Duke Bariatric Program Bariatric Center

My first impression of Dr. Sudan was extremely positive. I first met him in '98-'99 when I was trying to have this surgery before. When I had my consult with him on 8-22-03, he actually remembered my face and my name. Imagine that! I was very impressed with that. He is very informative. He goes over all the information in a seminar that he makes mandatory. He really cares about his patients.

6/24/03: I have had my preop blood work and ABG's. I need to have an upper endoscopy due to many 'erosions' in my stomach in August of 2002. The upper endoscopy is scheduled for July 11th, Friday. Charity has asked that I have the results faxed to her right away and then tentatively we are looking at August 18th for surgery. 3/28/03: I saw Dr. Sudan March 25th. I thought the day would never get here!!! I don't have to have a sleep study, but they need to see if my stomach ulcers have healed. Charity said that may be the only thing that holds me back. Dr. White came in and reviewed my history and asked me all kinds of questions. I decided on the DS because I would like to eat some foods and I liked the fact that it had a good long-term outcome for weight loss. Dr. White discouraged me from having a DS and instead to try the ERY surgery. He was also very concerned because of my depression. Which has been under control. Dr. Sudan wasn't pleased with the fact that Dr. White tried to sway the procedure I wanted. So I told Dr. Sudan emphatically that I wanted the DS and would not change my mind. This is silly but I was so afraid they would not think I am overweight enough to have the procedure done but that never seemed to be an issue. Charity is sending in the letter to my insurance company and stated it could be up to 4 weeks. Charity acted very confident that I would be approved (I hope so!). Once the ok comes from the insurance company the next step is dietician and psych evaluation. I asked them for an estimate on the surgery date we could be looking at 3-4 months. I have physical therapy right now trying to work with me on the knee pain.
3/24/03:I was freaked out when we had a major snow storm that cancelled the orientation March 4th. Charity was good and called to reschedule the following Monday. It was good to have Dr. Sudan review everything that could happen and all the differnt surgical procedures. I still want the DS, I think it will work the best for me. I am hoping that I won't have any medical conditions that will keep me from having the surgery and I also hople that I will get approval for this surgery (keeping my fingers crossed). My BMI is 41.6%. I have had to go to PT because my knees and left hip pain me so much. They have been taping my knee caps so that they re-align and don't rub on the arthritic areas. The pain is much better. I have to see my PCP once a month for all my health problems.I need to make a list of my meds for Dr. Sudan. Tomorrow (March 25th) is my appointment with Dr. Sudan and I am very nervous.
I made a previous appointment in December but my psychiatrist talked me into trying Wellbutrin first. She supports my choice in this surgery. I had great difficulty contacting Dr. Sudan's office the second time to make an appointment the office coordinator (Michelle Fisher) never called me back. I called her twice in a 3 week period. I never did hear from her. As everyone knows on this web-site, Charity is the best. She scheduled me for the March orientation/education class so I have only had to wait 4 weeks. The class is March 4th. I have heard of Dr. Sudan and how good he is from a former student who has lost over 100 pounds and a friend's wife also had this done by Dr. Sudan. I will come back and update this information. I am a nurse (ER/ICU)so having a medical professional I can trust is very important to me.
08/15/03: I had my upper endoscopy and the erosions from last year are healed but I have some kind of varicosity in my stomach (called an A-V malformation). Dr. Sudan said he would cut it out if it is on the left side of my stomach. My preop EKG was abnormal. I have never had any chestpain or anything like that. I have a bundle-branch block, so I needed to get a Dobutamine Stress Test done in a weeks time. Luckily, a cardiologist group I am familiar with had time to squeeze it in. It wasn't exactly fun but I lived through it and my heart is fine for surgery. I sweated it through the endoscopy and I thought that was my only stumbling block. I had been on the phone with Alyssa and Charity (coordinator and nurse) to keep things moving. Selfishly I needed to have this done the week of August 18th between summer and fall school break so I wouldn't miss any work. I had my preop physical, blood work (CBC and BMP), and a repeat EKG per the request of the Anesthesiologist. I saw Dr. Sudan for the second time in my life. I have kept my weight stable since starting the adventure in February. I am a little uncomfortable because I had to stop my arthritis medication but I can handle this for a short time. Originally I was going to have an open DS but Dr. Sudan said he could do a Lap. The surgery takes all day (just about) and he needs an assistant, which he has changed. I will have surgery Monday and want to attend my first support group meeting Tuesday evening. That is my goal, I might not make it but then again I just might be able to do it. I am nervous but excited....if feels just like any diet when you have that hope that this will help you become more attractive and more healthy...the diets failed and so there is a tiny part of me that is scared that this will too. I have been working 12 hour days in the office to get my work all caught up so I can take this next week off.

We attended the required Educational Seminar on 8/6/03. We found Dr. Sudan very professional and the seminar very informative. He definitely presented the benefits and risks of the surgical procedures he performs. He also emphasized the fact that the patient is responsible for his/her part in order to achieve a successful outcome, and the expectations for post-operative compliance. Two members of his office staff, Charity and Alissa, were also in attendance. They were available after the presentation to answer questions that were more specific to us. We are waiting for appointments for consultations. Dr. Sudan made an excellent first impression.

I was very optimistic when first meeting him, and he didn't let me down. He is very caring and is a great listener. He answered every question I had and explained everything. He has scheduled check ups after surgery. Starting at 2 years I see him once a year. His staff is very good and fielded many of my questions by phone.

I have nothing bad to say about him or his staff.

My first impression of Dr. Sudan was that he was very informative and kind hearted. I still have that impression today. Dr. Sudan and all of his staff are just amazing. On a scale of 1-10 I give him an 11.

I LOVE DR SUDAN HE IS AMAZING I MEAN AMAXING I RECANT SAY MUCH MORE HE DEFINAITLY TAKES HIS WORK SERIOUS

I have not meet him yet. I called his office to set up an appointment with him. I am on the waiting list. I was told it could take up to one year before I would be seen.

I really like my Dr. thus far. He is a quiet,gentle,kind man. I also like his assoc. Dr. Whyte very well, he is also quiet,caring, and kind. His nurse Charity is very helpful and well informed as well, and office assistant Allisa is so friendly and bubbly, eager to help you find the answers!
Since I am still pre op I can't tell you anymore..about aftercare etc. But I can tell you that the support group meetings they have are a great source of help and info for both pre and post op care.

Dr. Sudan is very professional and seems very knowledgeable in his field. He is very open to all questions and is very helpful in helping you make the right decission for you. His educational class is very informative and was very helpful to me in making my decision. Charity is his surgical nurse and she is very caring, helpful and patient. They are a dynamic pair I would recommend them to anyone considering this surgery.

I have met with Dr. Sudan only once so far, for my consult. I have also attended 3 support group classes that he has been at and I am very impressed with his kind ways.

I also am very comfortable with his excellent history as a surgeon.

His patients that have had surgery all seem very pleased with him as well and that adds to my confidence level.

They are very busy, so it does take a while to hear back from them for non emergency questions. But they have always responded!