AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center Bariatric Center

I found Dr. Patel to be nice,and very sincere, and to be a bit honest, he was kinda cocky LOL (did I also mention that he is young LOL)I really liked the fact that when he spoke to me, he looked directly at me and called me by name, not muttering into his paper as he checked things off.

Describe his office staff. It started off odd. They gave me an office apt, after about a week, I went to the apt and I was told that before I could see the Dr. I had to go through the "Bariatric Seminar". A call to let me know this was an error never came so that was a week wasted and then it was another two weeks before the next Seminar. They did apoligize but still, they do this for a living!
Also, I have a bit of mixed feeling about the office staff. I spent a lot of time back n forth with his office staff and the office staff of my primary care Dr; about who's job it was to write out what! They deal will this issue on a regular basis and I feel some of them should be better prepaired and or informed on insurance issues. They were always nice, some even indifferent, but never rude and that's what counts for me.

There was nothing I didn't like about Dr. Patel, I found him to be very friendly, and informative when need be, and very aproachable.

What should future patients know about him? On your first apt he will give you a guideline/list on the Dr.s you will need to see and be cleared by before your surgery can happen. I was told it was mearly a guideline of types of Dr's you need to see and what you might expect needs done or requested to be done from that particular Dr.
On that list he does list certain Dr's. These are people he commenly uses. He told me that if I had Dr's that I know of or have already used before that is was fine to use my own. Now when I say my own, I only used Dr's that were approved of by my insurance company. Out of pocket expenses is not somthing I wanted especially looking down the road at the time off and pay loss for recovery time.

Never was there anything said or spoken, nothing that I signed, legal or otherwise at the Dr's or the Seminar, saying that I would only use the people offered by this program.Nor did they offer any such paperwork requiring me to exclusively use only the names they provided.

I only bring this up because when I went to those Dr's, I used a Psychologist approved of by my insurance, not the one they (the list) offered at a rate of $250.00 not covered by my insurance.
When I saw the Pulmonogist, my evaluation stated that I was not a canidate for sleep apnea, so I was not required to have the "sleep study", where I have heard from others that they were forced to have the sleep study, weither they needed it or not.
I also used my own Dietician approved of by my insurance. They(the list) offer a 6 week preop and 12 week postop program for (only) $480.00! (also not covered by my insurance)Plaaa..ease! All I ever paid out of pocket so far was my $5.00 co-pay.

Elective surgery or not.. it is a medical problem that is covered by most insurances. It is a very difficult decision to have to make and then to compound it with a possible wait so that you can save up months if not years to pay for out-of-pocket expenses that can most likely be covered if worked out withing you insurance coverages Sorry, I chose to work with my insurance and it has worked out very well for me in the end. Know your rights!

Your aftercare if explained to you in full at what is called the "Bariatric Boot Camp" and it is mandatory.It is a class at the hospital you will be staying in. They will go through everything from how to use the bed to what to expect from the minute you arrive to the minute you go home. It is well worth your time and you will meet others just like you and may also be in the hospital at the same time as you. I very much evjoyed it and made many friends there. It is extremely structured.

If you do not live close by try to scheduel your Boot camp the same day as your PAT(pre adm testing) it makes things so much easier.
One thing though I just wanted to share, and this is my opinion only so you may have a different take on things and hey, thats fine...right! I was told at my PAT (By the chairwoman of this program)that they had noticed that I didn't use all the people or programs offered on that list and she also said that it was a requirement, and that I should consider myself fortunate, that she had in the past canceled other surgerys for not using them. I understand where she is commin from and that this program is her baby,and that she is very proud of this program (and it is a wonderful program) but but please, get over yourself. Legally, they don't have a leg to stand on, because at no time did I sign any legal papers promising to exclusivly use/or have to use certin persons from that list provided to me by my Dr.
Second, they are not the only people doing this type of work now a days. They could make an effort to coorinate information with you Dr's under your current insurance provider, so as not to incure unnecessary out-of-pocket expenses. There are so many programs, so many Dr's, so many Hospitals to choose from.
Third, they did not cancel my surgery because they new that they couldn't without the threat of a any possible legal suits against them. And believe me there would have been had they done so.

I tell you all this because this is my experience, not everyones will be the same and you really should be armed with as much information as possible when doing something as personal as this.

Over all I give this surgery experience rating a 95 (well sorry but nothing is perfect but this/and he(Dr. patel is very close!)

Hi surgical competence is 110%, as well his bed side manner. I couldn't have asked for a more competent surgeon. My surgery took place with no complications what-so-ever. I am very pleased with my decision to use him.

Good Luck to all of you who make the choice to have this surgery. All that I have stated herein is all my own opinion and last I looked; we are still allowed to have them! LOL

Best Wishes!

The Doc was very imformative and accurate. He held nothing back as far as advantages or disadvantages. He and his staff were very helpful with helping set up appointments and the follow through. He also stresses after care with the nutricianist, which is very helpful. I didn't think it was importatnt at first but it proved to be vital and an added plus I like the people there and like to share ideas. I would recommend Dr.O to anyone. He, Kathy, Doreen and his other staff are practically members of my family.

DR Onopchenko is a great doctor,he don't mess around with you,but he will send you back to retest if he feels there is a need.he has a great sence of humor,you have to attend classes on nutrition before and after surgery.I would recommend him to anyone that really wants the best care.

i liked him he is very nice and funny his staff is very nice

My first impression of Dr. O was he is a realy funny man who realy cares about his patients. The more I get to know him the more comfortable I feel about this decision. His office staff are some of the most understanding people I've met in a long time. Dr. O's emphasis on after care is phenominal. He explaines everything to you upfront and encourages you to ask questions so he can make sure you know all that you need to have a successful life. My only apprehension is the amount of patients Dr. O has had. I know he has only had a few hundred and that makes me kind of nervous. Someone has to be in the first few hundred and I feel comfortable with my decision. I trust Dr. Onopchenko. He follows your progress with the pre-op doctors. Even though you might not here from him or his office, you can be sure they are following your progress. I am sure having Dr. Onopchenko is the right decision for me.

Dr. Onopchenko is absolutely wonderful!! This man takes such great care, interest and time in you as a patient. He sent me to nutrition classes, a psych eval and support group meetings all before the surgery. While I was attending these classes I really didn't understand. Now I see completely and am so greatful for each and everyone of them. He takes the time to answer ALL of your questions. No matter how small or trivial you may think it is. His staff is just as great. They also will help you in any way they possibly can. I personnaly can not tell you enough how wonderful he is and how I owe my new found life to him!!

From the first time I met Dr. Onopchenko at the symposium I liked the man. He is sincere, humorous, concerned, and just has a great bedside manner plus now that I am 5 days post-op I must add he's an excellent surgeon. :-) I thought at first that all of his pre-op testing was a little much but as I was doing it and speaking with people who went further north and had almost no testing done and developed complications I realized why he requires all that he does. His office staff, Doreen, Kathy and Lori are all great, very knowledgeable, friendly and also very patient as I called every day toward the end asking if they got everything back yet. Rachel Bohs is also excellent. As far as the surgical risks you start learning from day one at the symposium all the way through to your last pre-op visit where there is a written exam. He follows up with you on a regular basis for a year and I'm not sure how long after that. He requires 6 pre-op and 12 post-op nutrition classes which if I hadn't attended I wouldn't have a clue now what or where to begin. I believe surgical competence is the most important, both are great and Dr.O is everything wrapped up in one!!!! And he even did my surgery on his birthday. Thanks Dr. O!!!!!!

I had my first seminar and met with Dr O
on saturday Feb 7, 2004. I have an app on feb 27. for my first offical app..
I'm so excited i can't even describr the feeling there's to many over all just plan happy. The Dr. was very friendly and answered all the question anyone had. there were alot of people there.He is very thorough. He said once we have the first app. we are friends for life. He does not set you off on your own after surgery. I like that. He really told of what could happen all the bad stuff which was good to know. He seems very stern and wants it done his way.
Went for my first visit with DR. O
And was very pleased with the way he treated me. He was very honest and was not sure he wanted to do the surgery, because of my stomache operation in past. So I'm going through the paces and we will decide which way to go but I am a candidate for the surgery. Just which one will follow.
The girls at his office are very friendly and helpful. I also went to a support group from his office It was very good meeting lots of info gathered. I was not happy to hear that if i should have to have open gstric bypass He does not like to do this and would like for me to got another doctor.
We will se what happens soon.

When I first called Dr. Patel, I had an appointment within a week, that alone was exciting! I was very impressed with him, he's young and very nice personality and made me feel very comfortable about my decsion. He's got a list of things that have to be done and that makes life easier. He takes my insurance and so far this hasn't cost me a thing! He has a very structured program and spoke to me about all the risks, his seminar was very informative. I can't speak about after-care yet, but i'll let you know later. His office staff at first, had me holding forever, but that has gotten better. The girls are very helpful and nice. Honestly, haven't had a whole lot of dealing with the staff. Stefanie, who takes care of the scheduling has been great and competent. Will up-date the after-care. I've had a slight problem with my wound opening up, and I must say that Dr. Patel has been very compassionate and caring and concerned, and he's doing the best for me! His nurse Liz, well, she is just a Blessing right from Heaven:-)

Dr Onopchenko could not be any nicer He and his staff have treated me with dignity and respect . His program from my personal research seems to be most comprehensive. I have only heard good things about him and now that I have met him know why .He has a great sense of humor and makes you feel at ease right away. He understands the weight issue we all have and does not judge but is here to help .