Ara Keshishian Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS, FASMBS

WOW WHERE DO I START?? Dr Keshishian and his staff are the BEST !! I am not sure there is enough space for me to convey all the warm feeling I have for them!! My first impression to my last has been that he is very caring and attentive to his patients at all times. I saw him SEVERAL times a day while in the hospital. He and his staff have kept in great, regular contact with me since. I live in Kansas and went California for surgery so the long distance contact has been very important. He and his staff did a great job of educating my doc back here at home too. His support group meeting are wonderful. I sure wish I could make it to more of them. I was so impressed over all by how well rounded Dr. Keshishian is as a doctor. You do not have to give up anything! His dedication in superior BAR NONE ! His bedside manner could not be better!! And as far as his surgical competancy, he has one big vote of confidence from me! In fact after talking to MANY of his patients I cannot find even one who has a bad thing to say about him. From beginning to end my experience with this doctor and his staff has been wonderful. He made sure I knew the risks and possible complications but once he knew I understood them he was behind be 100%. I have had 7 other mojor surgeries in my life and have never before felt like my surgeon was my friend. This whole process has been a "God" thing for me! I thank GOD daily that He lead me to Dr. Keshishian !!!!

I first met Dr.K and his staff at a monthly meeting that I went to with a friend that was already approved for surgery. I had attended one in Ventura but this one took the cake. His personal feeling about what he does comes through so strong. I did some more research and finally made my consult appointment. Dee explained everything so great that she took any concerns my husband had who was with me that he wants it now too. My only problem now is with Blue Cross, they have denied me, but I am fighting back. Dee and the office staff has been so nice with getting things sent to Blue Cross for me. They have listened to me over and over. I will update when and I do mean when I get my date set.

After dealing with several different Dr.'s searching for weight loss surgery I was blessed to have found Dr. Keshishian. The first time that I called them they were wonderful. I knew that they were going to be great people to deal with. However, after meeting the Doctor and his staff in person I was wrong! Great was an under statement they were Awesome. They were so friendly and polite and what was really nice is the nurse that did the educational session with me was His wife Dawn Keshshian. She is trruely an asset to this office. They are both caring and kind individuals.
My Grandmother and my Mother and my Husband all attended support meetings held by Dr. K himself emphasizing the risks of the surgery and the aftercare of yourself and your dietary plan after surgery. I and my husband both commented on how thorough Dr. K is and how He wants you to be fully educated on what you are about to endevor into. I am so thankful that I have chosen Dr. K to do my gr-ds. He is truly God sent to me. I would encourage anyone looking into a weight loss surgery to look up Dr. K. He is straight forward, doesn't beat around the bush, But walks softly on this sensitive issue.

I liked him immeditely. I had heard good things about him prior to my consult. He had a caring manner and a great bedside manner. He was informative and very clear about all the risks of surgery. He wanted to know that you had done your homework and were not jumping into this decision blindly. His nurse Dee was great and spent 2 hours going over the program. She explained in detail what to expect before and after. Everyone in the office made you feel cared for.They really put an emphasis on the importance of aftercare. I am pleased with my selection of a surgeon to go through this journey with.
Dr. K is the best.

My first impression of Dr. K was that he seemed very kind and friendly. He really came across as taking a personal interest. He was very patient at explaining the procedure and the side effects. He also explained the effects of my diabetes and how my body would change with the surgery.

His office staff was very helpful and his nurse/teacher Dee was very knowledgable especially since she has had the surgery herself. Really made it easier to heed the advice since it was from experience.
The after care is considered absolutly important and required.

I would recommend him...I will be able to know more when I have the surgery. Will post again to confirm this....
7/26/01 My opinion of Dr K has only gotten better, if that is possible. He makes you seem like you are his only patient. He truly seems to care for each and every one of us. He stresses aftercare and he doesnt let us take ourselves too seriously. I really like that. I really liked the 24 hour contact I had, especially just coming home from the hospital. No question seemed to small to him or Dee. I know I chose the best surgeon and Dr for this procedure. I cant say enough good about him. I see him and feel a lump in my throat, I feel like this is the second person who gave me life! I will never forget him as long as I live! Of course it goes without saying I feel the same about Dee and Dawn.

I have my consult appt. with Dr. Keshishian July 27 so I haven't met him yet, but if his staff is a reflection of him, then he must be an awesome doctor. They are the most wonderful, caring, and accomodating people. They have responded to every email or call promptly and have been most informative and helpful. I am looking forward to meeting them all.

I've only had contact with office so far. Talked to Dawn who is RN and is Dr.K's wife. She was fantastic and informative. Set up pre-op date for 7/18. they sent patient packet in mail and it is fairly complete.

I have heard only good things about dr and hospital. will let you know more after I see him on wed.

I am having DS (not sure if lap or open yet). He is just starting to do laps.

My initial impression of Dr. K was that he was intense, brilliant, sensitive and so young! I was expecting someone older. I loved the fact that his wife is his RN and that some of his staff had the operation from his expereinced hands as well. I have never felt more confidence in any doctor, male or female that I have come across.

I initially met him in August of 2000 and my impression hasn't changed!

His office staff is great. They are compassionate, capable and fun!

I haven't found anything about him that I do not like...

Future patients should understand that he will expect you to know that you are doing...he likes it when his patients are self educated about what this surgery is, what the aftercare entails, etc.

He emphasized aftercare ALOT...he and his wife, and staff are very vigilent about making you understand what your responsibility is after the surgery.

Their aftercare is structured...you must have appointments at monthly intervals and attend meetings..

Dr. K and his staff really emphasize the risks of surgery...I think they tend to really emphasize then to make you aware and see if you still want this type of surgery, despite the possible complications.

In my opinion, he is top-notch. He is extremely passionate about surgery in general and his loves the fact that he is able to do this surgery...he's funny too!

I'll let you know more after my big day! 4/23/01








May 21, 2001

My initial impression was true...Dr. K and his staff are awesome. Noe that I am post-op, my opinion of him is even better. He is so intelligent, funny, quirky, sweet and his bedside manner is awesome. He is very discreet when he comes and checks on you, he is concerned about your emotional state and well as your physical state and continues to be well after surgery. His whole staff is great, and the aftercare is met with compasiion and concern. I would recommend him to anyone!

Dr. K is warm, caring, respectful. He takes his time answering all your questions. He is very open to discussing alternatives - both pre- and post-op. Dee Tinkle is great - really takes you through the whole process. She has had the surgery and really knows it from the inside. They both make sure you understand all the risks involved. I only wish they had a staff nutritionist to answer more specific questions. I am from out of the area, so I can't speak to structured aftercare.

Update 2/05/01
I was reading more research on this website and I came across a website from Heidi she had the duodenal switch and her links and personal stories were awesome. I was sold! She has a link to duodenal switch.com which gave me even more assurance that this surgery was for me. I talked it over with my husband and he felt it was a better surgery than the RNY also.
After once again using this great AMOS website I clicked on to peer testimonials and researched the doctors in my area and how their patients rated them and I chose Dr. Keshishian. He is young but his staff and patients love him. Dee Tinkle the rn/lvn there is so sweet. He performed her surgery so her wisdom comes from experience. She right away gives a breakdown once she contacts the insurance to let you know from the start about how much your going to have to come up with. FYI there is a $2000 program/after care fee above what insurance pays that I really didn't like at first. Dr. K is just really a stickler for aftercare and wants every patient to stick with it. However Dr. Rabkin, another Dr. who performs the same surgery charges $3000 so I guess it is commonplace. I've wasted more than that with all the diets I've tried anyway. So I patiently wait for my consult on Feb 20, 00.
In my opinion Dr. Keshishian is the newest to the business but is bringing weight loss surgery to a whole new level. Compassion, caring and an overall eagerness to help the obese. We'll see if my opinions are justified on the 20th. Good luck to everyone elso on the journey!

UPDATE 2/26 Read my profile about how my exam went. Let me just say Dr. Keshishian is the man!! He is worth the drive and just plain awesome!!!

UPDATE 4/18/01 About a week out of surgery and down 17 pounds! Dr. K was great and checked on me atleast twice a day. He reassured my family all the way up to the operating room! It's nice to finally find a surgeon whith skills and perfect bedside manner!