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

I was an out of state patient. dr iim was very thorough and wanted to ensure my success. i felt safe using him. His technique on sleeve is excellent, and i had a great experience. I had gone to Mexico the year before, but backed out because the place was sleazy and seemed like a scam, but going to Kim bariatrics wholly put me at ease. Did not spend much time with doctor kim at all, but staff was very helpful. They had a summer special, which was almost half the cost of doing it in AZ and made the traveling worthwhile. I lost 48 pounds preop, and 22 in the 12 days since. I am very happy. Be aware, Dr. kim will expect you to do your part and follow the plan because he wants your success.

Hands down the right doctor and team for me.
I am getting my health and my life back. I have a second chance of life.

Dr. Kim's office is a "well oiled machine". Everyone is extremely knowledgeable and efficient.

I have nothing but GREAT things to say about Dr. Kim and his entire team! Dr. Kim removed my failed lapband and performed a DS on December 3, 2013. I went into my surgery well informed and prepared! Dr. Kim spoke with me before my surgery and came by my hospital room afterwards to check on me once again. The entire staff is professional and quick to answer any questions I have had before and after the surgery. If you are looking to remove your band....call Dr. Kim!

Horrible Experience. I can confirm as of July 2013 that the what you read about the bedside manner and rudeness is all true.

I have met with 4-5 teams and Kim himself was rude, arrogant, and not supportive.

He made it very clear that THIS IS A BUSINESS and you will more than likely never see him again. The precious 10 minutes that you get so you or your insurance company can fork over $10-20K is not worth it in my opinion.

His staff is OK. My appointment started 45 minutes late and his PA made me take a barium drink and never explained why, what we would do with the XRAY. His PA said 3 sentences, that was it.

They whisked me to a "consultation room" and he was good for the first minute. But BEWARE if you TRY to ask a question. He was pissy.

Prime example- calling in they asked what surgery. I said I did not know. They said if you have over 100lbs to lose, sleeve was not an option.

I told him that his office said that VSG was not an option and he tried to blame me!!! "Why would someone call in and ask a receptionist what surgery to have".... They told me and asked me, but he was defensive as if he and his practice could do no wrong. Maybe he needs to downsize and focus on his business.

I asked him what the best way to succeed was and his only response was... We can't control what people put in their mouths.... WTF.

This is a guy who has built his business and probably his fortune on weight challenges people have and he has no sensitivity to the issue. On top of that, he reminded me that he sees thousands of patients, so he can't be expected to remember each one.

PS- he made it very clear that this was the only time I would see him. I made it clear to his staff that he is correct because I am not coming back.

You should go here if you are an ex-Cowboy player and he can profit by using you in advertisements. His videos monitoring progress are BS. Also, go here if you feel that you want to be insulted, treated like a number, and realize that for a surgeon to support his growth, commercials, and staff, he will need to play bully you into using him.

Oh yeah... his office is in BFE so good luck trying to follow up.

Interview a few surgeons before you decide. His work may be fine, but if you want someone who actually cares, my opinion is that there are much better, convenient options out there.

Staff? Exceptional. Dr. Kim? A nightmare! Only saw him once...during my initial consultation. He told me if I didn't have the surgery I would be dead by 50. Talk about bedside manner!! Since the. He has been MIA. I have severe abdominal pain 2 months after my gastric bypass. Do you think he cares? Not a chance. I'm just pawned off to his staff. I'm scared, exhausted and confused about what's going on with my body and I cannot get any answers. Thanks Dr. Kim for turning into a ghost when I need you the most. BEWARE!!

Dr Kim andhis staff are extremely efficient, pleasant to deal with and always willing to help

I can't say enough about Dr Kim himself, very good surgeon

I'm going to try to be as truthful as I can without coming across as calloused or rude. When I first met Dr. Kim int he consultation he just seemed abashed at my weight. He had nothing comforting to say he just said he what he wanted me to do and left the office. It took an entirety of five minutes. I understand that Doctors are busy, so I let it go, and seeing how nice the staff was I decided to go with him.

I never saw Dr. Kim again until the day of the surgery (about 3 months later) -- I don't think he even recognized me. I was scared, and pretty lonely and he had nothing positive to say. The entire time the only impression I got was "how could you let yourself get this way."

I've been struggling with ulcerative colitis my entire life, and he seemed to have forgotten that aspect. With most UC patients, even though I don't eat much and live a somewhat healthy lifestyle -- the steroids and other problems cause weight gain or loss. I got the weight gain end of the stick. I'm not trying to make excuses, I just wish that I had someone there that was a little more comforting since I was about to do something that was life altering, that I've been waiting for for 10+ years...and hoping and saving all my money (I paid out of pocket) -- I had just hoped it would have been taken a bit more like it meant something.

After surgery 6 other patients and I were herded like cattle into a room to do a check to make sure there were no leaks (as they always do) -- but that was the first time there was something wrong. All the other patients could walk faster than me, and my parents literally had to told me up by my arms to help me down the hall. When I sat down, I wasn't allowed to have clothes under my gown -- so everyone there got to see my pretty bum. Either way, no other person that was there, who had the same procedure as I had, had near as many problems making it from point A to point B.

I wanted, so bad, for things to be okay -- for this to be my big life changing goal -- that I just ignored it. I figured I'd go home and be fine. Maybe my pain tolerance was just a lot lower than those around me? Either way I shoved it off, and convinced myself there wasn't a problem.

Once I was home from the hospital I started experiencing very odd things. The main thing that I was somewhat "throwing up" white foam. I looked it up online and some people said it was normal so, once again, I paid it no mind. As the week went on, I was in more and more pain. Nothing seemed to help. I was becoming more and more scared so I called the doctors office everyday trying to explain that I was beginning to think something was wrong. I was assured everything was fine, and that it was normal. To be safe they wanted me to come in the following week.

I didn't make it to the following week. I ended up passing out in my apartment alone. I threw up foam, I couldn't keep any liquids down, I could barely move. My Mom ended up flying in from Florida (I live in Texas) to get me to hospital where they found out I had developed many infections from the surgery.

My kidneys, uterus, and stomach were all compromised in an entirely new way. I was hospitalized for three weeks -- and I saw Dr. Kim twice in that entire time. He made it very clear that he didn't want to speak to me. So I finally decided to stop asking questions and just asked the other doctors on the floor. I learned later, through other reviews, and other forums -- that Dr. Kim absolutely DOES NOT like it when complications arise. It doesn't matter what the complication is. In this case it was completely out of my hands, I stuck to my diet (I could barely keep down liquid anyway), did everything I was supposed to, and called every time I was scared.

By the end of the entire ordeal, and three more painful surgeries later, I developed a severe form of PTSD. It has been about a year and a half since my gastric bypass -- the office stopped calling me to make appointments. When I called to make appointments, I was told I would get a call back, and never did. I've decided to find another surgeon to manage my wellness. He is also suggestions that I get a correction done to the original procedure so that I don't have to be in constant fear of infection.

I've been suffering since 2011. I did lose weight, but I didn't lose it in a good way. I wasn't allowed to eat solids for almost 4 months, and there were two weeks while I was in the hospital they wouldn't let me have liquids. All my nutrition was through a TPN bag. I'm not scared of hospitals and doctors to a point that I panic. I nearly lost my life. Dr. Kim never offered any apology, and explanation or any care for me what so ever. I understand it's his job. I understand he sees lots of patients everyday...I just wish I got somewhat of a care. I felt like he gave up on me the moment he met me..he just wanted my money. I also feel like he may have wished I would have just passed away, in order for him to not have to deal with me. That may be pushing it, or paranoid..but when your'e laying in bed for weeks on end with no direct answers and your kidneys failing -- when all your hope was to get "better" -- and no one seemed to care. Thats really all that will run through your head.

I do not recommend this doctor. If you think that you will make it through the procedure with no complications whatsoever -- i've been told he is the most amazing surgeon ever. If you have any sort of complication though -- plan on being treated with no respect. No dignity. You're just another shadow.

I am 6 days post-op, and so far my experience with Dr. Kim and his entire staff has been amazing. I could not be happier...( but expect I will be as I shed the pounds).

I was also very very pleased with my experience at the Hospital, Forest Park Medical Center.

This is a long journey, and I feel Dr. Kim and his staff are committed to helping me navigate me thru all my successes and challenges.

I have almost all positive things to say about Dr. Kim's practice:

He was very friendly and knowledgeable at my consultation.
He seemed to care about my life and condition.
He was soft spoken and very calm.
I was able to go from consult to surgery in about three months.
My surgery went exceedingly well.
Staff is friendly and will assist you with needs.

My only negative:
I only saw Dr. Kim one time at my consultation before the day of my surgery. On surgery day I saw him right before I was operated on and did not see him afterwards. I would liked to have seen him a few times before my sleeve was completed as well as a quick visit after my surgery in the hospital.

I think it is important to create a relationship with your surgeon and I feel I wasn't able to do this with only one visit. My first post op appointment is in four days and only time will tell if I get to see him at this visit or any of the following visits.

Overall I am satisfied despite not feeling a little closer to Dr.Kim than I would have liked :)