Blessing Bariatric Institute Bariatric Center
He seems very caring and up front in the short time I met him. His staff is really friendly. But I found that I should have kept better track of the 'little' things. I was told \"everything's fine!\" and I did not get direct answers to questions I asked about test results and if clearances had come through. This carried over to the rest of the hospital, as well. E.g. when I tried to get test results, I would leave my name and phone number and not get return calls. rnI am currently <2 weeks away from my scheduled date and just found out they were ready to do a RnY when Dr. B had stressed the DS as his recommended technique. Now it's a mad rush to try to get insurance coverage changed, schedules changed, everything else worked out while I'm out of work draining my bank account waiting to get this done. I was told that I may be able to be slipped in 2 weeks later if space opens up. Otherwise, they are scheduling at least 2 months out. I, personally, can't wait that long. I've been without a job waiting until this procedure is done. I can't delay this much longer, so I will likely have to wait at least a year before being able to take the 3+ weeks off from a new job.rnI met with Dr. B once and then he did a gastro endoscopy test on me. At this point, it seems that the next time I'm concious and see him, I'll be recovering and waiting to be discharged. Less than I would like, but probably as much as I could hope for. For a surgeon, he has a personality - which is saying something.rnRegularly scheduled support group meetings are mostly focussed on RnY but clicks gather afterward for more specific support.
He is very kind and personable and makes you feel at ease He has surgical competence with the excellent bedside manner The nursing staff is very easy to talk to and gets back to you quickly if you have any questions. They also call you and checkup the next day if the surgeon needs to call you after hours
After my nightmare experience with the horrible Dr. Castellanos office going to Dr. Bonanni was a breath of fresh air. Dr. Bonanni is very friendly caring and understanding, he made me feel very comfortable on the very first day that I met him. He assured me that I would not have the same problems that I did at Dr. Castellanos office. It looks like the start of a beautiful friendship.
I have previously had the lap band procedure and it did not work for me I did not fail, the band failed me it slipped and was causing a blockage and I could not swallow anything. I was admitted in the hospital 1500 miles away from the surgeon that performed my lapband. My husband is in the military and we had moved from Tx. to PA. I didnt choose Dr. Bonnani he was assigned to me through the hospital, but I just love him I couldnt have chosen a better doctor he is great in a crisis and has been wonderful through all of my issues and drama that has come along with my medical problems. He is ver assuring and takes the time to answer all of my questions. One complaint that I have is that it is so hard to get an appointment at times, but he is worth the wait, Switching from the lapband to the bypass is a gigantic change but one that I am looking forward to. The doctor and his staff have been great help and have given me all the information that I needed to decide on what type of surgery I wanted to go with and what was best for me and my situation. When I go in the office or call with a question everyone is so helpful and friendly its just like one bug happy family.
I just love Dr. Bonanni! That being said:rnrnMy first impression of Dr. Bonanni was that he was very competent, very straight forward, very caring, and most of all, I felt confident when I left his office that I made the right choice of surgeons for such a risky surgery. And all my first impressions hold true to this day. rnrnHis office staff is incredible. They put up with people bugging them all the time about when, when, when!!!, yet they never lose patience or get short tempered etc. I love the way they all interact with each other. rnrnSometimes I get the feeling that Dr. Bonanni might be too busy for pre-op or routine post- op office visits, but he probably is. He has patients he has to perform surgery on, post-op patients he has to see in the hospital, patients who have concerns who have to be seen in his office, patients who are worried whose bodies are doing weird things such as mine was while I was in the hospital etc. Seeing Dr. Bonanni for routine visits might be like seeing your PCP for routine visits. Sometime your PCP may have all the time in the world for you, sometime things can be hectic and the time may seem rushed. I get the same impression with Dr. Bonanni's routine office visits. I don't think that should detract from his competence or skill as a great surgeon. When I needed him for my surgery and my post-op care and concerns I know I had 100% of his time. rnrnI think patients should know that he's a competent, skilled surgeon who has their best interest at heart. I had open RNY, and a longer stay in the hosptial because of my own weird body, and he, his partner Dr. Coff, and the surgical residents at Abington Hospital always made me feel confident and secure in my care. rnrnAfter care is crucial to Dr. Bonanni's patients and his program. He has a great program in place with a fantastic (and sweet) dietician/nutritionist and post op visits with either him or his fantastic (and sweet) nurse practitioner. rnrnDr. Bonanni answered all my questions about the risks of surgery. During one of the pre-op work groups you have to attend with his fantastic (and sweet) nurse bariatric coordinator, the procedure was gone over in detail, from catheters to possible ventilator use, central line use etc.rnrnOverall I would hope anyone who considers Dr. Bonanni to become part of their life forever (remember, this is a life time commitment, not a quick fix) has as great an experience with him as I have. I am very glad I chose him for my surgery. Both his surgical competence and his bedside manner are superier in my opinion, and exactly what I was looking for when I started my journey.
Dr. Bonanni's partner Dr. Kolff is my actual surgeon although Dr. Bonnani sees every patient and assists Dr. Kolff. I met Dr. Kolff and liked him imediatley, He was very easy to talk to and very knowledgeable. I feel very confident in his ability to do my WLS. rnHis besdside manner I would say is very friendly and he did make me smile, although I was very nervous.