Christopher Kowalski Bariatric Surgeon Surgeon

I found Dr. Kowalski to be a wonderful person. He was caring and very assuring right bfrom the start. I had some difficulties after my surgery and he was always available to me. His office staff, esp. Dawn was extremely helpful. From my first visit I felt comfortable and felt that I was listened to, respected and helped. My expereince with this surgeon and his entire staff was more than I could have ever hoped for. As a nurse I tend to be very critical but I can not say enough positive things about this experience and this remarkable group of professionals.

My Surgeon is absolutly wonderful!! He is nice, patient answered all of my questions. His office staff is also very nice and are always helpful. My mother and I both had Dr. Kowalski and I would recommend him to anyone living in the South Jersey, Philadelphia area who is considering gastric Bypass. They have a very structured program, as a matter of fact, you have to complete all of your tests and even a teaching class before you can even be scheduled for surgery. The Teaching class is invaluable, it tells you exactly what to expect before and after surgery and what your eating will be, and what you can and cannot do.

His bedside manner is poor, but he is a great surgeon. He made me aware of all risks. His office staff, specifically his nurse, is helpful and always available for questions.

Temple does have an aftercare program, but it is poor. The staff dietician is difficult to reach and appointments with Dr. K tend to run far behind (more than an hour wait in his office can be expected).

My first impression of Dr. Kowalski was very good. His professionalism and demeanor was most impressive and, of course, his candor about the risks of surgery for me as a "revision" was extremely important. He is very, very serious and sets forth the facts from which you can make your decision. He answered all my questions and gave percentages of risk for a first time bypass vs. a revision. As it turned out, after surgery I developed a pulmonary embolism and a leak -- the two biggest risks associated with bypass surgery, which Dr. Kowalski had previously discussed with me. Dr. Kowalski operated again to fix the leak and throughout the entire process of 2 surgeries a week apart and 3 weeks in the hospital, I experienced top quality care at Temple and the utmost care from Dr.Kowalski and his staff. Although the outcome was not as I had envisioned, I have tremendous respect for Dr. Kowalski, his ability as a surgeon and have appreciated his honesty. If you are looking for a doctor with integrity, skill and a wonderful bedside manner, Dr. Kowalski is the one!

There is a support group which deals with aftercare issues. I would like to see it become more structured and organized - the meetings could be more informative if there was an agenda of topics and then Q & A at the end. It seems to go all over the place and sometimes I walk away saying, what did I get out of that?

Dr. Kowalski was Very to the point but open with any and all questions. I'm not sure that I really had a big first impression to me, and I don't think anythings changed thust far. His staff were and are friendly. I didn't have a problem with Dr. kowalski but me and his secortary clashed a few times. As for future patients I'd say don't be afraid to ask questions...because there are no stuipd ones. Since I haven't had the surgery yet he really hasn't emphasized much about aftercare. N/A...He addressed the risks of surgery just fine. That there is a risk of dieing and what have you.
and the other questions I can't yet fully answer.

WELL, MY FIRST IMPRESSION WAS THAT HE LOOKS VERY YOUNG. HE WAS VERY PATIENT WITH ME AND ANSWERED ALL OF MY QUESTIONS CALMLY.HIS STAFF IS JUST GREAT. HIS SECRETARY IS VERY, VERY PATIENT WITH ALL OF THE PATIENTS AND THE NURSE AMANDA IS VERY NICE AND TREATS US WITH ALOT OF RESPECT AND CARINGNESS. I HAVE HEARD THAT THEY TAKE CARE OF EVERYONE AS AN INDIVIDUAL, AND SHE PERSONALLY COMES INTO THE ROOM AND GETS YOU UP FROM THE BED.

He was very nice and informative for my initial consult. He explained everything in detail and i brought up having a filter put in to reduce the risk of a pulmonary embolism and he was all for anything to make sure i was comfortable with my decision, and to be as safe as possible. There was nothing not to like about him.
The staff in his office at temple hospital are and on Allegany ave are wonderful. Amanda his secretary is very patient and will answer any question i have, i'm sure i drive her nuts calling at least once a week.
Temple has an excellent before and aftercare program, the main thing they emphasise is stick with the rules and you will be successful.
the risk of surgery were brought up from the beginning and i did my research before i ever met Dr. Kowalski so i know what to expect and i knew what questions to ask of him.
I would prefer surgical competence the bedside manner would just be a plus.

DR KOWALSKI IS EASY TO TALK TO AND HE LISTENS TO HIS PATIENTS. HE WAS HELPFUL IN THE QUAE OFFICE STAFFLIFICATION PROCESS AND WAS REACHABLE IF QUESTIONS AROSE. THE OFFICE STAFF IS USUALLY GOOD BUT IS OFTEN HARD TO REACH. OTHER MEMBERS OF HIS STAFF ARE NOT UP ON THE LATEST RESEARCH AND WERE NOT ADEQUATELY PREPARED FOR GROUP MEETINGS.
THE WAIT TIME FOR A SURGERY DATE IS GETTING LONGER BY THE DAY SO YOU HAVE TO BE AGRESSIVE TO MOVE THE PROCESS ALONG. THE PROGRAM IS STRUCTURED AND ALL RISKS WERE DISCUSSED. OVERALL I RATE HIM AN A-. SURGICAL COMPETENCE IS MORE IMPORTANT. DR KOWALSKI HAS AN EXCELLENT RECORD.

Dr. Kowalski was very knowledgable and professional. He put me at ease immediately and explined everything in detail. His secretary has been nothing but helpful and prompt in getting back to me, his PA however has been anything but.


Dr. Kowalski did a great job. He was there every day and saw me when I was in the hospital. I had a problem with his PA, but gave her the benefit of the doubt and now I have been getting along just fine with her. I would recomend Dr. Kowalski to anyone.

I found a New Dr. His name is
Dr. Christopher Kawalski he is part of Temple in Phila
I meet him he is right to business lets you know in and outs of this surgery I expressed that I've been at this for the past 2 years.
I have a date for surgery March 1,2004 and the week before I tell him I had a pain well guess what he feels I need more test done I was so up set I thought I'll never get this done,,I even cried but he got on the phone made arangements for me to get the MRI, the specialist all set up and done in like two days with results back and surgery was a go could not believe it. his staff had be tried of me with my question everyday on the phone but they never once made me feel bad they were very professional trust me I had to be a pain I just needed this so bad.






OLD DR DR>VON RUEDEN
I thought to myself that the picture of him on the WEB did him NO justice! He seem scary the first time I saw him on the picture.

however in person "nice on the eye " lol oh

Beth was easy to get along with warm friendly and seem honest.
I did'nt feel any dislikes thus far.

That he answers questions no matter how trival.
alot time spent on our aftercare to .
they went by the book on the Risk as wella s th after care.
I felt scared for couple days prior to meeting them after I made a Discision That I know is going to change the rest of my life.. and I cant wait!

04/03/2003
:) well saw the Dr. yesterday! he's great ..he listens,seems to care! his eyes make you feel like it all will be alright.....Got a date for 12/11/2003 can't wait.....
11/30/2003
:( well as of Nov.1 ,2003 Dr Von Rueden no longer will do surgery at Main Line hospitol cause he movesd his practic all the way to Baltimore Maryland yup maryland :( how bad was that well bad that 200 of us were left with a whole in our stomach but the one we all hoped for .....whats worst is none of us
or most of us never heard a word about it ...until we went to our meeting .thats bad so do we wait or do we move on ??????