"The staff at the Obesity Consult Center at NEMC is wonderful. DR. Shikora, the surgeon, is a nice guy who seems very learned and organized. Also very kind to large people, emphasizing that MO is a disease and not our fault. The psychologist, Dr. Vogel, is warm and kind; Dr. Saltzman is funny and efficient. It takes a loooong time to get an appointment. My journey started in July 2000 and I will probably have surgery in July or August 2001! And I don't even have any co-morbs to deal with first!
There is tremendous emphasis on aftercare and he has a very structured program, which is good. He's careful to tell you absolutely everything that could go wrong and lets you decide whether to have open or lap (I had a previous gallbladder surgery, but he's still willing to do it lap -- fairly unusual).
I am positive that he is the best surgeon, technically, on the east coast. "
