Blessing Bariatric Institute Bariatric Center

I met with Dr. B in January and I can say, I was very impressed with him. I liked that he allowed me to go over my extensive list of questions and answered them all in a way that I completely understood and I didnt feel rushed in any way. He didn't leave me wondering or guessing about anything. His staff was and still is fantastic with me. Jamie has returned my calls anytime I had a questions about my insurance and always is curtious. They truly are a center of excellence to me. Comfort is everything! Though I havent had my surgery yet, as I am having insurance approval issues. Dr. Bonanni and his staff get \"mucho\" kudos from me.....LOL. I have already recommended him to others and I havent even had my surgery yet. But I will be sure to post another when I do.

I met with Dr. Bonanni on Jan 8, 2009 for my consult. He was very nice. He told me if I were his sister he would recommend BPD/DS. I was leaning in that direction anyway. Both Dr. Bonanni and his staff have been very helpful and have answered all of my and my husbands questions.

My first impression of Dr. Bonanni was ... what a sweet guy! He was funny, friendly, informative, always asked if I had any questions. He and his staff have been great throughout the whole process so far.

My first impression was that he was very polite profestional and answer all my questions but he was over 40min late but thats besides the point. The staff was very polite proffesional and explained everything to the t. They do have aftercare and they are very very adamint about it.

Met with Dr Bonanni. He made me feel comfortable right away. He seem to respect my feelings, ideas and my research! I had some anxiety built up before the appt, but I'm so glad I found him! rnrnDr B's office staff are great. Very nice!rnrnHopefully I'll be submitting to insurance soon. The only place I've found the ball to be dropped was during my EGD. I asked a couple of people to make sure my mom gets informed when the procedure is done. Didn't happen!! She had to ask someone what was going on, 1 hr after I went to the procedure room! At this point, she was told to bring the car around to discharge, I'd be out in about 5-10 mins! I don't know who dropped this ball (Dr, nurses, Center), but my mom was upset.

He's very gentle and kind. Not judgemental at all. So far, with the exception of having to wait a while at my one visit with the surgeon, everything has been quite smooth. Everyone at the center is amazing, helpful, kind, and just nice.rnrnI feel this is a very comprehensive program and have been really impressed with all aspects that are considered before any bariatric procedure. I had no idea going into this that it was so extensive. Pretty cool!

I have a scheduled meeting with the program coordinator, Paula Beam, RN in late Sept/02. Although I have not met Dr. Bonanni or Dr. Beetle (new associate) I have only heard positive things about their practice.rnrn1/9/03: I met with Dr. Bonnani and he a very nice person, easy to approach and talk to and was extremely thorough. Dr. Bonnani expects his patients to understand gastric bypass surgery and not treat this as a magic potion. He has a very busy surgical practice and people should expect to wait 9 to 10 months after the initial meeting with the program coordinator before surgery. My impression is that it is worth the wait to have Dr. Bonnani perform my RNY. The office staff books a tight schedule for Drs. Bonnani and Beatle so be prepared to spend 2 to 3 hours in their office! rnrnMay 29th going in for pre-op visit and pre-admission testing on June 6th.rnrnI had surgery on June 11th. Dr. Bonanni and his Physician Assistants were great! I was up walking several times the first night and second day. I was discharged early the third day. I was slightly bothered by the drain but it came out the following week. I am now one month post-op and down 26 lbs. I am very grateful that Dr. Bonanni gave me this tool and I am trying to maximize it. rnrnIt has been 4 months since I last posted a note. I go to Curves 3x per week and I have now lost over 70lbs. I go for a follow-up visit next week, but I expect that they will say that everything is ok. I feel great and my only problem now is that I get chilly and actually need to wear a sweater or coat. Dr. B. is the best! rnrnI just went for my 5 month check-up and I am doing great. I have lost 80 lbs and I continue to feel great. I am going to have my lab work done this week and will be seeing Dr. B just before Christmas. What a difference from last year at this time to this year. I went from a 24 to a size 16 and I am only 5 months out. If I exercise hard and continue on this path I am hopeful to wear a 9/10 or 11/12 again. The most important thing is that my blood pressure is normal, I do not snore at night anymore and I have a lot of energy.rnrnDecember 23, 2003: I went to see Dr. B. for my 6-month post-op visit. I am down 90 lbs and am at 56% of my targeted wait loss. Dr. B is confident that I will reach 100% wt. loss and possibly a little more. This was great news and a great way to start the New Year. I know that I have to work harder now to continue to drop the wt. I need greater protein intake so I picked up a supplement that his office sells at cost. It is the best tasting supplement that I have had. He is also having me increase my calcium intake. He said that this is normal for 6 months post-op. I just think the world of Dr. B and his staff. I am convinced that he has given me extra years to spend with my family. They are the best! rnrn07/15/04 Next week I will be going for my 1-year post op. I used to hate going to the doctor. Now I look forward to seeing Dr. B and his staff. I am close to 100% of my targeted wt. loss. Now the only sad news is saying goodbye to outfits that I only dreamed of wearing a year ago because, they are to big instead of being to small.rnrn7/23/04 I went for my 1 yr visit with Dr. B. I have lost 147 lbs and I am within 8 lbs of shedding 100% of my excess weight.I do not need to drop anymore lbs. I never thought I would here those words. I could not have done this without Dr. B and his staff. rnrn7/11/05 It is hard to believe that I am two years post-op... I am down 180 lbs. My pre-op BMI was 45 and my current BMI is 22. I still continue to drop a small amount of wt. but for the most part I have leveled off. I have exceeded 100% of the anticipated wt.loss and went from a size 24 to a size 5/6. I go for my two year visit tomorrow! My biggest battle now is keeping my protein levels where they should be and making sure that I take my vitamins. My greatest joy is being able to keep up with my 7 year old and know that I can do things with him now that I was afraid to dream of two years ago. For anyone getting ready to have surgery, stay the course and be happy with the results of your journey. The benefits of dropping the excess wt, lowering your blood pressure and dropping your cholesterol are more important then your final weight. I am still in awe of Dr. B and thank him every day for helping me, help myself.rnrnOn October 5, 2006, Dr. B and Dr. Beetle saved my life. I sailed through my gastric bypass with flying colors. Everything was fine until 2 years out my stomach nacroited/herniated & died + I had two small bowel obstructions. I went in for an emergency gastrectomy and sm. bowel resections, was in ICU and the hospital for a while and Dr. B and Ben were there every day with me for 2.5 weeks. I owe them everything because not only did they give me a new life with the 1st surgery but they saved my life with the 2nd surgery. I work with academic medical centers on a daily basis and world renown physicians, but non of those places hold a candle to their skill, bedside manner and integrity. You cannot be in finer hands. Dr. Bonanni is the best there is!rn rn06/12/08, Dr. B's program moved to Abington and he is missed by all his patients. Dr. Beetle is a great surgeon and continues to keep an eye on me. 5 years and I have kept the wt off, stay very active, have problems with malabsorbtion of vitamins, see a hemotalogist to help me, but i still would not change anything that i did. i eat fish and chicken for breakfast and lunch, cereal for dinner and i try and walk 2 to 3 miles each day. whatever your journey is....without our health we have nothing. in reflection the goal should not be the size you wear but how active you are, reducing or eliminating comorbidities- living life. travel safe, walk, walk, walk and keep your eye on yourself.... these surgeries carry risks that are real and your decision will forever change your life.

My first impression of Dr. Bonanni's practice was that it was extremely well-organized, professional and run by caring individuals. Impressively, at the time I started the program, the center was attempting to gain Center of Excellence status as a WLS facility. Of course, all of those good things attract a large patient base and I was disappointed to have to wait three months after beginning Dr. Bonanni's program before I actually met him in person. I was hoping that I got the good feeling about him that I needed to go forward with the surgery and dreaded feeling the opposite - I'd have to start all over. I'd already done that once, after not clicking at all with a previous WL surgeon and had put myself back about six months. I was tremendously relieved to find Dr. Bonanni to be a warm, personable and truly interested practitioner. He asked a lot of questions that showed his interest in my full patient experience and was well-prepared for our appointment. I was thrilled to be able to go forward with him as my surgeon.

Duodnal switchrnmy first impression of him was,he is very knowledgable and in the know of all newest procedures .very caucious,great bed side manner.his staff is also great and very helpful.rnwhat everyone should know is he lets YOU pick your surgery,no bait and switch here.rn

Great from the start.....very pleasant and reassuring. Office staff......FABULOUS! I am two weeks post-op from VSG and have been very happy with all presurgical and postsurgical contact with Dr. Bonanni and his office staff. I think Dr. Bonanni was really terrific in both surgical competence (my organs were all over-sized despite following pre-op diet and he was still able to do my surgery laproscopically) and with bedside manner. He is very kind and encouraging after surgery. I was really scared prior to the surgery and he handled it really well. He totally made me feel comfortable and lessened my fear greatly :) So far......no complaints and all raves!