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

I have done some research about this procedure on the internet and made notes so I could ask Dr. Kirkland some questions when I meet with him in his office. He answered my questions about side effects and the type of surgery that he does. He informed me that he is a gastroenterology surgeon (specializes in cancer of the gastric intestines). And, although gastric bypass is not his specialty, he has excellent experience and knowledge of the gastric intestines and has performed numerous surgeries such as this one and his patients are very pleased with the results. He, also, told me how long I was going to be in the hospital and the length of my recovery after leaving the hospital. Trisha, his secretary, was very helpful and persistent with contacting my insurance company. It's best to do your own research and make notes so the doctor can answer any questions or clear up any misunderstandings that you may have.

I originally met with Dr Kirkland on March 8, 2001. I went in thinking that he was going to be just an additional opinion because I was sure I was going to go with a different doctor (who I hadn't yet met) due to the fact that the other doctor did a LAP surgery. However Dr Kirkland blew me away!! My husband was also very comforted by him. He was completely confidant in what he does however he was in no way cocky about it!! When I left his office that day I knew I had met my surgeon and was prepared to have it done OPEN! I must say I got off to a not so good start with Jodi, one of the girls in the office (no fault to her though!) My appointment had to be changed a couple times and I was getting very frustrated as I'm sure you can understand. When she called the second time to postpone I kind of let her have it because SHE was on the other end of the phone. I did however apoligize when we met. Jodi and Trish have been fabulous. They helped me get my insurance approval on the first try and I got the date I wanted for surgery MAy 2nd. I actually could have had it earlier but I needed to wait for family reasons. Its now 3 1/2 weeks away and I can't wait. I'll be sure to get back in touch and update everyone!!

I was very impressed with Dr. Kirkland when I met him. He was very thorough in his explaination of the procedure.
His office staff was friendly and helpful.
They took care of all of the insurance paperwork, and had me approved and scheduled within 1 week of my first appointment.

I really only met with DR Kirkland for a few minutes. I met with Dr. Bellin and she and I got along really well. She gave it to me straight she didn't candy coat it and she answered my questions before I asked. The risks of the surgery were discussed fully also care in the hospital, pain management and what I will probably feel like. Dr Bellin told me that I probably will not like her or Dr Kirkland after the surgery becasue I will feel full all the time. I enjoyed talking to her and she spent a lot of time with me. I was refered to Dr Kirkland by my Primary Care Doctor. I felt very comfortable with Dr Bellin and she made a point of bringing in Dr Kirkland to talk to me also. I really liked him also and felt comforatable with him too. I feel that I am in good hands and I thank my Primary Care Physician for recommending them. I call their office about every other week for updates and I have started my pre op tests. I have my last pre op tests on 4/10.
I will update this information when my time gets closer.

Dr. Kirkland is the greatest. I had my consultation on 3-13-01. I was so nervous that whole day, but once I got to his office he made me so comfortable and at ease. He has a wonderful office staff. I had planned on having the surgery at the Alvarado Clinic in San Diego, but I had a bad experience with their office. At first I was upset about the terrible treatment I received at the Alvarado Clinic, but now I think it was the best thing that happened to me, because I found a doctor who is better, more friendlier, and a lot faster at setting up surgery dates. The only thing I have to do now is wait for the insurance approval!!I hope it will not be too long. On a scale from 1 to 10 I rate Dr. Kirkland and his office staff an 11, that is how impressed I was with them...

3/7/01 Will meet with Dr. Kirkland tomorrow.
3/8/01 Well, I met with Dr. Kirkland. He is AWESOME! He answered all of my questions before I could even ask them. In fact, he answered questions that I hadn't even thought of. He was a wealth of information. On a scale of 1 to 10, my first impression of him is that he is a 10!

2-26-01
I WILL BE MEETING DR KIRKLAND ON 2-27-01 FOR THE FIRST TIME. MET WITH DR KIRKLAND HE WAS PLEASENT AND FRENDLY I WOULD LIKED IF HE HAD MORE TIME TO TALK WITH ME BUT I COULD SEE FROM THE WAITING AREA THAT HE IS VERY BUSY OFFICE STAFF WAS VERY NICE THEY TOOK TIME SAT AND TALKED WITH ME MADE ME FEEL GOOD ABOUT BEING THERE FUTURE PATIENTS SHOULD NOT EXPECT DR KIRKLAND TO SPEND A LOT OF TIME WITH YOU. NOW I AM WAITING FOR INSURENCE APPROVAL. WILL POST AGAIN WHEN THEY GET BACK TO ME.

Dr Kirkland was very friendly, very busy. He took the time to explain to me all about the procedure
he even used visual aids. He was very insistant for me to have very realistic expections about the procedure and how it will change my life eating habits and othewise along with
Weightloss expectations and with approval, I'm on my way!
He is professional and knowledgeable and quite at ease about the whole thing which is helpful for his patients.

Liked him immediately, had confidence in him, 3rd dr I interviewed. Geat staff, very kind. I wish he had an aftercare program but he does not.He explained the risk of infection. I believe competence is more important than bedside manner.

my first impression about the doctor was wonderful. He was upfront about the whole procedure told me about all the risks then the benefits. He didn't seem as if I was wasting his time he spent 35 min. with me on the first visit. His office/staff was also great I waited to be seen 5 min. everyone was pleasent and willing to help.