Ralph Crum Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

I am thrilled with my surgeon, Dr. Crum.
My first meeting with him was in June '03- we discussed WLS and options for 45 minutes - a very thorough meeting. At the end, after he answered my questions, he asked me if this was what I wanted because if I was sure, he would give me a target WLS date. We then moved forward with Drs appointments and pre-op clearence. We went over all of the risks associated with the surgery and addresses specifics like pregnancy, which was a big concern of mine.

My surgery was 10/06/03 and I consider that the first day of my new life.

Dr. Crum does not beat around the bush - he is very straight forward. He expects that you to do your part after the surgery - and assures you that you will be a lifelong patient of his post-op. The aftercare program is very structured.

His staff is fantastic.

I liked Dr. Crum immediatley. He is very honest and upfront. No holds barred! The office staff was very friendly and accomodating as I had already known from everyone who wrote profiles. Dr Crum tells you right up front he is providing you the tool to take control of your weight, we ourselves need to use it to be sucessful.

I first met Dr. Crum at a post-op meeting at Norwalk Hospital. I went to it thinking it was a pre-op meeting. I found him to be very frank and dedicated. Originally I was concerned that the meeting would be a sales pitch for the surgery. When I discovered that it was a post-op meeting I figured that it wasn't because everyone had already had the surgery. When I went back to the pre-op meeting I was pleasantly surprised that again Dr. Crum was not trying to sell a magic potion. He was very up front about his statistics and explained the operation scientifically but in lay terms. I was extremely impressed when he said he has been able to complete ALL of his 300+ gastric bypass surgeries laproscopically. Overall, Dr. Crum is extremely confident in his ability to perform this procedure in the least amount of time (1 1/2 to 2 hours) and with no major compications, (he has had only 4 patients develop blood clot (none of which died as a result). I went to the consult at Dr. Crum's office last week and I found him to be very encouraging. I was given a date that day 9/8/03 (3 1/2 months away). He has become very popular in the past few months and his schedule reflects that. My only negative comment is that he was over an hour late for our appointment-he was held up at the hospital. In all fairness, his office assistant Jeanette was trying to call me to say he was running late-I was a few minutes early. Jeanette is very pleasant and helpful in my desire to have my surgery a couple of weeks earlier than the September date. She will try her best to get it moved up if she can. I was not at all convinced that surgery was the way to go for myself until I met Dr. Crum and believe that he is dedicated to this field and to his patients success.

Dr. Ralph Crum is an awesome man and so is his office staff! He is very direct and doesn't dance around the issue. I believe he saved my life. Anytime I have a problem or concern he and his staff are very understanding and patient. After most surgeries, you may see your doctor once or twice afterwards. I am one year post-op and I still see him every few months for a follow up. There aren't enough words to express my gratitude to Dr. Crum and his Bariatric Support Group at Norwalk Hospital.

I can not say enough about my surgeon,he was God sent. The first consult he made me feel really comfortable he was there to listen and also to be very forward about the answers he gave. He took time and showed me nothing but true love for this weigh lost program. He will not beat around the bush he will be truthful and honest about anything you ask him weather or not it's what you want to hear,his answers will best tell you the truth.I have had a great experiance with my surgeon and I feel confident enough to highly recommend him to anyone in Fairfied county who is really looking for a great surgeon to go through them with this proceses
he is wonderful,loving and you won't feel alone. I just think he is the best!!

Dr. Crum is by far the best surgeon I have ever met!! He is a wonderful man and pretty funny too! I would recommend him highly to anyone who asked!!!!

I first met Dr Crum at a seminar in Norwalk that he was putting on. He was very nice and also honest. When I called to meet with him for a consultation his office was very helpful and was pretty quick with giving me a date. I liked him because he was sincere. He was also honest an stressed on the importance of maintaining and following the rules to keep healthy. He was very imformative

Dr.Crum is an excellent surgeon. My decision to have the surgury was less complicated because I felt complete confidence in his ability. Janette was wonderful with the insurance aspect. Now that I am over two months post-op I can confidentially say it was the best desicion that I could have made. Dr. Crum was honest in explainations and all aspects have been consistent with his consult. Overall I give him an A++++.

My first impression of Dr. Crum was very cool and business like. He asked really deep thought provoking questions. He made me feel like I was the most important patient he had. Each visit to his office he got friendlier. By the time of my surgery it felt like we had been friends for years. He was even joking with my husband and sister in the waiting room after my surgery.

I really liked Dr. Crum. He is very down to earth and very knowledgable. I felt comfortable with him right away. His office staff is wonderful too.
Someone told me he was the best kept secret in Connecticut. Well the secret is out! I never felt at any time that I could not trust his judgment. I had complication with my surgery that required 2 more surgeries shortly after the first. He made me feel like I was his top priority. He was there for me whenever I needed him. He answered all my questions, and didn't even flinch when I told him I wanted to kick him in the balls. (I was having a very bad day! LOL)
His after care is second to none. The program he has in place is one of the favorites in the state, and is very structured and patient oriented.
Overall, I would give him a 5 star rating. If I had to do it over again, even with my complications, I would not hesitate to have him again as my surgeon.
My surgeries were all performed Laproscopically.