Kim H.
Tukwila, WA
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I went to Dr. S because my sister Inlaw is a medical malpractice lawyer & highly recommended him. My first impression was that he had massive energy. He went very fast but got me excited.
Over time it did change, I got pretty sick & realized though he is a good surgeon, like most surgeons his aftercare isn't so hot. The first time I returned to the hospital he walked in the room & asked me "what are you doing here"? It really took me aback. Then he sent me home after some tests that found nothing. Two days later I told my brother I just wanted to die because I was oh so sick & he threw me into the psych ward at Overlake thinking I meant I was going to kill myself. I laid in there puking for days until my mother flew in from out of town & started demanding that someone help... [Click here for more] me. It was a horrible experience. In the long run Dr. S did pass me off to the right people that helped me.
Least? His hurry up attitude, I wanted him to nurture me a lot more when I was sick.
He did encourage aftercare with my own doc, and while I was sick eventually found the right guy to help me, though it took longer than it should have. (3 weeks) I met with a Hospitalist on the third trip to the hospital & she hooked me up with a nutritionist who told me that Dr. S is not an advocate on working with nutritionists, but I ignored his advice & found one I could work with who helped me find a healthy way to get through the pureed food phase.
He clearly explained the risks.
Overall.. I have mixed feelings. I think he is a good surgeon, but when I later got an incisional hernia I elected to go to a different surgeon, who ended up being pretty much the same in his interpersional skills. I have decided that most surgeons lack interpersonal skills.
Posted on 11/17/2006 |
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Linda E.
Monitor, WA
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Dr. Simonowitz recently retired ( a few weeks after my # mo. post op visit) He was an excellant, caring, informative Dr. I am glad he hadn't retired before my surgery! Posted on 04/09/2006 |
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Louise D.
Wenatchee, WA
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My first impression of Dr. S. was great he sat down and gave you alot of information and allowed all the time you needed to answer questions. You need to be sure you have your questions ready for him. His office staff was really great they took care of all my insurance paper work and I had no problems. He is available to you for any problems after surgery and took my calls in a timely manner and worked through some issues with my family doctor. They worked hand in hand and still do. Dr. simonowitz does not mess around about tellling you all of the risk of the surgery. On the day of my surgery I was really frightened and he spent the time to walk with me to the operating room and talk with me to put me at ease. I would rate him a 10 I felt safe in his care. His surgical competence... [Click here for more] is well known here in Washington and he does many of these every week. Some feel his bed side manner needs to be a little warmer but I found it just right he works with you and expects you to do your part. He does not believe that a nuturnist should be consulted and is quite vocal about it. He feels they hinder the beginning weight lost and things will even out if you follow his rules. The rules work and I have lost well over my expected weight at this time.
Posted on 09/14/2005 |
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Marlize S.
Auburn, WA
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I really liked Dr. Simonowitz when I met him. He was straight to the point and had a wicked sense of humor. His office staff were friendly and I saw him almost immediatly after I arrived at the office. Dr. Simonowitz does not offer a structured aftercare program, but does provide a required program that you need to follow after surgery. He addressed my questions and explained the risks and complications if any. I would recommend Dr. Simonwitz. He is a great surgeon and highly recommended by many. Posted on 09/07/2005 |
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Valorie S.
Marysville, WA
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I thought Dr. Siminowitz was very knowledgeable and I was impressed with his demeanor. I have only met with him one time but will be meeting with him again shortly. Posted on 03/16/2005 |
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Hillary E.
Sumner, WA
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My first impression was great. I did not have to talk to a nurse than wait another 30 minutes to talk to him. He see his patients right away. Although he is very busy so have a list of questions when you see him so you don't forget what you wanted to talk about. He office is beautiful right next door to Overlake hospital. That is where he does his surgerys. He only does the gastric bypass one way. It is open and it is the RNY but he does not separate the stomach it is stapled closed and remains intacked. He believes this is the safeist way. He has been doing the surgery I think since 1977. So he has alot of experience. He says his death rate is 1/400 and the national average is 1/200. For me I just wanted to have the surgery I am 30 and healthly for now. At other places I went it... [Click here for more] would take 6 mth to a year before I could have the surgery. I have been thinking about the having the surgery for a long time and doing my own research about it. I just did not have the means to pay for the surgery and I wanted to have children before having the surgery. Then about a year ago my husband got a great job with great insurance. Blue Cross blueshield. After seeing other doctors about the surgery I was feeling discourged and then a friend gave me Dr. Simonowitz number. After going to my first visit with him he said he would wright my insurance a letter and see what happens. Within a week I got a 100% approval. You don't have to go through a bunch of evaluations and crap ( only if your insurance requires it) I had the surgery a month and half after my approval. He does not sugar coat the risks he tells you all of them. But he believes in the surgery and will not try to talk you out of it. I have heard that some doctors will try to talk you out of it. He does not really have a aftercare program but gives you resources to go to supports groups if you want. He is a surgeon for the pearson that dose not need a lot of hand holding. He saw me every day in the hospital. My surgery went great and I my recovery was fast. I would recommend him to anyone.
Posted on 01/14/2005 |
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Michelle J.
Vancouver, WA
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Dr Simonowitz at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue Washington did my open proximal RNY surgery in June 2004. My first impression of him was that he was not about to beat around the bush with anything. He was direct, to the point, and very forthcoming in his demeanor. He was very confident in his capability to do my surgery and that evoked trust in me. His after-care plan was very strict, but he didn't seem to care if we followed it or not. Five months out I developed gallstones. He was able to remove my gallbladder the very next day. All in all I'd say he is an excellent surgeon, but doesn't seem to really care much about the people themselves. His office staff is excellent and very friendly. Posted on 11/24/2004 |
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Connie H.
Tukwila, WA
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Great guy. He's got a great reputation. His staff is great also and very knowledgeble.
He was honest about the need for aftercare. I think he has support groups. I have access to a good one if he doesn't.
He brutally addressed the risks. Great statistics and a great prep package.
I would rate him as excellent.
Surgical competance is very important to me. I will take care of the rest!
Follow all the requirements that Dr. Simonowitz's office tells you to. I used a different health issue I needed to address to get the needed 6 month Doctor monitored weight loss required. I went for sinuses, swollen ankles, etc. and made sure my PCP charted my weight and that we talked about diet and exercise. Posted on 11/10/2004 |
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Lori H.
Bellevue, WA
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My experience with his is very positive. He has a sarcastic sense of humor. After I told him I went to the hosp. to have two staples removed pre-maturly because they hurt he told me I should have gotten plyers and done it myself. I told him he was crazy. He was out of me in 55 minutes. I didnt even have side effects from the anestesia. I was allowed to smoke up to surgery and even in the hospital if I could make it outside. His diet after surgery is really really strict must fit through a straw or cant have it. So you have to suck it up for three months. My scar is barely visible. I was able to get off pain meds one day after leaving the hospital. He did a great job. Has over 25 years experience doing the surgery. I would recommend him without blinking an eye. Posted on 11/04/2004 |
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Michele T.
Grayland, WA
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10-7-02 Dr. Oh assisted Dr. Fox with my VBG back in 1995 so I had already had the pleasure of knowing him. I had my first consultation for a "revision" today and although his office is very busy, I had a nice visit. Sherry, Kathy and Faith are his office staff and they were all very friendly and helpful. I have to have another EGD done to evaluate my former pouch size and then we'll be setting up a date for surgery. I'll keep you posted on any updates. Dr. Oh is hard to understand at first because he seems like he mumbles but once you get beyond that he's very easy going and easy to talk to. He's serious about his work but always says something kind by the end of my visits. I have met with him throughout the years approx 3-5 times. So some days he's not as busy as others. Hang in... [Click here for more] there if you went and didn't get a great "first impression" because he really is a great surgeon!
10-23-4 Changed surgeons. I'm going to have my revision done by Dr. Simonowitz. He's really highly recommended and I really liked him when I met him for our first consult. He's really laid back. I met with him once and now his office has done all the work so far. I'm still waiting for approval. My appeal letter was sent off and now it's being "reviewed". Keep me in your prayers.
Posted on 10/23/2004 |
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