John S. Oldham, Jr. Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS, FASMBS

My surgeon was Dr. John Oldham from Georgetown, KY. My first impression of him was very, very positive. My one-on-one meeting with him definitely was the turning point in choosing this surgery after 1 1/2 years of researching it. My impression of him gets better and better each time I see him. I think his office staff is very, very efficient, but some of them are not very friendly. Dr. Oldham has a wonderful aftercare program. I had a couple of minor problems after the surgery (RNY), and he was on top of it. I feel very comfortable calling the office with ANY question. The risk of surgery was most definitely discussed. He did not sugar-coat it at all, stated all the facts very clearly. I would rate him as super, super excellent. Being a nurse, I work with doctors all the time. I have to say, I would rather have one with surgical competence over bedside manner, but this physician has both!!

Dr. Oldham and the staff at his (and Dr. Weiss') Georgetown facility are wonderful!! I have had great care from everyone there, from my first appointment to my most recent one. They are caring and knowledgeable and present all the information needed to make an educated decision about the surgery.

At my first appointment with Dr. Oldham, he took me into his office after the examination and fully explained all the risks associated with the surgery. It was also made clear to me that I could change my mind at any time right up until surgery. I never felt "pressured."

I think Dr. Oldham is a great surgeon and a very nice doctor who listens to what you have to say. I feel truly blessed that I found someone of his caliber to perform my surgery.

I had my pre-operative appointment with Dr. Oldham on June 29, 2004. He was thorough with his examination as well with the information he supplied to me. I feel comfortable with him performing my surgery. The entire staff at the Bariatric Center of Georgetown and Bluegrass Bariatrics have been very pleasant. They have a very structured program that emphasizes aftercare as a key component to success. I would recommend their program to anyone desiring WLS. I had my surgery on 7/14/04 and have had a very good recovery. The first week I have lost 12 pounds.

Dr Oldham was attentive, thorough and had a good sense of humor. He seemed caring and knowledgable and answered all my questions to my satisfaction. He was concerned when my potassium was too low and worked with me to get it back up in time for surgery.

I had a very tight schedule around which to work, and the office worked very well with me to ensure I was able to get the approvals and tests run in order to have the surgery during the limited window available.

My primary care physician approved of my choice of surgeons, and echoed Dr. Oldham's insistence that this is a tool only and I will still be responsible for making it work.

I was a little concerned initially when someone else's blood work was put in my folder, then confused my readings which might have created a critical problem as my potassium was very low and the other person's was not. It was caught (by me) and immediately addressed both by staff and then by Dr. Oldham. I expressed concern to my PCP about this and he said not to worry...human error happens and it was discovered. I had to agree.

Aftercare is a critical piece of their treatment plan, with the support groups and online forum, and checkups. They monitor the forums, stress repeatedly to call anytime 24/7 (although I haven't had to do that yet) and many of the staff have had WLS and so are very knowledgeable first-hand about what their patients are going through.

I would say Dr. Oldham's surgical competence and bedside manner are terrific.

My first impression of Dr. Oldham was formed at an informational seminar I attended on RnY. He seemed modest, laid back, patient, and willing to stick around as long as it took (on a Friday evening, after working all week!) to answer prospective patients' question.

My impression has not altered over time. I thought he was competent then; I know it now.

Dr. Oldham and his partner, Dr. Derek Weiss, have an accessible, sincerely caring and dedicated staff. They display expertise in their field -- their involvement in ongoing research and knowledge is evident -- and they display tons of emotional intelligence.

There's nothing not to like about Dr. Oldham.

I'd say that Dr. Oldham and his staff emphasize aftercare more than some other bariatric surgeons I've heard about. Yep, his responsiblility to me was primarily when I was undergoing surgery, but he seems to realize that patients' long-term success ties in to the continued demand for his services. Without good aftercare, it's difficult for patients for years to come to sustain interest in this type of surgery. It needs to be seen as a solution, not as a surgery du jour (remember when tonsillectomies for kids were "in vogue?") So, his aftercare includes lifelong education about eating choices, the connection with success and healthful eating and exercise, and addressing malabsorption/nutritional issues. Aftercare means a long time for me, I think. I HOPE. I feel confident growing older that as nutritional changes come about for me (menopause and addition of soy products/not taking HRT/etc. are age-related considerations I will be able to discuss with Dr. Oldham and his staff. They'll understand what me and other patients are going through in our respective lifecycles, and they'll make nutritional and lifestyle recommendations based on where those considerations and WLS aftercare intersect.

Future patients should know that Dr. Oldham doesn't seem to be a typical surgeon. A couple of days before my surgery, I was at the hospital for blood work, and I overheard someone in the ER say that a bariatric patient needed Dr. Oldham to meet her there for something or another. I am not kidding -- I overheard them calling him, and he was there in less than 5 minutes.

Dr. Oldham didn't dance around the statistics. I mean, mortality is just _there_ and can't be ignored. He and his staff emphasized what they do to minimize risk and emphasized what patients can do to minimize risks. I went into the surgery fully aware of the risk and of my personal responsibility for controlling the outcome.

I would give Dr. Oldham a 10 on a scale of 10.

I believe Dr. Oldham's bedside manner and his surgical competence are equally proficient. He's personable, which is important, but honestly, that's only a plus. My main concern was always that he's a good surgeon. The comment after surgery to my family, in the waiting room, was about the good state of my liver, etc. It's clear he was focused on what he needed to be focused on.

And let me add this -- maybe it's me; maybe it's Dr. Oldham -- maybe it's a combination of both of us, but I left the hospital and never had to take pain medication, not even one measly Tylenol. For all I know, he's so good with the way he moved the instruments around that it proactively managed my pain.

And I realize that a glowing review might not seem as valid as another, but truthfully, I don't have anything negative to say.

I met with Dr. John Oldham Jr. On 4/13/04. My first impression was I was impressed. He was personable, actually asked questions unrelated to the surgery, just to take the time to get to know me the complete patient not just the "surgical patient". His office staff is fantastic. I am so happy I was able to have this done with Bluegrass Bariatric Surgical Associates/Georgetown Community Hospital. I really feel I am in the best hands/care possible. I have so far been in contact with Tracy Green LPN. who is absolutely wonderful and goes out of her way to schedule tests for you if you are having trouble getting dates. Is available to assist you with any questions and returns calls promptly...I also have been in Contact with Catherine Birdwhistle Insurance Coordinator::: truly without her assistance I don't think this would be happening for me. She knows her job and goes above and beyond to assist you with every bit of getting your approval fast and accurate. Jo Wiggins ARNP: wonderful assistance in getting the proper tests done and making sure you are at the healthest to have this surgery. Cathi Roskind RN program director with Jo, and they have written a gastric bypass manual that gives you information at a fingertip! Casi Hemmerle LPN, Casi is assisting in post op care and assisting with my paperwork needed to see I have a paycheck while I am off from work. She is wonderful and makes you feel like family from the moment she meets you. Any pre dr. visit jitters I might have had melted away the minute she started talking with me. and to all the other office staff I have been in contact with but may not have gotten your name. The smile you give when you enter the office is so Appreciated!

Dr. Oldham and Dr. Weiss of Bluegrass Bariatrics are not only phenomenal doctors and surgeons, but also incredible men. Dr. Oldham is listed as my surgeon, however both doctors do the roux en y as a team, so talking about one without the other is difficult to do, but I will try.
From the first moment I met Dr. Oldham, I was impressed with his knowledge, his committment, and his concern for his patients. He explained the procedure thoroughly, answered all of my questions, and directed me to call if there were any more before the surgery date. As soon as test results indicated that I would need my gallbladder out, Dr. Oldham called me-on a Saturday- and discussed this portion of the surgery with me as well. I was shocked that he took time to do this on a weekend. He asked again if I had any other questions or concerns going into the surgery.
The day of the surgery, he talked with me again, answered questions, and reassured me that everything would be fine. He was congenial, calm, and never seemed rushed, even though I was an added case at the end of an already full day. After surgery, he addressed my family with caring, calm answers, that impressed them with his thoroughness and professionalism. Each time he visited, he was great. His bedside manner was warm, professional, and showed the proper amount of concern.
Three weeks after dismissal, while at a support group meeting, the nurse practioner listened as I described problems I was having with eating. She immediately called Dr. Oldham-again on a Saturday-and he said schedule me for a scope as soon as she could. He was willing to do it the next day which was Easter, but I wouldn't allow that. So I was scoped the next day which was Monday. Again I was squeezed in, yet I couldn't tell it from his professionalism and concern. After I was home, he called later in the afternoon, to personally check on me and to answer any questions.
What more can I say? This surgeon is simply phenomenal. He, along with his partner Dr. Weiss, absolutely have created the best bariatrics practice in the nation. The staff they employ, coupled with the staff of the Bariatric Center of Georgetown Hospital, make a formidable team that can not be surpassed. The support group meetings, the on-line support, the insurance coordinators, the office staff, and the nursing staff are incredible. Dr. Oldham with his partner and his staff, along with the staff of Bariatric Center of Georgetown Hospital are all 10s!!! I couldn't have chosen a better group to work with!!

Doctor Oldham from GeorgeTown Bariatric clinic is so awesome. This surgeon cares!!!! On my first meeting he spend so much time going over the surgery and what my options were and discussed every question both my husband and I had. If the RNY was right for me or if I would be better off with a band. His Office staff you can't help but fall in love with every one. SO personable. You feel like you have know everyone for years. Smiles, Laughs, concerns, hugs, I was blessed to find such a great program and surgeon. they even have 24 hour on call RN for LIFE afterwards!!!! so any question you would have in the middle of the night or if you were unsure what to do you can have a answers in mins!!
The program is set that you are required to know what to expect and have presurgery classes to prepare you and your home for post op. The classes went thought everything to expect in the hospital and aftercare! every thing is a step by step weekly plan afterwards. I was attending a concert 5 days post op!! and feeling GREAT!!! We also have on line surport that is reviewed by the Bariatric RN and if any info is incorrect she straightens it up right away. I knew the risks and were explained them.. but with having the surgery laproscopic and all the things the surgeon and nurses do after to reduce the risk factors.. YOUR in GREAT HANDS. I have read of other programs and want to shout no no no no no don't do that!! Several of the nurses and staff at the office are also bariabtic patients so they surport the whole body in health managment. You will not find a better program any where! DOC OLDHAM saved my life! and His staff is helping me make a new begining as LOSER.

When I was told there would be a new surgeon at Georgetown I wanted to put my application in as fast as I could. But while I was waiting for things to get started I did some checking. I did internet searches on Dr. Weiss, I got information from ASBS and I asked around about him, to people who may have had surgery with him in his practice in Louisiana. I never heard one bad thing or got one bad review. In fact everything was praise. So, I felt very confident in having him as a surgeon by the time I met him and his Associate Dr. Oldham.

The surgery went well. I was up and running in no time at all. I even had a second surgery three weeks later and the good doctors took out my gallbladder and fixed the bowel obstruction. Everything was taken care of right when it happened and I have had no problems since.

The fact they are both wonderful surgeons (not to mention cute) makes me sing their praises to everyone I know.

Dr. Oldham is actually only one part of my two surgeon team. The other, and most importantly, is Dr. Derek Weiss, who has recently moved from his practice in Louisiana to be here in Kentucky. They were both wonderful people and have been very supportive and sensitive to my needs before, during, and after surgery. I think they are both absolutely brilliant men, and I am thankful that there is a duo like that around here. We don't have the biggest, but we apparently do have the best! Not to mention that the entire staff of the Bariatric Center is wonderful!!
They are very surgically competent....doing the roux-en-y laparascopically is still not too common, or so I've heard, so they are very talented people. Everything went extremely smooth, and I didn't even have a drain pipe in when it was over. Along with being excellent surgeons, they are excellent doctors, and through all of my appts. with both of them I have never been dissapointed thus far. I know that I am quite young and maybe a little naive in all this, but honestly, I can't think of a single bad thing to say about the entire program at Georgetown. They do stress aftercare quite a bit, which I have to admit I haven't been going to all the meetings, but I do know what is important. As long as you want to be there, there is a meeting to attend weekly, and also a larger monthly meeting, and regular seminars. And, the seminars are actually given by the surgeons, which gives you a taste of what it will really be like. Everyone at the hospital was great, and I rate them a high 9! Great job guys!!