Ara Keshishian Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS, FASMBS

Dr. K is a fabulous surgeon with a great bed side manor. I had a very difficult case and needed the best surgeon to work on me so I picked Dr. K. This was the best decision I ever made. I am only 2 weeks out of a revision to DS with Dr. K and already know that he saved my life! He is such a wonderful person as well as surgeon. I was very comfortable with him the moment I met him. He explains everything completely and if you still don't understand he will explain again and again. I never felt rushed at all with him. I always had his undivided attention. If you are considering wt loss surgery, Dr. K is the absolute best choice, hands down!!!!!!

In regards to the post from Jim D... I am also a little bit miffed... I am not sure as to what you are talking about because Dr. K still does surgery's in Delano on occasion. I know this for a fact because my husband is getting ready to have his procedure and he has the option of either hospital.

Today I had my first appt with Dr. Keshishian. As I sat in the conference room with 4 total strangers waiting to hear this Doctor explain Bariatrics to us, I was expecting this old, serious and boring man to come in and start his lecture. When he walked into the room he went over to the coffee maker and poured a cup, then asked if any of us wanted some. Then he came and sat down with his bag of props that included lap bands, lapriscopes, and colorful sharpie pens and drawing paper which he uses to draw full decriptions of his procedures. He likes to break the ice and is very funny. His goal during this meeting was not only to inform us about our bariactric choices, but to make me smile. I don't smile much and he noticed that right away. He kept asking me if he was funny and if I smiled he would say "see I got you to smile!" He is young, smart, and very funny. He isn't stuffy, old or boring. He made sure all of our questions were answered and when he met with me privately he not only asked me if I understood everything, he sat on the floor nxt to me indian style so I wouldn't have to look up at him. That really impressed me! Doctors don't usually come down to our level. He still insisted on making me smile and he said he wouldn't do anything to me that I did't want. He said the decisions were mine and to let him know what I WANT to do. For that, he will be my surgeon and no one else. Doctors have never been able to make me smile, but Dr. K did, over and over again :3

You know, you can't please everyone. In regards to a post below this, I have to wonder how long of a time passed between this gentleman's initial contact with Dr K's office and his approval and the time he discovered the office/hospital change. Because as a long-standing patient I was well aware of this process which happened to take MANY MANY MONTHS with Dr K seeing people at both the Glendale and Delano locations. It was NOT sudden in the least - the process has taken about a year. In the end, the doctor is at the whim of the hospital for its coverage. Dr. K still takes Medicare himself. And I am under the impression that Glendale Hospital is working on getting the necessary qualifications for the Center of Excellence needed for Medicare.

While I am a bit miffed myself that the good doctor is no longer at Delano, it's approximately the same distance for me to drive to Glendale. Even if I do have to go into the LA area to do it. But for him, it's worth it!

You always feel that people blindly worship their surgeon when they describe him or her to you. Upon meeting Dr. Keshishian, I understood why his other patients think that he is the cat's meow. The man really, truly and deeply cares for those of us that suffer from morbid obesity; and he is committed to doing everything in his power to help us with the most powerful tool at his disposal - the duodenal switch. My husband had deep reservations about me having any sort of WLS, but once he met with Dr. K, all of his reservations dissappeared. As others have said, he spends a ridiculous amount of time with you at appointments, answering any little question that you may have - nothing is too trivial for him in getting you to understand what it is you are getting into with this surgery. I am fast approaching my four year with the DS, and this suregon keeps getting better and better every time I meet with him. I keep pinching myself to see if all of this is "for real" or if Dr. K is really "too good to be true." Well, it is real, and he is that good.

My first impression of Dr. K, knowledgeable and extremely caring of his patients, strongly believes his patients will be educated and informed of the procedure prior to their surgery being scheduled. His office front staff lack in professionalism. Dr. Keshishian emphasizes strongly on his after for his patients he belief in the after care is so strong you sign a wavier to your after treatment, Dr K keeps his web page to current updates and upcoming event to educate his patients. I feel strong about Dr. K ability as a Doctor and surgeon I would highly recommend him to all interested in the DS.. His bedside manner in above the higher standards as well as his competence as a surgeon. Again My faith and confidence of Dr. Keshishian is of high standards.

HI,

What a joke this Doctor is .......

I get approved from Medicare and AARP for revision DS surgery....do his notebook instruction workshop with 8-10 other people.... pay $200.00 for mental eval. and do a food eval. with his food person....sign a add-on + $1,500.00 above the cost of revision surgery promise-to-pay paper.....

Today, his office says he moved his practice out of the Delano Medical Center and back to Glendale, Ca. and the Glendale Hospital DOES NOT TAKE MEDICARE !!!!!

So...I was told my revision surgery will now cost me + $28,000.00 !!! ...not the $1,500.00 I signed up for !!!

But we have payments !......give me a break ! ....skip town and leave me hanging. I am exploring all options.

BEWARE OF THIS DOCTOR !

My first impression of Dr. K was that he seemed very rushed. I was expecting more time I think considering the life change I was getting ready to make. But I also know he is one of the best at what he does.
Meeting with him before surgery sooo put my mind at ease...he is so caring and talking with him is like talking with someone you've known forever. Day of surgery was the same....he spoke with me prior to surgery and kept my husband updated. I was in the hospital 5 days and he visited once and sometimes twice a day. I read people singing his praises but I did not TRULY appreciate it until I experienced it myself. I cannot imagine going through this whole experience with another doctor. AND not only is he one of the best at what he does...his bedside manner matches his skill.

I think the office staff does leave a bit to be desired. Dr.K is amazing and I think his staff should reflect him which they don't.
When I was admitted for surgery, it took longer than it should have due to the fact that the staff never faxed over my labs, x-ray etc. There is definately much room for improvement there.

Dr. K is quite simply the best. He is extremely compassionate about the issues relating to obesity, he thoroughly explains ALL surgery options and their risks and benefits, complete with his own helpful illustrations that he draws right before your eyes. His bedside manner is awesome. His pre- and post-op programs are evidence/research-based and easy to follow. He carefully answers all questions after surgery as well as before.

The hospital was fabulous, too, including each and every staff person with whom I came in contact. The nurses were awesome and happily let the friend who accompanied me stay in my room overnight -- I was alone in a two-patient room so she even had her own bed! And I saw the doc himself twice after surgery during my overnight stay in the hospital.

His office staff is fabulous but busy and I have had a minor thing or two slip through the cracks. My advice -- call and double-check everything and ask the front office staff to explain EXACTLY what is required and what will happen at each appointment. But this is the ONLY teeny tiny imperfection in an otherwise fabulously fantastic experience!

Overall, I rate Dr. Keshishian A-double-plus!

I had RNY GASTRIC BYPASS in 2002.I thought it
would be a great four me .But it was a fight
four my life from the start.My wt. was 250 and
got 98 pounds. So my journey began I must of went to doctor after doctor they all said their
was nothing wrong .But the truth was they just
didn't care to help me .I was so sick in out of the hospital blood transfusion and ever time
I ate I got sick and all labs were very low
I know my time was very limited so I called the
newspaper and talked to a reporter his name is ken Carlson .The story went out jan.25 2009
a week later I met my angel.His name was
ARA KESHISHIAN sitting in his office in the room weighting to see him I will never forget
He said I am his pt.He said I would be well again.He was my angel that would save my life.
The first thing he did was put in a feeding tube.That was to get ready four the next surgery.The day was here nov.3,2009 it would undo the Rny GASTRIC BYPASS. It has been 3 month and I am getting my life back and eating with out getting sick.If you wont to see both of my story's go to Modestobee. com THANK YOU
ARA KESHISHIAN four saving my life
YOUR PT .
sandi krueger

Dr. Keshishian is a true professional. He is sensitive and quite concerned that his patients know what they are facing. He takes great pains to find out if you know the risks and if you really know what your alternatives are. He especially grills you on your knowledge of complications.rnrnHis bedside manner is outstanding as is his entire office staff. The office handles things promptly and efficiently. All questions and concerns are answered immediately. They are accessible by phone during office hours for preops. Requests for insurance approval go in at warp speed after the consult. rnrnDee or Dawn provide patient education at the consult and you have to take a test. They give you a comprehensive binder and a homework packet to fill out and return before surgery. Aftercare and followup is given special emphasis.rnrnDr. K is young but he has performed a multitude of surgeries and is now a true veteran. I am fortunate to have a person of his skills and experience! rnrnThe only downside is that the summer climate in Delano is a bit on the warm side.rnrnI wouldn't even consider a surgeon who does not have a great track record, an extremely competent team, and excellent skills and training. His experience and professionalism are unequaled. His bedside manner is the best that I have seen!rnrn9/21/01 - 3 weeks post op - Dr. K is a fantastic, caring professional. He was completely prepared and ready for whatever might occur in my surgery. The thoroughness of this preparation and the precautions that he takes makes recovery a relative breeze, considering the seriousness of the procedure. The hospital staff at DRMC are top notch. rnrn10/13/01 - Went for my 1 mo. followup last week and everything was AOK. Dr. K is a master at aftercare, which is super important. My several little post-op \"challenges\" were handled competently and caringly. He is also accessible when you need him. That, unfortunately, does not seem to be universal among weight loss surgeons. He is the best! rnrn12/17/2009 Just went to Dr/ K's 10th Anniversary celebration. Now he's done somewhere around 1500 procedures. There were over 7000 lbs. lost in the room that night. Some things change - and for the best. Now Dr. K's patients have the option of surgery in Delano (still a very good choice, given the fact that the staff now has ten years experience in dealing with the morbidly obese patient. Today, though, there is another choice - Verdugo Hills Hospital just north of downtown Los Angeles. This is a great convenience, too for patients living in Southern California who don't have the time to travel to Delano for follow up visits. There's a downside, though as all the old-timers still come to the meetings in Delano and it is great to see them now and then.rnrnI just read the \"question\" at the bottom of the text box where the web says that 100% positive reviews are less informative or suspect. Baloney! When you're dealing with the top-notch crew, they deserve a 100% top-notch rating. rnrnThis surgery is still what I view as the very best thing that I ever did for myself. I have a life, a great life. These people are the ones who gave it to me.