Califorina Digestive Disorders Center Bariatric Center

Dr Gladen was very friendly and warm, although at first impression I felt a bit like I was being treated like a 2 year old. The materials his office sends out prior to the first consultation are almost demeaning in their simplicity, but when I spoke to Dr. Gladen one-to-one he answered all of my questions thoroughly and professionally. His office staff is a bit difficult... you need to be very firm with them to get anything accomplished. He does not have a very structured aftercare program... when I asked him about exercise he said "if it doesn't hurt you can do it". His program for food is similar... "try it, if it works great, if it doesn't wait a couple more weeks and try again".
He was very good about addressing the risks of surgery and very reassuring. Overall I think he's a very competent surgeon and I like him, he's very personable, but I do wish he had a more structured follow-up program and that the materials and video he uses were written with level of competency assumed rather than at a 5th grade level.

Surgical competence is most important, but bedside manner is also very important. A healthy combination of both is ideal.

The most friendlist Doc in the world, greatest bedside manner. Over time I realized that he was a very caring doc who believed in what he did. His office staff are great always smiling even though they are always crowded and busy. There's nothing I could say that I dislike about my doc. I was terrified about this surgery and after seeing Dr. Gladen a couple of times my fears were diminished because he is so comforting and open, he tells you like it is. Very strict about aftercare and it is very structured. Right up from the doc is very open about the risks of the surgery. Overall on a scale of 1-10 I'd rate Dr. Gladen a 12, I mean how many doctors would tell you to call them in the middle of the night if you need to? Overall a great doctor.

My first impression was a good one, he was very nice and informative and straight to the point. My impression of him hasn't changed. His office staff is very busy and nice.
He is very busy but he will get to you.. He emphasizes alot on after care. The risks of sugery he says depends alot on how heavy you are, and then says but what are your risks of staying over weight. I would rate him a 10. I think both are very important but sugerical competence is so very important!!

Herbert Gladen M.D.

At first I was a bit intimitated, but then again I always am in instances like this.

Over time I not only overcame my intimidation, I can talk to him about anything.

The staff is wonderful, they greet you warmly, and after just a couple of visits, many of them remembered who I was.

Dealing with physician's assistants, more than him after the surgery is over and done with(which is necessary since he is so busy. And His physician's assistiant is also a really great guy, and is very competant)

He is a really great surgeon, friendly, and he talks to you, not at you. But you don't always get to see him afterwards...you see alot of his physician's assistant

Aftercare seems to be a high priority. His office even calls to remind you the evening before.

So far it seems to be a fairly structured program (I am only a few weeks into it)

He sits down with you and discusses all the pros and cons to surgery, and then addresses any additional questions or fears you may have.

Excellent

In my opinion he has both!!!

One thing, especially lately, when going to appointments, his nurses have been atleast 1/2 an hour behind, so his patients end up waiting for a long time.

Informative. Had time to answer questions and explain procedure. All I have at this point is the "first impression".

Thelma, the lady who answers the phone was very abrupt and short with me. I'm sure she feels pressure working a busy phone, but when I call with questions for the doctor, I don't feel comfortable with her responses. She may be knowledgable, but she's not my doctor. She may be being over protective of his time, but instead of giving medical advice, I would be more comfortable is she would instead suggest an appointment with the doctor or leaving a message for the doctor or his nurse. This, of course, was my personal experience. I've not spoken with anyone else regarding this and it may have been an isolated incident.

LEAST - that it took so long to get an appointment to see him. I'd given up hope and tried going to another doctor that I wasn't comfortable with.

Be patient. It's worth waiting for a doctor that you have confidence in and that has time to deal with your questions and anxieties regarding this life changing surgery.

AFTERCARE - very important. He emphasizes that the surgery will only bee as sucessful as you are careful about lifelong changes in diet. YES - there is a structured aftercare program consisting of scheduled follow up visits and support groups.

Dr. Gladen was forthcoming with information regarding the draw backs and risks of the surgery.

"A"

Can't answer as of yet. Surgery is in 3 weeks.

I had my consultation on 8-7-01, and was very impressed with this man and his dedication to the obese people in the world. I say this because he focuses not only on the paying customer, but far more on other, less fortunate people that he can help, and upon his research and teaching of the bariatric techniques. My husband and I both were in awe of this obvious dedication and commitment. Also, he made us feel so confident in the process and in him as a surgeon.
This combined with the professionalism of his office staff is fantastic. I know I am in excellent hands.

I HAVE JUST GOTTEN MY SURGEON. HIS NAME IS DR. GLADEN. I DID ALOT OF RESEARCH ON HIM, AND DECIDED HE WAS THE BEST FOR ME. I HAVE GONE TO CDDC (CALIFORNIA DIGESTIVE DISORDER CENTER) IN VISALIA, DID MY PRE-SCREENING, AND GO FOR AN ENDOSCOPY NEXT FRIDAY. I SAW DR. MATTIL THERE, AND HE SAID I DID QUALIFY FOR THE SURGERY. I WON'T SEE DR. GLADEN UNTIL I HAVE MY TESTS DONE. THEN THEY WILL SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR ME TO SEE DR. GLADEN. THEY SAID I SHOULD HAVE THE SURGERY WITHIN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS. I AM SO EXTATIC I CAN HARDLY STAND IT. BEEN TRYING FOR A LONG TIME FOR THIS. EVERYONE PLEASE PRAY FOR ME THAT THE TESTS GO OKAY AND I MAKE IT THROUGH THIS TO GET TO THE OTHER SIDE.

Dr.Gladen is great and an excellent surgeon. My only complaint is that I have to wait 2 to 3 hours every time that I have an appointment with him. My hospital stay at University Medical Center is another story and one that I would like to forget. Having to wait one hour for a nurse to come in with my meds was pretty typical.

My first Impression of Dr. Gladen was that he was very experienced doing this surgery and he really cared about his patients. The office staff are O.K. I have had some waiting that I feel I should not of had. I realize they are busy but feel If they have such a high demand then they should hire more people to handle the paper work involved.

Dr. Gladen was a very kind man. He is totally in touch with how the medical community has intimidated heavy people. The staff seem fine but very busy. His surgery program is run out of the University Medical Center which is a trauma center and handles all the indigent care. Kind of a dirty place but they really seem to know what they are doing.

My only complaint was that when I received my packet for my appointment they were not clear about it. I just thought it was a consultation with the doctor, maybe an hour or so - I was at the hospital 5 hours! There was a series of things to do which were great but I was not prepared for it, such as I am diabetic and had not eaten lunch because my appt. was at 12 so figured I would eat when done - NOT!!! Not being aware of time frames I didn't want to leave the waiting area in fear of missing something I had to do and slowing down the process. Finally grabbed a candy in a machine right outside.