Shanu N. Kothari Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS, FASMBS

Well, what can I say about Dr. Kothari except he is truely a wonderful man. I felt comfortable from the first consult. His staff is great too. I have recommended him to others and it shows that he is awesome cuz he's really busy. I have talked with other patients of his and none of them have had anything bad to say about him. He is very involved in his patients.

I have only had one appointment with him, but I appreciated his compassion and straight forward approach. He didn't strike me as a doctor that just wants to get rich off fat people, but someone that really wants to help by giving us a tool to improve our life. I also seen Chris the PA that day and Heather the RD. Again very compassionate and informative. I have seen Heather since to have documentation that I was able to lose weight and that I did try a diet for the insurance. Unfortunately, the person I have been dealing with most during the last few months is the secretary, Ruth. Just from the telephone conversations I have had with her I pictured an older lady, skinny with very deep frown lines. I met her a few weeks ago and almost laughed out loud because it was her to a tee! Too bad she doesn't realize how much her work means to those of us that are going through this maybe it would help her disposition a little.

I also know that Dr. Kothari has spoke to another surgeon I have had about some mesh I have near my belly button. I was happy to hear that because it reassured me that he was definitely listening to me when we met and was following up on things I felt he needed to know. Everyone on the team emphasized the importance of aftercare and that the success of this surgery had a lot to do with me and how seriously I take the aftercare. They were very straight forward about the risks, but he also said he has not had a death. I know someone that is seeing him for aftercare that had a different surgeon and has had numerous complications and she always reassures me that I will be in good hands.

Obviously, surgical competence is the most important thing when someone is playing with my insides, but a bedside manner is also important when they have you pumped full of pain killers.

Met with Dr. Kothari and his surgical team on July 10th, 2002. He gave me a wonderful sense of security. I know that he has my best interests at heart. I feel confident in the team's abilities and I'm looking forward to an approval from my insurance company very soon and a fall/winter surgery date. Dr. Kothari wanted to make sure that I fully understood the risks of surgery as well as the obvious benefits. I felt very comfortable with his knowledge. On a scale of 1 through 10, I give him and his staff a 9...I'd give a ten but I haven't had surgery just yet! :-) It's now 4 days post-op and I would definitely give Dr. Kothari and his staff a ten! I've had excellent care.

The PA, Chris, was layed back. When I finally met Dr Kothari, I was very impressed with the time he took to help me to understand everything and answer all my questions.

I have nothing but wonderful things to say about Dr. Kothari and his staff. They CARE. And you can't say that about too many doctors now days.

Dr. Kothari was very impressive. He was thorough and yet very down to earth and easy to talk to. His PA, Chris is nice, too and has a very dry sense of humor that I can appreciate. Heather was so helpful and I think she'll be one that I can call with a problem and not feel like I'm imposing.
Everyone was super!

Dr. Kothari's team is very friendly and helpful. I didn't find them condescending at all. They have also created a support group that I find very helpful. To me, them organizing a support group says something for them. I would recommend him and his team to anyone else.

At this point I do not have anything negative to say.

Dr Kothari is great.
He is a very warm, sincere individual.
I met with him after going to a group info/orientation mtg. My appt consisted of mtg with a nutritionist, Heather Gustafson, and Dr's. Physician assistant, Chris Larson. Dr. Kothari came in and went through explaining the procedure and asked if I hadf any questions after examining me.

He really cares about his patients. He was great to my partner in the hospital about keeping her updatined on my condition throughout my stay.

The aftercare at Gunderson is really up to Heather and Chris. Dr. Kothari does his 'stuff' and then his support team comes in to keep things going.

The overall care and health of you is really stressed. The team makes you see that the surgery is a tool to assist with the process, that the overall success depends on your following your nutritional and exercise guidelines.

Bedside manner, treatment of the patient, overall patient care is a 10+!!!!!!!!!

I wouldn't go anywhere else!!!!!!

i liked him alot very open and honset
i enjoyed him even more
they are very helpful in anything u need.
noughing
that he tells it like it is.
alot he called me to make sure i was ok the next week.
yes.
he told me there might complcations and i shoulld be aware of them.
9
both great.

Kothari and his whole team were absolutely awesome.
My impression of them only grew more positive

In a word.........WONDERFUL..Ruth was ALL business though.
NOTHING

Exactly what they see and grasp onto themselves
Wonderfful care

YES

They surely held nothing back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One to ten? A twenty!!!!!!!!!!!!

All was great, even the residents

I've only had one face to face visit with Dr. Kothari but have read alot about him. Laproscopic Bariatric Surgery is a new service offered at Gundersen Lutheran so he and his team are being written about alot. Dr. Kothari is bringing a new thought to GL about obesity. He is developing a whole team approach which includes nutritionists. In fact, his PA, Christopher Larson, is a registered dietician which is is an extra bonus. He is teaching people at GL that safety for larger people is a must. For example, that certain beds only should be used on certain sized people. I feel very fortunate to have him at GL considering he does do the surgery laproscopicaly. He was very informative about how the surgery would happen and really explained to me the risks. I feel totally comfortable in his hands.