"
My appointment was the last one of the day and I thought He was probably tired. He took time to answer all my questions (which were many). At one point he stopped me and said all of his pts. tell him the same things I was telling him. That we all had certain things in common. I felt he understood me as much as someone could who was seemingly not having a problem with their own weight.
When I found out he was only doing this surgery 6 months I almost asked for another Dr. I wanted one who had done about a million RnY's before mine. My family Dr. took a look at his credentials and said,"He was a liver transplant specialist before he started doing this surgery. The liver is the hardest organ in the body to transplant and if he could do that you better stick with him!" I am so glad I did.
I thought his staff was great, but must confess a bias. When I went back for my 1 year appointment they were so impressed they offered me a job as a Patient Counselor. I worked with them for about a year.
His future patients should know that he is now Medical Director for all of the Barix Centers in America. He also feels his weight loss patients are as grateful to him as those for who he transplanted livers. Both are life saving operations, aren't they!!!?
He strongly emphasizes aftercare and support group attendance. He also says that we need to address the reasons we turn to food and overate in the first place. There is lifetime care and they set you up with scheduled appts at the proper times. They give you Support Group information and greatly encourage attendance.
He talked to me about the risk of surgery in general. I did not have major health problems to consider, however.
Sometimes he is so focused he can seem a little abrupt. He takes what he does seriously but overall I think his bedside manner is pretty good. I have seen him with patients and he enjoys laughing.
How would I rate Dr. Pop? Well, I tease him and say that after my husband of 34 years, I love him most of anyone else. He used his expertise on my behalf to give me back my life!
"
