Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Bariatric Center
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7/18/05-
I have to say that having Dr. Kazantsev as my surgeon, and the other surgeon from his practice, Dr. Upadhyay, was a wonderful experience for me. They are both excellent. Dr. Kazantsev is no nonsense, but with a great subtle sense of humor. Both doctors are knowledgeable, and mild mannered. Dr. Upadhyay came to see me every day while I was in the hospital,and put me at ease with his kind disposition. Dr. Kazantsev was very clear about telling me what I needed to do, in my partnership with them, to be successful. Their office staff are refreshingly professional, and they took care of business. I will always be thankful to them for helping me to help myself. At my last visit, Dr. K said my scars look like someone stabbed me a few times in the stomach. it's true. I have six little marks that look like no more than scratches. I feel I have been given a second chance, and intend to make the most of this new life I have been given. I have already told anyone who will listen that I would recommend this surgical group, and Alta Bates Summit Hospital, to anyone who would qualify for their services. I know that if I need a surgeon for any other reason, I will contact them first.
5/3/05- I met Dr. K today. He looks much younger in person than his photograph depicts. He seems very knowlegeable. I like him. He was friendly, and nice. He discussed the complications that may happen, though very rare. His nurse, Helen, has had bariatric surgery. They emphasized that some people can eat their way back to being fat if they work hard enough at it!!!
When he did the endoscopy, he had a sense of humor that put me at ease.
6/8/05 When he saw that I had gained weight on my appointment, he was very quick to admonish me for the gain, saying he expected me to drop some weight before the surgery, and the risks of having to do open as opposed to laporoscopic due to the possible complication of fatty liver. HE was very clear that gaining weight is counterproductive, and expected me to start weight loss that day, not after my surgery. I have taken that to heart, and have cut back on carbs, and stopped treating myself to any more "last suppers" as of that day. I have been on a protien and vegetable diet since.
WHEN I MET DR.KAZANTSEV I WASN'T SURE WHAT TO EXPECT.BUT TIME WHEN ON I FOUND DR. K TO BE VERY NOLEGABLE.MY IMPRESSION OF HIM WAS THAT HE HAS A DRY SENSE OF HUMOR. BUT AS I SAID , EACH VISIT GOT BETTER AND MORE RELAXING.HIS STAFF IS WONDERFUL IF I EVER HAD A QUESTION ALL I NEEDED TO DO IS CALL HELEN, OR DEANGELA. I CAN'T SAY IF THERE WASN'T ANYTHING THAT I DIDN'T LIKE ABOUT DR. K. HE IS A SMART AND PROFESSIONAL PHYSIAN PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW THAT DOCTOR KAZANTSEV, IS FORMOST NOLEGABLE, PROFESSIONAL, AND THAT HE REALLY CARES ABOUT HIS PATIENTS. HE MADE SURE THAT HE CAME IN, BY MY ROOM EVERYDAY JUST TO SEE HOW I WAS DOING.DR.K IS REALLY UP FRONT WITH ALL THE RISKS INVOLVED HE DOESN'T BEAT AROUND THE BUSH. HE WAS EVERY THERO. IF I WERE TO EVER HAVE TO GO INTO SURGERY FOR ANY REASON REGARDING MY WLS IT WOULD BE DR. KAZANTSEV "WITHOUT A DOUBT" DR. KAZANTSEV'S PROFESSIONALISM, AND EXPERIENCE ARE DEFFENANTLY A 100% I WOULD RECOMMEND HIM TO ANYONE. AND THE STAFF AT ALTA BATES SUMMIT MEDICAL CENTER WERE THE BEST. AGAIN IF I WERE TO EVER GET SICK THAT WOULD BE MY HOSPITAL OF CHOICE.
When I first met Dr. K, I immediatley knew that I would like him for his professsionalism and skills. He is defiantley a man who knows what he is doing. I did leave the office after the first consult with an empty feeling as he does not reach out in an emotional way. His staff however, Helen and d'Angela met those needs well above and beyond the call of duty.
However, I have to say that an unfortuante event happened to me and I ended up in the ER earlier this week and I relied upon Dr. K to "fix" me. His warmth, caring and of course skills really helped me through the emotional state and physical state of being sick. This visit has really shown me another side of Dr. K, and I am so grateful for it. He is defiantley the TOP of the list for any WLS surgeon.
Dr. K was great, and was able top perform my surgery lap, and I know that is why my recovery has been good so far. I am very blessed to have had him as my surgeon. Even though he is a man of a few words, and has a dry sense of humor he is agreat doctor.
My first impression of Dr. K was that he was a little cold and distant, but knowledgeable. Dr. K is a very serious doctor, but he does have a pleasant bedside manner. His office staff are terrific. They always answer your calls and have your information readily available. D'Angela was terrific in helping me get through all the last minute paperwork and setting up the pre-op tests. Helen Johnson has been a Godsend!! She was there for me through every step of the process, from the appointments with Dr. K to Pre-op to Post-op and during my stay in the hospital. She was there when I felt panicky, she was there when I couldn't tolerate the hospital food. She went out of her way to buy me popsicles and bring me soup that I could manage to eat. Helen has a way of making you feel very special. The one thing I liked least about Dr. K was that he is a man of few words so you need to be clear and prepared when you speak with him. Otherwise, you should direct your questions to Helen. One of my nurses in the hospital said she had the opportunity to watch Dr. K perform the Lap RNY and her comment was that his performance was "exquisite"! His medical record to date is immaculate and his work is outstanding. Aftercare is critical. It is so critical, that the appointments are made for you before you leave the hospital. Helen is always just a phone call away if a question should arise. Alta Bates has one of the best support groups I've ever attended. Helen runs it, but really let's the participants do most of the talking. D'Angela attends along with the Psychiatrist who likes to remain fairly anonymous unless her advice is sought out. The attendee's are very honest and willing to express all of their feelings, good or bad. The only downside is that it's at the hospital and parking is a bit of a pain, but the drive is worth it! Dr. K was very direct about the risks of surgery. He went over them clearly and I signed paperwork stating that I read and understood what was explained to me. I also recommend anyone interested in this program to read the book "Weight Loss Surgery: Finding the Thin Person Hiding Within". It offers the risk information in great detail and encourages the potential patient to think the consequences through very carefully. Dr. Kazantsev is a "10" all the way!!! I would have to say his surgical competence outways his bedside manner, but that would be my preference. Helen Johnson is there to provide bedside manner and support. Her tiny little office was just outside my hospital room next to the nurses station so she's very accessible. Which would you rather have...a hand holding nice doctor with average skill or a doctor with outstanding skill and a terrific support team to compensate for his bedside manner? Dr. K was always pleasant during his visits, but again, he's a man of few words and prefers you to be direct. Trust me, Helen will hold your hand if you need it.
I thought he was very giving with information, and answering questions
He has the best staff, actually post-op staff members who are very helpful as well.
Him telling me i may have to get the procedure done regular versus lapriscopic(LOL)
emphasies heavily on after care
Fully made me aware of the risks involed
Yes has structerd after-care program
surgical competence is alwyas better
My first impression of Dr. Kazantsev was that he was intense and very serious.
My intial impression is the same, but the second time I met him, he was performing my endoscopy and he had sutble sense of humor that put me at ease.
I think that the staff at his office is just wonderful. Helen is incredible, she is very supportive and caring. D'Angela is incredible, and always helpful. They both make the journey much smoother.
He is very truthful and competent in the fact that he will be able to do my revision and it will be done the correct way...unlike last time. I have much confidence in him and trust. His staff is very helpful and friendly with anything you need. He is kind and takes the time to explain everything and always asks if there are any questions.
My surgeon, Dr. George Kazantsev is the best, in my oppinion. If he is not the best I could say for sure his group is! The entire staff at the surgical office as well as at the hospital at Summit are tops. I have referred a number of people to them and if my mother, sister or daughters were considering this surgery I would refer them to him as well. I have been pleased with the surgery and follow up especially to the attention to detail, not a single concern has been left undiscusses and not a single issue has been over looked. We also have a very supportive support group. I would suggest anyone in the San Francisco bay area check out Dr. Kazantsev prior to making a final decission on who to have perform your WLS. The only thing that would maybe cause a person to not check out this surgeon is that he does not perform DS, if you want DS like I originally did you could still speak to him about the reasons. I felt good with his professional oppinion and opted to go with RNY rather than DS and have been extreamly happy with the results (so far 142 pound loss in less than 10 months).