Horacio Asbun Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

I cannot say enough about Dr. Asbun and the Mt. Diablo Weight Loss Center! I was so impressed when I first met Dr. Asbun. He was so thorough and made sure I knew all that was involved in weightloss surgery . . .both good and bad possibilities. I was very impressed with his knowledge and willingness to answer ALL of my questions patiently (I had a list!) I really like the fact that he requires the patient to write him a letter telling him why the patient wants the surgery, share understanding of the procedure, complications, future lifestyle changes, etc. This gives the patient and opportunity to think through their decision and look at all sides while expressing it on paper. My impressions of Dr. Asbun continues to improve with time. Before, during, and after my surgery he has exemplified care, concern, and enthusiasm for my progress.
My first contact was with Anne Timberlake who answered all my questions and sent information to me very quickly. Anne helped set up any needed appointments and helped me through the process leading to my surgery. I first contacted Mt. Diablo Weight Loss Center in April 03 and I had my surgery in July 03. The entire process for obtaining my bariactric bypass surgery was very easy, efficient, and timely. Both Anne and Shirley at the Mt. Diablo Weight Loss Center are angels! I know that someone is always there to answer my questions or help me if I need it.
Mt. Diablo offers so much aftercare assistance. There are several support groups available for both pre and post surgery. You will get am immediate answer if you call the Weight Loss Center. There is also a Dietician available to help with diet and nutrition.
Dr. Asbun completed my RouxNY gastric bypass surgery 7/03. Because of his skill, he was able to do it lapriscopically even with complications of scar tissue and adhesions from previous surgeries. I truly believe that Dr. Asbun is one of the BEST bariatric surgeons in the world. If anyone is thinking of having this surgery, I HIGHLY recommend Mt. Diablo Weight Loss Center and Dr. Asbun. A patient receives ALL information concerning the surgery and its implications, excellent pre and post op care, high quality care while hospitalized, and the best aftercare support available. I am now 5 weeks post op with no problems or complication, feeling great, and have lost 40+ pounds.

WOW-I have absolutely nothing but praise to say about Dr. Asbun. I consider myself very skeptical. I found Dr. Asbun through a friend of a friend type thing. I flew in from out of state to meet with him and I was instantly put at rest. Dr. Asbun is extremely knowledgeable and very articulate. He is an excellent doctor. He was very through with all the explanations about what I needed to do to prepare and then what I needed to expect through every stage of the process.

Because I was from out of state, I had a list of things to have my local doctors test prior to my surgery. Dr. Asbun has an excellent staff to support him at the hospital, the best staff I have ever encountered.

I had some medical challenges NOT directly related to the surgery after the surgery and I was in contact with Dr. Asbun's staff daily until I got better. They were available to my family doctors also. I can not say enough about Dr. Asbun. I highly recommend him to anyone who is interested in this surgery.

He is honest and straight forward. He emphasizes that the surgery is a TOOL for weight loss, it is not a magic cure.

I really like Dr. Asbun. He is just wonderful. He is so caring and thorough. I really appreciate that when there is a decision I need to make he always tells me if it was a friend or his sister what he would advise. His office staff are very helpful. Anne Timberlake is always quick to call back with answers when you need them. She is the Nurse who is in charge. Shirley is her assistant and she had a rny over 3 years ago, so it is great to get info from her. Karoll Harrell, the dietician, had wonderful information. I would reccomend this group highly.

Very kind, caring, dedicated Doctor. VERY competent! He teaches laproscopic procedures to other Doctors. Heavy emphasis on aftercare ie nutrition, exercise, follow up bloodwork, psych support.
The others in the group at Mt Diablo Weight Loss Center in Concord CA are great. Anne Timberlake is the Nurse Manager of the Center. She leads our support group every 2nd Saturday of the month. She has lots of experience and is wonderful help and support AND she deals with the insurance companies.
She and Shirley(assistant) return every phone call, every email promptly.

We met with Dr. Asbun today, 1/24/03. We felt very comfortable with Dr. Asbun and felt that he was knowledgeable, personable and professional. He was very thorough in describing the risks involved with surgery and what our expectations should be. He stressed that a great deal of our success depends on us and how we follow through with a healthy lifestyle and choices.

We have heard many praises for Dr. Asbun's surgical skills from other physicians in the area. Apparently, he is very well respected and is known for his superior skills. He is very experienced in laparoscopic bariatric procedures, and has performed many operations that are much more complicated than gastric bypass surgery.

We really have been very pleased with our entire experience with the Mt. Diablo Weight Loss Surgery Center. All of the staff - from the staff supervisor, to the nutritionist, psychologist and surgeon have been very pleasant to deal with. We feel very comfortable with our decision to have WLS with this group.

Dr. Asbun is new to gastric bypass surgery. However, he is VERY experienced with gastro-intestinal surgery and is a laparoscopic master. I have heard wonderful things about him from other members of the medical community.He is a member of ASBS. His nurse coordinator, Anne Timberlake, is fantastic. The dietician the program uses is Karol Harrell and she is very knowledgeable and quite fun.
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I met Dr. Asbun on 10/11/02 and was impressed. He is kind, sensitive and thorough. He is very aware of his skill level but does not come across as arrogant, rather simply confident. He takes his job seriously and expects his patients to do the work that we have to do...eating right and exercising!
<p>He will be involved in the aftercare program mostly with the follow-up appointments. Anne is running the monthly support group meetings and there is now a psychotherapist in the group.