Erik Dutson Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

Dr.Dutson was my surgeon for vertical sleeve gastrectomy. He was concise, honest, and open about all facets of the process. During my visits with him I felt comfortable leaving this in his very capable hands. I was in and out within and hour, and on the road to recovery. The entire end to end process from the UCLA COMET program was seamless, and made this surgery one of the easiest decisions.

Dr. Dutson and his team are the most effective and professional group of people I have ever worked with. Dr. Dutson performed my gastric sleeve procedure on 8/19/2015. My starting weight was 210lbs surgery weight was 199.6.lbs, and my current weight is 132.1lbs. I'm only 9 months post-op but following the plan that Dr. Dutson and his team gave me help me achieve a life goal I never thought possible. Dr. Duston and his team are amazing and they took the time to educate me regarding pre and post op life for this procedure. I really can't rave enough about the team at the UCLA COMET program. I'm forever grateful to them.

Dr. Erik Dutson is an exceptional physician and surgeon, who is not only extremely knowledgeable in his field, but is understanding, friendly and communicative with his patients, both before and after surgery. His personal staff is outstanding. Nonetheless, The UCLA Medical System is sometimes daunting and difficult to manoevre. Once you obtain the direct contact numbers for the staff, you will find they are personable and very responsive to your needs. I highly recommend Dr. Dutson and his team.

Dr. Dutson has a person was very nice and easy to work with. He's easy to talk to and offered a lot of information. As far as my surgery, I am very dissatisfied. I had the RNY surgery June 2009. I only lost a measly 60 pounds! Most people that have had this type of surgery usually lose at least 15 pounds a month. Especially during the first year. I have NEVER lost the weight like that and I was following the rules. I truly think Dr. Dutson did not make my stomach small enough. I waited 10 years to have this surgery and it all seems like a waste now.

He is a very talented surgeon at UCLA- top notch hospital. Office staff were mediocre at best, some telephone staff were rude on the phone, but the nutritionist was very nice and helpful, other staff not so much. I had to just ignore them for the most part. I am very glad I chose Dr. Dutson because he has a very low complication rate and a zero morbidity rate. The care I received while in the hospital (UCLA medical center) for 48hrs was phenomenal. If I needed anything, a resident (doctor in training) was there at my beck and call 24 hrs a day (I mean right there at the unit!) I would rate Dr.Dutson with a 10/10 for skill and 7/10 for bedside manner. I really didn't care about his bedside manner, he is a brilliant man! The nurses were mostly responsive, but busy a lot with sicker patients. I give them a 7/10 for sometimes being late to come when I used the call button. Also UCLA is very strict with their pre-op wt loss. Your surgery will be rescheduled if you do not lose 5-10% of your starting weight. That part was hard. But I made it. Lots of paperwork and education- that was good.

I started my WL journey with seeing Dr. Dutson. He is a very professional surgeon,that takes the time to make sure all of your questions are answered.

This has been the most informitive surgeon I have ever seen. There was so much information, and so much that you had to do, to work up to the point of having the surgery. Dr. Dutson wants you to be sure you know what your doing and what this life chaning procedure is going to do to your body.


I wouldn't take this journey if it hadn't been for the information I was given from Dr. Dutson and his staff.

Dr. Dutson is a wonderful surgeon with a friendly bedside manner. I have not had any complications, and UCLA hospital is one of the best in the world. Do your research, and you will see the difference!

My surgeon was very support and informative and answered all my questions.rnrnWow. The staff at UCLA was amazing. They all were super nice and made sure I was in the best hands. rnrnI wish we had more of a connection. He was little quiet at first but warmed up a little towards the end of surgery. Maybe more personable?rnrnThat he did a terrific job. The healing process has been amazing and left my incisions small and look like cat scratches.rnrnHe kept asking me even when I was under their care at the hospital what I needed to do after surgery. I told him walk, walk, walk and he said YES! He also told me to make sure to follow the diet.rnrnHe mentioned some but most of it was explained in classes I took and also the handout they gave me.rnrnOut of a scale form 1-10, I rate him a 10.rnrnI think their both great.

Dr. Dutson, very quiet and was a listener.rnDr. Dutson, he meant business, he wanted me to make sure that I was aware of all options.rnOffice staff was awesome. From recptionist to nurses, Maria, Dana and Christina.rnThere was nothing I did not like about him. He was very Professional.rnHe is a top surgeon.rnThe aftercare they give you is very detailed and they want you to be 100% Complient.rnPoint blank, there is always risk in any surgery and if you have confidence in your surgeon and a Positve attitude and Faith in God you are in good hands.rn1-10 I would rate him 10+++++++rnBoth.rnUCLA has a great Bariatric Dept. go to their web site, http://bariatrics.ucla.edu/rnrn

I met Dr. Dutson one time,a year ago. He was very informative and helpful. The staff and doctors at UCLA are great. I had no problems. Dr, Erik Dutson is a very kind and knowledgeable. He has a great bedside manner.