USC Verdugo Hills Hospital Hospital

I'm impressed with the entire USC Medical staff. I totally trust Dr. K. He took very good care of me. The hospital staff is wonderful and they keep very careful watch on Dr. K's patients. I would recommend him and the USC Medical Center to anyone interested in this surgery. He has a staff for follow up -- nurse and dietician who are available via phone and Email. He has follow up visits. They supply a comprehensive post-surgical manual. They also have a very comprehensive seminar after which they will answer any and ALL questions.

My sugeon is very impersonal and not much of in the way of bedside manner. He is quite brilliant. I had complications during the sugery so it took about 6 hours rather than the normal 2 hours or so. The healing process went well and I feel that he did the best he could to get me on the road to recovery. The office staff was friendly and very helpful to me at all times and always made accommodations for me when necessary.
I did not feel very comfortable with him so I asked to switch surgerons after about 6 months and was given another surgeon to go to for folow-up. I like him very much. His name is Dr. Sillin and the hospital is USC in Los Angeles Ca. The aftercare plan is very structured and I also get to see the nutirionist at every visit. I can also call her with any questions or concerns that may come up. Dr. k could be rated a 10 for his surgical skills, and Dr. Sillin also gets a 10 for his aftercare skills and bedside manner.

Well, I just want to first say that I love Dr. Katkhouda. If you want the best surgeon, you should contact his office. Anyway, my first impression of him was very professional. His office requires that prior to getting a one on one consultation, you attend a group consultation. When he arrived he had a slide show presentation. It not only explained the process but explained his expectations from us. The first and foremost was to lose weight prior to surgery. He asked for 10-15 pounds. He stressed that majorly. Now, I know what your thinking, that you would not be looking into gastric bypass if you could lose weight yourself. However, he has a very good reason for this. Morbidly obese people have something in common with alcoholics. Its called fatty livers. Now, when a person loses weight, they lose it first in their liver. Dr. K specializes in Lap surgery. It is extremely difficult for any surgeon to work around a fatty liver. Dr. K is the best surgeon you will find, but even for the best surgeon, it is extremely difficult to work around a fatty liver, that is why he demands that his patients lose weight. In any case, I realize how important that is, and I appreciate him being veyr up front and honest with his potental patients about what he expects. I guess in short, I was very impressed with Dr. K. I thought he was amazing from the first moment I met him.

If my impression changed of Dr. K, it was that I was even more impressed with him. Upon consulting with him, I trusted him. After my initial consultation I knew that I could lie on his operating table that moment and know I was going to be safe in his care. Dr. K has my respect. He is one of few doctors that says, I am not going to waste our time in telling you how good I am, I am just going to show you. At the end of my consultation he told me, I could tell you how good I am, but it doesn't mean as much from me, why don't you talk to my patience, ask them what they think about me, they are the true judges of my work. At that point, I gained so much respect for Dr. K.

Dr. K has a great nurse practioner. Her name is Naomi. She is on top of things, all the time. If you ever need anything, she does not hesitate to assist you in whatever you need. I think that Dr. K made an awesome choice when he picked Naomi as his nurse practioner. Like Dr. K, she is very blunt and clear in telling you what Dr. K needs from you, including losing weight. It was out of sheer fear of Dr. K and Naomi being disappointed in me that made me lose 20 pounds. (as of today). I do admit after consultation I gained 10 pounds, and I have lost them, plus another 10. I know if I could do it, then anyone could.

Dr. K's other staff, are also helpful, however, with an office as busy as theirs you may need to help them out. Don't be affraid to help them with anything your insurance may need. It would make their job alot easier. Considering that their office is as busy as it is, I would say it is a well run office.

I don't really dislike anything about Dr. K but for the fact that he has such a long waiting list. However, he is an excellent surgeon, and excellent surgeons have long waiting lists. SO you have to be patient with Dr. K. BUT TRUST ME, IF YOU WAIT, YOU WILL HAVE AN EXCELLENT SURGEON.

I guess future patients should know Dr. K is very blunt. If your looking for a Dr. who will hold your hand and tell you what you want to hear, he isn't the one for you. He says it like it is because he cares, and he wants to be sure your safe. SO beware, he is blunt, and honest, and amazing.

As far as addressing the risks of surgery, he most certainly did. He gave it to me strait, diden't sugar coat it, and was very blunt and honest about the risks and dangers. But, he also made me comfortable and told me the risks are slim, so I was very comfortable after talking with him.

Anyway, like I said I am excited and proud to be Dr. K's patient. I hope I could be an awesome example of a success story. I most certainly will be available to praise him whenever I get the chance.

First of all, let me state that the following comments are my personal opinions only. I first met Dr. Katkhouda in October of 2003 at the monthly seminar put on by the surgical practice. My husband and I were very impressed with his demeaner, what he had to say and how he said it. Being a "guy," my husband was impressed by the way he wound up his computer cables after the presenation. He felt that anyone that would take that kind of time and attention to something as mundane as storing cables was the kind of surgeon he wanted working on his wife. I then met personally with Dr. K on October 26, 2003 at my initial consultation. I found him very caring and seemingly genuinely concerned about my welfare. During this meeting he went over the list of risks associated with the surgery. I then waited for a surgery date which was set for November 3, 2004. I really wanted it sooner (don't we all) but I felt that I was waiting for the best surgeon so the wait would be worth it. His staff is very over-worked but they were always nice to me. It became easier to get in touch with them once he hired his new Nurse Practitioner (Noemi) who has been very nice and always called me back when I left a message. Dr. K is a very matter of fact doctor, answers questions, expects you to do your part. If you require considerable hand holding from your doctor, you might want to re-think your decision to stay with him. But he is a top-notch surgeon who know's his stuff and is very confident in his capabilities. I didn't get much info on aftercare prior to being in the hospital. I did not see Dr. K in the hospital (while in pre-op or during my two day stay). I did see his three surgical partners twice a day so I never felt neglected. He contacted my husband via in-house hospital phone for a quick "surgery went fine, she's doing fine" conversation. In the hospital I met with a dietician who went over an extensive aftercare program (including exercise) that was prepared specifically for Dr. K's patients. She was great and the large packet of info is a daily resource. At my initial follow-up appointment, I finally got to see Dr. K and he was even more nice, caring and compassionate than what I remembered. He asked to see me in 45 days. I would definitely give Dr. K an A+/10+. I feel he's the best and is worth waiting for. In my opinion, I'll take surgical competence over bedside manner any day. THANKS DR. K FOR GIVING ME MY LIFE BACK!

What was your first impression of him/her?

When I first met Dr K at the USC simposium, I thought that he was very arogent but deveringly so. He is #2 in the country and very confident within his abilities. To me it was more important for him to be a skilled surgeon than one who is not and just a talker.

How did your impression change over time?

When I had my first appt. with Dr K my impression of him from the simposium did not change. The only thing that I had to add to my impression of him was that he is very direct. Don't try to beat around the bush with him because he will call you out on it!

How would you describe his/her office staff?

His office staff is very busy. The girls who answer his line are very nice and helpful. His first PA was nice and his second PA Naomi has her moments. One day you can call with a question and she is very nice and the next time you feel like she is being disturbed by your call. She does know her stuff and I do trust all of her knowledge. You will deal with Naomi for most of the preop and post op care. I have only spoke with Dr K at my first and one and only appt with him, the day of surgery and very briefly the days after while I was in the hospital. I think his staff is just over worked. Make sure you also follow up on every test result with them. They will tell you that they did not receive the faxes so a back up copy is good to have on hand. Also do not be surprised if you get your surgery date rescheduled! It happens!

What did you like least about him/her?

Not seeing enough of him. I saw him once 10 months before surgery, I did not see him the morning of and then I saw him very briefly while I was in the hospital. I did not see him on my 2 week visit or when my staples were removed.

How much does he/she emphasize aftercare?

He designed the diet along with the USC dietician. He does expect you to follow everything directed.

Does he/she have a structured aftercare program?

They do have a support group but it is at a very bad time for those of us who work. It is on Thursday mornings.

How did he/she address the risks of surgery?

They address all of this in great detail at the simposium and at the first visit.

How would you rate him/her overall?

Overall I would rate Dr K a 10+++ for his ability!

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

To me I think Dr K's surgical competence out ways his bedside manner. I was more at ease knowing that I was in the hands of a very competent surgeon. My family was at my bedside for comfort which balanced the whole process out.

My first impression of Dr. Katkhouda was that he is businesslike and professional. He is not a "warm and fuzzy" type doctor, but being a professional myself, I am much more concerned about his knowledge and competence, both of which he has in abundance. He is obviously very bright and very experienced in bariatric surgery. He has a 9 month to 1 year waiting list because he is so good. His office staff has been very helpful post operatively, but I struggled with them before surgery with a lack of consistency and confusion regarding insurance issues and paperwork being misplaced, etc. Aftercare is very good by his office as a whole, but patients are sometimes disappointed that they dont get to see the doctor at post operative visits, but rather see his fellow or the nurse practitioner. There is a great support group that meets monthly and also nutritional meetings monthly which have been very helpful. I have had many abdominal surgeries, mostly gynecological, and was worried about scar tissue and adhesions. I was right to be worried since I had tons of them according to Dr. K. I truly believe that if I had had any other surgeon, they would have had to open me up, but since Dr. K specializes in lap surgery, he took the time and made the effort to make my lap surgery successful. My surgery lasted 6 hours and I ended up with 10 incisions, but that is still far more desireable than the open surgery. I am very happy that my insurance co. directed me to Dr. K. I wouldnt want anyone else doing this surgery on me or a loved one.

Dr.katkouda is a good doctor that I would recommend to anyone who is going to have surgery. I unfortunately had two unpleasant meeting with him. He is very professional. I don't want to take anything away from his abilities. He explained very nicely the surgery process. He also explained the risk of the surgery. Last, he explained the benits of the surgery. That was my favorite part.

My First impression of Dr. Katkhouda... Well, let me see I would say he was very concerned about me and my journey with this decision. Went over everything with me and wanted to make sure I attended some seminars. I also had a few friends that have already taken the big leap and have done very well with it. So, that helped a lot seeing someone go into it first. My impression changed over time a little only because he was so busy that I only would talk to his assistant and staff. They were fantastic and helped out a great deal with everything. The only thing I did not like about Dr. Katkhouda is that he did not spend much time with me about me and what to expect and allow me to get to know him. I was able to get to know his staff however, I wish I could have been able to really know the doctor that was making this life change for me and my future. However, I still would have this surgery again and I would still choose this same doctor. Call me crazy... I still had and have loads of trust for him. I just didn't like feeling like another number.
Just know that Dr. Katkhouda is a fantastic doctor and he really knows what he is doing. If he did not believe he could help you and change your life he would not do it. He is the top in his field and I could not have asked for a better doctor to change my life! In this case I would say surgical competence was much better compared to bedside manner. However, I have to tell you I was in the hospital at USC in Los Angeles and I was so impressed with their after care floor. There was not one person that did not have their heart in the right place and I was pampered the whole time. I can not say one thing bad about them and they were wonderful. There was a lady name Martha that was the best ever and if anyone of you are there and you have Martha believe me. You will be well taken care of. Thanks to the USC Staff it it was not for them I would have gone nuts!
Would I do this again. Well, I would say its only been 6 weeks and 2 days and I have now lost 30 pounds. YES! I feel great on the inside and the outside is showing it everyday! I look forward to getting out and enjoying things that I put off doing before. So, take a chance on yourself and your future. I did and I'd do it again! Good Luck!

At the seminar, it was crystal clear he knows what he's doing. And how. Personally, he seemed to be that kind of skinny, ascetic intellectual that will be parental, so I was apprehensive about meeting him.

But in his office, he relaxed and was absolutely disarming. Very open to questions, very sensitive and kind. His smile is generous, like sunshine. Reassuring. My kind of a guy.

His office and staff are very professional and experienced. Easy to reach, helpful and responsive(what a treat!!).

Yes, I was given the long list of complications, including DEATH. So - is that any different from staying obese?

The office staff is very nice and they help as much as they are allowed.

I don't want any lawsuits so I am unable to comment any further.