Mohamed Ali Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.
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I've since gone back and had the surgery: rny. Dr. Ali is very experienced in his field and pushes hard to prevent any potential complications. To that end, there are a variety of hoops you have to jump through to have him as your surgeon.
Since my initial contact with his team, the nutritionist has left and they now have a really dynamite woman who's great to work with. With Ali's help, the thing with the psychologist got dealt with. If there is room for improvement, it's in the administrative part of the program. Small things. For example, I needed a particular surgical date on a rush basis, but the sticker for that never got attached to my folder. An important test result wasn't followed up on until I asked about it. As soon as I raised an issue, though, it was handled quickly, efficiently and in a very friendly manner.
I would definitely recommend this group for a safe surgery but would advise that you participate in your own care by reading everything, keeping track of deadlines and following up if you don't hear back on something.
I have nothing bad to say about Dr. Ali. He seems conscientious and competent. However, the rest of the program, aside from surgery, consists of "the team" and I do have feedback about that. I have not had surgery yet, but feel like I'm caught in a very automated machine with little human contact or support. I attended the nutrition class, given by a nutritionist who clearly wanted to be elsewhere and didn't care for questions from the peanut gallery. The psych screening deals heavily on a large set of standardized psych tests and when I answered the questions I got grief from the psychologist ("How can you answer the question this way????") because my interpretation of the (standardized) question was different from hers. She looked even more irritated when I explained how I understood the question and when I suggested re-wording it, she muttered "They're standardized...." In short, this is a very big life change and I feel like a marble caught in a machine. We'll see what happens.
Dr Ali and his staff provide awesome pre-surgical care and I have no complaints at all regarding this phase of things. Now, to be fair, I met him for five minutes a week prior to surgery, so everything was really the staff. Great pre-surgery care. Many, many tests. Tests based on results from other tests. And all with communication with my PCP.
Surgical care was terrific, too. I had some issues the day after and this is where Dr Ali came through. I saw him every day following my surgery while I was still in the hospital and he took a lot of time with me, explaining what was going on and doing his best to calm me down.
After care is perhaps somewhat affected by my distance from his hospital and staff, but I'm not pleased and that's the reason for the four stars. I think that four visits in the first year is just not enough and the total lack of communication or returning calls is not cool. I realize the money is earned on the table and they can't bill for my calls, but they need more help. A patient should be able to call and get answers within hours for non-urgent questions - not days or longer. I just don't feel like I'm important now that I'm done there. Would I go there again? YOU BET.
Dr. Ali's program runs like a well oiled machine. I did a lot of research and his program and guidelines meet the highest standards. As far as surgical skill, he has performed more than a couple thousand lap RNY proceedures so he has perfected his method. My only complications post-surgery were back pain and nausea (not within his control) though response to both was immediate and effective. I found him to be very empathetic post-surgery when due to nausea I had to be readmitted. He has a wonderful team (Nurse practicioners, nutritionists, psych and office staff). UC Davis is a teaching hospital which I support but there is a difference between his constant team and all of the fellows and interns that come and go. So, if I had to pick a negative it would probably be the large number of fellows and interns that you are also seeing as it can become a bit muddled in the area of communication. I did mostly have one main fellow for surgery and follow-up that I thought was very good. The interns...well they're interns!
Update at 9 months post-op - While UC Davis has a follow-up care plan and group meetings I have heard of some surgeons with more post-op support like arranging continuous support with a nutritionist and exercise program. The nutritionists for the program does lead the monthly group session but I think I wanted more of a weight watcher experience with weigh ins and personal follow-up. You never see the surgeon again as far as I can tell just the nurse practitioner at 2 weeks, 2 months, 6 months and one year. Yearly after that I believe. You can call for help any time of course but nothing is wrong I just think I would like to have a team behind me supporting my efforts and advising me. I also want to celebrate my successes with others. Still I have also heard of other surgery offices with virtually no follow-up so I suppose this is a happy medium.
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So far Dr Ali has been fantastic. He has run every test possible, brought on a second surgeon to help with a hernia which needs repaired and all around done a great job.
The Staff at UCD is very helpful and always there when I have questions or need help.
I am a week away from surgery so more to come in the future.
Dr. Ali is a wonderful surgeon. I had the chance to get to know him for a year prior to choosing him for my surgeon. His associate performed my mothers surgery and due to complications not related to the surgery I had close contact with his office.rnMy first impression was the kind quiet confidence I felt when he was in the room. My impression over time changed for the better. He understood and respected my aversion to pain meds and my need to be active again soon after surgery. He also warned me in advance I would have problems with a hanging pannus(he was right). I now have to have a panniculectomy.rnMy least favorite thing was the team approach at U.C. Davis I would have more preffered more one on one time with my doctor.rnAftercare is emphasized from orientation all the way through the program and still is even though I am a year out. Your aftercare is handled primarily by his awesome nurse practitioner.rnRisks of surgery are stressed many times throughout the program and you will speak with the therapist about them as well.rnDr. Ali is a wonderful surgeon and is one of those lucky people that has found their calling and truely cares about those patients he sees. Dr. Ali is well rounded surgeon with a great staff.rnI will warn anyone if you are not willing to follow the program and do the work Dr. Ali will not perform the surgery. He wants people to understand this is no magic bullet and takes work.
I have been thoroughly impressed with the program at U. C. Davis so far. I have not had surgery yet but the pre-sugery process has been painless so far. I was very satisfied with Dr. Ali who is the director of the weight loss program at Davis. During my consultation he gave me his card with his personal phone number on it in case I had any challenges I needed to discuss with him. This was a nice touch, but I am thankful I haven't had to use it so far. The office seems a little slow to get back to me but none of my calls have been close to emergency so that may be why. However when they have gotten back they have been more than helpful and did all they could for me.
I met him only twice. Both times he was reassuring and appearred confident. The casemanagement needs some improvement.rnBut perhaps the greater the struggle the greater the reward. rnrnI would refer others to the center in Sacramento. I went through a lot of testing since I'm 54 years old. But I feel the Bariatric team made sure I was fit for the surgery.rnrnI had my surgery Nov. 25. 2008
My first meeting with my surgeon was rather funny. At the end of our meeting he noted that I hadn't said anything about his rather notable name. I let him know that I have been married to Elizabeth Taylor for 30 years. We both had a good laugh. It was a comfortable relationship in the time both before and after my surgery. It's been almost a year since I've seen him, but I meet with members of his staff at monthly meetings when I am available and have been delighted with the availability of information and advice. I couldn't have asked for more.