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

He is the best. Answered all of my questions. I got right to work on his regeme,and now I am a week post surgery and feel pretty good. His staff is alway friendly, always helpful, even though I must have called a million times for help. I can't think of a thing I dislike about Dr Patching, he is warm, caring and knowledgeable. Future patients should feel safe, totally safe. :) Havent gotten into aftercare too much, just had first post op appt. He addressed all risks and concerns I had. I would rate him a 10 on both surgical competence, and bedside manor. Thanks for your belief in me Dr Patching!

Dr. Patching is awesome. He communicates well, he is supportive, complimentary, sincere and genuinely concerned about the health and experiences of his patients.

New patients should know up front though that he is dead serious when he tells you to incorporate exercise in to your life and make good food choices. He will gauge your ability to do that by how much weight you loose. He would not even entertain a tentative surgery date with me until I had lost weight. On my first weight loss visit with him I had lost 8 lbs in six weeks. He was so excited I could hear him outside the exam room door as he was reading my chart. He came in “high-fiving” me and all excited. Then he offered the tentative surgery date. In prior visits he lectured me about how In & Out burgers and pizza were POISION to me and I was not to have them. He was quite serious.

I am confident in him and like him very much. I would (and have) recommended him to others considering this procedure.

I have choosen Dr. Patching. His office staff has been wonderful. Dr. Patching is a wonderful man and I have the utmost faith in him as a surgeon.

Very straight forward and easy to talk to. He requires that you immediatly make the changes that you will need for the rest of your life (diet, exercise etc..). He has a low rate of complications as a result, not to mention the fact that he is an outstanding surgen.

Dr. Patching was my saving grace. Everything about him is terrific. His demeanor, expertise, sincerity, etc. I would highly reccommend him as a very skilled surgeon and a great person!

I was very impressed with Dr Patching when I met him and he explained his reasons for wanting me to lose weight and start exercising before he could give me a date for surgery. He has his reasons and sticks to them. The first time I saw him I thought he was stern, maybe to make you face the reality of what you are going to undertake. The 2nd visit he was VERY warm and encouraging.

I met Dr. Patching on Sept. 20. We had a wonderful visit. He explained the different types of WLS and talked to me about the pros and cons of each. He immediately made me feel very calm and safe. He explained the risks and benefits and how wonderful I'm going to feel when this is all over with. He is a very sympathetic doctor and gave me all the time I needed to become informed and educated on the journey that I am now begining. He staff was very friendly and made me feel comfortable from the moment I stepped foot in their office. Dr. Patching would like to see me lose 25 pounds before surgery and get into an excersise program so I am as strong as I can be come time for surgery. It's hard, but I'm working at it. Dr. Patching has excellent bedside manner and a wonderful reputation. I would rate him on a scale of 1 to 10 and at least and 11. Will see him again on Nov. 6 to check my progress.

I haven't met Dr. Patching yet, but I have my first preop appt. scheduled for 6/5/01 and am waiting for the referral authorization to be approved or denied. Hopefully it will be approved, but I'm prepared for a fight. Wish me luck ;-)

8/10/01: Everything has been so easy, it's almost scarey! WOOHOO - I have a surgery date of 8/21/01. I'm frightened and excited at the same time. Dr. Patching is wonderful! He took extra time to meet with my husband and went over every single question we could ask, and he never, ever, made us feel rushed. I have complete confidence in him as well as my Anesthesiologist - Dr. Gretchen Reddy. I'm totally ready for this, and can't wait for 8/21! Wish me luck :-)

8/18/01: Only 3 days before surgery! I'd like to thank all of you for your kind words and support. It means a lot to me to know that others will be sending good thoughts my way on Tuesday morning 8/21. I have complete and total confidence in my surgical team. I'll try to post an update as soon as I'm up to it after surgery. Wish me luck!

I liked Dr. Patching. Professional, interested, a nice level of detachment. I don't want emoting doctors--I want ones who will help me in a fact and science based way. I have no complaints only good thoughts about him. He spent time with me, talked with me as a peer, explained what I didn't know--all in all a fine experience. First visit only, I will know more on my second appointment in early July.

Im post-op now and I am more and more convinced that Patching is a genuis. Im not one for silly overstatement about things medical. He has done a great job for me--and the team he has at Sutter General is superb. I am very very impressed and feel very lucky to have had him as my surgeon. He is tough yet friendly; demanding but understanding--I don't think I could have asked for more. If ever I need any other kind of surgery, I will ask Dr. Patching first to do it.

I met with Dr Patching for the first time July 18, 2001. I instantly knew that I could and would trust my life to this man. He truly cares about the end result and does not play God. My primary insurance is not contracted, but I have out of network benefits, and my second insurance is a PPO, contracted with the surgeons office.