Many people had mentioned that Dr. Rabkin was the best. Several people I know who had bariatric surgery with him and my professional psychologist (who works with Dr. Rabkin regularly) all said that you could be in no better hands. Knowing that so many people trusted him, made me feel very comfortable, and I kept going back to that whenever I felt unsure. I probably would have been a lot more uneasy had his reputation not preceded him.

Dr. Rabkin himself is wonderful. He is very friendly and I think really cares about his patients and wants them to do well. My procedure went off without a hitch and I'm recovering well. I also appreciate Dr. Rabkin's while I'm in there I might as well poke around approach. He took biopsies of my liver and removed my gallbladder during surgery after feeling some suspect lumps. Everything was fine, but if it hadn't been, I'd be thanking Dr. Rabkin for more than weight loss right now.

Dr. Rabkin is super busy, so you won't spend a ton of time with him, and when you do it is very deliberate. This didn't bother me however, because he spent enough time with us to answer all of our questions and was very nice. He also is available during the monthly meetings PACLAP hosts, so you can speak to him in a more relaxed setting. He answers the many (often redundant) questions nervous would be patients have patiently and with a smile. Many surgeons don't roll that way. I also saw Dr. Rabkin twice after my surgery and he called me my second day home to make sure all was well. That's a pretty awesome doctor in my mind.

Dr. Rabkin's staff is stellar. Maria, his assistant, is very responsive to questions and friendly. My memory is cloudy, but I think she visited me a few times post surgery as well. During my first follow up she very casually told me to call her if I had any problems. I liked that. It made me feel like I could call her without worrying that I was overreacting.

Some medical practices are like bad landlords. They only want you to call when the roof is falling in. PACLAP is best-in-class. Not only are they a Center of Excellence, they have a great day-to-day operation going on.

The office staff, I had direct contact with Ernesto and Matt, are friendly and great about answering all those logistic questions you have to answer. Matt will do his best to get something out of your insurance company, and Ernesto has filled out last minute paper work I didn't know I needed within hours. They are both great and make the stressful time before and after your surgery easier because you don't have to worry as much about all the other stuff. The nurse who weighs you and takes all you signs is also very sweet.

I wouldn't have gone anywhere else for my surgery.

There are only a few things that could improve at PACLAP, and these are minimal.

1. The informational videos/presentations/materials are kind of confusing. I think that is because they were originally created for the duodenal switch and adapted for the sleeve. As a patient, I would have liked to have been able to read them without thinking, okay, so this is for the duodenal switch not me.
2. This is the designer/communicator in me. The videos/presentations are not great quality and could be condensed to communicate the messages quicker and clearer. PACLAPs website represents the professional, best-in-class medical practice that they are. These materials don't carry that brand across.

Otherwise wonderful place, wonderful people and wonderful results so far!

Also, the St. Mary's nursing staff was great!

When I came across Dr. John Rabkin for my surgery the DS, I was so blessed to meet such a wonderful person. I had been threw so many office's a nd hospital programs to try other surgeons for about 5+ years and never could understand why I didn't just go with one of them until I met Dr. Rabkin and his amazing staff. Friendly, always willing to help and just over all the best is how he made me feel. The office was always there for me to call and they would take my issue or concern onto their own hands and deal with it for me. It was such a relife to have someone else want to help me instead of making me do all the work AND pay all the money. I couldn't ask for more from the Dr. or his staff. On surgery day Dr. Rabkin was the most amazing man, he stood by my side made sure I wasen't scared. He made sure he answered any and ALL questions and concerns that I might have had all the way up to the table :) He was always there. I didn't feel at all like he was doing this for me just to make a buck or two. Which is how other surgeons had made me feel. He made me feel like I was his family, his number one priority. Almost like a daughter. If I was ever able to repay Dr. Rabkin for his skill in what he did for me. I would do anything. I recommend him 100% and not just because he was my surgeon because to this day 1 year out, he still see's me and treats me like I am #1 to him and again like his family. Not to mention he had amazing numbers :)

Dr Rabkin is one of the most kind and understanding doctors I have had the pleasure of meeting. My daughter and I are both having procedures done by Dr Rabkin.
The staff have all been supportive and informative and assertive in there help and efforts with our journey.
A good staff is the window of the practice. A surgeon can have excellent competence however if the staff does not share in that competence, teamwork and genuine compassion in the efforts of the practice it will show.
I appreciate all efforts and look forward to a wonderful experience in the years ahead from my decision to have this surgery.

I can only report positive things about Dr. Rabkin, his staff and affiliated hospital.
The process, with his office, towards DS was educational, medically thorough, and nurturing. I felt fully informed in my decision to commit to the DS after attending the seminar and talking to the staff and watching their videos. I was asked to do some presurgery medical tests to insure that I could easily tolerate the procedure. The staff is warm and reassuring. The follow up is terrific,and the month support group meetings invaluable. I give him a 10 out of 10 on all points.

I met Dr. Rabkin at the April support meeting in Chicago in April. I was very impressed with him and his post-op patients. He seems down to earth and takes the time to explain your procedure and answer your questions.

I am early in the pre-op phase as my surgery was just scheduled today for August 25th. I knew that I needed a surgeon who has a lot of experience in revisions and Dr. Rabkin does. I've researched my revision from the RNY to DS and am peaceful with my decision.

All I can say is that it is definitely worth the travel from Chicago to San Francisco. The office staff have been so helpful and supportive as well.

Now I am jumping through the loops for getting my surgery approved by my insurance company. If not, I am going to be a self-pay. That's how much I want this revision.

My first impression of Dr. Rabkin was warmth. He has an excellent patient rapport, and he truly listens when you ask him questions. Over time, this impression has been strengthened immensely as I went through the surgical process. Dr. Rabkin has always been patient with my many questions, informative, reassuring, and so knowledgeable. He is approachable, never once giving me the impression of arrogance or distance that some doctors can give.

The staff at PacLap is also excellent, everyone is so helpful and patient. Ernesto, Alexander & Dana were all so supportive and helpful in getting all of my insurance information in order, my testing & labwork done, and my patient education information in order.

Dr. Rabkin provides a "red binder" with very good information regarding the DS; from what I understand that is not the case with all doctors performing this procedure. The patient education was fantastic. I was very well-researched before walking into his office, but they provided sufficient information even for someone who hadn't done the research beforehand.

The aftercare program is structured, the follow up appointments are included in the surgeon's fee, and there is an excellent support group both at the practice and at several locations nationally. Also, there is a thriving online group with regular bulletins and updates for patients. The staff is very approachable for information and questions, and ALWAYS get back to you with answers.

Overall, I would rate this surgeon 11 on a scale of 1-10. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. His surgical competence is sublime, I would rate him one of the best (if not the best) surgeons performing the duodenal switch. And his bedside manner is comparable to his surgical skill.

Thank you for giving me back my health, Dr. Rabkin!

Dr. Rabkin performed my DS on June 17, 2009. I'd heard about him from two sources - my daughter saw him on a local talk show and sent me to his informative website, and a distant relative, who is a medical professional in the San Francisco Bay Area, recommended him when she heard I was investigating BS.

Dr. Rabkin is a kind, gentle, and understanding human who is also a top notch bariatric surgeon. About 3 weeks after surgery and just before a long weekend, I needed to see him because I was worried that my wound was infected. He did not make me wait until after the holiday, even though most of his staff were already gone. He went out of his way to meet me at the medical office I was familiar with, when he was actually at his other office and had to drive over to see me. This seems like a small detail, but it reflects the lengths he will go to make his patients comfortable. I know he cares about me as a person, not just a body.

His entire office is friendly and approachable. Dana and Barbara answered every single question I had beforehand, and I had a lot. I joined the online mailing list, and have used it to get many of my questions answered by others who have had BS before me. I really feel like part of a community.

My only complaint about the entire surgical experience was due to a nursing oversight at the hospital I was at, St. Mary's. There was one hour where I was locked into my bed with the rails up and the call button box on the floor. I yelled my head off, but evidently no one heard me. Luckily, I did not need any critical help at that time. I addressed my experience with the head of nursing and felt they would make changes so this would not be repeated with other patients. The rest of my stay at St. Mary's was excellent, with good care and special equipment available due to my weight and lack of mobility. The lesson I learned was to keep my cell phone handy - I could have called the nurses station!

After a long time selecting a DR.I went with DR John Rabkin and am so glad I did. I didn't get to meet him until the day of my surgery as I did all consultations over the phone. He came in his scrubs and talked to my husband and I a good 45 minutes. I felt so comfortable with him. I know it would be ok for him to be my surgeon. Afterwards he came in my room once or twice a day. His way of explaining the procedure to us was wonderful.rnDr Rabkin's office staff is GREAT~ We live 3 1/2 hrs from San Francisco and they are all very in tuned with their patients.rnI would highly recommend DR RABKIN to anyone in need of a DS.