Robin P. Blackstone Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS, FASMBS

I attended Dr. Robin Blackstone's seminar in November, 2002, and was very impressed. The seminar was very informative and I found Dr. Blackstone to be personable. She is no nonsense and expects her patients to be no nonsense as well. I really like that. There may be a wait for surgery because she's so booked, but that tells me that she's really good.

Dr. Blackstone is very competent. Her staff and office are well organized. She has a good support program except for a nutritionist. Their office is so busy that sometimes questions are slow to be answered.

I could tell the minute I met her, she truely wants to help people. She is kind, personalable, & imformative. Also, she is very professional and knows her stuff. She was a stomach cancer surgeon before becoming a weight loss surgeon. She calls it her "happy surgery". She has a very detailed seminar about before and after surgery care, she covers all of the risks and benifits of surgery. Also, she has patients come to a class before surgery to show them exactly what they can eat, by feeding them an after surgery style meal. She has a excellent after care program. I have already met several of her patients that are 12 + months out and they really like her. I haven't found anything I dislike about her. I would recommend her to anyone considering WLS, even though I have been denied by my insurance company, when open enrollment comes around I plan on choosing and insurance carrier that she uses, I do not want another doctor. I have not seen her at bedside yet, but everyone I have talked to says she is great on both accounts. There is only one draw back so far, she is very busy and books her surgeries about 2 to 3 months out.

My first impression was wonderous. That changed when I got a letter to get on a weight program monitored by a doctor and after 4 months check back in. My bubble was busted and I e-mailed her how I felt and shared that I would indeed do the footwork. I have recently sent an updated e-mail regarding working with my primary care physician and we will see. I realize she needs backup since I have Cigna but she could have told me if that was the case. Stay tuned for part 36. June 2nd I finally got to speak with Noreen at Dr. Blackstone's office. We have now set up an appointment for a consult with the surgeon for August 6th!! Noreen was very detailed on what needed to be sent in before my appointment. We are now onto part 37:-0. As you can see
lots of time has passed. We have been to a pulmanologist and all well there as well as the cardiologist. Surgery date was 3/17. Blackstone is one awesome lady. My surgery took 1 1/2 hours. She said it was testbook:-) Never have I been involved w/anything textbook. This is now March 20
I am am now home. The first couple of days I wondered what wasI thinking. But the more I walked and recovered it got better. Seeing Blackstone next week. We have a seminar and a post op consult. Thank You God for Dr. Robin Blackstone!

What was your first impression of him/her?
I am very impressed by Dr. Blackstone.

How did your impression change over time?
It hasn't. Although, during the initial consultation I was shocked when she lifted up my "hospital gown" There I was buck naked with my wife in the room while Dr. Blackstone was looking at my body type. I wasn't expecting that!

How would you describe his/her office staff?Most of the staff is very friendly and helpful, but the main go to person in the office was a little less than pleasant on ocasion.

What did you like least about him/her? Other than the initial shock of being looked at in the buff when not expecting it, not a thing.

What should future patients know about him/her?
She is very nice and reasureing yet very knowledgeable.

How much does he/she emphasize aftercare? A Lot!

How did he/she address the risks of surgery?
Very much so.

How would you rate him/her overall? 9 out of 10

Which is better, surgical competence, bedside
manner, or both great?
Both!

Dr. Blackstone is such a careing person, I felt this the first moment we met, she made me feel as though she cares about my well being and reassured me that she can and will be there for me. Her staff are the greatest,they have been very helpful with questions and insurance advice they are super. You should know that Dr. B is determined to make a differance in peoples lifes by giving them a wonderful new start on a new life. Dr. B is super attentive to your medical needs all through and beyond the surgery, she explains all risk and challenges ahead that can or will be expected, I says she is the most exelent DOCTOR/PERSON I could have ever ask for to have givin me the start on a new beginning. THANKS AND GOD BLESS

Dr. Blackstone wants the best for her patients. She impressed me at the seminar and continues to impress me with her profesional office staff.

Although I haven't had the surgery yet, I would recommend her to anyone considering the surgery. Dr. Blackstone has set up aftercare sessions and online sessions as well.

My first impression was that she was down to earth and willing to help you.I've till have yet to have a consult because I'm still in the process of it all(psych eval etc...)But I like her stastics and her approach to the weight loss with all the support groups she offers.

Dr. Blackstone and staff is wonderful!! Dr. Blackstone made me feel like she cared about me being over weight. She is very involoved with her patients and the patients family and her and the staff really car about us. The after care is very inmportant to Dr. Blackstone and Melissa Davis. I learned that I had to put my life in their hands. Dr. Blackstone and Melissa Davis and staff will always be a big part of my family and friend. I will tell any over weight person about Dr. Blackstone and Melissa Davis and Staff, because they Care!!!!!

Dr. Blackstone manner is terrific. At the orientation, she took time to answer questions afterwards for over an hour! she was so upbeat. The office staff is very accommodating!

I attended the orientation a second time with a friend who is also planning on going through this. Even though there was only a few weeks difference, the information she presented the second time was updated with the newest information on the Lap band procedure that is so popular in Europe.

I am deaf and they have been so good communicating with me via email and fax. The staff is very organized, but busy, and it took a few days for them to get back with me the first time, but after that, they have been TERRIFIC in their responses!

I was worried a bit about whether they would be consistent with the email accommodation for my deafness and they have been! They have made communications so easy!

The first time I went to the office, for my consultation, Noreen came up and gave me a big hug and said she felt like she knew me already (from our emails). The tension just evaporated! Thanks Noreen!