Texas Center For Bariatrics & Advanced Surgery Bariatric Center

03/20/02 Met him today and he is so knowledgeable, but young! My husband said that it is just that we are so old...lol. My surgery will have to be open, but that is because he feels that it is more dangerous to do a lap surgery and he does not want to risk his patients' health. (good point) He is also able to create a smaller pouch with an open surgery than a lap could. Even though I did not want to have to worry about a large wound to protect, I feel confident in his practical approach. He gave a complete explanation of risks and advantages. My husband was as impressed as I was with his demeanor as well as knowledge. Now I just have to pray my way through insurance approval.....

1st impression: He is very thourough, has a great personality. He made me feel very comfortable. My impression of him stayed consistent throughout my visits/surgery. His shares an office with Stephen Hamm (another bariatric surgen). The staff there is very supportive and eager to help you reach your goals. There wasnt anything that I didnt like about him. I was given all kinds of books and documenation that I was required to read before surgery so that I would be fully prepared for what was to come. I did feel prepared. They gave me informaion on support groups, an nutritionalist group, and told me even if I am no longer under their care to call if I needed anything or had questions. We did discuss risks of surgery. We discussed the two types of surgery he performs (gastric bypass and vertical banded gastroplasty) we looked at all the risk factors and benifits of each to help me make a decision on which surgery was best for me. I would highly recommend him to anyone! He is a fantastic bedside manner and is a very knowledgable and competent surgen.

I have my first appointment set up! Thanks to all the wonderful people on here, I felt comfortable with making an appointment with Dr. Stephen Hamn. However, he doesn't do the RNY, so his partner Dr. Joseph Cribbins does. My appointment is Feburary 6th. Finally after 6 yrs. I atleast got this far. Now we will see what the insurance has to say!
PS DR Cribbin and Hamn's office staff is wonderful I bugged them over the phone forever!

I liked Dr. Cribbins immediately but was a little nervous about how young he looks. But, in addition to being young and beautiful ;) he is very knowledgeable. He was very down to earth and discussed the pros and cons of the surgeries, he offered me either VBG or GB. He drew pictures on the paper on the examining table. He was there for as long as I needed and was prepared to answer any questions I had.
I was not so impressed with his office staff. There was only 1 person in particular that I felt could have been a little nicer.
But I feel like the staff in general got my insurance approved in a timely manner. I believe the main thing that slowed me down was having to wait about a month to get in to my psych eval. after my paperwork made it to my insurance company.
I am afraid that Dr. Cribbins doesn't offer enough aftercare. They have a dietician and little support group but any medical problems should be dealt with by your private physician (after your initial follow-up visits of course.)
Dr. Cribbins is in a practice with Dr. Steven Hamn, a well-known bariatric surgeon in Plano, TX. I don't know if everyone is aware of this yet. He is young but very experienced as he has assisted with Dr. Hamn on many surgeries. It is my quess that Dr. Hamn assists him on his surgeries. Dr. Cribbins I hear also does vascular surgeries. I figure if he can do that he can sure do my VBG.

I haven't seen him yet I will see him on Nov 20th I am getting all my medical records together so I can go in with a bang.
Had to change to Dr Cribbins.12/13/01 Meet with the Dr yesterday my first impression of him was boy he's FINE. I think that he is very knowlegable of the surgery.

11/10/01
I met with Dr Cribbins today for the first time. My first impression was "dang he is a lil hottie." lol He is very young but that is not always a bad thing. He seems very well educated on WSL. He sat there and answered all of my questions.(I only had 2 pages full) He made me feel very comfortable with him and the thought of the surg. His office staff was very helpful and kind. The only thing that i did not care for was that he does not emphasize on aftercare. I have heard that a former pt has started her own support group here in Dallas. Which i hope to attend soon. So far i would refer my friends and family to him. We will see as time goes on.

My first impression of my surgeon was he is very young! I found out that he is very confident, calm and steady. His office staff is adequate confused alot but, very helpful. They have a strict aftercare procedure of liquids for 3 mos. They really like you to stick to it. I dont though, maybe I'll regret it someday. Thanks to a former patient Mrs. Sanders she has basically started a support group for that office just out of the kindest of her own heart.
He explained to me the risk of the surgery and answered all my questions, I had written down alot of questions to ask him, because I have been researching wls for 6 mos. prior to my surgery, I knew alot of the risks already and he answered all my questions honestly and simply. I am really surprised when I hear of people that go through the surgery without knowing what they are getting into. I asked him if he has ever lost a patient during this surgery and another question to ask is about the Anesthesiologist and talk to them if you can, that is what I was most scared about, going under. I think surgical competence far outweighs bedside manner, luckily I had both.

late in the day appointment, and 1.5 hours away...and had to wait...and it was worth it,
real info, drawings, and good explainations.
can not get on the schedule until late june or early july...insurance, consults, and our schedule,too! hurry up and wait...i have studied, and spoken with several patients, started cutting out "junk", eat hi-protein, and no sodas...i am ready to lose the extra person i carry around. as it should be he goes over the risks, benefit, and aftercare;
he also stresses the pt's responsiblity in aftercare and lifestyle changes.

08/09/01 i am seeing dr.cribbens, he is practice with dr. hamm of plano,tx saw him a month ago...should be approved soon...he is young(aka=good looking)and good at helping look at the risks and types of surgery. i was sure i was a RNY, but in talking with him, VGB is a better choice for my medical history. even when approved have to have pre-op testing done, to make sure mind and body are in shape for surgery.

i have been scheduled for pre-ops on oct.15th, and 24th...and surgery on oct.30th, very nice schedular and office staff...and a scale that can weigh "real people" and has handles for those of us that get dizzy wearing birkenstock sandals!

Dr. Cribbins is VERY young. I have only spoken to him once, and he was very thorough. He explained everything. He seems like a very nice person & doctor who really cares. I have learned a lot since I spoke with him, and would love to talk to him again, but the office makes you sign a paper when you go in the first time, saying that you won't call them... That is the biggest drawback I can see right now, except that they were kind of slow getting my pre-d to the insurance company. It took almost a month for them to get the letter back from the transcriptionist, and mail it out. But, I had approval the day after insurance received it. I'm sure that this is normal, but I am very impatient.(I'm sure there's no one else like that out there) :-)
Everyone in the office seemed very nice.

He is young, but he presents himself well. He seemed well educated in obesity treatments, and has a wonderful bedside manner. I was a little hesitant at first to have him do my surgery because I am one of those people who search and search for the "doctor's doctor". Dr. Cribbins was very confident, and since Dr. Hamn will be assisting (he has done many surgeries), my mind was put at ease.

Their office staff was a little evasive at first. They were very busy, but should have been a little more attentive and understanding. I felt like I had to keep following up with them more than I did my insurance company to make sure things were getting done.

After care is not emphasized at Dr. Cribbins office...but that's ok. I don't need the after care. I have a wonderful support group in my kids and husband.