Ara Keshishian Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS, FASMBS

Very nice and is very genuine.Takes time to listen and answer any questions and concerns you may have. Is very knowledgeable and wants you to be also. Office staff is a true team of experts. Always make you feel that they are there for you, not just the job. Aftercare is stressed greatly. He will do a surberb job, but you need to be ready to do the aftercare. All risks are explained up front and with no hesitation. Always wants to know if you have any questions, and answers them when asked. Bedside manner is excellent as well as surgical skills, which are impecable. From a 1 to 10, he gets a 10.

Dr. Keshishian struck me as very pleasant and knowledgable on my first meeting with him. My opinion of him just gets better with time. He is fabulous! He cares about his patients, provides tons of information.

His office staff is very helpful.

There isn't anything about him that I don't like. His aftercare program is very good, and he stesses it's importance repeatedly. He addressed the risks of surgery in a very up-front manner. I knew what I was getting into.

I feel very fortunate to have found this doctor. I rate him A+, both in surgical competence and bedside manner. I would feel confident recommending him to anyone. In fact, I have recommended him to a couple of people who are now his patients.

First Impression: Kind, caring, compassionate - genuinely cared about me as a person

Impression has only gotten better over time. He listens, and cares about your total health.

Office staff is very very nice, professional and efficient

No dislikes - NONE

He is in a small town in CA but don't be put off by the size of the hospital - they are professional and you get great care

After care is primary - he charges patients 2k for two years of 24/7/365 availability and after care - but the reality is - its a lifetime of care

Very open about the risks and benefits of surgery

On a scale of 1-10 (10 is the highest) He is a 15!!!!

Both great!

When I first met Dr. Keshishian, it was in October of 2002 at a local support group that he has monthly. I just wanted more information about the DS procedure because I had already read about the RNY. I knew that night that this was the procedure I wanted and the Dr. that I wanted to perform it. I immediately felt comfortable with him and his competence. What struck me the most was his enthusiasm for his work. My consult with him was a few months later. Again, the same feeling. I knew that I was ready for this, but he made me more at ease. He has a wonderful workbook that is given to you at the time of your consultation. I went home that night, and read it probable five times. I knew that night that my future was in for a big change. I completed all my pre-op work and they submitted my information to the insurance company. I was approved in June, and had surgery in September. Central Valley Bariatrics has a very good aftercare program. I cannot stress the importance of following whatever program you sign up for. Also, as mentioned, there is a monthly support meeting. I recommed everyone attend some sort of support group meeting. I attend at least one a month. This helps with any issues you may be trying to work through. Dr. Keshishian is a wonderful Dr., and I talk to as many people as I can about him. I want people nto know that there is hope, and there are Doctors that do not make you feel inferior. My mom calls him a gift from God. Mom is always right!

My surgeon is Dr. Ara Keshishian

I first met him at my first support group meeting. He's a very compassionate, knowledgable, and incredible man. I am blessed that he will be my surgeon.

I then met him for my consultation in Delano. He was late because he had an emergency with another patient, which I completely understand!! I didn't mind at all, I was just thankful for the opportunity to have gone that far.

Dr. K has *THE BEST* staff!!! They're all seriously wonderful people, and soooo helpful!! I wouldn't be where I am without them. Much love to Dee and Michelle! =)

I can't think of anything I dislike about Dr. K. He was late, but that is understandable. I waited for about 2 hours in the room with nothing to do ;) But I lived through it =)

Dr. K is awesome! seriously!

Aftercare is *EXTREMELY* important to Dr. K and his staff, they stress it *GREATLY*!

Yes, there is a wonderful aftercare program in place.

I would rate him a 15 out of 10 ;) Though I might have a different feeling when I am in pain after surgery ;) *smirk* I doubt it, this is the man who will change my life!

Your mileage my vary, but I've heard nothing but wonderful things about Dr. K.

My first impression of Dr. K was great. He spoke to my mom and I in language we could understand and seemed very knowledgable. My mom was hesistant before our first meeting with Dr. K. and after we left my appointment she felt very well informed and very supportive of my desicion. Dr. K's staff as well as the hospital staff were very warm and caring. I have never had such a good experience staying in a hospital. They not only took care of all my needs but took care of my mother needs as well, my mom stayed in my room with me all week. I was impressed that Dr. K can perform all different types of weight loss surgery but chooses only to perform this surgery, the DS Switch. I would rate Dr. K. a 10. I am impressed that at all my post op appointments that he really remembers me as a person not just a name or a number! I feel he is a gift to anyone who is looking for hope in their future!

My first impression of Dr.K was good. I liked him immediately. I could tell that he had a passion for his work and he does it with compassion. He is a highly skilled surgeon.I have already had one surgery with him and am going back for another. My impression of him now after having a surgery with him is that he is a highly skilled surgeon, very knowledgeable and very competent. His office staff is very nice for the most part. They are busy but usually are able to take my phone calls and answer questions that I have. Dee, the LVN there is knowledgeable and compassionate, very nice.There's a guy that answers phones/works the front office that I think is very nice and helpful also.Sorry, I don't know his name! The thing I like least about Dr.K is that I don't get to work for him! I highly recommend Dr.K to anyone. Dr.K has an aftercare program and support meetings which he appears at every few months or so. I think that surgical competence is more important than bedside manner, but bedside manner is extremely important and Dr.K has both.If there was anything negative to say I honestly would have said it but I honestly had a very positive experience with him. Dr.K has his own wing at the Delano Regional Medical Center next door to his practice. The whole wing was Obesity oriented which made a huge difference in my hospital experience. I had a hard time lying down post-op hernia repair so I was able to sleep sitting up in the recliner that is in the room.

I was very impressed with Dr. K the first time I met him. He was not the first surgeon I met, but I felt he cared much more than others. Definately not the "cookie-cutter" approach. Everyone is unique with unique needs. He tailors each patient based on their situation/needs. I was happy to see how much they emphasize education and discuss all the other surgical procedures available and the benefits and problems with each. With the information I learned from Central Valley Bariatrics and research I did on the internet, I came to the conclusion that the DS is the ONLY way to go! I weighed in at 463.5 prior to surgery and have now lost 185 pounds by Christmas.

he has a very nice bedside manner. my opinion has only gotten better, the is very caring and attentive. office os friendly and helpful. i really don't have anything negative to say about him. he really is a compassionate doctor that cares about his patients, and knows his stuff and won't compromise anything whenit comes to the care of his patients. he does have aftercare appts. set up at different intervals and recommends his patients attend support meeting as often as possible. overall he gets an A+/10 from me. there is no one else I would I would have chosen to do my ds.

HE WAS SO FRIENDLY, CONCERNED AND VERY HELPFUL WITH ANY QUESTIONS. MY DOCTOR TOOK ALOT OF PERSONAL TIME AND TOOK REAL GOOD CARE OF ME.

THE OFFICE STAFF IS THE BEST I HAVE SEEN IN ALONG TIME. VERY HELPFUL. DEE IS THE BEST EVER.

NOTHING
YOU WILL LOVE HIM AND HIS STAFF.

ALOT OF AFTERCARE, YOU ARE A PERSON TO THEM ALL.

YES AND ALOT OF MEETINGS

WITH ALOT OF IMFORMATION.

THE BEST EVER.
100%

ALL AND MORE!!!!!!!