Ronnie Keith Bariatric Surgeon

My very first impression of Dr. Keith was that he's not a salesman. He did not try to sell you on the surgery. He gave you ALL of the facts, both good and bad. When I met him for my one on one appointment I thought him to be kind of quiet, but when you get him started talking about what it is he does best (surgery) he really loosens up and talked with you very openly. I never felt that he left anything out. He met all of my questions with heartfelt answers. I felt very comfortable with him right off. I have been dealing with Tammie, and I think she is a wonderful person. A great asset to his office staff. Everyone else that I have delt with have also been very nice and accomodating. He is a very avid about before and after support groups. I have not had my surgery yet so after I do I can commit more about his bedside manner and the procedure then.
3/10/03 I have my surgery with Dr. Keith on Feb. 24th. I cant think of enough wonderful things to say about him. He is so compasionate, he really cares about his patients. He understands what we are going through since he has had WLS himself. He is a very skilled surgon. He does his surgeies LAP. I wouldnt have done it any other way. I am healing so fast. His bedside manner is great. He visitis you every day you are in the hospital and really listens to what you have to say. If you have ANY problems with the hospital or staff you just tell him and he takes care of it IMMEDIATELY!! WOW what a wonderful wonderful man. I give him a 10 or more. You cant go wrong choosing him for your WLS!!!

My first impression of Dr. Keith was that he was a caring and understanding doctor. He made me feel comfortable from day one. Over time I thought of Dr. Keith as a friend as well as an excellent doctor, because he treated me as a individual. His office staff, Tammy and Stacey were very helpful from the beginning and are still there for me to this date. I have never had a problem in contacting Dr. Keith, no matter what time it was. He always called me back when I needed to talk to him, sometimes late at night. There's not anything I like least about Dr. Keith. He was always there. If you follow the aftercare program they recommend, you shouldn't have any problems, I didn't. The support group that meets twice a week is very helpful and you learn something new each week. You become a family with old and new patients.
The risks of surgery was discussed in great lenghts, as I was the first to have the Lap RNY surgery done in Norman Oklahoma. Dr. Keith is at the top of my list. Without him and Dr. Spector, I wouldn't be the NEW person I am today. I don't have one negative word to say about this procedure. The surgery, bedside manners and all around care was wonderful. I was pampered and had little pain.

He is a great surgeon and does a very good job.

I haven't had any problems. I have lost 100 pounds and I am six months post op. I have been surprised by my lack of problem but pleased. I have had no 'dumping' and rarely do I have a feeling of fullness with sickness. I am very happy with the results and would highly recommend Dr. Keith.

I first went to seminar in sept. was concerned that their lap RNY program
(using the vista 3D visualization system; which I think is good) had started only in the spring and only 50 cases had been done. now they have done about 100 (in early december 02)and probably will be ~120 by my surgery date. he stated very low complication rates and no deaths.
We had a good discussion on the first visit. so i am comfortable. I had considered going out of state earlier, but the downside is communicating with an office (as I found out), preop and follow up are all tougher.

appears to be strong pre and post op program
in addition to pre op testing, meet with Psych., physical therapy, hospital orientation, dietician.

Office staff seemed very busy in December but more accessable now, and once approval was obtained, jumped on getting preop consultations going and then setting up presurgery apointments/lab tests. They faxed some info where they shouldn't have, but have apologized and said thay have revised office procedures so this type of thing doesn't happen again.

Surgical competence outweighs everything else for me followed by case management (e.g pre and post op education, planning and care). His manner seems fine/personable based on the two meetings. He went through all of my many questions with specifics and detailed answers and explanations. There is another surgeon (Dr. Spector) that works with him as a team, so there are two surgeons with good experience looking into you. I called his office after normal hours just to make sure I got a live answering service (can't imagine a surgeon not having this; but some other types of doctors just have a machine that says call us during office hours or go to the ER). He said one of them is always on call and to not hesitate if I have a post-op problem.

My first impression of Dr. Keith was very positive. I've since meet with him on two other ocassions. He is very freindly and is what I would consider to be a people person. His office staff are great. They are very friendly and helpful. Dr. Keith and his staff have a very thorough pre and after program. That was one of the main reasons that I choose to go with him. They have went over every possible question and covered every area to the point that I have no questions. As of now, I have no negative issues with the care and treatment that I've received.

1.Ronnie is a very caring Doctor who has had the lap band him self so you know he cares about how people feel,look and their health
2.It has not changed and he is helping me make the right choises
3.Their great and seem to care as well
4.no appionion
5.Ronnie realy does care about his patients even if they choose a different surgen he is still there for them
6.he believes in follow up and support care
7.yes
8.he tells you every thing thats going to happen and what to expect even before you know what to ask
9.exellent
10.both are important, I need to know he really cares about me and what I need physically, emotionaly and mentaly

I have actually only seen my surgeon one time, although I have had many contacts with his office. When I met him I found him full of information and pretty friendly. His office staff seems friendly too, however not very organized at times, and terrible about returning calls. My little sister had open rny done 3 months ago by Dr. Midas and his office doesn't seem to have all the many requirements that my doctor has, not sure if that is good or bad at this point. Again since I have only seen my doc one time, I can't really rate too much about him at this point. I can say this, I know I have been on pins and needles, wanting to get this done like YESTERDAY, so I realize at this point I am just a little cranky, so who knows could just be me, I just wish the process was faster.
01-03-03 Saw Dr Keith again today, and I have to say, I remember why I liked him so much in the beginning he is the most wonderful man, so understanding and very into making sure you understand everything and that he takes the time to answer ANY questions you may have! Great man!

My PCP recommended Dr. Keith and got my insurance to approve a visit to a weight surgeon with no problems. I had attended a conference with Dr. Keith and liked his style. I went in to see him in June 2002 and he worked with me to get full approval for the procedure from Cigna. My only problem is my size. I am 6' ans weigh 477lbs (June). Dr. Keith told me he could not do laparoscopic surgery on anyone over 400lbs because his instruments were not long enough. I went on a diet and lost 30 lbs, but that isn't enough. My PCP wants me to have the Lap procedure because of a prior infection with resistant staph. Dr. Keith, my PCP, Dr. Blue, and I have been trying to locate a doctor who could do the Lap RNY but have had no luck.
Dr. Keith has been very helpful. His staff is first rate and his entire program seems to be top notch. I would recommend him to anyone contemplating this procedure. I would let him operate on me in a instant if he was able to do the Lap procedure.

He was chief of staff at one of the hospitals I worked in and I had the opportunity to see him work with patients. He was very patient oriented and I used the same anesthesia personnel as Dr. Keith. He always seemed professional and approachable.
When I was rejected by surgeons in Connecticut due to morbidity problems, I found Dr. Keith's name listed as doing bariatric surgery. I called his office and drove to Oklahoma for a consultation. His staff and his consultants were very helpful. I was evaluated and scheduled for the surgery based on my needs. I returned to Connecticut, got my affairs in order and returned to Norman, OK in August. I was evaluated by a cardiologist and approved for surgery. I was required to attend a local support group and to see a nutritionist. The hospital was very supportive and "patient friendly" and during my stay had only excellent care. I felt pampered.
My post op has been without any problems. I drove back to Connecticut (1700 miles) after the two week post-op exam. I have had no problems at all. I have tried to follow the instructions and haven't experienced any negative side effects. The only pain I experienced was due to not being able to take arthritis medication. Since I was able to start back on vioxx, I have not had any pain at all.
I think I received excellent care. I would rate the hospital care very high also. The "team" all seemed to work together and were interested in my care.
The experience was relatively painless. I have lost 60 pounds in the last 8 - 9 weeks. I have not had to take insulin in the last 2 weeks and my blood sugars have stablized. I have not had to take nitroglycerin for angina in that period also. I was well cared for!
I wish that I could be closer for post op follow-up. I do not think I could have received better care anywhere.
I feel Dr. Keith to be competent and concerned. I would have to rate his care and the care from Norman Regional Hospital to be great.
The only negative things would be the parking at the hospital was difficult at times. I have a handicapped permit so my experience was not bad. Also, the beds should be rated for heavier patients. I think this will be done because the hospital seems to want to work with our target population. Most chairs or hospital beds are not made for weights above 300 pounds.