James M. Dickinson Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

Very nice, strait forward, very informative

never changed

very nice and informative

nothing

hes is very good and answered all questions asked of him
very much, wants you to fallow all his directions,and fallow through will your after care
yes
that there is a one in every two hundred that die from or during surgery
very very good have recamended him to people that want to have the surgery

both

I had originally asked to be seen by Dr. Otteman however, when the call came for the appointment I was scheduled to see Dr. Dickinson. I had no idea who he was but figured I ended up with the surgeon fate intended me to have so I decided just to go with it and see how the consult went. Beautiful office, pleasant office staff --that I overheard refer to me as "the 1 o'clock gastric" (reminded me how it makes patients feel to be talked about as their condition instead of their name -- I work on the surgical floor of a hospital myself and it's a bad habit of staff to talk this way at times.) The wait wasn't very long and I soon met Becky (an RN) who took me and my famiily back for the video and information part of the consult. I was very impressed by Becky's kindness and enthusiasm. However, I wasn't terribly impressed by the video, mainly because it was rather generic information that hopefully, (in my opinion)most people who've gotten to the consult stage would already be aware of and because there were several (although mostly minor)differences in the practices of My surgeon and post-op vs. the practices and post-op described in the video. However, it WAS very helpful to my family and seemed to put them at ease with the surgery.
After the video, while we waited for Becky to return, a tall doctor ran down the hall in scrubs. I thought "Oh no. Time for another visit with a doctor. Yippy." and I wasn't really looking forward to it.
I was in for the surprise of my life. Dr. Dickinson talked TO me, not at me. He looked at me, not through me or at his chart. He listened to my questions, had great eye contact and didn't treat me as a thing, but as a person. He and Becky acklowledged my famiily, but I was clearly the focus--and not in the way that so many doctor's can make you feel insignificant. With rare exception, Dr. Dickinson is one of the kindest, most respectful doctors I've met.
Where I work, I'm around surgeons all day long, but Dr. Dickinson seems to be a cut (pardon the pun) far above average. Not only is he intelligent and very knowledgeable, but his rapport with patients would seem to be equally remarkable. His office staff seems to be equally caring and is extremely helpful whenever I call.

Given how serious this surgery is, even with it's potential outcomes you may read about on the Memorial page of this website, I feel I'm in the best possible hands and having chosen this surgeon I think I've given myself the best possible odds.


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While I was in the hospital I was visited by Dr. Dickinson, his on call partner, and Dr. Dickinson's med student, Matt, who was also there during surgery. The on call MD (I will not name names)who visited was...well, he didn't have a very good bedside manner and most unnerving was that he often contradicted what Dr. Dickinson had said or did. But luckily, what I found very impressive and reassuring was that Dr. Dickinson saw me everyday I was in the hospital, even on the weekend when he wasn't on call. He always came in and put things right. My family and I were very impressed indeed! A+++ care! If I had it to do all over, I wouldn't go to anyone but Dr. Dickinson.

Dr. James Dickinson, M.D., F.A.C.S.
The first impression I got of him was professional, but yet, made you feel like you were talking to a friend about a problem that needed attention. He and his staff, especially his nurse, Susan, made me feel very welcomed and at home. Susan conducted the first twenty minutes of the consultation, going over what to expect from the surgery, such as; diet, medications, what to do if any problems arose after getting home from surgery, and so forth. Then in my consultation with Dr. Dickinson, we went over the benefits of having surgery and what the outcome might be, such as; a cut down in insulin, if not complete discontinuation, weight loss, stress being taken off my knees and other joints, and stress being taken off of my heart as well. We then started going over the risks of the surgery, but after his first question of; was I aware of the risks involved, and I gave him a run down of what I knew, from what I told him he knew that I had done my homework. We then went into an examining room, where he checked my heart and lungs, and then had me lay down so he could examine my belly. He told me I was a good candidate for the laproscopic procedure, which is what I was hoping for. But, he did tell me that if a problem did start to appear, he would have to open me and do an open rny on me. I told him I understood, and let's go for it. There is no question that I would recommend Dr.Dickinson and his staff to anyone considering this surgery, I would.

I first met Dr. Dickinson in December 2002. I lost my insurance after that visit, or would have had surgery scheduled then. I've since found other (better!) insurance and have picked up where I left off. It took one phone call to get everything underway!

James Dickinson has a good aura (okay, I know some people don't sense, see, or believe in them, but I do). He's sincere in his desire to help provide a tool for the severely obese or Type II Diabetics to deal with their problems.

His concentration at first is on the surgery itself and making sure you understand as many nuances as possible. I've since discovered (to my relief) that he's well versed in nutrition and the need for the body to have variety in the foods we eat for overall health. He stresses that nutrients should come as much from food as possible but, since that is inhibited by this procedure, supplements help. However, supplements are not your entire diet and you shouldn't rely on them as a primary for your nutrition needs. I really like that perspective. It's real and shows a desire for me to be the healthiest I can be, not just skinnier or merely still alive.

He definitely covers the risk of surgery quite well. He also talks extensively about the emotional impact of the surgery and whether you're ready for it at the time you see him. He talks about the need of being able to confront the reasons you carry the weight in the first place and the ability to recognize the identity crises that often result when losing that body weight. He gives his little quizzes and also relates some "dumb patient" stories about eating candy bars after the surgery, just to make sure you understand the insulin shock possibilities.

Since I have yet to actually have the surgery and experience the aftercare, I'll address those later. At the moment, I think Dr. Dickinson is quite good, very relaxed, upbeat, and trustworthy. I do plan to look him in the eye before the surgery and have him assure me that he'll do a good job! :-)

Northern Colorado Surgical Associates were great! I immediatley like Dr. Dickenson, and Becky is very informative. I am so glad that my PCP recommended them to me. I understood the whole process, got my questions answered and felt comfortable at all times. The information I received for after care was great and I treat it like my Bible.

Wonderful all the way through the process. Felt like he had time for me. He let me out of the hospital after only one overnight because he felt I was ok. Aftercare hightly emphasized. All the risks addressed. Overall rating 110%.

Dr Dickerson seems to be a nice person. He made sure to first tell me that this will be a life changing thing. It will be hard, but if you have detemination you will make this work for you. He is pretty good about the after care. I will see him in 10-14 days then 1 month, 3 month, 6 month, 9 month and a year and then every year after that for life. He is straight forward and he tells you like it is. He is very concern about after care. Such as I can not come back to Walsenburg until my first appt. He wants to make sure there will be no complications. He addressed ever answer I had for him. I am very happy with this doctor.

North Colorado Surgical Associates
where Dr. Dickinson is one of the
surgeons is very supportive. I attend
their support groups once a month and
they are very much of help to me.
Sometimes there are special speakers
like one lady came and talked on
relationships after the surgery. I
haven't had the surgery yet but it has
been a help and encouragement to me to
talk to the people at the support group
who have had the surgery. I haven't
met one person yet who says they wish
they hadn't had the surgery.
I would like to say the entire staff
and doctors at North Colorado Surgical
Associates in Fort Collins, Colorado are
very understanding, caring, and
compassionate. I am very pleased!!
My surgery is September 2. 8-)

My first impression was great. His office staff is wonderful and very organized. They have several steps to follow and are very knowledgeable.

What you should know is that it takes a while to get in.

Aftercare very important.

Very straight forward about the risks involved and how important it is to take care of yourself.

Would rate him a 10, but ask me after surgery (haha).

His bedside manner is great, dont know about surgical yet! Will let you know.

Had my first follow up today would recommend him A#1

I was very satisfied with Dr. Dickenson. He was a very nice soft spoken person who listens. The office staff is outstanding- they are so nice and they did all my paperwork for me and submitted to insurance. I was actually really impressed he knew what PCOS was- that was a huge help for a Dr. to know a condition that isn't in their field and to have knowledge of it- Kudos to him!!!he explained everything very well and told me the risks of the surgery. Out of a 1-10 scale with 10 being the highest- I would give him an-11