John C. Alverdy Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.
I am very satisfied with Dr. Alverdy. My scars are very small and were painless. The surgical team was very open with me and took the time to explain all my questions and concerns. I am still not that far out from surgery, so I am still recovering and have a few discomforts, but the team at the University of Chicago still answers all my questions in a timely fasion. I honestly don't have any complaints about his staff. The team does emphasize aftercare and even a support group. Dr. Alverdy lays everything out in the open before surgery. He lists off the small amount of people who have died from the surgery (a total of 10 - mainly when the surgery was new) and informs you of what was the reason of their death (most of the people were diabetic and or severly overweight 600+ lbs.) But still, even with this information, I was still confident in him and his team. I rate him and his team very high.
I had been to another surgeon from a different hospital whom I won't give his name, he was very blunt and scared me out of his office in less than 5 minutes and made me think very hard about this surgery. I then when into the internet to learn as much more as I could and somehow I found Dr. Alverdy. The first time that I met with him, he was very kind and asked me if I had any questions, he did not appear to rush me out like most doctors do, although he is a very busy man. He has a nurse working with him Kim Nevens - she is very, very, understanding, she is very patient and helpful. She is very good and clear on asnwering any and all of your questions. And when you have her paged, like I have a few times, she does not get upset with you, she is always very kind and willing to help.
What did I like least about Dr. Alverdy - Nothing ! I recommend him 200% He is a great surgeon, while in the hospital I walked thru the floor and almost every surgery there had been done by him. No one I have spoken to has had anything bad to say about him. After my surgery he would come to my room and made sure that everything was ok and always asked if I had any questions or concerns.
He lets you know of all the risks of the surgery and gives you an idea of what your chances are depending on your overall health.
Surgical competence and bedside manner are both important and Dr. Alverdy and Kim Nevens are rated #1 in book.
I also met someone else there from a different state that came out to have Dr. Alverdy perform surgery on her as well but her surgery was a little different and she came out of her surgery perfect, we keep in touch, we call each other a few times a week to see how the other is progressing and she has nothing but good things to say about Dr. Alverdy and his staff.
I could not have been happier, University of Chicago is a good hospital. They have all the equipment necessary in case of >>>>> a lot of things. Most hospitals do not have the equipment and doctors that this hospital does. They are very professional and are very people friendly. They treat you like you should be treated, not like other hospitals where you are just another patient id #. Even the people at registration and secretaries, everyone is very professional and very friendly.
Couldn't have been happier.
My first impression of Dr. Alverdy was that he was a kind person, that really cared about his patients. He never changer over time, if anything he only got better.He has a great staff working for him, now he has two new staff members Kim and kelly who I have found to be very helpful.Dr. Alverdy has always been there for me no matter what my concerns were. I think that Dr. Alverdy's bedside manners and surgical competence makes him a great doctor.
Dr. Alverdy is a superb surgeon. I was very impressed by his honesty . He gave me a choice of surgery either the d/s or the RNY I had to do research on the D/S before I made my decision. But I am now glad that I had a surgeon that gave me a choice in what I thought would be best for me.(he also suggested the D/S since my BMI was greater than 50. He explains the risk that the surgery involves and his final pre-op visit is done ina group setting. He is a top notch surgeon. This is what eased my mind a little.
He's great. I have seen 2 other doctors and he's the best one. I first saw Dr. Santiago Horgan about the lap-band, but I ultimatley found that it wasn't for me. Dr. Horgan was awesome as well, but not like Dr. Alverdy. Then I saw Dr. James Oliphant; he's a tool. The only good thing he did was to reccommend the duodenal switch. His staff is half ignorant and not very nice, and Dr. Oliphant is not the caring person I was lead to believe he was. As for Dr. Alverdy, I haven't seen anyone so caring about his patients. He'll really make you feel great about yourself and about the possibilities you can accomplish with him.
Dr. Alverdy is a skilled surgeon that does all kinds of gastr-intestinal surgeries, not just bariatric. I was pleased with how he kept me informed of all the risk factors. he spends as much time as is needed for each patient. My only complaint isn't with him, but the hospital he works in, the University of Chicago. I told everyone involved that Morphine doesn't work for me, but was still given Morphine in a PCA. It took them more than 24 hours (of which I was in pain and telling them so) before the "pain management team" gave me a different painkiller.
He's a great surgeon, very caring about you as a person goes above and beyond to reduce post-op complications, his staff is outstanding. Always available for questions, concerns. I can't say enough good things about him, he's my life saver.
For future patients be aware it is a wait.so don't expect to get in right away but he is worth the wait.
Aftercare is delt with in your weekly visits you meet weekly with the surgeon, his staff of nurses and the nutritionist.
I would rate Dr. Alverdy as an A ++++++++++ Surgeon.
He is a phenominal MD, he is compasionate and straight forward dosen't hold back if you need to know something. Great team he works with..there all angels!!!!!!!!
4/23/03 - I was supposed to meet with Dr. Alverdy during my appointment today, however, I didn't get the opportunity. I did attend the group meeting, then I had to wait for 45 min for an exam room to come available. After I was in the exam room, I waited for another 30 minutes, only to be told that I wouldn't be seen by Dr. Alverdy that day. I have an appt with the nutritionist and pyschologist on 5/21 and was told I'd see Dr. Alverdy then.
3/20/03 - I asked for a recommendation from a surgeon who saved my life in 1999. He point-blank directed me to Dr. John Alverdy. I'm going to try to get in to see him as soon as possible. From reading the other members comments about the backlog, I am kind of concerned but I trust the former surgeon with my life, so I will continue down this path.