Steven Patching Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

I had heard that Dr. Patching was tough, and stern. I first met him at a seminar where he gave a presentation explaining the surgical procedures of RNY and Lap Band. He explained what he expected of his patients and why he recommends some weight loss prior to surgery and begining an exercise routine. I think some people may interpret this as being mean if you do not show your commitment to life style changes. He wants to make sure that you are willing to change your habits. He once said to me \"why would you risk your life, if you are not willing to make a lifestyle change?\" This is a major surgery and you must be willing to do the work to keep the weight off. Dr. Patching has your success in mind and wants to minimize risks. He explains the risks in detail so I felt very comfortable with my decision. I appreciate his straighforwardness. His office staff has always been plesant and helpful. Dr. Patching emphasizes after care and strongly reccomends the two support groups in our area. He says people who will stay connected and go to the support groups tend to have the best results and keep the weight off. I would recomend Dr. Patching to anyone considering weight loss surgery. I was completly confidant in his surgical competence. I researched his training and felt good about what I read. Dr Patching's bedside manor was good he checked in on me each day I was in the hospital and he answered all my questions.rnrnI just had my 1 year surgery anniversary and through it all Dr. Patching has continued to be very caring & supportive. He says all my sucess is due to my hard work but I couldn't have done it without his help & guidance. I highly recommend him for anyone considering weight loss surgery.

I absolutely love Dr. Patching because he gives you all the facts up front helps you set up some realistic goals before the surgery and teaches you how to create habits that will only lead to success after your surgery! His staff is wonderful and friendly!

I love Dr Patching! I had my surgery on 6/30/08 and it couldn't have gone any smoother. rnUpon my first visit w/ Dr Patching, my first impressions were that he really cares about his patient's success. He is very strict, in that he wants you to lose some weight before surgery. It was really frustrating for me at times because I just wanted to get on with it, but I knew that he just wanted to make sure I was both physically and mentally ready and fully committed to this new life style. As he says, surgery is just a tool he gives you; you have to do the work to be successfull. rnBefore you ever meet with him individually he makes you come to a group information session where he explains the types of surgery available, and how they are performed and the risks and benifits of surgery.rnDr Patching's office staff are very friendly, knowledgeable and helpfull. His nurse Stacey is wonderfull. rnThe thing that impresses me most about Dr P is that he insists on continuous aftercare with you to insure you are successfull and maintain your health. Since I am fresh out of surgery I will see him more often, but his norm is going from 3 to 6 month appointments and eventually yearly follow ups. rnStacey (his RN) leads monthy support group meetings that I started attending prior to my surgery, and I will continue to go forever. Its an important part of the program.rnOverall I give Dr P an excellent rating. He's the whole package... A great surgeon, and he has a great bedside manner. rnIf you are thinking about having bariatric surgery, you should definately talk with Dr Patching.

Dr. Patching and the entire team of the Sutter Bariatrics Program (Dr. Hopkins, Randee Reidee, Stacey Horsley) are amazing. I went to my info seminar in October 2006. I started my process in November by visiting Dr. Hopkins first and then I started seeing Randee, their nutritionist. I was never pressured to make a decision on what direction to go for my weight loss but when I did decide in January 07 to do GBS, there were all there to help me move forward. I continued seeing Dr. Hopkins and Randee until my surgery in April 07. This was the best prep I could have had. They got me ready for my new life with tons of info, recipes, support group and just wonderful support. Dr. Patching and his staff were also amazing. The work they did with Cigna to get me through the approval process was quick and mostly painless. I was denied the first pass but it was only because Cigna hadn't received all their documentation. Within 2 weeks i was fully approved and had a date. rnrnSince April 2007, I have lost 120 lbs and am at what I feel is my goal. Dr. Patching has been with me all the way and claims \"we will be together' for the rest of our healthy lives. I did have my gallbladder removed 3 months after my GBS and became anemic for a few months last fall. His team was there every step of the way and now all my numbers and bloodwork looks just as it should.rnrnIf you live in the Sacramento or Greater Bay Area, I seriously suggest you look into the Sutter Bariatric Management program and Dr. Patching in particular. Check out a seminar, we even have support group where you'd be welcome. Best of luck to all of you who are beginning your journey, in your journey or have successfully arrived. Good Health to you all!

Great surgeon. Nice guy. Nice StaffrnWith Doctor Patching Aftercare is a must, and is strongly emphasized. As to his surgical competence, he has done four procedures to my family, and I would let him inside my body any time a Surgeon is needed. His bedside manner is calm, professional, and pleasant.

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I just met Dr. Patching for the first time this week. I am very impressed. Dr. Patching is obviously very educated and his statistics and program are impressive. I, though, was even more impressed by his caring and supportive nature. He is honest and straight to the point, and doesn't mince words when discussing the benefits and risks of WLS. He is also very knowlegable about the disease of obesity. He made references to patients in the past calling him \"mean\"... but I didn't see \"mean\" at all, I saw someone who is compassionate, easy to talk to, engaging, and who has a genuine interest in ME and my health. He not only put my mind at ease, but I walked out of his office feeling great about myself and the outlook for the next 40 years of my life! As a nurse in the same hospital system as Dr. Patching (I'd never even seen him before), I have heard over the years all about what a successful and competent and cutting edge surgeon he is, but what I found this week is that he is also a top notch PERSON...... rnrnI want to update my surgeon review.... I am 6 months post op now, and could not have lost 148lbs in less than a year without Dr. Patching's support and guidance... with him in my corner, I have never felt like I was alone... he has been my greatest cheerleader... even though HE saved my life with my RNY, he gives me full credit for my success... he is kind, REAL, supportive, easy to talk to, honest, and obviously cares deeply about ME... he shares his own personal stories and tips which makes him even easier to talk to ... I don't believe I'd be this healthy and successful without the competent and caring Dr. Patching leading my team! Thank you Dr. P!!!! I can not recommend Dr. Patching enough... I doubt you could ask for more in your bariatric surgeon!!!!

I was warned that Dr Patching was mean so I made a point to be very cordial and extremely professional. Although Dr. Patching smiled when he spoke, it didn't appear to me that he was really interested in what I had to say. I really did not want to believe that he was as mean as others said and thought that I could get in his good graces with charm and wit. Those who warned were right.rnrnHis office staff changed a lot over a 2 years but most were very nice and caring. One in particular was not but I don't believe she works there anymore. I would really really really not be as dismissive of his gruff bedside manner as others here have been. Each person knows themselves and should know, beforehand, how much of that roughness you can take. Leaving the office crying on more than one occasion is serious and the same happened to me and I overheard it happening to others.rnIt is my opinion that he is concerned about the risks of surgery to a fault. For two years I was sent by him to see specialists based on things he saw on my tests only to be told by the specialists that nothing was wrong with me to prevent surgery and that the surgery was the best thing for me. I understand the need for thoroughness but it doesn't take 2 years. rnIn that same light, it appears as if he doesn't operate on patients over 300lbs-MY OPINION. He will likely require significant weight loss, even as much as 100lbs. Other, equally competent, doctors successfully perform the surgery without requiring THAT much weight loss. Excessive fat being in the way is a fact of and the reason for bariatric surgery. He did not offer any assistance or guidance on losing the weight. I think if he did this, it would greatly improve the success and well-being of his patients.rnrnIf after having gone through all of this for 2 years I actually got my surgery and wasn't CANCELED THE NIGHT BEFORE by him 2 TIMES, I MIGHT feel a little differently but I didn't and I don't. I could not rate him more than a 6. rnI AM SURE his surgical competence has to be better than his bedside manner because, short of every other patient dying in surgery, in my HONEST opinion, NOTHING could be worse than his attitude.rnFinally, I don't know the reason for this, but he has relatively few reviews on here. After 2005, there are only 4 or so. People who have nothing nice to say usually choose to say nothing at all- just a thought. Being threatened with a libel suit doesn't help either.

I had my surgery in February of 2002 and I found Dr. Patching to be surperb!rnrnSince my surgery I have continued to see him anually as he monitors my bloodwork. Currently we're working on getting my calcium up where it should be. rnrnHe also removed my gallbladder approximately one year out from my WLS. I can't recommend him enough!

Dr. Patching is a straight forward doctor that really wants you to loss the weight problem for life. He will tell you that you must lose weight before surgery and kick those old habbits before you go through a major surgery like bariatrics. One it helps your body get ready for the surgery and it also helps you after. Again he is a great Dr. but make sure you are serious to make a life change first. He is getting a 10 from me :)