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

At this point I'm less than 4 weeks post op. I havent seen Dr. Oldham since my discharge from the hospital, but then I havent had any problems that would warrent his input. The office staff is great, and the multidisclipinary program is one of the big reason I decided to have surgery there. All risks were explained prior to surgery.

My first impression of Dr.Oldham was wow he has a great bedside manner and is professional but not dry. He has a warm and caring way. I appreciated the extensive overview of what to expect and how to maintain my success. I think that his competence in advanced training as a surgeon is off the chart. I would have not been able to pick a better and reliable surgeon after researching for about 1 1/2 years. I think that I have THE BEST !!! Thanks, Spring Barnes

LOVED EVERYONE AT GEORGETOWN. DR. OLDHAM WAS GREAT TO TALK TO AND TO REASSURE YOU. THEY HAVE A VERY STRUCTURED AFTER CARE PROGRAM OVERALL I WOULD RATE THEM A 9. I WOULD TELL ANYONE INTERESTED TO GO TO GEORGETOWN, KY.

From the first time I met him, Dr. Oldham was extremely courteous, and caring towards me, not only as a patient, but as an individual. He went to great lengths to ensure you understood what was going to happen and what your responsibilities would be both pre op and post op. Patient education is the key he repeatedly stresses. All care by the staff is outstanding, with some of the staff having the surgery already, so they are speaking from experience.

When I first meet Dr. Oldham it was when I found out that he would be the lead in my surgery. He came into the exam room and introduced himself he had great eye contact and was very interested in the fact that if I had any questions. He asked all the past health questions, you know what meds, what other surgery's, and how I did when I was put "under".

After that we went into another room where he had pictures of exactly how the procedure would be done and asked if I had anymore questions and then he wanted to know why I wanted to have RNY done? To me he asked that question to see if I had a true understanding of what I was expecting and wanting.

Because of a past blood clot he thought that it would be a good idea to have a vena filter put in, which I thought was a good idea and I even checked with my PCP and she agreed as well. When the date was picked for that to be done Dr. Oldham stopped by to "check" on things and to let me know that there was a "growth" seen on the CT scan that I had to have done. He informed me that when I had the surgery that he would check it out and see if it was anything to worry about.

The staff at Georgetown is unbeleivable. I really don't see how there could be any better. Every time I have called they have gotten back to me that day. Even though I have not had an ER call they have made me feel that my calls are important. The staff and doctors really make you realize that aftercare is so important. That you will get off all the drugs (at least in my case) but that you will be taking vitamins for the rest of your life and that is something that you have to do.

Georgetown has small support group meeting once a week and then they have a larger one once a month. Now they have it set up that one of the Dr.'s from the office will be coming to those meetings to help answer any questions. Which is something that I have a hard time seeing other office's doing.

Ok I got off track, as for the surgery day, I felt like that I was in good hands. At one point I wished that Dr. Oldham would have come in to see me before the surgery. But then after thinking about it later mayber it was best that he did not because they gave me 2 "chill pills" and I really don't take things like that so there would have be no telling what I would have said to him. But really I guess it would have been nice to see the guy that was going to be doing the "cutting" before he did it. Even though I could have said something stupid.

After surgery even in the fog I remember Dr. Oldham came over to me and asking if I was feeling sick, I woke up throwing up (yeah). And I rememeber telling him that I did not feel well and he said that we will get you something for that. And I really appreciated that because I knew that I was the last surgery for the day and it had been a long hard day for all. He also told me that the "growth" that was seen on the CT scan was scare tissue and was all removed (YEAH).

The night before I was to go home I developed a temperture, and was told that I would not be going home. The nurse called and a chest X-ray, and a urine test was ordered. Well I ended up with a UTI, and that was causing the temp. Dr. Oldham asked how I was feeling and I told him fine and that I wanted to go home. Well he listened to the nurses and I did not get to go home until 5 that evening. They wanted to make sure that the temp was going to stay down. Which it did. Later in the week Dr. Oldham called me himself to see how I was doing and to let me know that if the temp goes up over the weekend to call him and let him know. I very much appreciated that I don't like to feel like I'm just another person and next. I want to feel special and I know that is hard to do but I think that is something that everybody likes.

I had my surgery on 6/13/05 so I have not been in the aftercare long at all. And this is not saying anything negative against the aftercare staff and I may be wrong but I think it would be nice to have a follow up with the Dr who did the surgery maybe at 6 months or 1 year. But like I said this might be something that they do. But that is also something that is in my personality I don't like to feel that I have been handed to someone else.

As for which is better Surgical competence or bedside manner? Well there track records speaks volumes before you ever meet your doctor, and I think it is the "bedside matter" that will keep you interested in that doctor. So I think they are both very important and that you need both.

Overall I would highly recommend Dr. Oldham he is straight forward, no frills kind of a doctor. You get the impression from him that he really knows what he is doing and that he knows his "stuff" and that you are in good hands. And even though I had been approved and ready to go if I did not get a good feeling from Dr. Oldham I would have pulld out in a New York minute. Even if it meant that I was going to have to start the approval process all over again, becasue I would have had to find another hospital.

Awesome. Personable, professional, can't think of better man for the job.

My first impression of Dr. Oldham was that he was a very caring individual who wanted to help people with weight issues. I first saw him at a informational seminar that he and his partner were giving on the program at Georgetown Bariatrics.

As I began this journey into bariatric surgery, I did a great deal of studying via the internet as well as speaking directly with those who had had the surgery. I spoke only with those that had been patients of Georgetown Bariatrics.

As I began my series of visits pre-op visits with Dr. Oldham's office I was very impressed with the level of pre-op education provided. Dr. Oldham and his staff have only the best interest of the patient at heart. He does not perform the surgery just to make a buck. There are many pre-op tests and screenings that are performed to ensure that the patient knows exactly what they are getting themselves into and to ensure that if the patient proceeds with the surgery that they know how to use the surgery to ensure a successfull outcome.

Dr. Oldham as well as all of his staff are there for the patient from the minute you walk through the door. They are on call 24/7 for their patients. Dr. Oldham has surrounded himself with only the best and most caring individuals.

Dr. Oldham goes out of his way to educate the patient thoroughly on the risks and benefits of the surgery. He perfoms either the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or the Lap-Band. He is very careful to make sure that you choose the surgery which will serve you best. He is always happy to answer any and all questions that you may have, no matter how long it takes.

I would rate Dr. Oldham a 10 anytime. His surgical competance is outstanding and his bedside manner is great.

The aftercare and support provided by Dr. Oldham and his staff is top notch. No other program that I checked into provided the continuum of care that Dr. Oldam's office does. Once you are their patient, you are always their patient. In other words you are not alone in this journey. Dr. Oldam and his staff will always be there for you.

I am 11 months out from my surgery and have lost 98 lbs. I have 10 more to go. I could not be more pleased with my decision to have bariatric surgery with Dr. Oldham. It has changed my life only for the better and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Dr. Oldham is very down to earth. I felt like I could trust him.

Dr. Oldham is from my hometown and didn't let me down in any form. He is a sensitive, caring person, (who by the way is easy on the eyes).

I always say I would do the RNY again, but only at GBC and only with Dr. Oldham.

GBC (Georgetown Bariatric Center) is my second family, all the staff care about each one of us and treat us like we are the only ones. They have a group on MSN and everyone there is like family. We can post any problems and not feel embarassed because everyone is in the same boat and understand.

At GBC the surgery is not the beginning, the pre-op meetings going over everything in detail (complications, and risks included. They tell you if you aren't feeling anxious before surgery you didn't listen in class. Afterward the post-op meetings are done before you leave the hospital, going over in detail exactly what do's and don'ts are, and making sure you know to call if something doesn't seem right. Most of the nursing staff have had the surgery and have developed a program for patients to follow the rest of their life. At GBC this is a lifelong commitment for patients, including follow up visits at 1 wk,1 mth, 3mth, 6 mth, 9 mth, and 1 year and then yearly. I would have to same their commitment to us is beyond normal.

I would rate GBC, Dr Oldham, and the staff on a scale of one to ten, A BIG TEN from start to finish. Dr. Oldham has a very good bedside manner and very compassionate. I had the best nurses in the world. The nurse of ICU knowing I was there alone kept good watch over me, and even gave me the worlds best foot rub. I was having severe pain and one of the nurses passing by my room, saw me, got in touch with Dr. O, and then stayed with me until I was done with the test to make sure nothing was wrong and I was drifting off to sleep. She gave me her time, compassion, and a shoulder to cry on when I needed it most. So I would say they are all A BIG TEN.

I can't speak for others, but I really don't have a problem with any part of my pre-surgery, surgery, or post surgery. I am sorry, but I don't, I was well informed and new what to expect from beginning.

The only flaw I see in this organization is dealing with insurance staff and I guess that is the same all over.

My first introduction to Dr. Oldham was impressive he was kind and patient he sat me and my husband down took his time to educate us about my surgery and answer and question we had. No questions were dumb to him he would just smile and answer kindly and make sure we understood everthing before we left. He let us know this was a long term procedure it was more than getting it done and going home he expected me to follow up with appointments for life. If felt good to know he cared enough to want to keep up with my after care. He is a wonderful doctor he makes you feel like your his only patient when he comes in the room. The other good thing about this office is the other doctor, DR. Weiss he treats you like his own when he sees you. Once when I was in the hospital he saw me and was just as patient and kind as Dr. Oldham. Dr. Oldham was very honest to us about the surgery including risk and long term care. HE is a wonderful doctor with a very structured and organized program. THe whole staff treats you good. You cannot find any better doctor or staff.