A. Joseph Cribbins III Bariatric Surgeon MD

It took me several months before I could see Dr. Cribbins. My appointment was 10/31/02 and was a combination mini-seminar and consultation. The waiting room is small but has ample sized chairs. I signed in at 9am and was presented the forms to fill out, paid my copay, received about a ten page handout,and then chatted with the other patients who wanted to become losers. Dr. Cribbins was running a little late because he was in surgery. He gave a small presentation, drew diagrams, discussed the three types of surgeries he performs, LapBand, RNY, and VGB. Then I was weighed and placed into an examination room for my consultation. I had just a few questions as I had been to other seminars. I found Dr. Cribbins young, but every doctor seems to be now that I have turned 50. He was very professional! We discussed my concerns for RNY vs VGB. He assured me that I would do well with either. The office is clear that you should not call them because as soon as the insurance request is filed and answered you would be contacted for pre op testing. At this time his office is scheduling surgeries in 1/03. There was no discussion of a support group after surgery. I wish he had spend time with us as a group to answer questions because I am sure I forgot some questions because I was so excited. Also I was not told if I would be coming back to the office again before surgery.
12/22/02 I can't believe how quickly this has gone. The down side is his office does not discuss when the surgery or preops will be, they just sent you a letter telling you the dates and times. My psych evaluation is tommorrow. My pre op testing is on 1/14/03 which will include labs, eks, chest xray, upper GI and gall bladder sonogram. My preop with Dr. Cribbins is on 1/20/03. I will have to pay $285 at this visit. I am so excited and nervous. Next to my daughter this is the best Christmas present ever! I will get my life back!

He looks very young but seems well informed. He did not spend that much time with me. Neutral so far.
Office staff was competent but not that friendly. Seems to have a fairly structured aftercare program.

I have seen Dr. Cribbins once. He held a seminar for prospective patients and then met with each of us separately. He was very nice and answered all of my questions. He strongly recommends the adjustable lap band. His office staff was nice enough. We were told not to call the office for 3 months if we did not here from them first. I was approved in just a few days after only one letter to the insurane company. We did not discuss aftercare. He did say that I should get down to 163 pounds. He did address the risks of surgery. I would give him an overall good rating at this point. I am waiting for surgery date.

My first impresstion is that he is really young. I have only seen him once so far. After talking to him and asking many questions I was reassured about his experience. He has done over 1000 bariatric surgery and has yet to lose a patient.

His staff is very professional. It took 3 months to get an appointment and 3 months for surgery date. I have talked Melinda in his office on a regular basis and she is always helpful and accessible.

My initial visit was on Oct.3. He is very young, but all the better. He should be more current on procedures. He is very personable. His staff is very helpful and you know they are there to help you. He leans towards an open procedure and has yet to lose a patient.

Dr. Cribbins appear to be very knowledgeable and caring. I left with a great impressionof him. Over time my impression hasn't changed about Dr. Cribbins. However, I am not at all impressed with his staff. I saw Dr. Cribbins 07/09/02. I was advised that the process takes about 90 days. But, I did advise Melvin that my insurance company had all the required information ahead of time because my PCP submitted it. Aetna had advised me that once I was seen by Dr. Cribbins that they would submit a survey. That was done on 07/17/02. Today is 09/30/2002 and Aetna still has nothing from Dr. Cribbins office. Of course I called today and was advised by Melinda that the information was faxed to Aetna on 09/12/2002. Well as of 09/30/02 3:47pm CST Aetna had nothing. I am so frustrated and i am also all cried out. I don't know where to go from here. I am not even sure who to believe. One form has taken 3 months. Hmm.

Dr. Cribbins is one of the most caring physicians I have ever met. He is down to earth and doesn't have that "God" complex. I told him this too! He explained the procedure in detail and answered all the questions I had. His staff is great. Gerri was as helpful as she could be. My insurance company changed some of the criteria mid-stream so I was denied the first time around. The hospital, Presbyterian of Plano, has a nutritional group session once a month but I haven't been able to attend yet since the first one was a week after my surgery. Dr. Cribbins gives you a book to help with the aftercare that has great information in it. When I first started thinking about the surgery I wanted it done laprascopically. Then when I met with Dr. Cribbins he told me of the increased risk of leakage on lap vs. open and I opted for open. I would recommend him to everyone! Both his surgical competence and bedside manner are great. He is very soft spoken and doesn't treat you like you're beneath him.

I have my consultation on August 6, 2002. I can't wait. I meet with Dr. Cribbins today. He was very nice and has a great bedside manner. He didn't treat me like a number, but as a person. He was very impressed with my 3 inch binder that I brought to him full of medical records, lab results ect. He will dictate the letter to the insurance company today. God Bless Dr. Cribbins!

Well it has been over a months and the letter to the insurance company just now went out. I can't beleive that it took his office a month to send out the letter. (know I know why, they were short staffed). I was then told that he was booking for December. I have been approved!!!!!
Melinda is new at the dr's office, however she seems to know her stuff. I have a date of December 2, 2002! I was wrong...I have a date of December 4, 2002. The staff at this office seems to be very short staffed. Slow to get things done, be patient.

I only met with him once, he seemed very nice. I will have my pre op appt. on the 18th of Sept. I am looking forward to meeting him again. His office staff has been very nice and helpful.

I liked the doctor, I have only seen him once. His office staff seems very helpful.