Namir Katkhouda Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

I thought he was wonderful! Very upfront, spent plenty of time with me. Answered all my questions in a relaxed and comfortable manner. Gave me all the pros and cons good and bad! This guy is a pioneer of Laproscopic surgery from France. I felt very comfortable with him doing my surgery, and of a successful outcome. Couldn't ask for a better surgeon!

What a wonderful man! I met with Dr. Katkhouda 10/17/02 and I must admit that before he walked in the exam room I was terrified, after was a different story entirely. Initially there seemed to be a lot of waiting, I was in the exam room for about 35 minutes and that always makes me crazy. After he walked in he put me completely at ease. Dr.Katkhouda answered all my questions, no matter how ridiculous they may have seemed. He was professional yet warm and soothing. To me the most important thing was that he was honest, and straight forward. He showed me with the help of his purple stomach pillow how the procedure would be done on my stomach and explained the risks and complications fully. His office is extremly busy, (a good sign) and I noticed something that strangely put me at ease, his office was full of a broad spectrum of people, not exclusively WLS patients (less of a cookie cutter feel. There is a aftercare program and he almost demands that you participate though it is in your best interest. When I was about to leave the office I stopped and asked did i need to do anything, or bring anything to my pcp, I heard the best thing ever "No, we take care of all that for you.!"
Hooray!!! Though I missed the famous Anna, she was ill, I left there with a smile on my face and the relization that the rest of my life is waiting for me and I can live it in the body I was supposed to live it in thanks to Dr. Katkhouda!

My first impression of Dr. Katkhouda was that he was a very knowledgable and kind man. My first impression of him was correct and has grown to a feeling of gratitude for his skills, thankfulness for being in such good hands and for having this surgery and most of all...respect for him wanting to help people...he truly cares about his patients. His sincerity and kindness are very endearing. I totally trust him and he has helped me postoperatively with his support in getting this weight off.
When I had my surgery, I believe I was one of the first of his bariatric patients and Anna, his secretary was very helpful and kind as well. Of course I was nervous about having the surgery, but knew that he was a very skilled laparoscopic surgeon and was reknowned for his work.
I am now almost 11 mos. PostOp and have to rate my experience with Dr. Katkhouda as the best ones I have had (in terms of having a medical procedure done). He truly cares about his patients. I have talked to many of his PostOp patients and they all have voiced to me that they just love him.
I am happy to see that since he has started doing this particular surgery, the word has gotten out about him...his skills and his caring nature...and his office has been flooded with calls. I hope everyone's experience with Dr. Katkhouda's skill and his kindness, will be as good as mine has been. Yes, I adore my surgeon!!

7/5/02 I was very nervous when I went in for my first office visit. I had already spoken to Anna about 5 times trying to make my first appt. We had to reschedule twice, because the doctor had some other things booked for those dates. She was very helpful. She sent me all the New patient forms to my house the first time we rescheduled. My little brother spilled water on them, so I had to call her and ask her to resend them, but she never did send them. She's a very busy woman as I soon found out. When we got there that was the first thing she told me. I finally got to meet the doctor he couldn't have been nicer! He did inform me of all the risks and didn't mind at all that I had taken my boyfriend and my mom with me. He told them that they would have to help me, that it would become difficult at times and they had to be there to help me out. He explained all the risks and the ups and downs of the surgery. He explained to us how he was going to perform the surgery and told me that I had to be prepared to make food my enemy and not my first love. He emphasized the fact that I would have to take the vitamins no if ands or butts. After everything was said and done he told me that he was going to get somebody else besides Anna to help her out with wls patients. He told me that she was very busy with other types of patients and until Heather started working I would have to make sure I stayed on top of things with Anna. Over all I think my office visit was a 10.

Dr. Katkouda seemed very professional--not a warm, fuzzy kind of guy, but very upfront, kind and supportive. I was so calm after meeting with him, and feel like I am ready for surgery. He is great!

Anna, his personal assistant, is a jewel. Willing to help. Hard to get them to call back when you leave a message, but once you get her...willing to help.

He went over everything. Safety is number one with him...after care is very important.

He went over the risks, and his rate of complications (0%, mortality rate for him personally (0%).

I would highly recommend him to anyone. He is a pioneer in the field of laparoscopic surgery...one of the best!

I was introduced to Kr. Katkhouda by one of his team members. (He was doing my sister's surgery).
He is chief of the laproscopic surgery department at USC University Hospital. He is also a professor of laproscopic surgery. He has a world renown reputation as a laproscic surgeon and has published numerus articles and books on the subject.

First impression was that he was very serious, well dressed, highly professional and down to business. He was pointed with his questions....and there were many.

As the consult went on, he lightened up and had a delightful personality. He was totally honest about everything, life style changes, after care requirements, risks etc. At the same time, he was very reassuring and easy to talk to and ask questins of. I felt so good after the consult. I knew that I had made the right choice.

He strongly emphasizes aftr care. He has just started a support group for his patients that he will attend as well.

His assistant Anna is very helpful, friendly and pleasent to deal with. She handles so many things for the patients. She has become too busy however and really needs an assistnt herself. Hopefully he will hire one.

I rate him highly...a 10 for sure.

Because of my insurance and location I was able to choose from some of he most popular and well know WLS surgeons around. I chose Dr. Katkhouda and am so happy that I did.

My first impression of Dr. Katkhouda was that he seemed a little cold. He was also really tough during his consultation, but he also warned me that he was going to be really tough. I have had NO contact with him since my consultation, however, everything has preceded quickly and without any snags
He is a great surgeon, but I haven't had enough contact with him for my opinion to change.

I have dealt mainly with Anna, who works for Dr. Katkhouda. She seems very busy, and I usually call her for stuff, not the other way around. I believe if I had not called for pre-op tests, or for a surgery date, that I would still be waiting. From Everything I have heard, the Dr. is really dedicated to this type of surgery and he is good. I understand that he likes to do the surgery first thing in the morning and that he and his staff are very attentive.
I suppose I will have more to post after the surgery though :)

I had my first post-op with my doctor, and I have to say he is growing on me! My doctor is a GREAT surgeon, extremely skilled. That was and is important to me. If you are the kind of person that prefers alot of contact with your doctor, or someone with that Dr. Welby feel, he may not be for you, but I thought he was great.

Sure enough my opinion has changed. I love my doctor, No he isn't Dr. Welby, but he really cares about his patients and his work. He is committed to this surgery and his patients and their post-op care. I am very happy with the quality of care I have received.

Dr. Katkhouda is a very skilled surgeon. I met him at a seminar and later e-mailed him. He called me personally said my inspiring e-mail generated a phone call instead of an e-mail. He has been so encouraging, caring and has supportive. He helped get my pre-test done in a fast manner. His Assistant name is Anna. She organized surgeries, times dates etc. She is so dedicated to her job and highly believes in Katkouda's skills.

He has been very detailed and thorough in educating me about the surgery and my new life style.

My sister Anne had her surgery in Texas in June 2001. She has done very well. I feel so confidant with her example of success, Dr. Katkouda's dedication to his work and because I have faith in myself as well.

I will return to this support enity to let you know of my progress and I look forward to the day I can post before and after pictures.