Ara Keshishian Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS, FASMBS

What can I say. Almost 380 then, 200 now. He was straight forward with the risks and had a sense of humor when I joked. Not much though but enough to make you comfortable. Still alive 15 years later and 200lbs. Why you still reading :).

I had my duodenal switch in Feb of 2001. Dr Keshishian is not only a highly superb surgeon, but he is unusual in his true caring of his patients. He is like family to me. He gave me life and has again saved my life on other occasions when my local doctors missed or wouldn't listen. He trusts that you know your own body and truly LISTENS to his patients. I cannot express how much I admire and yes, love this doctor! I would recommend anyone even considering a bariatric surgery, to at least speak to him and get a true idea of your options and what would be best for you individually.

For anyone who like me has been hoping and praying for a chance to find the right doctor who would be willing to convert a gastric bypass to a DS, contact Dr. K right away. I had my original RNY in 2001 and although I was able to keep off about 100lbs, I was still very obese at 5'3 and 228lbs and could not stop gaining and losing the same 10lbs over and over again. On June 24, 2016, Dr. K did my revision and in just two months, I have already lost 40lbs. I live in Florida and even if Dr. K was on the other side of the world, I would have travelled to have this miracle worker put his magic hands on me. Dr. K is a genius, a true professional, a kind heart and genuine soul. Dr. K'S office staff are like angels guiding patients through the entire process. I could never thank this man for what he has done for me and countless others.

Dr. K saved my life! He is very passionate about helping his patients, is an expert in his field, and saves the lives of his patients. His staff is awesome as well! I highly recommended Dr. K and am very happy with the Duodenal Switch procedure he does. He is the ONLY doctor that does this particular procedure in So Cal! Go see him if you are morbidly obese!

My experience with Dr. Keshishian has been unlike any medical experience before. I have never been treated with such consideration, respect and knowledge. He is compassionate and passionate about helping people get past obesity to a healthy place. I have so much gratitude for Dr. Keshishian and his staff.

I couldn't ask for better. Highly skilled, extremely intelligent and knowledgeable, but also funny and compassionate; not only do you get the best medical care from Dr. "K", you get the best human care, also. He responds to emails, texts, and phone calls, usually within a few hours. He'll go out of his way to see you--meeting me once at 11pm at on a weeknight when my incision was still not closing and I lived 200 miles away. He is a nice man, a great surgeon, and kind. You just can't go wrong with Dr. K.

I was very nervous about weight loss surgery but after meeting and talking with Dr. K my fears were removed and I went ahead with the surgery on 6/24/13. It has been 6 months now and I have lost 130 lbs. I could not be happier with the results or Dr. K. Dr. K's calm demeanor and dry sense of humor really makes me fell comfortable and I appreciate his concern for my well being and overall health.

I had surgery June 24, 2013 in DRMC. At first i was iffy about having my surgery done in Delano, but i warmed up to the idea. I showed up to the outpatient surgery room to prepare for surgery at 445am and was scheduled to get my surgery done at 7am. Dr. Keshishian came into the preop room to go over the procedure i was going to have done and to answer any last minute questions i had. He was very respectful and polite at such an early time. After surgery, i was moved to my private room where nurses came in every 2 to 3 hours to check on me to make sure i needed anything. They accommodated my mom in the hospital and even provided lunch to her. Dr. Keshishian came and asked if i felt ok and checked my drains and incision. Everything came out great and i was feeling optimistic. Hey BEAUTY IS PAIN. i am a week out of surgery and i have lost a total of 14 pounds already. Its difficult, but its possible.

Thanks so much Dr. Keshishian for doing my surgery and making me feel confident in myself and my new life.

Dr Keshishian saved my life!! I met him for the first time just a day before I had surgery with him. He was so kind, so funny and so personable. He made me and my husband feel so at ease - and I was so thankful for that.

Dr K knows his stuff. He is so hands on with his patients, and he answers every text, every question, every phone call I've ever made. My father in law is a surgeon, and I had him check out DR K before I committed to have him as my surgeon. My father in law was very impressed with Dr K's experience and his patient statistics. I was as well.

I just can't say enough about this wonderful man. He cares for his patients in such an incredible way. I've had 11 surgeries to date in my life, and I've never met a surgeon this kind. I've also never had a surgeon so committed to making sure that I was taken care of post operatively. I travelled out of state to have the DS with him, and he made sure that I knew that I could get him any time, day or night. That was so comforting to me.

I would highly recommend Dr Keshishian to anyone who wants to have a DS. He is kind, his is one of the best in the field, and he listens to his patients. I will love him forever for giving me my life back.

I had my DS surgery 12 years ago with Dr. Keshishian and to this day it remains the best decision I ever made; both the surgery and the surgeon. My highest weight was 351 pounds and at 5'6" that was alot of weight for my frame, but I managed to carry it around for the better part of 25 years. I knew Dr K was the right choice for me the first time I met him because of his kindness, his sense of humor and his knowledge. He was the first person to ever make me believe the obesity wasn't totally my fault. My surgery was pretty uneventful. The surgery wasn't by any discription easy, nor were the next several weeks and months as I learned how to do everything differently.I had to learn how to not gulp, not eat fast, drink water, walk...all the things I had "unlearned". The most important thing for me was that Dr Keshishian walked every step of it with me. He encouraged and supported me when I needed it, repremanded me when I deserved it, but he was always there, good or bad. I lost 182 pounds in 2 years. I have regained 25 pounds of it recently after my thyroid went south on me, but overall I have had 12 years of living because of this surgery. I can't say I have done everything right, because that wouldn't be true. I neglected my calcium and supplements, and Dr K was there to catch me when I fell flat on my face and had to start all over. He has operated on me a couple of times since my DS for a pancreatitis/obstruction issue and then for a hernia. I know that if I need another surgery for any reason I will find someway to be where he is, because I know his skill level and I trust him completely. My recommendation for those looking for a surgeon is to do your homework, check out all surgeries and then pick the procedure and surgeon that fits you, don't let anyone talk you into it and do your self a favor and call Dr K, you won't regret it. My initial impression of Dr Keshishian was correct and my admiration of him has only increased over the last 12 years. He gave me my life back on January 3, 2000 and then taught me how to help others get their lives back as well, and I will forever be grateful to him for that.