George Kazantsev Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

Great surgeon, very little bedside manner. You do not need a freind, you need a surgeon. Staff was (is) wonderful, and supportive.

At my first consultation I wasn't sure about
Dr. Kazantsev, he was very direct and pointed out more of the risks and draw backs of the surgery rather than the benefits. When I assured him I had done my homework and wanted to proceed he said okay and was gone. The next time I saw him was the day of the endoscopy and he was pleasant enough. I then went for my pre-op and he was much warmer and reasurring. Unfortunately I had to postpone my original surgery because I got an URI the week before my surgrery was scheduled. I had to go for a second pre-op and I found Dr. K even more friendly and warm but still pretty quiet. During the whole process his staff has been super. From Helen and Nicole to DeAngela I have had every question you could think of answered. So I had my surgery on 1/24/06. I was awake and wanting something to wet my mouth sooner than anyone (including my husband) expected. I did use the pump some but mostly because of a horrible headache. I felt like I had been out drinking instead of having surgery. I went home on the 3rd day and Dr. K came to see me just before I left and was very supportive. That was Thursday by Saturday I went out shopping with my husband. I did get tired easily but other than that I have not had any problems to speak of. I will be returning to work soon, I see Dr. K again on Wed. for my release. I am down 17.5 as of today and hope to be at least 20 by the time I see him. I couldn't have asked for a better surgeon or staff. I would recommend him to anyone who asked.

extremely knowledgable and direct; excellent supportive office

I am really pleased with Dr. Kazantsev. He is shy in a pleasant way. I am very confident with his ability and level of commitment to his patients. His staff is awesome. DeAngela called my cell phone, office and 800 pager, attempting to reach me when my surgery was pre-approved. I think that shows how much she understands how important this is to me.

I am 6 days post op and I can't say enough about how wonderful I feel Dr. Kazantsev is. I woke up from surgery with a morphine pump placed in my hand, after 30 minutes, I stopped using it and never did experience any pain, just some soreness like I over-did my workout. All of his patients say the same thing "He is the best"

All I can say is THANK YOU DR. K for everything that you have done for me. You have changed my whole life! For the better. May God Keep you, and Keep Blessing you in your profession.And as for the staff you guy's were amazing? THANK YOU ALL. Dr. K was very formatal he didn't leave anything out he, just told you the risks involved and asked if i had any questions. Iate Doctor K. as a highly proffesional surgeon. and if I had too do this again Dr. K would be my surgeon.Without a doubt! Too me he is a 10 highly educated Man.

I had my first consult with Dr. Kazantsev in July of 2005. After months of doctor appts and tests I had finally gotten an appt with the SURGEON! I was allowed into the inner sanctum. I was tired, overwhelmed and my expectations were in high gear.
When I met Dr. Kazantsev he was very stern and unsmiling. He asked if I had any questions and said I should lose some weight before surgery. I have to admit that I felt let down after the meeting and upset. I spoke to the fabulous Helen Johnson, R.N. who said that he oftens comes off that way in the begining and she answered the questions I did not ask the Surgeon. She suggested I go to this website to check on other peoples comments and many said they had the same experience! That made me feel so much better because they also said he warms up at successive visits and is an exceptioonal surgeon.
Well, I had my pre op appt today (9/14/05) and had done all the research about the surgeon I needed to do. Bottom line is that I figured I would be knocked out most of the time I was with him so who cares if he does not have a warm and fuzzy bedside manner? But....He was a totally different person today!! It was a wonderful appt. He was kind and funny - he has a very dry sense of humor and I felt a thousand times better! I had lost 7 lbs before the appt so that made me feel better and he seemed pleased. I have to say that I am so very glad I stuck with it and just went on as I am very happy he will be my surgeon. I think for anyone meeting him for the first time, he may be very clinical but he knows his stuff. The pre op appt is where you get a chance to connect with him and it is worth it. Don't get discouraged and don't give up. So many people I have talked to and/or read their comments have stated that he is a total "10". I know I am one of them.

7/18/05-
I have to say that having Dr. Kazantsev as my surgeon, and the other surgeon from his practice, Dr. Upadhyay, was a wonderful experience for me. They are both excellent. Dr. Kazantsev is no nonsense, but with a great subtle sense of humor. Both doctors are knowledgeable, and mild mannered. Dr. Upadhyay came to see me every day while I was in the hospital,and put me at ease with his kind disposition. Dr. Kazantsev was very clear about telling me what I needed to do, in my partnership with them, to be successful. Their office staff are refreshingly professional, and they took care of business. I will always be thankful to them for helping me to help myself. At my last visit, Dr. K said my scars look like someone stabbed me a few times in the stomach. it's true. I have six little marks that look like no more than scratches. I feel I have been given a second chance, and intend to make the most of this new life I have been given. I have already told anyone who will listen that I would recommend this surgical group, and Alta Bates Summit Hospital, to anyone who would qualify for their services. I know that if I need a surgeon for any other reason, I will contact them first.
5/3/05- I met Dr. K today. He looks much younger in person than his photograph depicts. He seems very knowlegeable. I like him. He was friendly, and nice. He discussed the complications that may happen, though very rare. His nurse, Helen, has had bariatric surgery. They emphasized that some people can eat their way back to being fat if they work hard enough at it!!!

When he did the endoscopy, he had a sense of humor that put me at ease.

6/8/05 When he saw that I had gained weight on my appointment, he was very quick to admonish me for the gain, saying he expected me to drop some weight before the surgery, and the risks of having to do open as opposed to laporoscopic due to the possible complication of fatty liver. HE was very clear that gaining weight is counterproductive, and expected me to start weight loss that day, not after my surgery. I have taken that to heart, and have cut back on carbs, and stopped treating myself to any more "last suppers" as of that day. I have been on a protien and vegetable diet since.

WHEN I MET DR.KAZANTSEV I WASN'T SURE WHAT TO EXPECT.BUT TIME WHEN ON I FOUND DR. K TO BE VERY NOLEGABLE.MY IMPRESSION OF HIM WAS THAT HE HAS A DRY SENSE OF HUMOR. BUT AS I SAID , EACH VISIT GOT BETTER AND MORE RELAXING.HIS STAFF IS WONDERFUL IF I EVER HAD A QUESTION ALL I NEEDED TO DO IS CALL HELEN, OR DEANGELA. I CAN'T SAY IF THERE WASN'T ANYTHING THAT I DIDN'T LIKE ABOUT DR. K. HE IS A SMART AND PROFESSIONAL PHYSIAN PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW THAT DOCTOR KAZANTSEV, IS FORMOST NOLEGABLE, PROFESSIONAL, AND THAT HE REALLY CARES ABOUT HIS PATIENTS. HE MADE SURE THAT HE CAME IN, BY MY ROOM EVERYDAY JUST TO SEE HOW I WAS DOING.DR.K IS REALLY UP FRONT WITH ALL THE RISKS INVOLVED HE DOESN'T BEAT AROUND THE BUSH. HE WAS EVERY THERO. IF I WERE TO EVER HAVE TO GO INTO SURGERY FOR ANY REASON REGARDING MY WLS IT WOULD BE DR. KAZANTSEV "WITHOUT A DOUBT" DR. KAZANTSEV'S PROFESSIONALISM, AND EXPERIENCE ARE DEFFENANTLY A 100% I WOULD RECOMMEND HIM TO ANYONE. AND THE STAFF AT ALTA BATES SUMMIT MEDICAL CENTER WERE THE BEST. AGAIN IF I WERE TO EVER GET SICK THAT WOULD BE MY HOSPITAL OF CHOICE.

My surgeon is a great doctor. I felt very comfortable the first time I met him.

When I first met Dr. K, I immediatley knew that I would like him for his professsionalism and skills. He is defiantley a man who knows what he is doing. I did leave the office after the first consult with an empty feeling as he does not reach out in an emotional way. His staff however, Helen and d'Angela met those needs well above and beyond the call of duty.
However, I have to say that an unfortuante event happened to me and I ended up in the ER earlier this week and I relied upon Dr. K to "fix" me. His warmth, caring and of course skills really helped me through the emotional state and physical state of being sick. This visit has really shown me another side of Dr. K, and I am so grateful for it. He is defiantley the TOP of the list for any WLS surgeon.