Surgical Associates Ltd. Bariatric Center

I was very pleased with my surgeon. He was very honest and upfront with all of the potential problems and was very willing to answer any questions that I or my family had. I was also very pleased with the nurses and staff at the Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. In fact after a recent move I feel fortunate that I was able to have the surgrey there. The care and support that I recieved during and after my surgery was wonderful. Anyone that is in that area I recomend contacting Dr O'Brien's office. They will send you info and answer question. However be prepared because Dr O'Brein will be honest and does expect cooperation with the post op program. Sugery is a very serious thing and anyone who is not ready to change their life style should reconsider.

DR. O'Brien is wonderful. At first though I thought he was a litte "stuffy", but once we got to talking he opened right up and asnwered all of my questions. He took the time to explain in detail. His office staff is the best. The letter that they wrote to this insurance company was just awesome.

I had heard nothing but Good things about Dr. O. After meeting with him the first time I understood why! He was very pleasant. He went through the whole procedure answering any questions I had. He made sure I understood everything including the risks. I would recommend Dr O To anyone who is thinking about this procedure.

He was rather hurried the first day I met with him, but also genuinely concerned for my health. He was pleased that I got the approval the second time I saw him, and addressed my concerns willingly. His office staff was great, especially his personal nurse, Pam. There wasn't anything that I didn't like about anyone there. As far as what future patients should know, all I can say is that he did a great job. He was one of the two doctors in Sioux Falls that performs the surgery on a regular basis. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of following the aftercare intructions (not that I had any issues, but I could see the potential complications had I not followed the proper care information). Overall, he was great! Both surgical competence and beside manner ranked way up there on the scale.

6/14/02 I initially met with Dr. O'Brian in February 2001. He was nice enough but he was not really interested in doing the RNY procedure and that is what I feel is best for me. Over the past year I have heard good things about all 3 surgeons in Sioux Falls, but have decided to go with Dr. Graham because he is covered by my insurance and he does the RNY procedure. I meet him for the first time tomorrow.

Dr.O'Brien is a very good surgeon. He didn't spend alot of time with me prior to surgery as I only saw him a total of about 20 minutes before I had the surgery but I felt my questions were all answered for me. He came to check on me in the hospital and was very nice and said everything looked good and had gone well. He explained the surgery took about an hour longer than expected due to scar tissue and adhesions I had from an old surgery that he had to work arond but that everything went fine.
Dr. O'Brien's staff was excellent and the pre-admission testing the day before surgery went really smooth and fast.
I would rate Dr. O'Brien and his staff excellent.

Considering where I am from, the choice of doctors were slim. I went to the 1st dr that I found. I didn't have a referral from another dr, I just made the decision to go to Dr Graham because of a friend at work who had him. I have 2 issues as far as Dr Graham is concerned that are negetive, they are #1, (the least of the two) The amount of time he makes his patients wait in the waiting room. On 2 different occasions I waited for my appointments for over 2 hours. I was on time for all of my appointments. #2. I do not feel that I was well enough prepared for the pain I was going to be in after the surgery. This was the 6th surgery that I had which involved my abdomen area. (they include 3 c-sections, tubal, gall bladder removal and gastric bypass) This was by far the worse, an I don't know what anyone could have done to prepare, or be prepared. So maybe this really wasn't even something that he could have prepared me for. But I thought it would have been less painful, or atleast equal to the previous.
As far as after care, I don't think is was sufficient. I have heard of people going in once a month after surgery, and I have seen him 2 times in 10 months. Maybe because I really had no problems.
Overall, I think that most people are satisfied with him. But overall, I am completely satisfied with the results of my surgery, but if I had it to do all over again, I would have researched more.

Dr. O'Brien was just what I need, he listend all the things I said and my mother. He is a wounderful Doc.

7/10/2002 Dr. O'Brien was wonderful during surger and well my stay at the hospital.

MY FIRST IMPRESSION WAS THAT HE WAS VERY RESERVED, SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN IN 2 SUPPORT MEETINGS WITH HIM AND FIND THAT HE IS A VERY OPEN AND WILLING PERSON. I WOULD RATE DR. OBRIEN VERY HIGH AT THIS POINT...STILL WAITNG TO HAVE THE SURGERY THOUGH.
FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND HE IS VERY COMPETENT.

What a nice man! He has been doing this procedure for over 20 years and is very thorough! My husband works directly with him in surgery and has said he is an excellent surgeon. He can draw you pictures of your procedure, answer any question, and is an all-around wonderful listener! I didn't feel rushed during any of my appts with him either. Sheryl, his nurse, is fab fab fabulous--knows what she's talking about! Dr Graham also attends our gastric bypass meetings and talks about any of our questions with the greatest of ease ~ he really knows his stuff!