Scott Shikora Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS

I really like Dr. Shikora. He treated my obesity like the medical condition it is. I didn't feel embarrassed. All of the staff have been extremely nice. Future patients should be aware that his services are in high demand, it takes months to get an appointment. Although this is frustrating, it's comforting to know he has such a great reputation. Aftercare is a must for success! They have plenty of support groups that you can and should attend. He was frank about the risks of surgery. I am very comfortable with my choice.

DR. SHIKORA DID AN EXCELLENT JOB.HE WAS VERY INFORMATIVE WHEN WE HAD THE PRE-OP MEETING. HE FIRST EXPLAINED THE RISKS AND TOLD ME HE WANTED ME TO BE CLEAR ON THEM SO I COULD MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION ON WEATHER TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROCEDURE.
HE ALSO EXPLAINED THE TWO DIFFERENT WAYS THE SURGERY IS DONE, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, I COULD NOT HAVE THE LAPROSCOPIC ONE. I LOVE OUR OFFICE STAFF. I AM ALWAYS GREETED KINDLY, AND TREATED WELL. EVEN WHEN I WEIGHED OVER 350 POUNDS. THE HOSPITAL STAFF WERE VERY PATIENT WITH ME, BECAUSE ON THE DAY OF MY SURGERY I WAS VERY VERY SCARED. THEY WERE QUITE REASSURING. THE ANESTHESIOLOGIST ASSURED ME THAT I COULD BE REVIVED IF THERE WERE ANY PROBLEMS, AND THE O.R. PEOPLE WERE TOP SHELF.
WE HAVE A GREAT THREE PRONGED APPROACH BEFORE AND AFTER SURGERY...I SAW A REGULAR DOCTOR, THE NUTRICIANIST AND A PSYCHIATRIST. I STILL SEE THEM REGULARLY. DR. SHIKORA TOLD ME MY SUCCESS DEPENDED DIRECTLY ON MY KEEPING MY APPOINTMENTS AND FOLLOWING THE PROGRAM CLOSELY AFTER MY SURGERY. I DO WISH I COULD TALK MORE TO DR. SHIKORA AFTER MY SURGERY...NOW. HE SAW ME EVERYDAY WHILE I WAS AN INPATIENT.

I picked Dr Shikora to do my surgery because of his world renown reputation and the program that the NEMC provides. The entire staff has been nothing but professional and very helpful.

There is a screening process and one has to meet the criteria for surgery. There is a psych evaluation, dietary consultation, and a meeting with Dr Shikora who thoroughly explains the proceedure,and risks involved. He is very understanding and supportive in every way.

There is a monthly support group for anyone who wishes to attend, pre-ops and post-ops. There are also separate support groups for men and women. The nutritionists and staff are always there for you. Anytime you need advice they are there. I am glad I found Dr.Shikora and the program at the NEMC in Boston. I feel I had nothing but the best care.

I chose Dr. Shikora as my surgeon because of his excellent reputation. He thoroughly discussed the procedure, and its consequences. He didn't mince words - he explained the good AND the possible complications that can arise from RNY. Dr. Shikora didn't rush through the meeting and I felt comfortable asking him all the questions I had on my LONG list. He was patient and had a nice sense of humor. The program at New England Medical Center is comprehensive. They strongly emphasize aftercare, and have a monthly support group meeting for pre and post surgical patients. There are also small groups for post surgical patients. I have no regrets whatsoever in having chosen Dr. Shikora to perform my surgery. In addition to his outstanding surgical skills, he is a compassionate and approachable individual.

Dr. Shikora is a very good surgeon. I am now 5 weeks post op with out a problem. I started my journey in August 2000 and had surgery on May 7, 2001. I was referred to him by a co worker who had the surgery there 3 years ago. The center has a complete program from start to finish. It was mandatory to quit smoking, which was an important thing for me to do with or without surgery. I did have to lose some weight before the surgery, which was only to help make things easier for me post op. My hospital stay was 4 days, and I had two awesome nurses that were over worked, when ringing the nurse call the wait was too long, sometimes as much as 10 - 12 minutes. The OCC has a good aftercare program, with checkups and support groups. I have only had one problem with some one who answered the phone, she was very uncaring and rude on this particular day. Dr. Shikora says to his post ops, "don't be a stranger". The office took care of all approvals and paperwork, I just got a bill for my deductable.

The staff at the Obesity Consult Center at NEMC is wonderful. DR. Shikora, the surgeon, is a nice guy who seems very learned and organized. Also very kind to large people, emphasizing that MO is a disease and not our fault. The psychologist, Dr. Vogel, is warm and kind; Dr. Saltzman is funny and efficient. It takes a loooong time to get an appointment. My journey started in July 2000 and I will probably have surgery in July or August 2001! And I don't even have any co-morbs to deal with first!

There is tremendous emphasis on aftercare and he has a very structured program, which is good. He's careful to tell you absolutely everything that could go wrong and lets you decide whether to have open or lap (I had a previous gallbladder surgery, but he's still willing to do it lap -- fairly unusual).

I am positive that he is the best surgeon, technically, on the east coast.

Dr. Shikora is a very competant surgeon, his staff is very well trained. He is not a man to mince words, he tells you exactly what is going to be done and how.Dr.Shikora is not a very "social" man, but I did not want a best friend I wanted an incredible surgeon and that is what I got. His program from start to finish (surgery) is almost a year, in which time everything is covered, he left no stone unturned, the tests I had prior to surgery were extensive. Dr.Shikora explained all the risks in great detail to me.
Dr.Shikora is the finest surgeon I have ever met. My surgery was sucessful because of him and his expertise and for that I will be forever grateful to him.

My first impression is that he is straighforward and to the point. Explains
in detail the procedure and risks involved.
Does not sugar coat the operation, Tells it like it is, what he would expect from you as his patient. After the initial meeting I found him to have soften his image and was
a kind, concerned, considerate and engaging
man. With a good sense of humor.
I have no negative reaction, or have any least like experiences.
Future patients should know that he is extremely proficient and experienced in the procedure and can place their trust and life
in his cabable hands. He is a safe bet for success.
After care is strongly advocated and is almost not a option to be excused. They are
strict about this as this other than the surgery is the most important component of a successful recovery and continued success
He addresses the risks in a very open and candid manner. No one goes into the surgery
not knowing the possible implications.
I would rate Dr Shikora as top notch, based on my own experience and sucess. I had absolutely no problems, and I'm sure not his easiest surgery.
Surgical competance is the most important, but its nice to have both. I have no complaints in this area. The staff at NEMC
are totally competant and know exactly their
responsibilities and carry them out to perfection in my estimation. Excellent care.

I am very impressed by the program at New England Medical Center. Dr Shikora and colleagues run a multi-disciplinary practice that addresses ALL the needs of the patient-surgical,medical,emotional,nutritional. They are the first ones to tell you that the process does not end or begin on the day of your bypass surgery, but is a continuing process where you relearn skills and build new habits. This makes me feel more comfortable than having surgery as a "magic bullet" that will fix problems in my life that have been so difficult for me to "fix" in the past. They state very strongly that the patients that have long-term success are the ones that continue with a program of behavioral and supportive care after the surgery is over. And they continue to provide these services.
Dr Shikora is very much a member of this team. His humility and his willingness to recognize others contributions is very unusual in a surgeon. I did a fair amount of research before I saw him, and know his surgical skills are good. It is an added bonus that he is a nice human being, and that the program is so supportive.

My first impression of Dr. Shikora was that he was very interested in me as a person and appeared to be qualifed to do my surgery.
My impression did not change.
The office/staff is excellent - very time oriented and I was happy with the process.
I did not like that he said I couldn't be hungry, it was in my mind - I felt he wasn't really listening to me at that moment.
Future patients should know that he is hard to see - if you are interested make your appointment now.
The aftercare is stressed constantly by all of the staff. It is very structured with appointments to dietician, psychiatrist, surgeon, physician frequently.
All avenues of the surgery/risks were discussed fully.
I rate him as an excellent surgeon.
In my opinion both surgical and bedside are extremely important to anyone facing this type of surgery.