Peter O'Brien Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

Hello:

My journey to WLS started last July, when I happened to run into a friend who had had lap. gastric bypass. Until that point I wasn't aware that a lap procedure available, OR that insurance companies were covering it. I'd been interested in the surgery but thought it was out of the question due to expense. I also stayed away because I was scared of the long and painful recovery I'd heard was associated with the open procedure. Needless to say, my meeting with this friend and our resulting conversation peeked my interest.

I saw Dr. O'Brien at the end of July. I found him to be very informative, patient and kind. He did not try to "sell" me the surgery, but instead made it clear that this is not the magic cure, but a tool to be used to attain the weight loss. The real work would be up to me. He also took the time to answer every question I had (and I had a lot of them!). Fortunately, his office had sent me a packet of info ahead of time and that, combined with research I'd done on the internet, prepared me for our appointment. I left feeling like my questions had been answered, and now it was up to me to make an informed decision.

Dr. O's office sent a letter to my insurance company immediately, and within 2 weeks I had my approval. My surgery date was set for November 21. And no, I didn't chicken out! I'm now 10 days post-op.

I didn't see Dr. O'Brien much while I was in the hospital. It was more like him popping his head in my room and touching base. Fortunately I'd had all of my questions answered when I met him in his office. And even MORE fortunately, the hospital staff was very helpful and knowledgable. One nurse told me they see 2-4 WLS patients a week.


Through the whole process Dr. O'Brien has continued to be supportive and compassionate, as has his staff. I was in the week after my surgery to have my staples taken out by the nurse, and she too took the time to listen to my concerns and answer my questions. Like Dr. O., she emphasized the importance of following their directions carefully and gently warned me that this is NOT a cure, and that I would need to be diligent and make some permanent changes in my eating habits and lifestyle in order to maintain long-term success.

Overall, I would rate Dr. O. and his staff at a 10 out of 10.

Dr. Obrien was great. He is a very good doctor and I have not have any negative experiences with him. He is very helpful in answering any questions I had and helping me in any way that I needed. I would suggest him to anyone that was thinking about having the surgery done. I do have future apts to see the doctor and also my nutritionalist. But I have no complaints what so ever.

Dr. O'brien was professional, courteous and answered all my questions. His nurses and office staff are very friendly and helpful.
I have heard such wonderful things from all people who have had his surgery. They are very loyal and describe him as a brilliant surgeon who is very compassionate. One thing I did not know prior to meeting with him is that he performs the lap mini-gastric bypass surgery (loop bipass), not the lap RNY. I had difficulty finding information on this surgery. He has a well-defined expectations and program. This would be my first surgery of any kind, I would rate him very highly at this stage. I have not had the surgery at this point, I am still battling with the insurance companiesl.

LAP MGB PATIENT: I had no clue as to what Dr. O'Brien was going to be like but my first impression of him was that he's a bit shy. He's a slim, attractive man with nearly all white hair and beard. I only met with him once which was the day just before my surgery as I was an out-of-state patient. Dr. O'Brien and his staff are very understanding as far as the needs of their out-of-town patients and they try to accomidate you as much as they can. Dr. O'Brien also has a toll free number in which people can call his office for questions and he has internet e-mail too. There wasn't anything that I didn't like about Dr. O, but if I "have" to say something negative, then I would say that I found him a little on the quiet side. But I don't think that's a bad thing really. As far as things future Lap MGB people need to know about him is that Dr. O's program as compared with Dr. R's program is far from being the same. The only thing about these two surgeons that is the same is that they do the exact same proceedure (Lap MGB). Things differant is that Dr. O takes insurance, he only requires one post op visit (unless you are having problems), he does not require a 12 step packet with letters and contacts, no pictures, no pre-op meds, only one post op med for 2 months total, and that's it. It's completely hassel free. He does not push patients into 3, 6, 9, 12 month and etc. follow-up appointments. He does tell you to take your vitamin once a day and B-12 tablets every other day. And if you have problems (depending on the particular problem) to see your family doctor or call his office. I would rate him a 9 out of 10 because I do believe that his program could be improved on as far as having a website similar to Dr. R's so people could have access to more information about the Lap MGB and the other types of surgeries he preforms (RNY). As far as I'm concerned, Dr. O is a very competent surgeon and I'm sure he's not as shy had I lived in South Dakota and been able to meet with him more before my surgery. Dr. O'Briens pts. have a free Yahoo support group that I highly recommend at.... http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DrOBrienMGBGroup/?yguid=95987796

Good luck to you all!
Peggy

I was very pleased with my surgeon. He was very honest and upfront with all of the potential problems and was very willing to answer any questions that I or my family had. I was also very pleased with the nurses and staff at the Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. In fact after a recent move I feel fortunate that I was able to have the surgrey there. The care and support that I recieved during and after my surgery was wonderful. Anyone that is in that area I recomend contacting Dr O'Brien's office. They will send you info and answer question. However be prepared because Dr O'Brein will be honest and does expect cooperation with the post op program. Sugery is a very serious thing and anyone who is not ready to change their life style should reconsider.

DR. O'Brien is wonderful. At first though I thought he was a litte "stuffy", but once we got to talking he opened right up and asnwered all of my questions. He took the time to explain in detail. His office staff is the best. The letter that they wrote to this insurance company was just awesome.

I had heard nothing but Good things about Dr. O. After meeting with him the first time I understood why! He was very pleasant. He went through the whole procedure answering any questions I had. He made sure I understood everything including the risks. I would recommend Dr O To anyone who is thinking about this procedure.

He was rather hurried the first day I met with him, but also genuinely concerned for my health. He was pleased that I got the approval the second time I saw him, and addressed my concerns willingly. His office staff was great, especially his personal nurse, Pam. There wasn't anything that I didn't like about anyone there. As far as what future patients should know, all I can say is that he did a great job. He was one of the two doctors in Sioux Falls that performs the surgery on a regular basis. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of following the aftercare intructions (not that I had any issues, but I could see the potential complications had I not followed the proper care information). Overall, he was great! Both surgical competence and beside manner ranked way up there on the scale.

Dr.O'Brien is a very good surgeon. He didn't spend alot of time with me prior to surgery as I only saw him a total of about 20 minutes before I had the surgery but I felt my questions were all answered for me. He came to check on me in the hospital and was very nice and said everything looked good and had gone well. He explained the surgery took about an hour longer than expected due to scar tissue and adhesions I had from an old surgery that he had to work arond but that everything went fine.
Dr. O'Brien's staff was excellent and the pre-admission testing the day before surgery went really smooth and fast.
I would rate Dr. O'Brien and his staff excellent.

Dr. O'Brien was just what I need, he listend all the things I said and my mother. He is a wounderful Doc.

7/10/2002 Dr. O'Brien was wonderful during surger and well my stay at the hospital.