Robin P. Blackstone Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS, FASMBS

I had the Lap Band "installed" on May 24, 2005 and I cannot recomend it enough for people who have had enough with their weight. I lost 27lbs. at my first month's check up on June 24, 2005. Today I went in for my 2 month check up and I've lost another 9 pounds which puts me under the 200lb mark which I'm so very happy about. I can't say enough about Dr. Blackstone, she was very very nice and truly caring which I have found refreshing in the medical field. I've been going to docs for a loooong time trying to get skinny and because of reproductive and hormonal problems and they all do not seem to really care like she does. I also was fortunate enough to meet with their other surgeon Jennifer Keirnan she did my first appointment and she is also very nice and caring. Their staff is great and I wish that everyone had my insurance because it was so much easier than I had expected to get approved. Tish (insurance lady) told me that she made one phone call and I was approved over the phone. There was no letters no appeals, again very easy. Also Scottsdale Bariatric makes it very easy for out of towners for appointments and during the surgery. I'm not in any means an expert at this surgery as I'm only going into my 3rd month but I'm so much happier now in my body than I was just 2 months ago. I turned 26 after the surgery and I think this is going to be the best year of my life and I can't wait to live the rest!

Jennifer Stallings
Tucson, AZ

I was so impressed with the professionalism of Dr. Blackstone's staff. When I met her (finally), I immediately understood why she had so many dedicated professionals around her. She exudes confidence, professionalism, a warm presence, and I was immediately in awe of her. She reqires every potential patient to take a written test answering questions directly related to the surgical process. And, she grades the test during the pre-surgical consultation. She discussed the questions missed with her patients so that we go away with a correct understanding of the surgical procedure we will have.

The office staff is top-notch. Couldn't ask for better qualified, "on top of things" at all times.

If you go to Dr. Blackstone's practice, you had best be committed to doing EVERYTHING! they tell you to. Otherwise, you will get a lecture from Drs. Balckstone and Kieran. And they are women that, I found, I never want to dissapoint.

Their mandatory education seminar pre-op and the mandatory post-op seminar are extremely helpful. They have on-going support group meetings with a motivated staff psychologists, nutritionists, exercise physiologists, and wonderful nursing staff. Again, top-notch!

The risks of the surgery were outlined in all the pre-operative seminars that were given prior to even making an appointment. The information was again emphasized int he testing materiel that the surgeon graded during the pre-op visit, and talked about, at length, during the mandatory pre-op seminar.

Surgical competence is only 30% of the successful combination of surgery, education, and follow-on support. Bedside manners fall by the wayside when that is ALL the surgeon might have to contribute to this journey. Dr. Balckstone will tell you exactly how many mortalities have occurred in her practice and WHY that happened. Most surgeons are not so forthcoming and do things that obfuscate their mortalities and complications.

I would rather have the dynamite combination of education, support, surgical competence, and more education. This is what Dr. Blackstone's practice emphasizes and gives. I rate her practice beyond excellence.

I liked Dr Blackstone from the get go - My opinion of the doctor and staff has only increased - the staff is fiendly and knowledgable - She is very busy - future patients should know that Dr Blackstone has an excellent program for weight los surgery - aftercare is excellent - required monthly visits for 11/2 years - aftercare covers all the bases - the risks of surgery were spelled out adequately - I am sold on the program I am in - both are great.

Dr. Schlesinger, Eric
Nice doctor! He warned me that the consult would be very infomercial like and it was. He answered all my questions.

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Dr Blackstone's seminar was very informative and I switched surgeons because she does Lap RNY and open. Plus my PCP said she had heard good things about Blackstone.

I have decided to go with Dr. Kieran at Blackstone's office as Dr. B is booking out into the second week of August. I met Dr. Kieran on my initial consult and she was very nice and I felt very comfortable with her.

They had to reschedule my surgery and know I am having it with Dr. Blackstone, who was my first choice! So yay for me!

My first impression of her is that she is a very sharp and knowledgable surgeon. This is from attending her seminars. I hope to meet her soon when I have my appointment in two weeks.

Dr. Blackstone and her staff and great. Their pre-op and post-op services are designed to make your surgery a success. I do and have done everything they tell me and have had a successful post-op experience.

I first met with Dr. Blackstone the week before surgery. She was enthusiastic, down to earth and very warm. She gave me the impression that she very much enjoyed her work. She was the same way the morning of surgery and that was the last time I saw her. Follow-up is done by her partner and the nurse practioner on staff. Both of which are very nice people who are willing to answer any questions I had and seemed sincerely concerned about my well-being. She has a VERY structured before and aftercare program. If you go into this uninformed it's because you weren't paying attention. Everything is very well covered..and repeated before and after surgery. Overall, I would rate the surgery, education and total experience as excellent. I would recommend this surgeon and staff to anyone.

<p>Update Post (April, 2005)

What can I say; it is a small miracle that I am just 1 month out of hitting my 1 year band anniversary! And as I stated when I started, I thought I would be one of Dr. Blackstone best candidates. At this current moment, with the Lap-band (11 months) I have lost
127 pounds!

I wish you all success if your journey and again thank you so much Dr. Blackstone.

I hope to come out this summer to do a year checkup.</p>
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Original Post (June, 2004)

What can I say about Dr. Blackstone that hasn't already been said by all her other patients. Let me say, if you want a surgeon, better yet a friend! That cares deep within their heart about your success, about your surgery, about your well being and about your health... Then run down to Arizona and meet up with her RIGHT NOW... When we first met she sat me face to face and talked to me about my choice of surgery, put the pressure on me to tell her exactly why I wanted the Lap-band and then decided I was a good candidate. And let me add this, I was her biggest BMI candidate yet for the Lap-band.

Of course I replied, I might be her biggest, but I will also be her most successful... That turned into a challenge of being called her next "Poster Boy". :-)

She was great in the hospital, before and after... Giving me a HUGE hug in the ICU... Coming to see me in my regular room, etc...

She hand picks all her staff, and is EXTREMELY picky on who she lets on her staff. If she wouldn't let them do something to her, then they aren't going to do something to her patients. From talking to nurses etc around the hospital and actually having an aunt in the Arizona area who is in the medical industry, she is very well known as one of the best...

Her office, staff and program is complete from A-Z. She has a full staff that includes a nutrionist, a physical therapist, scheduler, accounting, nurse praction, surgeon assistant, etc etc... Her office is so professional about this; it seems that nobody is really doing multiple tasks, because she has experts in every position to help you!</p>
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Dr. Blackstone is very dedicated to customer service and knowledge in her staff. I was impressed with her knowledge and real concern for my health.

I would definitely recommend her for surgery, especially since she has a "Center of Excellence" status for her office and hospital staff which means EVERYONE (receptionist to the people who push the wheelchairs) is knowledgable and sensitive to bariatric needs.

The center has a very structured before care and aftercare program. Support groups with nurses, exercise specialists and counselors that attend every meeting.

The only negative thing I have to say is, Dr. Blackstone is very busy but she just hired another surgeon so that will be less now. When she does see you, she does give you her full attention and care.

I went to Dr Blackstone's informational seminar and found her to be caring and profiessional. She genuinely seems to care about her patients and seems to have an awesome aftercare program.