my digestive system made too short, so I have suffered from severe malabsorbtion since.
I was told that I would die soon after 1 1/2 years recovery should have happened. His last statement to me was that he could do a revision on me, and it would make me fat and at risk for disease again, what good would that do me. Let me just say the GR/DS did me no favors.

I like him - he's kind. He also has some really nice staff - Silva and Sandra, Lupe and Diana.

Dr Keshishian saved my life!! I met him for the first time just a day before I had surgery with him. He was so kind, so funny and so personable. He made me and my husband feel so at ease - and I was so thankful for that.

Dr K knows his stuff. He is so hands on with his patients, and he answers every text, every question, every phone call I've ever made. My father in law is a surgeon, and I had him check out DR K before I committed to have him as my surgeon. My father in law was very impressed with Dr K's experience and his patient statistics. I was as well.

I just can't say enough about this wonderful man. He cares for his patients in such an incredible way. I've had 11 surgeries to date in my life, and I've never met a surgeon this kind. I've also never had a surgeon so committed to making sure that I was taken care of post operatively. I travelled out of state to have the DS with him, and he made sure that I knew that I could get him any time, day or night. That was so comforting to me.

I would highly recommend Dr Keshishian to anyone who wants to have a DS. He is kind, his is one of the best in the field, and he listens to his patients. I will love him forever for giving me my life back.