DMC Harper Bariatric Medicine Institute Bariatric Center

have not yet met him

My surgeon Is Dr.Sapaula he was partners with Dr. Wood. I first visited them in a neighborhood near my home. After surgery my Dr. Moved to a new office about 100 miles away from me. I do the traveling because I have alot of faith in Dr.Sapaula.
The office staff was friendly and helpful.Especially in the area of insurance.
I feel i was well informed about the risks.
I was quite suprised about the pre diet and the after diet. I am doing well with it but I see others eating starch and I feel a little cheeted because starch is not an option for me.
If asked if I would do it all over again the answer is yes. So far the benefits outweigh the risks.

I met with Dr. Wood on 10/4/02. He was full of knowledge related to Bariatric surgery. He took time to answer all of my questions. He made me feel less anxious. He answered personal questions i.e. scarring/keloids. that I felt maybe noone would do. He assured me that my belly wouldn't just burst open after the surgery, regardless how big, or flabby it was. I'm almost ready to hear my surgery date. The staff were nice, and seemed like they enjoyed there job, one person was singing. When staff had to take my picture I became quite anxious, and she showed me why it was necessary to have before and after pictures. He has support groups, and even informed us about how his patients were his for life. He relished in telling us about how he enjoyed seeing patients, off diabetes/B.P. pills, and how some pts. personalities changed for the better after the weight loss. I felt so much confident after he shared information with us, about his surgical staff, nursing care, and hospital equipment so we would have a good hospital stay. (trapeeze to help you move around in bed) On a scale of 1-10, he's a 20!

Dr. Wood is a great doctor. He was really professional and very friendly. He made me feel really comfortable and at ease about the whole thing. The office staff is really cool too. Amy is a lifesaver. The only thing I regret about the whole thing was the care that the nurses gave at the hospital, but I know that was out of Dr. Wood's hands. He had nothing to do with that. I don't reccomend going to Bi-County Hospital in Warren to get this done.

I saw Dr. Wood @ a seminar in April,2002. He and his associate have created the LIVLITE Program. It is a lifelong plan with continous follow-up post-op. I contacted my program manager in May and completed the forms listing all of my attempts and failures, boy that really puts things in perspective. I had my labwork and psych evaluation and waited to set up my consultation with Dr. Wood. The earliest I could be seen was September 6 th, which was fine, our son got married in August so that was a better time. I had read how long you could be at the consult so I went prepared with a book and water. Imagine my surprise when Dr. Wood came out to explain the surgery with just a 20 minute wait. He had 6 patients meet for a mini seminar and answered every question patiently. His theory is to have the group session where more questions are asked, possibly something you didn't think of or maybe touch on a question we were all going to ask. I thought he was terrific and very low-key with a subtle sense of humor. Once the group session was over (approx 1 hour) then we were brought into the exam room and he came and examined us individually. My date is October 15!! I just have to go through pre-op testing. I have read where people get this far and they find something wrong so things get delayed. This is going to happen:)
I think overall the process with Dr. Wood was a 10, I know you say that no can be best in all aspects, but I think I have the best and I am thrilled. Dr. Wood explained the risks, but he also explained how attentive he and his staff are to the risks and what they do to prevent as much as possible.

I haven't been to their office yet. Office staff is extremely helpful and courteous. I am trying to get more info on BiCounty Community Hospital. I have heard nothing but good things about Dr. Wood and the micropouch procedure. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, I had my consultation and am very impressed. Although the doctor was almost 2 hours late, I wasn't surprised. Have heard that same comment from many, so I just planned it into my schedule. Very personable man...it's clear that he cares about his patients. Aftercare is definitely emphasized...return visits, vitimins, diet, exercise. Risks and benefits were discussed during the consultation, which was done as a group. There were about 10 of us who listened as he talked about the procedure and then we had the opportunity to ask questions.

I realize that I haven't mentioned anything negative about Dr. Wood. I have had no negative experiences, other than his tardiness. He was held up in surgery, which is understandable.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Post op -- Dr. Wood was excellent; had an awesome bedside manner and did an excellent job. He listened to my concerns, answered my questions, and agreed to keep me hospitalized an extra day to prepare for the looong ride home.

My surgeon was Dr. Michael H. Wood and Dr. Sapala. My first impression was very good. Both are very educated in the field of obesity and both are not only professional, but compasionate in what they do.

The staff are well trained and helpful.

What I liked best was the knowledge they shared with me before and after the operation. Both are good listeners.

A strong emphasis on aftercare is available if you call. I only wish we had received more visual information like a book full of ideas and suggestions.

All the risks were explained, but by the time I decided to get this operation, no risk was greater than the weight I already was.

Both surgical competence and bedside rate a five star rating.

The hosptial I went to (Detroit - St. John's) was the worst experience I ever had. Lack of help and lack of interest in you personally. They were very lax, lazy and neglectful. I would never want to return to that hosptial again. Fortunately, Dr. Wood has changed hospitals to BiCountry in Warren, MI.

PRE/OP ASSESSMENT: Since I've only met with him once for the consultation, I can't address many issues. However, from what I have seen so far, I can say that he is a very nice man, and he takes the time to give you details. I did consults at both BTC in Ypsilanti and with Dr. Wood. First let me say that Dr. Batay-Csorba at BTC is also very nice and answered all my questions without grumbling. I would have felt confident to have him as my surgeon as well based on my haing met with him first. However, because I prefer the micropouch, and because I appreciated all the information Dr. Wood gave me, I chose him. When I met with Dr. Batay-Csorba, he traced out what would be done, which I already knew from months on the internet studying RNY. Dr. Wood, on the other hand, layed it all out for me, step by step, inch by inch, telling me what they were going to do to what, the measurements, and even the proper names of everything - using both medical terminology and laymens terms to make sure I understood. I really appreciated that. Afterwards, I got to meet with the nutritionist, (who is Dr. Sapala's brother), and I really got the feeling he was in it with me through the long haul, that I'd never wonder what I was supposed to be doing, and that he would have my back if I ever started to slip up. The only complaints I have about the office are the wait time (a woman was there for her consult and in the waiting room for 2 1/2 hours - so we consulted with Dr. Wood together then seperated to meet with the nutritionist and have our exams.) I also had a problem with Liz, my program manager, who I could never get on the phone and who went to lunch when she was supposed to meet with me after my consult. Fortunately, when Dr. Wood moved his office she didn't move with them, and Joyce, my new program manager, has been very helpful.

My first impression of Dr. Wood was that he was a very caring man. He has a heart of compassion for people who have struggled with being over-weight.

Dr. Wood was transitioning his office from Sterling Heights to Warren, there were a few glips in the process. I had to call several times to make sure they received various medical reports, plus one appointment was overbooked by another.

One of the things that I liked least about Dr. Wood was that he's very busy and I wasn't able to see him the last day in the hospital...I only saw the interns and nurses. However, to Dr. Wood's credit he has an excellent hospital staff who were very competent.

Dr. Wood stresses the importance of aftercare. His goal is that every one of his patients succeed in their weight loss surgery. Dr. Wood was very knowledgeable of the surgery and made sure you knew the riskd involded. He was very detailed.

Overall I would rate Dr. Wood as an excellent surgeon, who is extremely busy.

Dr. Wood does micro-pouch gastric bypass in Warren, MI. He is a sweetie!! Intelligent, almost shy, kind, and tremendously qualified (over 2,000) of these surgeries, he is, in my mind, the absolute best. He is a wonderful person and my operation went so smoothly. I'm glad I entrusted myself to him. It was only after long research and the decision to come to Michigan to have surgery with him that I felt at ease about the operation.
Bi-County Community Hospital had a fantastic staff. I was so pleased with the nursing, their friendliness and professionalism.
Of his office staff, I'm most familiar with Tish and the nurse. They are lovely people. Everyone there is a hard worker.
Surgical competence and bedside manner are equally great. A lovely man and a lovely staff. I can't tell you how pleased I am. You are in good hands with him and I thank him for doing such a good job.
I'm sorry, I truly don't have negative comments. What I said is what I believe.