Dana Portenier Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

Dr. Portenier was my surgeon. I had the Roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery September of 2012. Overall, I've been very pleased with my results and the surgery. Dr. Portenier was good. I didn't like the fact that on several return appointment days, I didn't get to see him, but a "fellow." I haven't been back to see him since September 2013 and there has been no contact from their facility to do any follow ups to check to see how I'm doing. I feel like I've been left out in the cold by DWLC.

Great doctor surgery was a success wonderful staff. He was very informative and professional.

I've met with Dr. Portenier only once, and I am still pre-op, so I will update this over time. So far, though, I like him. It's nice to have a doctor that "gets" me. He answered all my questions and while he was running behind the day of my appointment, once he was in the room I felt that I had his undivided attention. I have nothing negative to say about the support staff at Duke, either -- every time I've called I've received a phone call back pretty quickly. So far, so good.

I have only met Dr. Portenier once so it may be a bit premature to complete a review regarding his services. However,I can honestly same that the staff at Duke WLS leave much to be desired in the area of customer service. In my experience, they do not answer or return phone calls. They truly seem unmotivated to address the patients needs or questions. I realize that many patients trust the well deserved reputation of Duke Univ. Medical Center for being on the cutting edge of medical technology but it doesn't take a genius to pick up the phone.

I can only review Dr.Portenier for those things I've experienced. My surgery went very well overall so I can give him props for the "cut/paste" since it was supposedly under his hand. I met the Dr. one time - but luckily met his surgical intern the same day. Dr.Portenier spoke loudly enough that I actually wondered about HIS hearing. He was friendly enough and seemed to know his business - was able to answer most of my questions as long as they applied to the surgery and not the more overall services. However, I did not see him - nor did my family - at ALL the day of my surgery. He called for me to come up to the OR early and then still did not take me until after my scheduled time. Even though I was then running a little late - they did not tell my family that so my family thought I'd been in surgery for hours when I really had just gotten into the OR. After the surgery, instead of meeting with my folks, the doctor asked them (via a nurse) to call the OR so that he could speak to them. My mother believed the worst and was in tears. In reality, Dr.Portenier had just moved on to the next patient - I can only hope that he/she was not open on the surgical table waiting as he spoke with my family over the phone! I was not able to see Dr.Portenier at the 3week follow up either as he was unavailable. All of the other staff members at the Duke Weight Loss Center have been great - but Dr.Portenier has not yet earned my stars. I mentioned this to his nurse and she suggested that we schedule my next appointment on a day that he was sure to be around and she would make a point of pulling him into our appointment. That sounds good, but isn't it a shame that such needs to be done in order for a doctor to actually see his own patient!

My first impression of Dr. Portenier was very good. He was very informative and took the time to answer in depth all of my questions. My surgery went so much better than i expected. I had virtually no soreness after the first 24 hours and his PA was so good during aftercare. I am two weeks post op and will see him again in one week. The only complaint I had was with the triage nurse at the clinic, Barbara. She was abrupt with me on the phone when I called 3 days post op with a question about my fluids. She needs to remember that we the patients and our insurance companies are paying her salary. I plan to let Dr. Portenier know, but that was the only problem I've had with Duke WLS Clinic. Everything else.......BRAVO!!!!!

I met Dr. Portenier during the group meeting 2 weeks before surgery. He wasn't going to be able to make it to the meeting but we requested him since I hadn't had the opportunity to meet him. He seemed really nice. I spoke with him again right before surgery when he told me he was changing my procedure from regular to the navel procedure. I didn't like that very much. I didn't have the opportunity to research the new procedure and prepare myself for it, however, I trusted him. After the procedure, he did stop by the hospital to see me. I was in a lot of pain so I only remember this briefly. That was the extent of my interactions with Dr. Portenier. His staff was ok. They had all of the information. The Clinic staff is GREAT. They are very nice, always smiling, very patient, etc. I enjoy it every time I have to go to the clinic. Overall, this is a good experience.

Dr.Portenier is the most kind, warm, comical, down to person ever!'
He is very, very confident in what he does and you can tell he truly enjoys his job!
He really makes you understand what all the procedures will be and assures you that he is going to take care of you..i love him!!!!!!!

Dr. Dana Portenier is the BEST!! He was the speaker at the info session that my husband and I attended in March 2010 and I remember thinking "Wow...he's hot AND smart!" He is a Southerner and that was a huge motivator for me because all Southerners know every happy or sad occasion revolves around food!! He has been nothing short of kind and considerate at every appointment and he even made small talk with my 5 year old son to help explain my procedure and how my recovery would impact his little world. His associate, Dr. Yoo, is also stellar. Nurse Barbara is just the sweetest woman. I am treated like a friend and not just a patient by everyone in their practice. All of my questions were answered and even when I became concerned a few days after surgery, I called the office and had a return phone call in an hour. The office is very clean and well organized, however, sometimes your wait time is a bit long. I attribute it to patients asking lots of questions during the appointment(s) before mine. I love Dr. Portenier's straightforward manner. He gives you the facts and lets you know immediately what is expected of you after surgery. His bedside manner is the tops and I am SO grateful that he is my surgeon. He could be a very arrogant man, but he doesn't let his skills override his desire to truly help people. I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Portenier, Duke Center for Metabolic Weight Loss and Durham Regional Hospital. They have all been instrumental in giving me a new lease on life. I would recommend Dr. Portenier and Duke to anyone considering surgery.

Dr. Dana Portenier is a wonderful surgeon and person. I had been thinking about the surgery for about 8 years before taking a step. When I met with Dr. Portenier I was immediately confident in his skills. I was even more impressed with him after reading other patients comments on this website. The office staff is wonderful, kind and caring which makes it a pleasure to go to the office. Nurse Barbara and Admin Assistant Cathy go out of their way to make you feel comfortable and answer any questions you may have. He addressed all my comments and concerns, while making pleasant conversation. The office is always busy, so be patient. I realized if he is taking extra time with the patents before me, he would take the time with me if needed. I sing the praises of the Durham Regional Bariatric office, from the receptionist to the group meetings, I am glad when I made the decision, I was fortunate enough to be involved with them.