Northern Colorado Surgical Associates Bariatric Center

I HAD THE BEST FIRST IMPRESSION OF DR. PETTINE. HE MADE ME FEEL REALLY COMFORTABLE WHEN WE FIRST MET. HE WAS VERY INFORMATIVE AND ANSWERED ALL MY QUESTIONS. I HAVE CONTINUED TO LIKE HIM THROUGH THE TIME I HAVE KNOWN HIM. I HAD MY CONS. ON APRIL 6, 2004 AND WAS IN SURGERY APRIL 26, 2004 CAUSE I AM A CASH PERSON. THE STAFF THERE IS ALL GREAT AND VERY FRIENDLY. HE MADE ME PROMISE TO COME TO ALL MY FOLLOW UP VISITS BEFORE HE WOULD SCHEDULE MY SURGERY SINCE I LIVE IN YUMA AND WENT TO FORT COLLINS COLORADO TO HAVE THE SURGERY. I HAD THE BEST SURGERY EXPERIENCE SO FAR WIT DR. PETTINE AND AM ONLY 2 WEEKS OUT OF SURGERY. WHEN I WENT FOR MY POST OP I HAD LOST 18 LBS. AND HE HUGGED AND CONGRADULATED ME OVER AND OVER. HE IS VERY PERSONAL AND GREAT. I WOULD RATE HIM A 10 HE WAS THE BEST EVER.

I had originally asked to be seen by Dr. Otteman however, when the call came for the appointment I was scheduled to see Dr. Dickinson. I had no idea who he was but figured I ended up with the surgeon fate intended me to have so I decided just to go with it and see how the consult went. Beautiful office, pleasant office staff --that I overheard refer to me as "the 1 o'clock gastric" (reminded me how it makes patients feel to be talked about as their condition instead of their name -- I work on the surgical floor of a hospital myself and it's a bad habit of staff to talk this way at times.) The wait wasn't very long and I soon met Becky (an RN) who took me and my famiily back for the video and information part of the consult. I was very impressed by Becky's kindness and enthusiasm. However, I wasn't terribly impressed by the video, mainly because it was rather generic information that hopefully, (in my opinion)most people who've gotten to the consult stage would already be aware of and because there were several (although mostly minor)differences in the practices of My surgeon and post-op vs. the practices and post-op described in the video. However, it WAS very helpful to my family and seemed to put them at ease with the surgery.
After the video, while we waited for Becky to return, a tall doctor ran down the hall in scrubs. I thought "Oh no. Time for another visit with a doctor. Yippy." and I wasn't really looking forward to it.
I was in for the surprise of my life. Dr. Dickinson talked TO me, not at me. He looked at me, not through me or at his chart. He listened to my questions, had great eye contact and didn't treat me as a thing, but as a person. He and Becky acklowledged my famiily, but I was clearly the focus--and not in the way that so many doctor's can make you feel insignificant. With rare exception, Dr. Dickinson is one of the kindest, most respectful doctors I've met.
Where I work, I'm around surgeons all day long, but Dr. Dickinson seems to be a cut (pardon the pun) far above average. Not only is he intelligent and very knowledgeable, but his rapport with patients would seem to be equally remarkable. His office staff seems to be equally caring and is extremely helpful whenever I call.

Given how serious this surgery is, even with it's potential outcomes you may read about on the Memorial page of this website, I feel I'm in the best possible hands and having chosen this surgeon I think I've given myself the best possible odds.


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While I was in the hospital I was visited by Dr. Dickinson, his on call partner, and Dr. Dickinson's med student, Matt, who was also there during surgery. The on call MD (I will not name names)who visited was...well, he didn't have a very good bedside manner and most unnerving was that he often contradicted what Dr. Dickinson had said or did. But luckily, what I found very impressive and reassuring was that Dr. Dickinson saw me everyday I was in the hospital, even on the weekend when he wasn't on call. He always came in and put things right. My family and I were very impressed indeed! A+++ care! If I had it to do all over, I wouldn't go to anyone but Dr. Dickinson.

Dr. James Dickinson, M.D., F.A.C.S.
The first impression I got of him was professional, but yet, made you feel like you were talking to a friend about a problem that needed attention. He and his staff, especially his nurse, Susan, made me feel very welcomed and at home. Susan conducted the first twenty minutes of the consultation, going over what to expect from the surgery, such as; diet, medications, what to do if any problems arose after getting home from surgery, and so forth. Then in my consultation with Dr. Dickinson, we went over the benefits of having surgery and what the outcome might be, such as; a cut down in insulin, if not complete discontinuation, weight loss, stress being taken off my knees and other joints, and stress being taken off of my heart as well. We then started going over the risks of the surgery, but after his first question of; was I aware of the risks involved, and I gave him a run down of what I knew, from what I told him he knew that I had done my homework. We then went into an examining room, where he checked my heart and lungs, and then had me lay down so he could examine my belly. He told me I was a good candidate for the laproscopic procedure, which is what I was hoping for. But, he did tell me that if a problem did start to appear, he would have to open me and do an open rny on me. I told him I understood, and let's go for it. There is no question that I would recommend Dr.Dickinson and his staff to anyone considering this surgery, I would.

I first met Dr. Dickinson in December 2002. I lost my insurance after that visit, or would have had surgery scheduled then. I've since found other (better!) insurance and have picked up where I left off. It took one phone call to get everything underway!

James Dickinson has a good aura (okay, I know some people don't sense, see, or believe in them, but I do). He's sincere in his desire to help provide a tool for the severely obese or Type II Diabetics to deal with their problems.

His concentration at first is on the surgery itself and making sure you understand as many nuances as possible. I've since discovered (to my relief) that he's well versed in nutrition and the need for the body to have variety in the foods we eat for overall health. He stresses that nutrients should come as much from food as possible but, since that is inhibited by this procedure, supplements help. However, supplements are not your entire diet and you shouldn't rely on them as a primary for your nutrition needs. I really like that perspective. It's real and shows a desire for me to be the healthiest I can be, not just skinnier or merely still alive.

He definitely covers the risk of surgery quite well. He also talks extensively about the emotional impact of the surgery and whether you're ready for it at the time you see him. He talks about the need of being able to confront the reasons you carry the weight in the first place and the ability to recognize the identity crises that often result when losing that body weight. He gives his little quizzes and also relates some "dumb patient" stories about eating candy bars after the surgery, just to make sure you understand the insulin shock possibilities.

Since I have yet to actually have the surgery and experience the aftercare, I'll address those later. At the moment, I think Dr. Dickinson is quite good, very relaxed, upbeat, and trustworthy. I do plan to look him in the eye before the surgery and have him assure me that he'll do a good job! :-)

Northern Colorado Surgical Associates were great! I immediatley like Dr. Dickenson, and Becky is very informative. I am so glad that my PCP recommended them to me. I understood the whole process, got my questions answered and felt comfortable at all times. The information I received for after care was great and I treat it like my Bible.

Dr Pettine immediately put me at ease by his confident and personable persona. He was very honest and descriptive about the positives and negatives of WLS and answered most of my questions before I even asked them. He took quite some time making sure that I had researched WLS extensively on my own and had a solid understanding of my decision to go forth with the suregery. He is very easy to talk. My experience with my laproscopic RNY was exactly as he described it would be. Dr Pettine saw me each day of my hospital stay. His bedside manner is upbeat, positive and confident. I would highly recommend him!

Wonderful all the way through the process. Felt like he had time for me. He let me out of the hospital after only one overnight because he felt I was ok. Aftercare hightly emphasized. All the risks addressed. Overall rating 110%.

Dr. Quaid seemed very reserved and quiet at our first meeting. Also very up front about the risks of having surgery.

My impression has not changed.

His staff is very friendly and helpful and knew my name even though I am from out of state.

He is soft spoken which is difficult for me since I have a bit of hearing loss.

He really is a very conscientious doctor willing to error on the side of caution. Example: He usually does not insert drains but because there was just a tiny spot of dye on a surgical sponge, he inserted the drain. Luckily there was no leak but living with the drain was much better than going through another surgery.

He emphasizes aftercare alot.

Because I was an out of state patient, I was unable to leave the area for at least a week post surgery "just in case". He also requires that I come back to him for the first year for follow-up visits.

He addressed the risks of surgery very straightforwardly stating that because of my size surgery of any kind was a risk and carefully going over with both my husband and I what he would do and the possible complications.

I would rate him a Super A+. His surgical competence and bedside manner where both terrific.

Dr Dickerson seems to be a nice person. He made sure to first tell me that this will be a life changing thing. It will be hard, but if you have detemination you will make this work for you. He is pretty good about the after care. I will see him in 10-14 days then 1 month, 3 month, 6 month, 9 month and a year and then every year after that for life. He is straight forward and he tells you like it is. He is very concern about after care. Such as I can not come back to Walsenburg until my first appt. He wants to make sure there will be no complications. He addressed ever answer I had for him. I am very happy with this doctor.

I liked him from the moment i met him. He seemed to care and spent time talking to my husband and myself no matter how many dumb questions we asked. My impression of him has only gotten better over time. Any patients who use him in the furture should be comfortable in knowing he cares and is a wonderful doctor with a wonderful sense of humor. The after care i have received has been wonderfull. He didn't pull any punches when it came to giving us all the risks of surgery. He was open and honest up front and didn't try to sugar coat anything. Over all I would rate him as a 99 on a scale from 1 to 10. His surgical competence and bedside manner were both wonderful. He is very good looking and is ok with my teasing him about how all the nurses get week in the knees when he walks on the floor. I know this review is all wonderful and some might question it but I can honestly say that 5 months out of surgery I really no matter how hard i try have nothing bad to say about this doctor, his staff or the hospital. I never expeceted my experiance through this whole thing to be so positive. I expeceted problems with the doctors office but got none. I expected no so good care at the hospital but go just the opposite. I was in pain and not a happy camper in the hospital but can not complain about my care at all.