Michael Melkonian Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

I met with Dr. Melkonian yesterday for my pre-op visit and liked him very much. I didn't think he was at all \"impersonable\" like some of the other posters. He was kind and compassionate and at the same time, very knowledgable and confident in the job he does. As I'm sure most people do, I was having some occasional doubts and he put all my worries/concerns at ease.

My first impression of Dr. Melkonian was, he's not very friendly. After my second meeting with him I realized that he is just one of those Doctors thats gets to the point and knows what he's talking about. He took his time with me and answered many, many questions. His staff was great and very helpful at getting me approved very quick. It took anly a month from my first surgical seminar to get a surgery scheduled. I had no complications from my surgery what so ever. I was up walking around that evening. I hardly had any pain, asked to be removed from morphine the morning after surgery. I couldn't believe how well my recovery went. Even though his bedside manner lacks a little, his skills and knowledge make up for it ten times over. I would recommend Dr. Melkonian to anyone, he is a great surgeon.

Dr. Melkonian is a very intelligent and talented surgeon. I worked at a hospital and asked around. He is one of the best. His team is very knowledgeable. I really liked his nurse practitioner. She has limited days that she is there so it was hard for me to schedule due to my work. I felt like I was a pest but people are liars. My consulting physicians said that things were faxed or done which weren't. I had to keep bothering Dr. Melkonian's very busy staff. It was almost a full time job to get things done.

I met with Dr. Melkonian yesterday and I was very impressed with him. He took time to answer all of my questions. I did not feel rushed in any way. He seemed to really care and listen to my questions. So far, the entire office has been nice and responsive to needs or questions I have had.

Dr. Melkonian has been great he has worked with insurance to get everything we needed. Carrie is awsome, I have worked with too, she does the filing for insurance. I can tell you this if you are trying to get paperwork from your other doctors, help out. I have found that if I had not got copies of everything that Dr. Melkonian wanted for the insurance company, they would have never gotten it. So what I did was everything they wanted I called the doctor and ask for it to be picked up, then I faxed it to the office. They may have gotten 2 copies of somethings but that is better than nothing.

I am very happy with DrM and his staff. I will be 1 year out next week and couldnt have imagined how wonderful everything would be. Pre-Op DrM was excellent... he spent a lot of time explaining everything and answering any and all of my questions... his staff was very helpful in assisting me thru the process and good about returning calls. I felt very confident with him going into this surgery. I have had no complications post-op... no dumping, no throwing up, no food intolerances... it has been great. I look forward to seeing him at my 1 year follow up!

I had a very good first impression with Dr. Melkonian. The instant he walked into the room, I had a peace about it. He was very nice and took his time, he did not rush to get out of the room, like alot of doctors. He dicussed the risks & complications that can occur. I was also impressed with his staff. They were very knowlegable and very nice to me. He impressed my husband and I in both his bedside manners and his knowlege about the surgery. I would recommend Dr. Melkonian to anyone. He is great.

I think Dr. M is wonderful. He doesn't have the most outgoing personality, and somewhat lacking on bedside manner, however, as a surgeon he just cannot be beat. I had to go back to the hospital for my 6 year old recently and was talking with several Dr's who know Dr. M. They had so many glowing things to say about Dr. M. and his surgery skills. I've had no complications and am feeling great. I'd recommend him to anyone. He's very direct and business oriented. He tells you like it is. I'll take his surgical competence any day over bedside manner.rnrn*********************************rnOne year update...well my opinion of Dr. Melkonian has changed in this year. Is he a great surgeon? I have to say yes. Is he a good Dr.? I have to say no. His office does not let you schedule appointments for followups, they say that they will call you for an appointment when you're due for one. Well on May 30th I will be one year out. I saw him 2 weeks after my surgery and then about 4 months after that I saw his PA. I've never heard from his office again. His followup is terrible. Those who want a competent surgeon but do not care about followup or support after the surgery then this is your man. However if you want a good surgeon who also provides followup and support then I have to say you would want to look elsewhere because this Dr. is not that one.rnrnJust as a FYI...I feel great one year out, I've not had any complications. I'm 100+ lbs down. I've not reached my ideal goal and don't honestly know that I ever will nor do I mind so much. I feel great and am much more active and feel really good about myself. I'm a lot more outgoing. I'm telling you this because I want you to understand, I'm not unhappy with my results or lack thereof, nor do I blame anyone. If I wanted to loose more weight or do it faster, it is in my total control to do so. I just want those who are considering Dr. Melkonian to understand he is not a surgeon who will provide you any support or followup after the surgery. He will give you the tool to work with, but you will do it all on your own.rnrnIn closing, I have to say that these comments are just in reference to my own experience with this Dr. I have to also state I have not called him back. I have an absolutely wonderful and caring primary care physician who I see for my followup and support. I have not called Dr. M's office because I wanted to see if they would actually followup. They have not called nor sent any letters that I have received (and no, if you're wondering, my address or phone numbers have not changed in the year since my surgery). Again, this is my own opinion of my own experience with this surgeon.

I love Dr. Melkonian. He did a wonderful job, and I have no complaints. His staff was delightful and they helped me the entire way through. Many times they could have been rude with me or got tired of me calling, but they are always available for my questions.rnrnI have had no complications. I was totally satisfied. Thanks again Dr. Melkonian!

I like him. He was very up front about what he expects from me. He answered all of my questions fully and confidently. I feel very good about my choice to have him do my surgery.