Linda A. Patterson Bariatric Surgeon M.D.
At the present I have only seen Dr. Patterson once and at first impression she seems to be very well educated. She is polite but not overly warm (if you know what I mean). However, the most important part is she knows her stuff and that is what I am counting on in the OR, the rest is just minor! She is going to be fantastic to work with and a GREAT surgeron! As far as I am concerned as long as the surgeon isn't out and out rude then the skill and competence outweighs then bedside manner any day! She was very through and made certain that I knew exactly what I was getting into as far as what I would have to do to take care of my self for the rest of my life. She also stated that there are several risks associated with this procedure and wanted to be sure that I was fully aware of them, and that I understood them. I believe that she is top notch in her field. I am looking forward to meeting her again on Thursday and getting to know her better.
12/1/05
Ok so now I am post-op and although my overall opinion hasn't changed I do want to amend a few things. Se is WONDERFUL! All the way around! Talked to me after surgery as though I we an old friend. That isn't even mentioning her skill which is INCREDIABLE! Anyone having surgery in the area she is your woman! Just wonderful all the way around, and although she may not seem to friendly before surgery after surgery she is a doll!
Dr. Patterson THANK YOU doesn't seem like enough for the new chance that you have given me. However, it is all my heart can seem to find but it does so over and over again.
I found Dr. Patterson to be really understanding, friendly, makes you feel like you are not alone in this battle of being over weight and not feel like I was really a stupid person. She was very easy to talk to and made me feel like I was important. She was very good at getting me to calm down the day of surgery. Rate her 10
My surgeon was very nice and very knowledgable. The office staff is wonderful. I had a care specialist to help me through the insurance process etc. She was an absolute sweetheart. I had one before her but she no longer works there. (Which is a good thing I am sorry to say.) The second one (Jill) has been so helpful. She even stopped by to see me in the hospital. Aftercare is very much emphasized. The Cleveland Center for Baritatic Surgery has a complete program devoted to this. They have free seminars to inform you about the procedure before and as you go you are educated through each step. It is a wonderful program. They inform you about everything the risks as well as the benefits. I think bedside manner is very important! I was fortunate enough to experience both with Dr. Patterson! My overall experience really has been good. I did have to go through a 6 month diet and nutrition program with my family Dr. and a nutritionist. Once that was complete and we completed all of the paperwork required by the insurance company we submitted at the beginning of January 2005 and I was approved by Jan.31st. I was scheduled the following day for a Feb. 21, 2005 surgery date and I have been home from the hospital 1week and aday as of today 3-4-05! I first attended a seminar on 3-23-04. My start to surgery date was less than a year. It is a worthwhile process you just have to persevere! I am anxious to see the positive changes in my health and life in the months ahead. God Bless, Mellany
I was very impressed with Dr. Patterson and her knowledge, she is very easy to talk to and listens if you have something to say. Dr. Patterson has a great staff, everyone was very helpful when asked. I felt very informed in all parts and risks of the surgery. I would recommend St. Vincents Charity Hospital and Dr. Patterson to anyone, also the staff at St. Vincents are all wonderful people, every person on staff that came into my room had a smile on their face, at the beginning of each shift the duty nurse would come in and introduce his/herself and put their name on the board.
Dr. Patterson, staff and St. Vincents at tops in my book.
Dr. Patterson seem like an informed surgeon that was able to answer all of my questions. My impression of her has not changed. At first I was not impressed with Dr. Patterson's assistant. My surgery, was of course, denied. After submitting tons more information through Dr. Patterson's office, I was still denied. For some reason, about 6 months later, Dr. Patterson's new assistant (Jill) contacted me to see if I would be interested in going through the 6 month diet plan. I told her I was interested in getting the surgery approved as I felt that the insurance company did not receive all the information that I forwarded to Dr. Patterson's previous assistant. Jill wrote a letter to my insurance company and submitted about 42 pages of documentation. FINALLY, the surgery was approved. So, needless to say, I was very impressed with Jill. I like the fact that Dr. Patterson listened to me when I talked and was able to answer my questions, and took the time to listen to them. Yes SVCH has structured aftercare program. We talked about the risks before the surgery. I would go back to her. Both her her bedside manner and surgical competence are good. I would have to say that I was not impressed with all of the staff after the surgery. I had a nurse for two days while I was in the hospital that only came in to my room to give me pain pills. I would ask her direct questions, and she would not answer me. That was very frustrating. There was also a person that answered the phone at the Dr.'s office when I needed to speak to a nurse as I was having some complications, that was extremly rude to me. I addressed this with Dr. Patterson.
SHE WAS VERY NICE & UNDERSTANDING..BEING A THIN PERSON HERSELF..MY IMPRESSION OF HER WAS RIGHT ON. SHE WAS VERY CONSISTENT IN HER ATTITUDE THE ENTIRE PROCESS.
SHE HAS A VERY CARING & HELPFUL STAFF WORKING WITH HER.
I REALLY CAN'T SAY THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING THAT I DIDN'T LIKE ABOUT HER.
SHE IS A VERY TALENTED & CARING SURGEON. I DEFINITELY WOULD RECOMMEND HER TO ANYONE. SHE KNOWS WHAT SHE IS DOING.
AFTERCARE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. HAVING GONE THRU ST VINCENT CHARITY BARIATIC..THE FOLLOW UP CONSISTS OF CHECK UPS AT 3 WKS..
6MO, 12MO & 18MO. OF COURSE, THEY ARE THERE FOR YOU IF YOU NEED HELP AT ANYTIME.
I WOULD DEFINITELY RATE HER AS TOP NOTCH IN HER FIELD.
THEY TOTALLY PREPARE YOU FOR WHAT WILL HAPPEN BEFORE, DURING & AFTER THE SURGERY. I FELT VERY CONFIDENT GOING IN & COMING OUT.
BOTH SURGICAL COMPETENCE & BEDSIDE MANNER WERE GREAT. SHE PERSONALLY CAME TO SEE ME EVERYDAY I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL.
TO ME SHE IS MY SAVIOR!
Dr. Patterson was truly wonderful. In addition to being very supportive and kind, she was also sensitive to the fact that I'm so overweight. Her bedside recovery was one of the nicest I've seen, and her medical office program was/is terrific. I'm only 4 weeks post-op, but I'm really thrilled with having chosen Dr. Patterson and St. Vince in general.