George Kazantsev Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

Dr K was wonderful and warm. He took time to respond to all questions. rnThe office staff is wonderful. Most of them have had this surgery and can relate to the problems you face. You can reach someone when your have problems who will have god advice. rnrnDr K was very good at explaining what could go wrong. They even had a patient come in who had a lot of problems and large scars. This was very good. We had time to ask the patient questions. She was very happy with the final outcome. rnrnDr K is great. Sadly he is no longer doing this type of surgery. He has moved to Kaiser as a general surgeon.

I first saw Dr. Kazantsev at the informational seminar...he spent a lot of time discussing complications and did not seem to advocate having surgery. He was very straight forward and sincere. There was not even a hint of condescension. It took over a month after the seminar to get my first consultation appointment. He did not make me feel as if he was busy or in a hurry. He asked questions I had the answers to...and seemed to really listen to what I had to say. I think there was a little bit of misunderstanding...when I left there I thought the surgery was being pre authorized...when in actuality only the endoscopy was pre authorized. I thought I understood him to say that the endoscopy would be scheduled as close to the surgery as possible, and I also thought it would not happen unless it was a for sure thing that the surgery was going to happen. So far the only negative I can say is that there is no flexibility when it comes to appointments. Your appointments are given to you and you basically have to take what you can get.rnrnI had the endoscopy and Dr. Kazantsev is WONDERFUL...I didn't feel a thing! I am now awaiting the insurance pre auth!rnrnAfter surgery I can honestly say that Dr. Kazantsev is a wonderful surgeon. He is not one to sit down and talk with you...but his staff more than compensates for that. I at times wonder if I actually had the procedure done because I feel so normal. If you are looking for warm and fuzzy...maybe he is not for you...but if you are looking for the most competent surgeon who will get you started on the right path...look no further!!

My first impression was positive, he had the experience, staff and facilities required for a successful program. He required a battery of tests including a full cardio exam. This at first frustrated me, but I realized before surgury how valuable this was for him and for my own peice of mind. His staff has been very informative and helpful, both pre-op and post-op. They inform you of the realities and risks of the surgery and the aftercare program at a required orientation. They have pre-op and post-op support groups that they require the patient to attend at least one of each and encourage active participation. I would rate Dr. Kazantsev very good. I had a difficult laproscopic surgery that lasted 4.5 hours, he considered going open, but perservered which has greatly reduced my recovery time. I would say his surgical competence is better than bedside manner. His bedside manner is very professional, he personnaly followed up with me during my hostpital stay and my first check-up.

I had my Surgery consultation with Dr. Kazantsev, on April 25, 2007. They took my picture, weighed me, took my vitals, etc.. when the doctor came in I was so nervous.. We spoke of my dieting history, my health, and why I wanted the surgery.. I was so nervous, all I can remember is the discussion about all the complications that can occur. I know it is important for the surgeon to let you know all of this, but when I left I felt like he did not want me to have it?, I was so upset I called Myra & Helen, and of course felt much better after talking to them.. His office staff is wonderful, The doctor is very professional, a little difficult to tell if he is joking or not, seems calm & collective. I think we will get a long just fine.. We better... I plan on being a life time patient.. After all, this is a Life long change.. My doctor is above all very competent from wha I am told, and have heard from the support groups.. He has a wonderful staff, and aftercare program, not to mention you feel like one of the family, at your first visit.

Dr. Kazantsev was wonderful. He is right to the point. He will answer your questions in a very straight forward way. He is not a jokester. His office staff is totaly different. They are very talkative and fun to see. If you have any questions it is always easy to get intouch with either Helen or Myra. I could not have picked a better group of people to do this with. The office staff and aftercare program are great! They understand because they have been there. They know what I am going through and understand.

My own personal experience(s)...My first impression of him was that he is a very serious, competent surgeon. I still find this to be the case since the conclusion of the first phase of my surgery and post-op time to this point. My impression hasn't changed over time. He does somewhat lack a \"bedside manner\" so if that is tops on your list be aware.rnThe office staff seems efficient and does get the job done. There was some confusion over an appointment date, however, we all make mistakes so you have to be a bit forgiving. The staff is knowledgeable regarding referring you to the resources you might need (i.e: nutrional care, therapy, insurance/case manager people, etc.).rnI probably least liked the lack of bedside manner from the surgeon.rnFuture patients should know that the Dr. is a serious person and takes his profession as such-which is great. Take it or leave it.rnYour scheduled for appointments automatically and by this I mean when your discharged your first follow-up appoinment is scheduled. Successive appoinments are scheduled and your handed a lab form and an appoinment card (pre-filled) during your post op appts. So if you consider this \"structured\" then I suppose it is.rnThe surgeon, at the last appt. prior to surgery reviewed the risks of surgery. It was very standard in terms of paperwork we discussed and papers I signed (acknowledging the risks and consenting to the procedure).rnWow, an overall rating. OK, out of ten, I would say 9. If you add in the \"bedside manner\" and that rates high in your rating system, then knock the number down to a 6. Again, that includes the bedside manner piece.rnLastly, which is better, surgical competence, bedside manner, or are both great. Well, without surgical competence there is no bedside manner(because you probably aren't here to discuss anything if the surgery doesn't procede well). Everybody told me surgical competence is the most important and I agree. I proceded with the operation. And I'm really skeptical and prize personality and communication highly (I'm a teacher!). That being said,I had no other choice because my insurance only covered the surgery at the hospital where I had the procedure. I also had no choice with the surgical group as the insurance company again only contracts with that group of surgeons. They had a good reference in that my cardiologist knows the surgical group and thinks highly of them. So, both surgical competence and bedside manner are great, however, I defer to competence over bedside manner. As I said, it doesn't much matter about bedside manner if your not here due to surgical incompetence. I would have the surgery with these docs again. There you go...my personal impressions.

Dr. Kazantsev is a very skilled surgeon and I firmly believe this is why I have not had any complications or problems.

Dr. Kazantsev is very serious. I have only met with him once. His office staff is EXCELLENT. There is nothing I least like about him. He is very knowledgable. We haven't gotten into after care althrough he did say I will be seeing him several times over a year period. Dr. Kazantsev addressed all the risks and question I had on my list that wasn't asked because he was so through his presentation. I will give him a overall rating of 9.5. This is subject to change to a higher number once I get to know him.rnrnDr. Kazantsev is excellent his rating is 100%. I had surgery in September where he repaired a herina and later got an infection C- Diff. He came to see about me twice a day until I began to get better. When I would asked question he answered me honestly. If he didn't know he would say just that. My blood pressure began to drop doing a test. He was very concerned and took corrective action. He called the hospital to see how I was doing when he was away on a conference. Dr. K and his medical team are the BEST..... I

Dr. K and his staff were very informative about the risks of bariatric surgery. After attending the orientation classes and support goup sessions I felt very educated and knowledgable about the different types of bariatric surgery. They have an excellent aftercare program consisting of follow ups from 1 month post -op until 5 years out! I feel Dr. K has an excellent bedside manner and I would recommend him to anyone who is considering weight loss surgery.

He seems like a no nonsense type of guy, but he does appear to genuinly care about his patients. When I first met him, he appeared like his M.O. was to try and talk you out of WLS via the harsh realities of the surgery, but then he came around once he knew you were committed to your choice. His office staff is awesome. D'Angela is such a sweet heart. He has two nurse assistant who have had WLS, and they make you feel like you are their friend. Be serious and straight forwrd with Dr. Kazantsev as he will appreciate that more than any unnecassry emotions. I am not at the after-care stage yet. He has a great reputation, and once I know everything, I will let you all know how I feel.