Scott Shikora Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS

Very knowledgeable

impression has not changed

Staff very helpful and concerned

Only staff saw me before discharge from hospital. Dr. Shikora did not see me. It would have been nice if he came by.

Aftercare very important - followup needed

Yes

Risks addressed

Very good

both

Actually Dr.Shikora is the head of the Surgical team. My actual surgeon is Dr. Julie Kim. She was great and she explained the proceedure quite well. She is also assistant professor of surgery at TUFTS.The staff is absolutely wonderful and I would not change my experience. They inform you well about the surgery and the lifestyle change that I am about to embark on.They ahve provided me withe social, emotional and the physical supports that I need to start down this road to a healthier life. The aftercare program is great too. They require you to involve yourself in a small post-op support group for one year. They also have a mass post op group which is held monthly for all patients. They also have a staff of nutritionists, pgychologists, & HCPs. They more than prepare you for before and after your surgery. I have already gotten the meal plan for post op. And they let me know what to expect, before and after surgery. On a scale from one to ten I rate this team a ten. Bothe bedside manner and surgical comptence are great.

My first impression was that he was down to earth and did not paint a pretty picture of the WLS, but I think he wants to show me the bad side to make sure I understand the seriousness of it.
Now that I understand that he appears a bit pessamistic, I am able to accept his lack of bedside enthusiasm.
There is one office member that is somewhat rude, but the rest of the team member make up for her. I especially liked the nutritionist, Phyillis.
There is a great structured program that starts from the day you ask about surgery and for years after. This program includes support meeting once a month, regular meetings with a psychologist, a nutritionist, an internist and group support groups.
I will write more AFTER my surgery. Their response time is excellent and their sincerity is exceptional.

Dr. Shikora was wonderful, explained everything clearly. He combines the best of technical expertise with an actual personality, I always felt comfortable with him.

The New England Medical Center program is a multi-disciplinary program involving medical, behavioral, and surgical care. While we think of this as a surgical treatment option there are so many people involved in this process that I feel we should broaden our concept of “surgeons comments” to include them.<BR><BR>

Dr. Isaac Greenberg – Intake psychological assessment. I have to say I very much enjoyed my conversation with Issie, even though it was being recorded for Scientific American Frontiers. I think we established an immediate rapport, and since I’m sure he had heard it a million times I told him things that were very embarrassing to me, like getting on a plane, going to a red sox game etc; Things that I have been avoiding for way too long. He was very understanding and affirmed that these feelings are shared by so many morbidly obese people that I almost cried in the knowledge that I am not alone. <BR><BR>

Dr. Margaret Marino – Behavioral support group facilitator. Margaret is fantastic! She is sensitive, and smart, funny and full of facts. Margaret really got me thinking about things – why I eat the things I eat, why I eat when I do, what are the emotional triggers. Margaret has helped start me on the path of mindful eating: eating when your hungry and monitoring your physical hunger versus mind hunger. How will I plan for change and how will I reward myself for making change are valuable lessons I will take from Margaret. <BR><BR>

Dr. Edward Saltzman – Dr. Saltzman and I have only met one for a complete history, and exam. He outlined for me many of the things I should expect from the program.<BR><BR>

Alison Chamberlain – is a PA in the program. Of all the people at NEMC I truly value Alison’s advice, lectures, and pep talks. She is tough but truly caring which I think is a hallmark of so many of the professionals at the Obesity Consult Center. <BR><BR>

Phyllis Thomason – Dietician / Nutritionist – Phyllis gives it to me straight. She has helped me craft the before surgery and after surgery diet. <BR><BR>

My first meeting with Dr. Tarnoff started with him asking some questions about history and putting together a letter for my PCP. <B>As it turned out I ended up having Dr Shikora perform the surgery</b> When we got these preliminaries taken care of he was excellent at explaining the procedure, the risks, and benefits. I found Dr. Tarnoff to be very down to earth; he spoke my language. He was adamant about my losing some weight before surgery even though I have just quit smoking. Since I carry a lot of weight around my middle he explained that he wont have a lot of room to maneuver and we essentially have to move my liver out of the way to conduct surgery he needs more room. <BR><BR>

All of the really great professionals at the OCC have stressed the importance of aftercare to the success of the outcome. They are imaginative, creative, and decent people who are constantly examining the value of each step in the process and are not ideologues about scrapping one thing and trying others. I am thoroughly impressed, and feel my life could not be in better hands.

I LIKE HIM. NO MY IMPRESSION NEVER CHANGED ON HIM. THEY ARE VERY NICE AND HE NOES HIS WORK IN SURGERY. AND HIS STAFF IS THE SAME THEY TREATED NICE. FUTURE PATIENTS HE IS A GOOD SURGERN FROM WHAT I RESEARCHED ON HIM AND TALKED WITH HIM.

Dr. Shikora and his staff are to be complimented for their kindness and compassion. They never made me feel like a failure for my size. I was always treated with dignity and respect.
The aftercare program is excellent. I was seen by Dr. Shikora, his physician assistant and a dietician on each post op visit.
A large list of potential complications, including possibly life threatening ones were explained in detail.
10+ for Dr. Shikora's surgical competence.
9+ for his bedside manner.

I met with Dr. Shikora on april 22nd. He was extremley easy to talk to. He was very matter of fact and explained the whole process in great detail, risks, benefits and other options. He did it all With pictures, diagrams, and even a pop quiz afterwards!

The office staff is incredible... very efficient, and thoughtful all at the same time!

Dr. Shikora stated that aftercare is one of the most important elements to sucess ~

I really like Dr. Shikora. He treated my obesity like the medical condition . I didn't feel embarrassed. All of the staff have been extremely nice.

he was very personable and let you know that no mater what , he would always be there for you.