Ara Keshishian Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS, FASMBS

OK. I'm post op. Dr. Keshishian in Delano is in my opinion an excellent choice for many reasons. #1. He "loves" doing surgery.

My experience with him is that he is very serious, not a joker. Appropriately sympathetic to the obese condition. It's a dignified and respectful relationship. The hospital in Delano is exceptional. Staffing is generous. Noone seems to be in a rush to leave the room and if you don't call them, they actually come in and check on you. The nurses invite you to "take a walk" often and in the middle of the night if you're up. Dr. K came in to check on me 2 or 3 times a day!

Barbara Metcalf is the nurse coordinator and calls her post op patients EVERY DAY! I feel completely cared for. I would choose him and his team again and for anyone considering this procedure.

DR. K HAS BEEN EXCELLENT. I WAS GIVEN A COMPLETE RUNDOWN OF EVRYTING THAT WOULD HAPPEN FROM THE TIME I SUBMITTED MY INSURANCE INFORMATION UNTIL AFTER THE SURGURY.

HIS STAFF, ESPECIALLY DEE TINKLE, HAVE ALL BEEN VERY HELPFUL.

PROPER AFTERCARE AND MEETING ATTENDANCE HAVE BEEN STRESSED.

THE SURGURY RISKS WERE LAID OUT. I ENDED UP HAVING COMPLICATIONS. STILL, I FEEL THAT THEY WERE NOT DUE TO ANY PHYSICIAN ERROR. DR. K TOOK ME STEP BY STEP THROUGH WHAT WAS GOING ON. HE HAS A GOOD BEDSIDE MANNER AND MADE ME FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE WITH HIM.

DELANO REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER IS THE BEST HOSPITAL I HAVE EVER BEEN IN. THE NURSES WERE MORE ATTENTIVE THAN TWO OTHER HOSPITALS I HAVE BEEN IN BEFORE. THE HOSPITAL WAS VERY ACCOMODATING TOWARD MY HUSBAND IN REGARDS TO VISITING AND STAYING OVERNIGHT. I WAS VERY IMPRESSED.

OVERALL, I AM GREATLY SATISFIED WITH THE TREATMENT GIVEN TO ME BY DR. K, HIS STAFF, AND THE STAFF AT DRMC.

I first contacted Dr. Keshishian's office just to get answers to questions I was unable to get from the first DS surgeon I contacted in San Francisco. My impression of the staff in SF office was that they had Dr.'s that were very well known and in great demand therefore, very busy. I personally felt their office receptionist lacked compassion for new clients. I wanted to know how much it would cost if my insurance co. wouldn't pay. I wanted to know how to approach my insurance co. and what to do next. I was told that they would send me all the information. I waited and waited and when two weeks went by and I hadn't received anything, I called and they said that it was sitting there and they would get it sent out.

I had already lost a couple of weeks so I asked if I could just schedule an appointment now because she said that they were almost a month and a half out. I was told that I could make an appointment for a consultation but to be prepared to pay $240 at time of service if my insurance wouldn't provide a pre authorization. I had my insurance call them and things changed a bit. I got my consultation date but, in my own opinion I felt I was treated more like a number then a person. I was made aware of the waiting process and that there was in no way I could have the surgery any sooner then the end of September. I asked to be called if there were any cancellations just to get a consultation. I was told that I could but, there was about 15 people ahead of me on that list also.

When I got the verbal OK to see the SF Dr. I called and I was told that just because the insurance company approved me for the initial visit, doesn't mean that the insurance co. or the Dr. will approve me for the surgery and that once I got into see the Dr. I would be put in a group waiting for insurance approval, then moved to a group waiting for a surgery date and then into a group waiting for the procedure. I was so disappointed. I started considering other options. I did finally receive their packet, but to this day I haven't heard from them at all.

I emailed Barbara Metcaf the RN. at Dr. K's office and I was very pleased to get all my questions answered and the next day she called me and we talked some more. I had already decided to have the DS done I just didn't like the fact that the other surgeon I had chosen could not even see me for a consultation until August or answer any questions before my consultation.

I had my gull bladder removed last year and two c sections with my children so I wanted to know what, if any difficulties this may cause for the DS surgery. After discussing these concerns with Barbara Metcaf, I was totally shocked one night to get a call from Dr. K himself. He was very informative about the risks involved and extremely sincere. He even told me that there were some great Dr.'s that did the same procedure that were a lot closer to where I lived that might make it more easier for me.

The next day I called Dr. K's office and told them the day I could come down. They switched some things around to accommodate me and I had my consultation three days later on June 28. The drive was long and hot. Delano is between Fresno and Bakersfield and I began to wonder what I was doing coming down so far to a small town in such a hot place when I could see a San Francisco Dr. and things would be a lot cooler and less driving. I had hoped that it would be worth it.

I had researched for a good three months before I even decided which surgery I felt was right for me. I found the Duodenal switch site one night and contacted people who had the DS done by Dr. K. I also met a gal that was going to be in Delano the same day I was. I looked forward to meeting her also. From the moment I walked into Dr. K's office the staff treated me with such love and respect. I can't tell you how many times I didn't go to see a Dr. when I needed to because I knew even if I a smashed finger that I would have to be weighed and it was a totally humiliating experience for me.

It was so different this time. It was a long appointment as I had never went to any of the support meetings or education classes Dr. K offers regarding this procedure. We had a lot of questions and Dr. K took all the time necessary to make us feel comfortable. My online friend and I went separate ways when it came time to be examined but I knew that I would email her the moment I got home to see how she felt about the whole thing.

Dr. K told me that he would not do the surgery on me if I didn't have the support of my PCP as I lived too far and he would need to have a close working relationship with him for my own well being. Dr. K has a very structured aftercare program as well as support meetings that I can not possibly attend because of the distance. I told him that my PCP gave me the referral because he knew how much research I had done, and that he was very supportive of my decision. I have also found several local WLS support group meetings that I will attend.

I came home so excited and so ready to be switched. I wrote all the letters to my insurance company with the help of this site and the DS site. I called everyday until I got an approval. I had the insurance provider fax me a list of in network Dr.'s for the pre op testing. As of now I have one more appointment for a psyc exam and then I am cleared for the surgery. I will go down to Delano on July 17th, the day before for any pre op testing Dr. K might want to do. July 18th is the day I will be switched. I feel that because of this site, my DS online group and a super support team from Dr. K's office I am prepared for the UP's and down's of this surgery, and know what to expect. I know that I have a lot of family support and friends I've met online that will be praying for me. I will let you know how it went when I get home. Well I am home and doing really well. I can not say enough about the staff and Dr. Keshishian. I would travel a lot more then 6 hours to have the care and support I recieved. I am now three weeks post op and I have lost 25 lbs. I have been driving and working about a week and I feel great. My stomach itches around the incision but other then that I take my daily vitiamin and eat lots of protein.

I am now almost 4 months post op and I have lost 50 lbs. Dr. K and his team never let me fall out of touch with them. I am amazed that they still call, emai and write to see how I am doing. I have the option of seeing my local Dr. but I always go down to see Dr. K in Delano CA a 6 hour drive but well worth it. I have been blessed with a steady weight loss with out complications. I have never thrown up not even once and I eat what I want. I watch the sugar because it could slow the weight loss but other then that I make sure I eat the meat first to get the most protien and then I eat the pasta or veggies. I just used a 10 day free membership at 24 hour fitness and I thik I will join.

I am now almost 7 months post op and I have lost 80 lbs and have a whole new life. Dr. K and his team still keep in touch with me and
make sure that I take care of myself. I just had my blood work done and everything looked great. I am thankful for the support and love I recieve from everyone at Dr. K's office.

Well I haven't spoken with the dr yet but I have spoken with his nurse, Dee, she is really nice and answered all my questions. Now I just need to wait to see if I am approved. Cross your fingers and pray for me!!
I have been approved!!!
I met Dr Keshisian yesterday at the support meeting he's seems to be very friendly and careing...I know I made the right choice...

First impression was that he's patient, sincere and caring. This hasn't changed. He called me himself about my insurance, and he's spent a lot of time on the phone with me answering my questions. His office staff is efficient, and very nice and friendly. He wanted my husband to be on board before he scheduled surgery. He emphazizes aftercare, and has a program for aftercare of one year, but wants you to do followup for as many years as you can. He does address all the risks, and he has meetings where you can go and ask questions of him, his staff and his patients. I'd say he's a person I trust. His other patients adore him and I can understand why. Of course, I'll update this after my surgery.

Dr. K was very nice, knowledgeable, understanding and a little funny. Staff was great and helpful

My thought when I met Dr. Keshishian was 'he's so young!' He just celebrated his first anniversary in practice (11/00). He is very knowledgeable about this surgery, and explains it in a very down-to-earth manner. I came with a notebook full of questions, but he answered most of them before I even asked. He spends a lot of time educating you on the possible side effects/complications that arise. He really wants you to make an informed decision about this surgery. Besides the fact that I think he is a very gifted surgeon, what I like the best about Dr. K is that his is very present in his interactions with you. He really listens. And he is very human--doesn't even have a trace of the inflated ego I've seen in so many doctors. I really like that about him. He called me personally to tell me my insurance had approved the surgery and to discuss a surgery date. Whenever I've had questions, or emailed him with a concern, he has responded to me quickly, and personally. I think the combination of surgical competence and bedside manner is very important--and Dr. K has the right stuff in this regard! I had a big problem with the first anesthesiologist I spoke with (prior to surgery) and voiced my concerns to Dr. K. He understood my concerns, and arranged for a more open and caring anesthesiologist to work with me. His office staff that works with appointments and insurance is very good. Barbara Metcalf is his educational coordinator and called me daily after surgery to see how I was progressing. She is awesome! She used to work with Dr. Rabkin before he relocated to San Francisco, so she has many years experience working with DS patients. No, I'm not the president of the Dr. K fanclub, but maybe I should be. I just can't say enough about this man, his staff, and the great outcome I've had with surgery.

The care I received from both the hospital and surgeon was exemplary. Pre-op teaching by the physician and his staff was in depth and meaningful. The risks of surgery were explained in full, not once but several times. When I went in for surgery I was well prepared for what I felt when I came out. Once out of surgery and in my room the nursing staff took wonderful care of me. I know I was treated better in this hospital than I would have been in a larger facility. They have a higher nurse to patient ratio and the physician demands that his protocols be followed to the letter. Dr. K checked on me several times a day and made sure I was as comfortable (pain) as he could make me. My husband was able to stay the night with me which helped with night care during the first days after surgery. This comfort was a blessing for both of us. He was afraid for me and I needed his company. Once I returned home Dr. K and his staff called and checked on me daily for at least 7-10 days. I am very happy with Dr. Keshishian and would recommend him and Delano Regional Medical Center to all considering weight loss surgery.

I have only spoken to Barbara, his RN over the phone, but she is delightful. She has been so helpful in answering questions. I have my evaluation with Dr. K on Tues. Oct 24, so will have a better feel after that. I have emailed many of his patients and only hear wonderful things about him, his staff and the hospital.

My first impression of Dr. Keshishian was he was down to earth and didnt treat me like a number. He was a very friendly guy and his wife and the staff who where present at the seminar where all friendly and a great group of people. I had no dislikes about him at all. He tells you about the surgery in details and the risks in a way everyone can understand. He shown slides of pictures of the surgery and charts . I have not had the surgery yet but im sure his bed side manner is just as great. On a scale of 1 to 10 i would rate him a 15, extra points for down to earth friendly approach. This is only in my opinion but let me say this if i didnt like how he treated me as a person then i would not have chosen him as a surgeon. I will post more as i go along.
New information Dr. K called my house when he recieved some of my medical history and talked to me about coming to Delano and where i would stay the night before. I was very shocked when he called and it shows me he is concerned about my health and well being. I then saw him on the 3rd of Oct. Gave me a physical and was very concerned about a sore on my leg and said it was due to poor circulation and called the clinic i go to and made an appointment for me. He also had called my mother and talked to her about my past history he was concerned about. This has proven to me that i have made a good decision on my surgeon and im very happy with him. So far i have no negative things to say only that my impression of his office staff tends to be sometimes not all together. I had to fax my insurance 2 times because they said they lost the other fax. I was also not told about the fee you need to pay before the surgery till they said it was a go. But other than that im still happy with my decision.