John Kellum Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

I wouldn't trade Dr. Kellum or his staff for the world. At this writing, I am seven months post-op, and my opinion of Dr. Kellum has been top notch since the first time I met him. He has always greeted me with a smile. He has always been compassionate, helpful and even witty! I think he has a very good bedside manner and an even better surgical competence. His staff, from Yolanda on the business end to Jill on the nursing end, have always been exceptionally kind and remarkably helpful. A question never goes unanswered. Do I have any complaints? Not one! His office is a bit busy when I go for a checkup, but that is a testament to his experience and tells you how many people have trusted him as a surgeon. All risks were addressed prior to surgery, of course. And the aftercare program is first rate. I would never hesitate to recommend Kellum to anyone. He gets two tummies up!

Dr. Kellum came highly recommended by several women in Charlottesville that have had the surgery. He is in Richmond at MCV, but has had much more experience than any of the docs at UVA.
I have only met him during my consult and found him to be personable and professional.

I really loved Dr Kellum. On my initial consult he really put me at ease and made all my fears go away. His biggest thing he is after patients about is EXCERCISE EXCERCISE EXCERCISE. At the consult he went over all the risks and went over what my co morbidities were and told me he wanted to do LAP rny but that if once he stated the surgery he saw that it was not possible he would revert to an open. I felt totally confident in Dr. Kellum since he has literally done over a thousand of these surgeries and feel he is one of the top surgeons in his field. The only thing I disliked was the time I was in the hospital he seems alot more distant and seemed totally different than he did at the consult and the 3 weeks post op appointment but I would imagine since he is so busy and I had no complications he didn't need to spend as much time with me. I still would suggest him ( and do all the time) to anyone who asks who my surgeon was....

My first impression of Dr. Kellum was he cared about my feelings and my health. He is a very caring and funny man. I love his staff they are all wonderful. I love the fact he has a sense of humor. I still think he is a great surgeon and man. MCV has a wonderful support group and aftercare program.

Dr. Kellum gave me all the pros and cons of having the surgery but he also told me everyone is different, his bedside manner is great I am sending my husband to him also. I would highly recommend him

I have decided to change Doctors because of Dr. Sugerman having to leave on medical leave himself.
My new Dr. is Dr. John Kellum. I will meet him on Feb. 7th 2003. I have a friend who had him and liked him. So I am looking forward to meeting him myself.
Met Dr. Kellum yesterday and found him to be a very nice person. I really enjoyed my visit.

Before I even met with him my husband and I viewed a video tape describing the procedure and risks of this surgery. We then met with the Nutritionist. I then met with a nurse who took my vitals and recorded any pertinent medical information. We were there for almost two hours before we met with him. At first I was a little annoyed but it really help me formulate better questions to ask him.
I was very nervous about meeting with him but he put me to ease right away. He answered all my questions and was very direct regarding the risks of this surgery.
I thought he was very humorous as well. I like that in a doctor. Humor always helps to break the ice. I did feel a bit rushed towards the end but that seems to be the norm with any doctor I have met. He didn't go much into the aftercare program, he left that for the nurse so after he left the room I expected the nurse to come in, when she didn't I went looking and apparently, I misunderstood. I won't meet with the bariatric care nurse until the required pre-op class. I won't attend that until I have a surgery date. That was a bit annoying. He did emphasize the lifetime use of nutritional supplements required after this surgery.

His office staff was very friendly and professional.

Ultimately, both surgical competence and a bedside manner would be preferred but if I had to choose one over the other, surgical competence wins out for top billing. No one ever died from a surgeon who had a bad bedside manner.

I liked Dr Kellum from the very start. He was very up front and had honest answers. He didn't try to sugar coat things and I really like that about him.

I have met with Dr. Kellum and I thougth he was wonderful. No waiting around in the waiting room to get more nervous.

My impression of Dr. Kellum and his staff have only improved. They are a wonderful group of people. They truly care about their patients.


Dr. Kellum seemed interested in me and what I was feeling. He seemed to be open and honest. He seemed sincere in what he was saying to me and my family. I feel confident he is the surgeon for me.


I thougth the staff was Great! They were very polite and helpful.


Nothing!


I think you will feel extremely comfortable with Dr. Kellum. He will put you at ease.

Dr. Kellum did discuss aftercare. He told me he would be there for me as long as I needed him.

YES!


Carefully! He answered all of our questions and then some.

I highly recommend Dr. Kellum. Any time i called him after hours he always returned my call within five to ten minutes himself. Not a staff member. He is always there for me no matter what time of day or night.

I was very nervous when I went for my consult but as soon as Dr Kellum came into the room he put all my fears to rest. He was very detailed about all risks and complications with this surgery and that this is a life committing change. He also made my day wne he said I was able to get a LAP. I received a huge packet of before surgery lists and have my labwork and nutritional class scheduled for 11/26.
I am excited about my 12/13 operation and felt like it would never get here.

well i felt the staff and the doctor was helpfull cant really say i have any thing bad to say the nurses were outstanding and also the doctor was toi would refer him to anyone...