Kenneth Burchard Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.
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Very professional, good bedside manner.
Recovery period was long -- 5 days in the hospital. Wasn't completely back to myself until really 6 weeks after the surgery.
Dartmouth staff was great while in the hospital. I had a VBG done at Univ. of Penn a year ago, and the difference between the two hospitals is amazing.
My first impression of him was that he was very willing to help me. I think he's done this for so long he knows the difficult process losing weight can be for obese people. His office staff has been very helpful and friendly as well. What I like least about him is that he's so busy I have to wait a long time to meet with him; and have he's been forced to bump people from their apointments because of emergencies that arise. This can't be helped on his part, but its very frustrating for those of us who have to wait that much longer.
I had my first appointment with Dr. Burchard a couple of weeks ago. It was VERY brief...like...20 minutes. No exam, no real history discussion. Basically he described the surgery in detail (with a diagram) and told me up front of the risks and how long the recovery time would be, plus all that is involved with the surgery before and after.
I have to admit, despite the fact I would definately recommend Dr. Burchard as the surgeon to do this procedure, I'm having second thoughts about having it done. Five postop days in the hospital? Appts with dieticians and endocrinologists, PLUS mandatory support group meetings at Dartmouth (I live 2 1/2 hours away..it's not that convenient). Any surgery candidate HAS to lose 15 pounds preop (gee, I'm guessing that'll have me ready for the surgery in about 2006?) Upper GI series, gallbladder ultrasounds, sleep study. At this point, they double check to make sure your insurance will actually cover it, and then you're scheduled for surgery. I can handle all that is involved, but I do not like the idea of needing to request 6-8 weeks (minimum) off from work for recovery time. Dr. Burchard did mention to me that Dartmouth is getting a new surgeon this month who will be doing this surgery via laparoscopy, which means less hospital and recovery time, but they are looking for low risk candidates to "get the program going and work out any kinks." I don't know if I want to be a guinea pig. My insurance has also changed, so now I have to go through the whole approval process again, but I think I'm going to broaden the scope of Drs. to outside of NH. If you're willing to put in the preop testing and postop recovery time, DHMC is definately thorough and well respected. If I was that movitated, I wouldn't need to consider this surgery in the first place. LOL
Since I have not had the surgery yet, I don't have much of an opinion one way or the other. Though, the two times I have met with him to discuss the surgery have been positive experiences and he seems competent.