Ara Keshishian Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS, FASMBS

My first impression of Dr. Keshishian is that he cares about people as individuals as well as the fact that he is competent in what he does in the o.r. He didn't patronize me or have a negative attitude towards me because I am seeking out bariatric surgery and have other issues besides the obesity I'm dealing with as well.

I am scheduled for surgery on Dec. 7th, 2004 and his/his staff's willingness to interface with my other care providers has been very helpful. I have attended a few support groups and I was impressed with the level of detailed education he made sure everyone had about the procedure, including actual footage from surgeries he's performed.

I would describe the office staff as very helpful and supportive.

It has been made clear from the get go that aftercare is essential, not only meetings and professional/peer support, but also in exercising, eating properly for a post op patient (portion and type of food), but also in taking supplements as well. (multivitamin and calcium). Also, it's important not to become dehydrated as a DS patient.

The doctor made sure I knew that the risks of surgery, including blood clots, risk of death, etc. I understand I will have the inflatable booties on during the procedure that simulate walking in order to keep the circulation going well. I understood (and understand from all my research as well) that the mortality rate is the same as any other abdominal surgery. I know ANY surgery has a risk of death.

I just plan on having a good outcome and an uneventful surgery and subsequent recovery. I am willing to do what it takes to make this experience a success.

I really liked him from the start. and as time has gone on he is very caring and his office staff is just wounderfull. so helpfull and nice.
if anyone out there is wanting this surgery please consider Dr.K he will explane everything in detail to you and he assistant
Dee is just super she will help you every step of the way! I thank god daily that My sister in law told me about Dr.K she also has had this surgery and is doing great! every month there is a support group meeting that is very structured and does emphasize on after surgery care.

My first impression of Dr.K was that he was SO adorable!! He seemed really rushed but he was still so nice! The office staff is SO great! Dee is the nicest!!!! I finally feel like i've found the right place for surgery!!

HAD MY CONSULTATION ON 7/6/04 DR K WAS VERY NICE. TOOK HIS TIME AND LET ME ASK QUESTIONS AND HE ANSWERED THEM. HE TOLD ME I WOULD BE A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR LAPAROSCOPIC DUODENAL SWITCH, EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED.
HIS STAFF ARE VERY PROFESSIONAL, DEE GAVE US A COMPLETE ORIENTATION, I LEFT KNOWING EVERYTHING I HAD READ ON OBESITY HELP WAS TRUE. DR K HAS THE MOST STRUCTURED AFTERCARE PROGRAM OF ANY OTHER I HAVE READ OR HEARD ABOUT. I AM SO GLAD, BECAUSE WITH SUCH A BIG CHANGE IN MY LIFE, I AM GLAD HE AND HIS STAFF WILL ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS. I THINK HE IS WONDERFUL. I HAVEN'T HAD SURGERY YET, BUT I AM SO CONFIDENT IN DR K'S SKILLS THAT I AM COMFORTABLE PUTTING MYSELF IN HIS HANDS. BOTH SURGICAL COMPETENCE AND BEDSIDE MANNER ARE EQUALITY IMPORTANT. DR K SEEMS SO COMFORTABLE WITH OBESE PATIENTS, HE MADE ME FEEL AT EASE.

Dr. K is a very nice and respectable doctor. During the part where they poke and prode at you he had a female nurse come in and attend. I personally thought that was the most concideret thing ever. I don't know if this matters to most people but he is really good looking too. While waiting to see him several people in the waiting rooom talked to me, every single one only had wonderful things to say about him. Most of them raved as if they had never had such a good doctor before. Even his assistant Dee Tinkle raved about his work. She said he never stops and never has a bad day he is almost invincable. It is apparent to me that he cares which is the most importaint thing. I mean if he went around like it was all just for the money I would have been out of there so quickly. One example of his caring nature is Dee. He hired her on his staff, not only because she had the qualifications but she has also had this surgery her and her daughter. So she is able to really answer your questions. Some people have been so confident of his skill that they have flown in out of state to use his services. I have respect for his work.

Was referred to Dr. Keshishian by another member of the DS support group. Went to see him in October and was able to set a surgery date within a month. His fees were completely covered by my health insurance (UHC), and he was very warm and friendly.

His office was well run, they followed up on my paper work immediately and answered all my questions. It was a bit of a challenge travelling to Delano which is in the California Central Valley and about 4 hours away from home, but it was definitely worth it! Dr. Keshishian has a wonderful bedside manner, is very understanding of obesity issues and is more than competent. I'd never had stitches before, much less surgery but Dr. K. immediately put me at ease and I trusted him completely.


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Saw Dr. Rabkin on 7/9, and I'm definitely a candidate for the surgery. Wonderful bedside manner, reserved but informative and interested in what you have to say. The downside is that the office staff are completely overwhelmed. They are so busy that you can't get anyone to talk to you about insurance issues until they send out the letter to the insurer. Unfortunately, that can be as far out as 2 months. Have been to a support grp meeting (this is required) and was impressed with how many people this surgery has helped. I'm looking forward to approval!

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<td><font color="#FFFFFF" size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Met with Dr K on March
18, 2004. Dawn is really nice and Dr K is very knowledgable. I feel very
comfortable having my surgery with him. He said he's done between 650-660
DS surgeries and only 1 patient has died, and he died 1 month post-op due
to a blood clot. Sounds good to me.</font></td>
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April 2004
I drove to Delano, CA, to see Dr. Keshishian about WLS, namely the GR-DS and
was very impressed with his staff, and with him. He is quick, witty and competent. I am a self-paying patient and will be having surgery 05/20/04. Wish me Luck!!

12/16/03 - I've decided to go with a DS instead of a Lap Band. I have a consult scheduled in Vegas in February (that's the earliest I could get in to see him).

3/12/04 - Met with Dr. K and am very impressed. He truely cares about making sure you understand the proceedure and was very effective at talking on your own level. Went to the LV support meeting that evening and realized that he really delights in seeing the success of his patients.

5/5/04 - Just received my second denial because my insurance has a policy to not treat "exogenous obesity". I'm going to submit a second level appeal, but I'm also looking at overseas surgeons.

I have not had the pleasure of meeting he in person yet.But over the phone he sound very professional and friendly