Northern Colorado Surgical Associates Bariatric Center

I have had only one meeting with Doc Pettine. I liked him a lot. He was very honest, funny, professional, and easy to ask questions to. He described things very well and is very up front. Pettine is very likeable.
He talked about the risks and really focused on if I was mentally ready. I really liked that he talked about the mental part of it and gave me a lot to think about. He also gave tons of information on nutri. Pettine talked about all aspects of the surgy with me for an hour. It was great. He was not hurried at all and very laid back. I would rate him a 9. The only thing we didn't talk about that much was the after care of the actually incision. But, all of that was in the really great booklet they gave me. I have to say the booklet is incredable. It has so much info and answered every question I have.
His office staff was great and very informative as well. I have never been in a doctors office were everyone is giving you so much info and so knowledgable.

I have "known" Dr. Pettine for over a year now. My surgery was December 18, 2001. My first impression of him was that he was young and extremely good looking...well that was my first thought. He was genuinely kind and "likes" fat people. You could tell he is invested in his job and treats people with respect. I don't have to mention here that obese people don't typically get respect from the medical community.
Anyway, he has been wonderful since then. A typical appointment goes like this. He walks in the room, asks me how I'm doing, tells me I look great, opens my chart, does the appropriate, ohh my God about the weight loss since the last appointment, hugs me, and then we sit and chat about food, pain, exercise, scars and excess skin. He takes time to deal with the emotional stuff too, like new accomplishments (crossing legs or running on a tredmill). He is a wonderful man and did a great job with my surgery.
The staff is great and he is a part of a team that deals with obesity surgeries. The nursing and clerical staff are just as easy to get along with. First they remember you, I never check in, they check me in. Second, they always take time to say how wonderful I look and most importantly, I dont wait but a few minutes.

I give the whole place a 10 out of 10. Bedside manner, respect, competence and understanding about the struggles, before and after the surgery. I HIGHLY recommend this place and this surgeon!

Dawn Bienek

Dr. Dickinson was very pleasant. He encouraged questions and was straightfoward in his evaluation and explained the surgery in detail, though it was not necessary as I have been researching lap RNY for months. I think he will be an excellent surgeon to use for my procedure.

The staff at Northern Colorado Surgical Associates is truly excellent. Everyone had cheerful dispositions and Becke was most competent as she led the first half of the consultation.

I went to a support group meeting that Becke moderates at our local hospital and met many others who are considering/having/or have had WLS. Another physician from the practice was on hand to answer questions and Nancy, a registered dietitian, gave an interesting lecture.

There will be comprehensive aftercare with close monitoring of vitamin and protein levels and weight loss.

I rate this surgeon and staff as excellent. Once I've had surgery, I will add to this review if my opinion changes.

I met Dr. Dickenson in October, 2002. The first thing I did was tell him he needed a better chair for patients to sit in. I barely fit in the one that was provided. He said they actually were going to put a bench there. Good.

Dr. D. said that he had done "5 or 6" of the bypasses laproscopically. One leaked. That freaked me out but I should be thankful he was so honest. I am.

Just waiting now for December 3, 2002 to get here.

Met Dr Dickinson today, very nice. Went over
everthing, took his time, did not rush me
through.

My first impression was good, but I got the feeling he was a high school football player who decided this would be a lucrative career. After speaking with him for a while, I changed my mind. I realized he was very knowledgeable, and could probably recite human anatomy without missing a beat. The staff was great! The nurse (I don't remember her name) was very cheerful, upbeat, and seemed to be empathetic. I am a little nervous that he's only been doing Lap-RNY for a little over 6 months, but he assures me he's been doing lap surgery for the better part of 6 years, and is very comfortable working that way. Plus he's been doing open RNY for 5 years and stated he's done over 400 Gastric Bypasses, and hasn't lost a patient yet (although he didn't want to give me the wrong impression, stating any doctor can lose patients, he's just been lucky there haven't been major complications), so silly as it may sound, that made me feel better. When he first came in he said he was not there to sell me on the surgery, but to tell me the worst possible things that could happen. He said if I decided that I could live with worst case scenario, then I was ready to have surgery. If not, I needed to really think it through more, because these things are entirely possible. Overall, I would say I am pleased with him, and feel comfortable having him perform my surgery.

haven't met with him yet. I have a consultation with him on August 21st 2002. Will post more after that date.

Update 8-21-02 Met with the Dr. today and found him very nice and informative. He was very forthcoming with any questions or concerns I had. I think he'll do a great job and have full confidence in him.

Dr Pettine is a very friendly and personable DR. The impression he gave to me was that he is here to help me make a big decision in my life and he will give me the good with the bad and he still could not change my mind. The office stafff is very friendly and make you feel comfortable. I am having the Lap RNY surgery and I am glad I have had the oppportunity to have met a Dr who really seems to care about how I feel and how I am going to feel after it is all done and said. Everything I have experienced with the staff at Northern Colorado surgical Assoc has been great.

Doctor Quaidwas very nice good looking and strait to the point. He tried to talk me out of having the surgery because it is a life changing thing. I was impressed with all the information he supplied me with and really had no questions when done. VERY thorough.very nice staff. I loved his medical knouwledge but want the surgery NOW for he made me feel so comfortable. The after care program is so structured according to the information we recieved it really stress's the excersise program and finally for once in my life i am ready.


He explained the risks but seemed small compared to the change I am willing to do for a NEW life.
Surgical competence to me... I will always have support and bedside mannor from my family.

My first impression of Dr. Pettine was pretty positive. I liked the fact that he was very up-front. This impression hasn't had a chance to change, as I've only seen him twice.

The office staff is great. They have been very patient and helpful. Also answered all my questions in a timely fashion.

This practice has a stable, structured program: physical and psychological testing prior to surgery, support group available at all points in the journey, aftercare is stressed.

Dr. Pettine explained the risks of the surgery thoroughly. He and the staff had no issues or reluctance to share surgical statistics with me (number of laps, number of complications, etc).

I'd choose a superior surgeon with mediocre interpersonal skills over a mediocre surgeon with great interpersonal skills -- but would rather have a surgeon that excels in both areas!