Mark D. Kligman Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

Everything seems to be moving so quickly. I live fairly close to Toledo and am being moved into spots vacated by cancellations. My seminar date is Thursday, 11/15, and my initial consultation is 11/29. I have already emailed Claudia my insurance information and briefly described my current health status. My PCP has already done the referral to Dr. Kligman, and I don't anticipate much delay in getting the approval from my insurance company. I will update after the 15th when I meet the Doctor.
I haven't updated in a while. I met Dr. K on November 29th, and was impressed by his honesty. He explains the procedure and stresses that this is a tool, and that the patients have to do their part. My surgery was May 6th, and I couldn't have asked for a better outcome. The surgery was lap, there was minimal pain and the recovery was very fast. I was ready to go back to work after the first week. I have found Dr. Kligman and his staff to be very caring and supportive and never too busy to answer questions, even post op. I work in a hospital and have a lot of experience with doctors, so I know a good doctor when I see one, and Dr. K is the best in my book. His wife also shares in the support, and there is a support group meeting of his patients once a month. Both are involved and encourage both pre and post ops to attend. I found out from another one of his patients who did far extensive research than I that Dr. Kligman is one of only a few doctors who have never lost a patient for this surgery. I found him to be competent and thorough and like his follow up protocol.

My first impression of Dr. Kligman was the usual-he's the doctor and I am the patient. This meaning that it didn't matter what he thought, just that he would do the surgery. Then I had the chance to listen and to talk with him. I am impressed with the time he takes and the sincerity of his approach. He is quite frank and very much interested in the long term effects after surgery. He is doing a study on his patients and he is very open about this. He has his support group meetings for his patients that he makes sure he attends (according to his patients that have had this done) which I like becuase I want to know that I am more than just the "patient". I got the feeling there were several of his post op patients that genuinely felt he was their friend. I will say more when I have experienced him as my surgeon and with aftercare.

Well, after my initial consultation and 2 seminars with Dr. Kligman, I have to say that I am still impressed. Working in the healthcare field, I tend to look at the whole process a physician actually follows. Dr. K is very knowledgeable of all aspects of the surgery including the insurance aspect, the cost, the psychological aspects of the surgery, and the aftercare. With him being a trauma surgeon also, it made me feel even more comfortable with him as I realize he has to be able to handle any situation that would come up and not "pass the buck" to another physician. I have come to realize he is an absolute perfectionist and this impresses me because I know he is going to do what it takes to make sure he achieves his goal. When he achieves his goal of a successful surgery, I will achieve my successful goal.

Dr. Kligman is very good at describing exactly what is going to happen or could happen. He has great seminars which he requires you to attend. He gives you a test to make sure that you know what you are getting into. He makes absolutely no guarantees. He is very straight forward about the concept that this is up to you if it is a success or not. I will let you know more after the surgery about bedside manner and such. So far, he is great!

I haven't seen him yet. I just got a referal from my PCP who also recommended Dr Kligman before I gave him his name.
Dr. Kligman seems very busy. He will not see you until you attend a seminar given by him to inform you about what's going to happen. His next scheduled seminar is Oct 2002 which seems a long way off. His assistant Kristie said he is trying to get a seminar arranged in June and they would contact me. I will keep bugging them.

I have not had a chance to meet him yet. My seminar date is Aug. 6,2002

My first impression was that he was arrogant but his office staff was wonderful! He gives a very informative monthly seminar which is mandatory prior to the initial consultation. He did the most thorough assessment I have ever had.

5/23/2001
I met Dr Kligman at a seminar he held last night in Toledo, Ohio at the Medical College of Ohio. There were about 12 other prospective patients and their significant others in attendance.
Dr. Kligman did a slide presentation on the different types of bypass proceedures and explained why he does the Rouxen RNY Lap. Also, he went into great detail on the benefits and risks of this type of surgery, the reasons to have or not have the operation. The changes both physically and emotionally that will have to be dealt with, and the progress he expects from his patients. He answered all the questions asked, with totally honest answers. I felt very at ease with him. He also had present a patient of his who has lost 140 lbs., she discussed her journey through this process and also answered questions very openly. I think she eased the minds of a lot of people in attendance. Claudia, his assistant, is well versed in the procedures and is very helpful on all aspects and answered all questions asked of her too.
I have a stress test scheduled for 6/07/01 and then my 1st consultation on 6/14/01. I am looking forward to it!
6/14/01
Had my 1st consultation with Dr Kligman yesterday, at 4:00pm. He reviewed my medical history, which is lengthy, and gave me a partial physical. We discussed the reasons for surgery, and against it. Now, we have to wait for medical approval of surgery from Medicare, which is my primary insurance, or BC/BS my secondary insurance.
8/13&14/01
Had my Pre-op tests done in Toledo, Ohio. On the 13th, I had an Upper G.I. and Small Bowel x-rays in which you drink about 4 cups of barrium, which lites up your insides and makes them visible to the x-rays, I had a chest x-ray, and pulmonary function tests, which included blood gas draw, which shows how much oxygen is in your blood. The other part consisted of blowing and breathing into a machine that measures you oxygen level and fitness of your lungs. On the 14th I saw Dr Kligman and his staff, reviewed my medical history, which is quite extensive, went over pre op preparations and post op care, had blood pressure and weight and height taken. Then on to pre-admissons, where they did an EKG and went over medications that I now take. Then had blood drawn. Thats it!! Before I went, however, I had already done the echocardiogram and Stress test here in Saginaw, and had the results sent to Dr Kligman. Now the countdown is on until surgery set for 9/05!!!!! Just a note* I am totally confident in Dr Kligmans ability as a LAP-RNY Surgeon. He is sincere and capable and I trust him. I know I am in good hands!
9/15/01
Well, I survived the surgery! Yeah Me!!
Dr Kligman talked with me while I was getting preped for surgery, and I felt very reasurred by his demeanor. I can also remember him talking to me in the recovery room, telling me he knew I was going to be a problem child! lol He didn't lose his sense of humor during it all. I had a staple pop loose, and he had to re=enter and fix it, other than that , and having to have a drainage tube, things went as scheduled.
My heart started beating irregularly on the second day, because, I belief, I didn't have my heart medicine, so Dr Kligman ordered it and my heartbeat straightened out. He was very concerned thru it all.
I have my 1st follow-up visit on 9/18/01, I will update my file then. GOD BLESS
9/19/01
Had my 1st follow-up visit yesterday and Dr K was very happy (so was I !), to see that I had lost 23.5 pounds!!! Yeah me!!! lol
He also told me my BMI went from 46 to 43 in 2 weeks. I told him I am walking 1/2 mile a day, and asked if it was OK to use my indoor glider, as the winter weather with rain and snow will soon be here. He told me that was fine.
Today, I can start trying a soft diet!! Yeah!
Getting kind of sick of sugar free jello and pudding!
I am feeling very good, better than even I could have thought I would. Thanks Dr K for all that you do!!! I will always be grateful to you for your expertise and compassion!!!
My next post op visit will be 12/06/01
Had my picture taken with Dr Kligman and Claudia, so I can post them on my website.
March 7, 2002
Had my 6 month check up with Dr Kligman today, and everything is great!! I can't thank him enough for giving me this second chance at life. How do you thank someone for saving your live??? Words can't express my gratitude to him and his staff. I personall;y give them a +10 rating!!!!!!

I met with Dr. Kligman on Feb. 12th and my Christie submitted my insurance info to Paramount the next day. VERY efficient - I was approved as of yesterday and will be setting my surgery date *hopefully* tomorrow. My first impression of Dr. Kligman and his staff was that they were very concerned about me individually and were available to answer any questions and address any concerns that I had. Dr. Kligman seems to be extremely competent in the area of lapriscopy and the Rouen X procedure. I also have heard very positive things from people that attend bariatric support meetings in the Port Clinton area and didn't even have Dr. Kligman as their surgeon (but wish they had!).

Very informative. Very busy but did take time to explain the procedure in detail at his manditory seminar. He went over the risks and benefits of lap rny. He explained that it is a tool not a cure for obesity. His office staff has been very friendly and helpful so far. Thus far he is definately a 10. My surgery date is scheduled for March 29, 2002. I can't wait!!

My first impression of Dr. Kligman was that he looked younger than I expected, since he is the Chief of Trauma Surgery. He is funny, smart, and to the point. His staff seem nice enough, Christie handled my insurance approval and was patient with me because I wanted to know every word exchanged. (With my insurance you call in, you don't send a leter) The more I deal with them, the more I like them. The aftercare program just consists of monthly meetings. He did address the risks of surgery very thoroughly in the seminar before your first appt with him. Dr. Kligman is busy, but caring. I cannot believe how busy he is but he still finds time to see his patients everyday and to make the support meetings. I give his surgical competence a 10 out of 10, and his bedside manner a 7 out of 10, only because I didn't see very much of him to judge him.