Matt Kirkland Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS, Director, Bariatric Surgery

There are no words to describe how much I love Dr.Mathew Kirkland!!! I'll try by answering the questions listed...
My 1st impression of him was that he was sweet, sensitive and very smart. Over time I realized he was so much more than that, he is kind and very skilled and he has a wonderful bedside manner! The office staff has been ok. There was nothing I didn't like about him. Future patients should know that they are in the best surgical hands possible in the Philadelphia area!!!!!
His aftercare has been wonderful, I was allergic to the Monocril (surgical stitching)
which made for a difficult healing. But he continued to bring me in for follow ups. And was always available to me for questions even after hours! He was very honest about the risks involved in this surgery. And he will talk openly about the fatality rate and why it happened. How would I rate him? Well on a scale from 1-10 I'd rate him an 11!!!
He has been a joy, I don't know how to thank him...How do you thank someone for giving you a life! I believe he truly cares! Please go see him you'll understand!!!!
Thank you Dr.Kirkland your my hero!

Dr Matt Kirkland made my consultation go as smooth as silk!

I originally thought that I wouldn't like the fact that he didn't do a one-on-one consult. But after the group talk it felt like he was talking directly to me. He answered all questions I had written down and even some I didn't think to ask.

He addressed all risks and benefits of surgery and his office staff in A#1. His emphasis on aftercare is truly great.

If anyone has the opportunity to consult with him, I advise it strongly. It will be well worth the months I had to wait for an appointment.

HINT: if you want to be on the 'cancellation list' (to be notified in case of cancellation) keep calling every few days.

He was wonderful, very informative and let
me ask alot of question.

His office staff was very nice.

I am hoping I am approved, because I am
very confident with this Dr.

I met with Dr. Kirkland on 2/17/04 and he was terrific and his office staff was great.

Dr. Kirkland described the surgery and answered questions.

Dr. Kirkland discussed the risks of surgery and spent time on the topic of pulmonary emboli (I'm an RN and I wanted to know more about the precautions he takes to prevent this complication). He fully explained everything (Short time on OR table, TED Stockings, Compression boots, SQ Heparin and OOB.

I waited 10 months for my appt with Dr. Kirkland and during that time spoke to Physician friends about him and received positive information and felt comfortable knowing that he has 16 years of experience and after meeting with him it confirmed that the 10 months was worth the wait.

I met with Dr. Kirkland this past week. It was so amazing to hear someone in a physicians setting actually saying that he believed that the amount of food and calories eaten doesn't always have anything to do with weight. It was like someone lifted a weight off my shoulders when I heard him say this. His office staff was efficient and nice. His main administrative person who works on approvals, etc, was very clear and understanding about nerves and waiting for approval.
Dr. Kirkland was very knowledgeable and thorough about the informaiton, pre op, during op and post op expectaitons.

8/18/03 Update - Dr. Kirkland's office is great. I had some issues with my insurance changing..and they worked with me to ensure that I could have the surgery before my insurance change. God Bless Denise! She's great at her job!

1/17/04 Although I believe Kirkland is an excellent surgeon, I have not seen him since the OR. Most people who have had wls see their surgeons on an ongoing basis for at least the first few months, I saw him at one week post op, then was told to come back in 6 months unless I had problems. This follow up makes me uncomfortable.

I have nothing but the utmost of respect for Dr. Kirkland. He is a no-nonsense, right to the point kind of guy who is EXTREMELY skilled at his profession. I had absolutely no complications, and I know I owe it to his dedication and skill. His office staff is second to none--they handled everything for me and secured my insurance approval in a matter of days. If you like doctors who linger by your bedside and baby you through the whole process, then Dr. Kirkland probably isn't for you--he is a very busy man and doesn't have much of a "bedside manner", so to speak. My attitude toward this is who cares as long as he knows what he's doing--which he most certainly does. The absolute best thing I can say about this man is this--you can trust him with your life. Or should I say you can trust him to GIVE you a life.

I'm was scared going into initial consult. I'm sooo glad that they have more than 1 person @ the chat so that a question that I forgot to ask might have been brought up by another. Also a question that I didn't even think about would be asked.
I feel that he's extremely unpretentious and versed in his profession. AT NO TIME DID HE MAKE ME FEEL LIKE I SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF MYSELF. Unfortunately, this is not true for all doctors. He's down to earth and his credentials are amazing. His ratio is astonishing . . . less than a percent. Like I said before other doctors have told me that I was too much for their scope of patients to operate on. He explained that he's in this only cause the need and that he's primarily a cancer doctor. He does 1500 surgeries a year and only approx 300 are for WLS. A rival hospital wants him but they want that percentage to flip the other way. I'm so privilegde to be a part of the few that he does operate on.
What I would tell any other person reading and researching WLS is this: The wait to see Dr Kirkland is LONG LONG LONG but it's so so so worth it. If you have any questions feel free to email me. I would rate Dr Kirkland a 9 for now after surgery probably 20. The downside is the wait, minimal contact with them after your consult, and Denise is extremely efficient but hard to get a hold of via phone. But she did all the work to get me approved & for that I rate her a 9 too! *These opinions are mine alone & not of the sites* His credentials are listed here:
http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/surgery/fac/mlk.html His contact info is as follows:Administrative Office:
Pennsylvania Hospital
700 Spruce Street, Suite 507
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Administrative Telephone: 215-829-3697
Administrative Fax: 215-829-8431
Clinical Offices:
Pennsylvania Hospital
700 Spruce Street, Suite 507
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Clinical Telephone: 215-829-3697
Clinical Fax: 215-829-8431
email : [email protected]

Dr. Kirkland is awesome. He's an excellent surgeon and I would recommend him to anyone in the Philadelphia area who is considering gastric bypass surgery. I've always felt comfortable and safe in his care and he has always answered every question and addressed every concern. I'm very happy with my choice and look at Dr. Kirkland as the man who has saved my life.

I was already a patient of Dr Kirklands, so I knew what to expect. He is a very caring person, and will take the time to listen and answer all your questions. The majority of his office staff are very nice, but the office if a very busy one. I would recommend him to anyone.

My initial appointments were with his partner. Dr. Lisa Vellim. She has since left the practice. Dr. Kirkland did my surgery on February 5, 2003. I was a little upset that I did not meet him until 2 minutes before my surgery. However, I do believe he did a great job and is very competent. I would recommend him, and have to several people.