Sayeed Ikramuddin Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

He is awesome. I had a leak after surgery, and I got awesome care! I am 10 yrs out and have keep weight off!

Dr. Ikramuddin himself was wonderful. I did actually wake up for a few seconds during I think towards the very end of the procedure. Something was either being put in or taken out of my mouth. (My mom later told me that I had issues with anesthesia; I didn't know that at the time or I would have shared it).

What upset and infuriated me was Fairview's extremely poor handling of personal information and their ineffective and dysfunctional communication. To be safe, I initially was not going to turn in FMLA paper work to my work place. I had 2 days of sick time approved, with a day of vacation. There were some complications with regaining my lung capacity and I ended up staying longer than anticipated. That basically forces FMLA approval where I work. I know the staff in my workplace's HR so I really did not want them to know. EVEN IF IT IS "HR" THAT THE INFORMATION GOES TO - I STILL HAVE THAT RIGHT!!! I didn't even tell most of my own family or any friends. My wife did not disclose what the surgery was even when she was asked about the nature of my hospital stay while picking up the FMLA packet. I turned the packet into a nurse at Fairview, I requested to fill it out with medical staff, of course they it got handed off to a person that handles those packets. I couldn't get the packet back even though I asked to get it back several times. I pleaded and reiterated repeatedly that I did not want the nature of the surgery disclosed or the name of the surgeon. I reiterated this multiple times.

From the hospital, I made multiple attempts to reach the bariatric department. The hospital operator connected me to the pediatric department. There was a computer outside my hospital room, I eventually found the number myself.

I eventually reached the bariatric department and relayed my concerns. Had the conversation. She said she was aware of my concerns. I felt much better. Someone else mailed the forms to the HR department and myself. Here's the deal, she did not say bariatric surgery. The form did state Ikramuddin's name and also malabsorption abdominal procedure... Guess what comes up if you Google or Bing malabsorption abdominal surgery?

I did go in for a follow up appointment. I met with a dietician and the nurse. I got the note for my restrictions lifted, asked my final questions, got a script for b12 shots, the list of vitamins to take. I asked if my general practitioner could monitor this... I was advised against this but I trust my own doctor.

What is ironic is that I shared this with the nurse during my last visit. She did apologize for it happening and inquired who had filled out the form. It was actually signed by her. Apparently she either never received my concerns, completely disregarded them, or didn't read what was on the form before signing it. She did say maybe I should have filled out the form with them... honestly, I really, really, tried to do just that.

I trust Dr Sayeed Ikramuddin but not some of the other staff at Fairview.

If I can't trust Fairview with a direct, specific, and reiterated request, I sure won't trust them with my health. I'll never go back except to maybe have the surgery reversed. I WOULD MUCH RATHER BE FAT THAN BETRAYED.

He was great before surgery but afterwards him and his staff are really discouraging I'm about10 years out at first I was religious about making all my follow up appts then when I realized they just document stuff and send you on your way I figure I can document stuff. Especially since twice I waited for the entire morning my appts were schedule something like9am I finally demanded my copy back&walked out around1pm I don't care what the reason was they never bothered to say we are running behind our anything my life has gotten too busy to sit& wot for him to show up. 3 kids &2 csections later, I have gain all if not most of the weight back and I believe I may be suffering from copper toxicity (although no drs I find can even refer me to a specialist, they don't know who to send me to) & now planning on gallbladder surgery. Last time I saw him he didn't addressANYof the problems I was/am having primary care drs aren't much help because most have no idea about gastric bypass he has told me talk to my primary Dr about things related to the surgery & my primary dr(s) tell me I should talk to him. I'm so frustrated

I feel like I hit the jackpot when I met Dr Ikramuddin, he is so kind and so willing to answer any and all questions, and so very honest. I am only 2 months out as of now but have no regrets, this is the greatest tool ever. I am so thankful to Dr Ikramuddin and his staff.

I am 10 years out from beginning the surgery process and 9 years from the surgery.

My experience with Ikramuddin is complicated. I like his manner when directly interacting with him, but have found his office staff, the young student doctors and the University staff to widely vary in their skill and patient rapport.

I feel like as I got further out my care has lost importance to both Dr. I and his staff. Many times, I have had to have blood work done or CT scans or MRIs only to never have a followup from his staff on the results. One staff member once told me they only call if there is a problem; so, not to worry if I don't get a call. Well, I found out at this year's follow-up that a test they did showed I had hyperinsulinemia. They never told me that or did follow-up care about it. I have been suffering ever since and only found out at my 9 year annual that I have it. I'm very worried about it. He told me to keep track of what I eat and that was the only suggestion he had for follo-up. I've called 3 times to try to talk to his nurse and there has been no response. Let me reiteratre I am very frustrated.

I had lab work drawn on Monday Feb 6. The results were faxed to Dr. I's office on Friday. They have never called to follo-up yet or responded to my calls to them to get the results. I took the results to my primary doc and he diagnosed several significant, gastric bypass related problems (thalassemia, Vitamin D deficiency, seconday hyperparathyroid, etc.). I texted a number Dr. I gave me years ago and got a response simoly saying "you need to take Vitamin D". I texted again and asked how much because I already take 2000 iu a day. I got no response to that text.

Also, I would place his front desk care in the lowest of any doctors' office I've ever seen. Instead of interacting with the patients as they register for the appointment, they talk to each other, carrying on distracting conversations, louding talking to each other about their vacations, lunch plans, other people, etc. They really need to buff up their customer service skills.


So, while I feel in the initial surgery process Dr. Ikramuddin is marvo and I would go to him in a minute for that, I feel both Dr. Ikramuddin and Fairview University not only drop the ball in follow-up care, but actually carelessly toss it over the shoulder. Clearly the almighty dollar of the expensive surgery over-powers the lower financial gain of the long-term post op care.

Amazing surgeon. Knows his stuff. Compassionate. There just isn't enough of him to go around! I'd recommend him to anyone.

Dr. Ikramuddin is very attentive and answers questions that I have. His staff is excellent from the beginning class to the post-op informational class.

Great surgeon, great staff, great Hospital (ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL) has a real good aftercare program he has done hundreds of these surgery's.

Dr. Ikk and his staff are so genuine, caring, smart and very down to earth....a perfect example of "Minnesota Nice"!

Best of the best! Very kind, caring and DOES NOT HAVE THE "GOD" complex most surgeons have. Down to earth and actually listens to you. Excellent Dr.!