My surgery is March 28th. I had become quite comfy with Omar, and confident with the service provided by him detailed by previous patients. Alina is the lady now answering emails. She seems nice, and answers promptly. Can anyone give a testimony to their experience since Omar's departure?? I just want to know that the full experience is still a positive one, part of my decision besides Dr. Kelly's reputation.

I will be interested in this too... I am going in for my VSG on Feb 2 and while I am not worried about anything, it would be nice to have new feedback on the staff change.

Dr Kelly has a lot of staff changes! I had my surgery with him back in March at the exact time that Trish decided to leave and Anna took over. Thankfully she agreed to still be my co-ordinator and my sister and I were the last of her patients of Dr Kellys. I have to say it was pretty awkward because they were not getting along. That being said, we had a great experience and recovery. What matters is what happens on the operating table. I have never had one episode of vomiting, reflux, or heartburn. My sister and I both felt great from the very beginning. I have lost slowly and steadily, down #70 and 5-8#s from my goal. Good luck to you. You are in good hands.

Thanks DD. Congrats on your success. I expect to be a slow loser. I'm 5'0. And a bmi of 39. I feel good about my decision to have Dr. Kelly perform surgery. Guess I was just hoping someone had had a recent experience with the new staff. I know Omar was very personable (I prefer that personal touch. I guess) and good at what he did. Hoping the experience in its entirety is as good as others I've read.

^{I'm having some concerns about staff changes for Dr. Kelly, too. I had hoped to have my surgery late last fall, but due to some unforseen circumstances, had to delay. I got an email a week or so ago from someone that wasn't Omar (I hadn't kept up and wasn't aware of the changes) wanting to schedule a date. Totally fine, emailed back with a simple question and also let them know I wasn't 100% on a date yet. I got no response until today..again, I'm not worried about it because it wasn't urgent. I am a little concerned, though, that the English in the email isn't all that great. I'm going to schedule a call with Dr. Kelly, I think, but it worries me just a tad that the person who is coordinating doesn't seem to be fluent. Oh well. Admittedly, I don't love change and would have been happier if the coordinator I started with was the same through the entire process...but c'est la vie. It's my own fault for having to reschedule.}

^~Kat

Good Morning KatlnFL! I have the low-down on the staff changes. My surgery is this Saturday. So, basically, Omar was there and established. That's who you would have been working with in the Fall. He went to another doctor in December. Alina took his place and her English was okay. The Office Manager, Cecy started answering my emails for a short while and she definitely does not have good English. I too was very confused and worried with these transitions... not for worry of the surgery, but making sure I had good information and was preparing myself right. Well, last weekend, a new coordinator started on the job. Lora is her name and she's FANTASTIC. She's an American they've hired and is also a Dr. Kelly former patient. I had an hour on the phone with her Tuesday and am totally at ease. Make sure you're using the info@ email address and that will reach her, or call the office number and you can talk to her.

Unless something else has changed in the last 24 hours this is!

Good Morning KatlnFL! I have the low-down on the staff changes. My surgery is this Saturday. So, basically, Omar was there and established. That's who you would have been working with in the Fall. He went to another doctor in December. Alina took his place and her English was okay. The Office Manager, Cecy started answering my emails for a short while and she definitely does not have good English. I too was very confused and worried with these transitions... not for worry of the surgery, but making sure I had good information and was preparing myself right. Well, last weekend, a new coordinator started on the job. Lora is her name and she's FANTASTIC. She's an American they've hired and is also a Dr. Kelly former patient. I had an hour on the phone with her Tuesday and am totally at ease. Make sure you're using the info@ email address and that will reach her, or call the office number and you can talk to her.

Unless something else has changed in the last 24 hours this is!

... Forgot to add, the reason for the change from Alina to Lora is that Alina was meant to be temporary I believe.

... Forgot to add, the reason for the change from Alina to Lora is that Alina was meant to be temporary I believe.

Thanks for the info!! I appreciate it. In my initial email a couple of weeks ago, I asked if Omar was no longer there and it was one of the questions I had that went unaddressed. Again, certainly not an urgent question and I am not really interested in the details but was surprised I didn't get a response.

... Forgot to add' date=' the reason for the change from Alina to Lora is that Alina was meant to be temporary I believe.[/quote']

I agree. Lora contacted me by email on Monday and seems very on top if things and very nice. She is checking that all scheduled patients have travel info, diets ect. No longer worried here. : )

I'm glad things are settling down there. Dr Kelly is a great surgeon but I'm not sure he is the greatest at running a business. I don't think you will be sorry if you schedule with him.

Here is a recent update that may explain the confusion: http://www.prleap.com/pr/195513/

Amanda Rae

Thanks for posting..it helps to slowly get pieces of the puzzle. I just HAD to pick the surgeon w/ drama..lol. sigh.

Thanks for posting..it helps to slowly get pieces of the puzzle. I just HAD to pick the surgeon w/ drama..lol. sigh.

I have read many great things on Dr. Kelly, but I agree, it was the drama that turned me away from him. All the rumors made me very nervous... I'm even nervous picking a surgeon that I've read no rumors about! Lol this is a very nerve wracking process.

I have read many great things on Dr. Kelly' date=' but I agree, it was the drama that turned me away from him. All the rumors made me very nervous... I'm even nervous picking a surgeon that I've read no rumors about! Lol this is a very nerve wracking process.[/quote']

Jesser, I agree. I was so confident just a day ago. Now I feel like I'm in panic mode. Im not an easily rattled person.I've been on VST a year, my surg date since Sept. And now less than 2 months before surgery, I'm gonna question everything??? Lol I need to just close my eyes, say a prayer and jump as planned. What will be, will be.

Well, do whatever you feel is comfortable. You can always switch if you don't feel comfortable with him. So I guess Omar was your coordinator, and now he's not anymore?

Well' date=' do whatever you feel is comfortable. You can always switch if you don't feel comfortable with him. So I guess Omar was your coordinator, and now he's not anymore?[/quote']

Yep. Then Alina, CeCy (his wife)and now Lori...and I guess he's now partnered w/ Mexico Bariatric Center and scheduling thru them as well...? Coordinator is Christy I think according to those who took that route.(Head spin) lol Does kinda make you start wondering after awhile.