John Kirkpatrick Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

I am planning on a revision and my surgeon who performed my first surgery in 1996 does not seem comfortable doing revisions so, I searched and found Dr. Kirkpatrick. I have to travel 3-1/2 hours but it will be worth it. I talked to his coordinator and explained that I really had a "window" of time in mind for surgery because I have two children at home that I need to make arrangements for. She was so understanding she told me to make sure to mention this to the doctor and he usually can make arrangements to accomodate! I also was impressed with the fact that they can see me in a month. I explained my surgery history with her and she said that the doctor has done many many revisions, I felt like someone just lifted a huge weight off of my shoulders already. I will post more when I see the doctor on June 27. UPDATE*** 06/28/01 -- I saw Dr. Kirkpatrick yesterday and I believe that Dr. Kirkpatrick, his nurse Kate, and his coordinator Peggy real living angels on earth!!! These are three of the most amazing people I have ever met. God works in mysterious ways and I believe that all of the heartache I have had dealing with my other surgeon was now meant to be because all of that led me to Dr. Kirkpatrick. Dr. Kirkpatrick looked at my upper GI films that I brought with me (not done at (WHC)and they did not correspond with the reading of the radiologist and they were not consistent with my report of my EGD done by my former surgeon. Dr. Kirkpatrick found, by examining my films personally, that I have a disrupted staple line of my previous VBG 5 years ago, I have an ulceration formation around this area, and my old pouch is at least three times its normal size. Needless to say I am a surgical candidate. I was told that Dr. Kirkpatrick is booking into November for surgery however, I explained to him that my husband's company is on a mandatory three week shut down in July and I have two young children at home could he anyway anyhow possibly do me in July....he has worked in my 5 hour revision surgery on July 18th during a time when he was not scheduled to work. All I can say is he is my angel on earth who really and truely cares!!!

I had a good first meeting with Dr. Kirkpatrick and all who have been treated under him have all good things to say about him....which is very encouraging and reassuring.

I meet with him a week before surgery next week and I still have several questions to ask him...POOR MAN!

His office team has been great too! I think they know I'm getting a little anxious, but reassure me that it's normal.

My consultation with him was very thorough. Dr. Kirkpatrick runs a support group at the Washington Hospital Center. I'm looking forward to taking advantage of this support system.

I'll update all on how it goes! Wish me luck!!

I was very comfortable with Dr. kirkpatrick. I felt assured that I would be in good hands. He gave me a wealth of info and answerd every question I had.He seems to genuinely care about his pts.His staff is wonderfu from his administrative assistants to his nurse Kate. She is a godsend. She made me feel comfortable because I was extremely nervous at my first visit. Dr. kirkpatrick has a post op aftercare program set up so that his pt's receive explicit info on what to expect, what to eat, how to excercise, etc. His staff is always available to address any concerns or questions we might have. He has you come in for post op visits on a regular basis.From my experience with Dr. Kirkpatrick, so far it has been great. I have all the confidence in the world of his surgical competence. He has done hundreds of these surgeries with very few complications. I have not experienced his bedside manner yet, but from omy office visits with him, I think that his bedside manner will probably be just as good.

FIRST IMPRESSION- POLITE KIND ANSWERED ALL QUESTIONS

ONLY MET WITH HIM ONCE

OFFICE STAFF FRIENDLY

AFTERCARE WAS NOT EMPHASIZED

A SUPPORT GROUP IS FORMING


I CAN NOT GIVE A FARE RATING AT THIS TIME

My first visit with Dr. Kirkpatrick was an
easy one. He was very informative and open,
answered all questions I had. His nurse,
Katie, was excellent. As it stands Dr Kirkpatrick
and his staff are a fine group of individuals.

I was very happy with my initial meeting with him. He took as much time as I needed to answer my (and my mother's) questions, without any attempts to hurry us along. I think his office could provide more pre-op information in writing, however, such as what to expect and what will happen. They do offer a pamphlet Dr. Kirkpatrick wrote, and articles about what the surgery does to the stomach -- but nothing about lifestyle changes and what to expect 1 day, 1 week, 1 month after surgery. Because I have questions like that though, Dr. Kirkpatrick was happy to see me again prior to the surgery.

Dr. Kirkpatrick is the Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Washington Hospital Center.

It is my understanding that at this time, Dr. Kirkpatrick does not have a structured aftercare program. He had one, but people stopped going.

Dr. Kirkpatrick in all the time he has been doing the surgery has had 2 fatalities -- that occurred post-op (as opposed to during surgery). One had preexisting heart problems, and one was super obese and was unable to become mobile after the surgery.

At first, I wasn't sure what I thought of Dr. Kirkpatrick...I was too nervous to really care, but now I'm glad I chose him. I needed someone who was going to tell me the whole truth and what my risks were.
His office staff were very pleasant and offered to help me in any way that they could.
What I didn't like at first was that he is very serious, but now I'm glad that he is. I tend to pick drs. that joke a lot and am glad he doesn't joke about something this serious. My opinion is that if you want the the facts of this surgery sugar-coated, you don't want Dr. Kirkpatrick.
So far, I like Dr. Kirkpatrick and would refer anyone seeking WLS to see him.
I don't now much about his bedside manner, but I do have confidence in him and that is
what is important to me.

My first impression was good he mayed shore i know what i was getting into . At Dr. Kirkpatricks office pagie was an angel .

Dr Kirkpatrick, Chief of surgery Washington Hospital Center in D.C. Very to the point. Listened to all problems and complaints. Told me why we (my husband and I) are both going to be able to benifit from the surgery. Staff at the office very helpful. Is some distance form our home. ( 2 hours)