Northern Colorado Surgical Associates Bariatric Center

Dr. Pettine and his staff at Northern Colorado Surgical Associates were so caring and compassionate. It was the first time I felt comfortable walking into a doctor's office. They made sure I was educated on the procedure and aware of the possible complications. Dr. Pettine was was adamant on diet and aftercare. He is no-nonsense yet has a wonderful bedside manner. I feel he and his staff are well educated and above all, compassionate, caring people. I did my homework, checked backgrounds and talked to alot of people. After meeting with other doctors pervious to Dr. Pettine, I knew immediately I wanted him to be the doctor attending to my procedure. I felt totally educated about the pro's and con's. Not only was Northern Colorado Surgical Associates a wonderful group, but Pouder Valley Hospital in Ft. Collins, CO was an awesome hospital! I've never had better care. I live about 4 hours from Ft. Collins, so the drive back and forth took some planning, but I couldn't be happier about the choice I made.

Efficient and Knowledgeable





Kind







Yes

Matter of factly

8

Surgical Competence

That he is a fine surgeon and that I am trusting him with my life. It hasn't and I don't think it ever will. They were great and very curtiess. That he puts your needs first. Greatly stresses that. On the aftercare program he stressed that I would be responsible for the most part.He talked about the risk and if anything were to go wrong I hope that he would be able to correct the problem. In my book he is a 10. Both

First impression: soft-spoken and friendly. Changing impression: soft-spokeness underlies serious energy, and willingness to take in a lot of details. Office staff: topnotch, everyone was pulling for me from the first phone call. I wish I thought to ask more about his training, and his back-up mentoring, because he is relatively new at this. Aftercare is like a religious vision for this clinic, with common messages and advice coming at you from all sides ( I didn't wnat to hear the dietician say something different than the nurse, for example- and that kind of thing never happened). I do think it would have been better to have a clinic with an endocronologist on board, since my in-stay aftercare, and my present post-op care are throughouly wrapped up in issues regarding my diabetic management, and I'm not sure what to do (my blood sugars are rising and staying high, without my Lantus, and I left without any short-acting insulin). Being post-op is forcing my hormones out of whack, and I expressed concern pre-op, and in the hosp. Part of the pre-op plan should have involved an endocronologist. Overall, though, I'd rate him personally, as excellent. And surgical competence is important...but if bedside manner is lacking to the point where I can have a direct/forward conversation, I'd find someone I could talk to. You certainly can talk easily with Dr. Quaid, though.

He was very professional, and not arrogant. I was treated with respect and was confident that he was very ready to accomplish my surgry with no complications. The staff was incredible. I am getting ready to have my pre op appointment in two days. The risks of surgery were covered extensively and the were very organized.

I have not had a negative experience as of yet. Hopefully don't have one.

I think that Dr. Dickinson is pretty cool. He is very straight forward and right to the point. He doens't use all this medical mumbo jumbo that is hard to understand. He uses charts and diagrams and pictures so that you can see what exactly is going to happen. My Uncles also had him as his surgeon, and my family really liked him and was exicted when I was able to get him as my doctor. When I first met him, I thought the was a little bit harsh, but then once I was able to talk to him by myself without my family around, I felt better about it. When we talked with my family I almost felt like he was trying to talk me out of it. BUt then once we were talking by ourselves I felt alot better about the situation. And we were even able to crack a few jokes and laugh a little bit. I would most definitely reccomend Dr. Dickinson to other patients. He knows what he is doing, and is easy to understand, and really cares about his patients.

Dr. Dickinson is a very personable individual who does not hesitate to answer questions thoroughly and in language the patient can understand. He made rounds each day I was in the hospital and again answered all questions I had for him. Immediately following surgery he made himself available to my family. They also feel that he is truly competent and concerned about his patients. Speaking purely as a result of my own experience and no one else's results, I can say that Dr. Dickinson's office staff are professional, yet compassionate. They afford the morbidly obese person every courtesy and allow a person his/her dignity. I am an out-of-state patient so I appreciate that phone calls are returned and no question is seen as insignificant. For pre-op I was tightly scheduled so I did not have to make multiple trips to Fort Collins. If you are concerned, they will answer and address those concerns be it insurance, follow-up care, dietary, etc. Future patients should know that the PVH nurses rank him highly as one of the top surgeons doing bariatric surgery at this hospital. I was told I had had the best. I agree. There is a very structured program that all the doctors and staff of Northern Colorado Surgical Associates support. Aftercare is the rest of one's life, so it is most definitely emphasized. Overall, I can not say enough good things about Dr. James Dickinson and his treatment of patients. He truly is happy for his patients and the chance they have to use the "tool" surgery gives them to change their lives, their health. Thus far he has had no one die. I asked! He is aware that statistically it will likely occur. He told me it would be a sad day for him.

I prefer competence, but a positive bedside manner is a plus.

My first impression of Dr. Quaid was that he seemed genuinely interested in me and my reasons for surgery. He talked about the surgery, possible complications, etc. (which I already knew a great deal about through this website), but more importantly, he LISTENED to me. He addressed all of my questions and concerns.

Dr. Quaid seems to be very intelligent and take his work seriously. He exudes an air of quiet competence. He has a ready smile. He always answers questions clearly and carefully. He always asks if there are any more questions. He seems to want his patients to be well educated. After meeting him, I had no qualms at all about him as my surgeon.

Dr. Quaid's nurse, Becky is absolutely wonderful. She goes through an initial education process with new patients, before they meet with Dr. Quaid. She also stopped in the hospital after my surgery to reinforce what I had learned. She is very upbeat about the surgery, but lets you know that surgery is only the beginning. It is up to you to develop the habits and adhere to the lifelong requirements for the new, healthier you.

There was nothing I did not like about Dr. Quaid. I was very impressed with him. He visited with me before surgery, after surgery, twice the next day, and once the third day to release me from the hospital. He always seemed cheerful, kind and caring.

His surgical practice has an support program. Unfortunately, I live about 75 miles away and will probably not be able to take advantage of many sessions.

He requires patients to see him about 10-14 days, six weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and one year after surgery. Then, he wants to see you annually thereafter. If you happen to move from the area, they still want you to keep in touch because bloodwork should be done annually.

All in all, I could not recommend Dr. Quaid more highly.

I have moved and now see Dr. Stiener in Lexington, KY.

10/2004 Dr. Robert Quaid and all the staff at Northern Colorado Surgical Associates are the most professional, nicest, kindness, and show true concern for their patients. When I first met Dr. Quaid right away I was comfortable because he is just so nice and personable. He talks to you, explains everything, and answers questions. The office staff was nice and helpful when I would call and needed something. I would highly recommend this surgical office to everyone seeking Bariatric Surgery. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate them a 20.

Prior to surgery I went to two of their monthly support group meetings. Let me tell you from the patients alone anyone would get the impression that they made the right surgical team decision, I know I did. They really show their appreciation of how well all the doctors took care of them by how highly they talk about them. And, talk about being helpful, the other patients give all kinds of helpful tips on what helped them. Each group has one of the surgeons who performs the surgery from the office speak and answer questions. So, you know the information you get is first hand right from the doctors themselves. I would recommend everyone who is thinking about having the procedure done come to one of these support group meetings and meet everyone.