"Dr. Duke was extremely professional and caring from our very first meeting. He did not make me feel like a freak or degrade me in anyway for being obese. Our very first meeting lasted at least 1 to 1 1/2 hours and he explained the different types of surgeries such as the difference between open and laproscopic, stapling and banding, etc. He emphasizes that surgery is not a miracle but a tool to be used for the weight loss. Although he is very thorough with the clinical aspects of the surgery and is sure that all of the necessary pre-testing is completed to his satisfaction including a psychological evaluation, I believe he should also require the potential candidate to attend at least one support meeting which is held at CVMH's new cafeteria every first Wednesday of the month from 6-8. Nobody knows exactly what to expect except for the people that have been through it and we become a close family and this group is imperative to pre as well as post-surgery. Dr. Duke's staff is also wonderful. They get so excited for you each time they see you and the weight you lost. I would trust my life a million times over in Dr. Duke's care. He is a wonderful surgeon. I hope he knows how many lives he has made worth living! I highly recommend him. Feel free to contact me with any further questions."
