David von Rueden Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

Calm, confident and kind. Made me feel very comfortable. Office staff very nice and helpful. The program manager, Beth Ann is a real sweetheart. Performs RNY Lap and open if necessary. Very impressive post-op program although very conservative - clear liquids for one week, full liquids for two weeks, pureed for 2 weeks and then real food. Very upfront and realistic related to surgical risks. Reviewed these via film strip and discussion. Beth Ann also reviewed her personal story with WLS. Since I haven't had the surgery yet, I can't rate him but I have a medical background and he said all of the right things when I met him. I think surgical competence is better than bedside manner but I firmly believe I hit both with Dr, Von Rueden.

I first met Dr Von Reuden at an information session that he gave with his Nurse/Program Director. When I was finally able to get an appointment I found both he and his staff to be kind and informative. I did not feel the shame that I've felt in presence of so many doctors before.
They were very informative and have a good aftercare program.
My primary care physician gave Dr.Von Reuden a good recommendation.

He was very caring and informational

it just got better

the new office @GBMC is awesome! Bethann's always been terrific.
nothing

He is very concerned that you know as much as possible. Educate yourself,it helps a lot.
This is big, after care and support groups are essential.
Yes, the support groups are well established thanks to Bethann. they are fun and informative. Also B12 can be given

a 15 on a 10 point scale!!!

He has the best hands in any OR (I was told this after my surgery by several guest Dr.s at my surgery. Bedside is caring and your success is very important to him.

He is very caring.

no

he's starting in a new office, but Beth Ann(his right hand nurse) is wonderful and moving with him to Towson,Md.

He is really concerned about the happiness of all (pre & post-op patients)
We have a huge pre& post-op support group.

yes, support group,walking group, clothing exchanges, and Holiday parties.
explained everything in great detail & answered all of my questions.
amazing

all of the above!

Dr.von Reuden seemed very professional, but yet has a sense of humor. He has a quality about him that sets you at ease and makes you feel like you are talking to your father. He seems to truly care about and for his patients, yet i upfront about the surgery and complicaitons. He is thorough, answers your questions. His staff is courteous, sometimes some are slow and occasionally do not return phone calls or obtain their voice mail timely, but all in all the pre op experience is a positive one. He has the most beautiful blue eyes-like looking into a pool of relaxation. His nurse has first hnd experience with the procedure, but not by him and is very adept at managing his support groups and his information groups. she is a very busy lady with returning to work in the ED , a new baby and only works 1 day or so for him. I havenot had the surgery yet it is upcoming so I cannot comment on how the hospital teatment was or how the whole surgical experience went-that will come later. I feel he rates a 9-10(scale 10). Has a tremendous aftercare program with multidisciplinary support team for added success. All physcians should have his bedside manner!!!!!! mY EXPERIENCE POST OP WITH Dr. VR is even better. He was so kind and caring and any problem you have you can get him or his nurse thru her personal beeper. I had some complications and saw him frequently and was in the hospital for 2-3 subsequent minor complications but he was wonderful. Unfortunately there is some problems with the hospital he is associated with and he will be moving his practice to a yet undisclosed institution, however his program will be moving with him and so will his patient following which is numbering around 300. This work is his life passion and it is a breath of fresh air to see a physcian so impaceted by the surgery he practices- he loves what he does and it shows he rates a 20 on a scale of 0-10. Don't let his quietness fool you .

My first impression of Dr. VonRueden was that he was emotionless, distant and a little cold. Then I met him the second time and he seemed a bit warmer and explained alot of things about the surgery. Most I already knew, but there were some surprises. I like best that he is very professional and will not take a risk with your life. If you aren't healthy enough for the surgery he will not put your life at risk.

I was really impressed with Dr. Von Rueden. He and his staff really seem to care.The whole staff treat you like a person. My husband and I looked into surgery at HUP and we felt that they seemed to treat you like just another number, before HUP will even see you they want you to get all kinda of forms filled out for them and to me at least I was already a number not a person.
Even when I went to my first informational meeting with Dr. Von Ruedens folks (Beth for sure) they really reached out to each person and made you feel like you mattered. We have been to many of the support group meetings and I enjoy hearing whats going on with post op folks and some of the issues I may face and seeing the weight they lose. I know its not going to be all easy but I at least have seen some of the issues.

Hi everyone (who sees and reads this!),

Dr David von Rueden is a great man. He is an equally great doctor. I highly recommend him. I've had no troubles with him at all. I don't want to make him sound like he's 100% perfect, because no one is, but he is really a great surgeon who cares about hs patients and cares about their progress and the plan they are now on or cosidering and the tool used to help in that plan for weight loss.

Now, I don't want to paint everthing as perfect, because there are a few things that stand out that can be improved. It deals with his staff though. For one, his nurse is only in once a week...this is okay, I guess, but if there is a problem, it makes it hard to get answers and/or reach the doctor on his surgery days. She has a habit, I have learned, of not returning calls. The staff, while they are kind people, do not give the messages that are left for the doctor or the nurse. Another thing is that their insurance liasion is slow. I'm not saying she is bad, but things just seem to work slower with her.

All in all, I give the doctor and the staff together, on a 1 to 10 scale: 7. To be fair though, I have to give the doctor himself, on a scale of 1 to 10: 9.

* IMPORTANT NOTE: Please understand that this is based on my experiences and opinions. In no way is this to be taken as the only opinion on the office or surgeon. And also in no way is this a way to keep people from the doctor. I mean no harm in informing as I did about my experiences. In fact, I would recommend anyone interested in this surgery to go to this doctor! He goes out of his way a lot of times.

~ Katie Bidwell

I have not met Dr. VonRuedon yet. I have my consult on 3/31/03.

I met Dr.von Ruedon yesterday 3/31. He is totally awesome. I found him to be informative and patient. We talked and I never felt rushed! He is a most definite 10. My surgery is scheduled for 6/5/03. I am so ready and excited! I met with Bethann his corrdinator on Wed. 4/9 to talk about life after surgery!

I like my surgeon very much. He really seems to care about how I feel and what this surgery will do to improve my quality of life. His co ordinator has had the surgery herself and I had to meet with her and learn more about it prior to being approved by Dr. Von Ruden. It was nice having first hand information about what I was about to embark on. There are some manditory things to do before surgery and one was to attend a support group. I think it was very immpotant. Dr. Von Ruden also has open information sessions at Lankenau Hospital to just give info before making any appointments. I recommend this surgeon. I am scheduled for surgery April 17th 2003. I am excited. Staff was great! I feel confident but slightly apprehensive because he has not done all that many of these surgeries. By the time I have mine the number should be around 150.