David Kim Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

Dr. D. Kim is quiet, kind and gentle with a warm smile. He was very quick to explain that this procedure is for your health, not your looks. His office and staff were very helpful in guiding you through the process. My only problem came with having my phone calls returned. Sometimes they were never returned. I attended 2 other doctors seminars before choosing Dr. Kim. I was uncomfortable with the slick/fast approach and the emphasis on the "looks" aspect not your health. I felt like I was at a car lot. When a neighbor told me about Dr. Kim I checked him out. His education impressed me first. His program was well structured and he'd work with my insurance. (no small task) His success record was my biggest concern. After attending his seminar, I knew this was where I would like to have my surgery. He was very informative, professional and sincere. He didn't talk about the "cosmetic" aspect of the surgery but the health benefits. He also stressed that it would be what you put into it. He didn't pull any punches about the risks. My surgical experience was amazing. He must have the most wonderful skill and compassion for his patients. I woke with very little pain and never experienced more than a little soreness at the drain site. His bedside manner is A+. He has a complete and thorough aftercare program and insists that your comply. The staff at the hospital was very well trained in the care of a bariatric patiend and very helpful. I would recommend him to everyone.

My impression of Dr. Kim was one of a quiet reserve, and honest demeanor. He came across as very knowledgeable and passionate about helping others. As I had an oppertunity to talk with Dr. Kim I had a peaceful and easy feeling come about me, he made me feel like I was a person worth knowing and not just out to take me to the cleaners.

Doctors Kim's office staff is very friendly and curteous to me and my family. The thing i like most aboutr DR. Kim is he is understanding, and seems to take each case and consider the needs of the individual. He stresses after care, and following the regiment that he provides.

Dr.Kim has a support group that meets once a month and he attended the meeting I went to. He is very honest about the risks involved and makes sure you understand them before you go to surgery.

On a scale of 1 to 10 I would rate DR. Kim as a 15, he is awesome and I am glad that I chose him to do my surgery. I think both surgical competence & bedside manner is a must. Who wants to be treated with disrespect or worse.

Had my surgery on July 18th with Dr. Kim at North Hills Hospital. His staff is awesome, starting with his Bariartic cord. Pam, who guides you through the whole insurance process and answers your many questions and concerns during this time. His office staff were very kind and helpful (have had less contact with them than anyone at this point--but very helpful when I called for pre-scheduling etc.)
Dr. Kim really cares about his patients and will take extra precautions to ensure you safety during this surgery. He asked that I be cleared by a pulmonologist before my surgery which I thought was not necessary at the time, but it gave me some time to lose some weight pre-op, get some great care from a pulmonologist, and I had absolutely no problems at the hospital. This was a case of pre-planning paid off in a big way for me. I have no complaints at all, and have even seen Dr. Kim at support group meetings he has each month, so this shows me he cares how we are doing after the surgery.

Dr. Kim is absolutely awesome! My first impression of him was that he took the time to sit down and get to know me. He genuinely cares about his patients and knows each one personally. His staff is completely competent and also cares about the patients. It is obvious that they enjoy working with WLS patients. Dr. Kim strongly encourages you to attend support group after surgery and he, himself, takes the time to attend also. This shows his support and concern for his patients. His program is thorough and extends well past your surgery date. I give him an 11+ on a 1-10 scale. There is no one better. The same goes for Pam and the rest of his staff.

(3/16/05)My husband and I both attended several other surgeon's seminars with mixed emotions. Thankfully the surgeon we picked dropped our insurance at the last minute. We are thankful because our search lead us to Dr. Kim. He's different and you immediately sense that. His compassion for the obese, is apparent in his language and mannerisms. After one seminar with him, we both felt "lifted" encouraged and excited about our future. At later appointments our impression of Dr. Kim was further enhanced by his professionalism and caring attitude. He talks straight to you and will lay out all your opions, risks and benefits. He's not in a hurry to "get you thru and out", instead he trys to maximize your chances of a successful surgery and recovery. My surgery is scheduled for March 28th 2005 and my husbands is pending final approval. We both feel secure in the knowledge that our lives will be in the very capable hands of Dr. Kim. These are our personal opinions and reflect the experience we have had thus far with Dr. Kim......

My first impression of Dr. Kim was that he has an understanding of and compassion for people who are obese. I have found these qualities rare in people who have not experienced obesity personally.

Pam, Dr. Kim's surgery coordinator, was very helpful in setting up my surgery. She was an intricate part of the process from the first informational forum to completing paperwork, getting insurance approval, setting the date for my surgery, and making sure I had all the information I needed for after my surgery. She even waited with me and helped keep me calm the morning of my surgery in the pre-op room.

There was a complication during my surgery because of a malfunction of the staple gun, but because of Dr. Kim's expertise, he was still able to complete my surgery laproscopically instead of opening me up. I had to stay a few extra days in the hospital because of this complication. Even though all test results were good, Dr. Kim wanted to be extra cautious. Although being in the hospital for six days was a bummer, I appreciate his caution.

I felt that I received very good care while I was in the hospital. Everyone was kind and attentive to my needs. However, Denita, one of the nurses specially trained to care for Dr. Kim's patients, was awesome! Her attitude, expertise, and personal attention were outstanding.

My first impression was that Dr. Kim is a very consciencious docter. That impression has not changed. The office staff is superb and I just love Pam, the coordinator. She handled all the paper work and submission to insurance. Dr. Kim does many more rny surgeries but very proficient with the lapband. There was absolutely no feeling of neglect or second rate because I was a lapband patient. I feel his decisions were right on. He placed the larger vanguard band because of big tummy & accessive fat. He placed the port just on top of the ribs on the left because of depth of fat on abdoman. He will not have to go search for the port for fills. Superb decisions! He is a very busy surgeon but gives you attention when you see him. I feel his competency is the highest and bedside manner most caring.

Dr. Kim is AMAZING!!! I was so impressed with his honesty, and confidence. He is not one of those cocky doctors, who makes you feel like he's talking down to you. He puts things into terms that you can understand. He made sure to explain the risks of surgery to me. His bedside manner was outstanding. He really made sure I was okay, and comfortable. His staff is great, especially Pam, who has answered every one of my questions. I spoke to quite a few surgeons regarding my surgery, and Dr. Kim made me feel most comfortable about it. I had my surgery on May 4, 2005, and I already have started enjoying my new life.

My first impresion of Dr Kim was when I saw him at his seminar. He shares an office with the surgeon who did my mothers cancer surgery. I was impressed with his gentle manner when discussing WLS. He didnt do a hard sell but was very straight forward about it. His co ordinator Pam has been extremely helpful and re assuring through out the inintial phase of applying to the insurance company.

My first impression of Dr. Kim was one of confidence. I felt that he was the best one to do the technical surgery.

He is intelligent (of course) but yet not stuffy. I liked talking to him, and felt comfortable with him. He gives a monthly seminar that I attended that answered all of my questions, and just reaffirmed that this is really what I want to do.

His bariatric nurse coordinator, Pam Katekaru, is WONDERFUL! She pretty much runs the ship in terms of before, after, and in-between surgery itself. She called me the morning after I was home just to check on me and remind me of stuff that they told me in the hospital. I appreciated that.

Dr. Kim does emphasize the lifestyle change after the surgery and makes sure that your significant others are aware as well. There is a gastric bypass club meeting once a month that you are encouraged to attend.

I rate Dr. Kim and North Hills Hospital top-notch!! I was well cared for, and I got to go home the very next day after my surgery! Dr. Kim let me go home even with a slight fever, because he didn't feel it was significant. So, I got to sleep in my own bed at home that night, and no fever in the morning after taking some infant tylenol!!

I am so pleased with my experience and I would recommend him to everyone!