Cleveland Clinic Florida/Bariatric Institute Bariatric Center

I adore the staff at the Cleveland Clinic in Dr. Rosenthal's office. I was determined to make this decision on my own. I did and with their assistance, all of my questions have been answered and my doubts put asunder. I am comfortable with the pace of the initial consultation and the ability to stop in and visit for a brief moment during spare time.

Overall, I would rate Dr. Rosenthal and his staff as being superior in their field and commend them all the more.

- My first impression of Doc was a remarkably well spoken, genuine person. Awesome bedside manner.

- The lady who handles the insurance is a bit of a bear to deal with, but Doc is worth it. I am in the best hands in Florida!

- I like least? There is nothing in this that I do not like.....

- Future patients should know how highly respected and recommended he comes. But always do YOU homework. Take to him, make your OWN mind.

- Aftercare is the whole process to him. He says, with all modesty, that he cannot afford mistakes, so neither can we. We must follow the regimen.

- This guy has it all. He is VERY well qualified. I checked with an friend who is a attorney representing Docs in Malpractice cases. He says this man is sqeaky clean. And the bedside manner? He is a genuinely warm person interested in helping You and Me.

First Impression - Very informative and very personable. The fast pace of the first visit is a bit overwhelming.

There is ample written materials to explain every step of the way, in regards to the surgery, and what would be necessary before and after, physically, nutritionally, etc.

There is no information or guidance, on the order or steps necessary for the administrative things necessary before the surgery can take place.

Office Staff - Professional enough, but interaction leaves me feeling rushed and that my questions are, perhaps, unimportant. I would like to see common administrative questions and answers put in writing and included in the New Patient Packages to lessen having to call the office staff.

Aftercare - I continue to learn about this from many sources, not Dr Rosenthal, in particular. The monthly support groups are promoted.

Risks - Dr Rosenthal was very thorough in explaining the risks to me. Also at the support groups the surgeons always have post-op patients speak, who have had things go wrong during/after surgery.

I feel confident about having Dr Rosenthal for my surgeon. This feeling gets reinforced every time I hear him speak, in a group setting, or hear others speak about him in a positive way, or I hear about his successes, surgially. I anticipate a positive outcome, surgically, and feel Dr Rosenthal is well qualified.

My first impression of
Cleveland Clinic Florida Weston
Raul Rosenthal, M.D.
Head, Section of Minimally Invasive Surgery
Director, Obesity Program
[email protected]

was very refreashing He understand my complain and felt he felt my need to really lose the weight. I only meet him twice before the surgery but every time was such a pleasent time. The staff was with the Cleveland Clinic Hospital Weston Florida they are so great and very helpful, And since this a hospital and clinic I took all the testing and everything in one day and every doctor I seen and there staff was very friendly and helpfuly the are so great and wonderfully there. Overall I would rate them 100+++++

dr szomstein and all of the other doctors are great. all 3 docotors there constantly came to see me in the hospital. i was amazed honestly. they really care for there patients. the office staff is overwhelmed and its very hard to get any answers out of them but they did take care of everything i needed

Dr. Szomstein is empathitic - he truly listens to you with his head and heart. You feel like he understands that which most people do not. He has the type of strength that allows you to turn over your trust and body to him.

I had two complications right after my surgery that he and his associates addressed aggressively and between them they pulled me out in hours.

You can see into his heart thru his kind eyes and at no time do you ever feel "alone". Not prior to surgery or after your surgery. He is there every step of the way.

Dr Szomsteins associates are also top drawer !!! Coming in to the hospital in during the night when I had a complication. They were there for me and again with great compassion. I can not recommend him HIGHLY enough !!! He is the BEST !!!!

I have had my first visit with Dr. Rosenthal and walked away feeling lucky I found him to do my surgery. He walked in with a big smile and was very positive about being able to help me...The office staff that I met were also up bubbles and very nice to be around..Not one person had a sour note which is unusual in a fast paced atmosphere. I cannot say one thing bad except that it took three months to see him. I was not rushed through the conference and he answered all questions. Dr. Szomstein, Assistant to Dr. Rosenthal, was also very attentive and very helpful with answering questions in depth. I walked away understanding all aspects of the surgery and what to expect from beginning to end. I am now going through Pre-Op tests so I can have my surgery date.
I would say surgical competence is to priority but to have that and bedside manner is wonderful...I feel like I have grabbed the brass ring. Last remark is the Cleveland Clinic was also very impressive. So to sum it up...Impressed with everything and that makes having this procedure a little easier to move forward to the next step.
12/4/02 Had my surgery and so far so good...Went with no problems, stomach hurts from the surgery but not so bad. Having a cold doesn't help which I picked up, sneezing is a killer...Dr. Rosenthal was as impressive as the first day I met him, no reqrets. Thank You Dr. Rosenthal.....You are a 10.....

Let me just say that Dr Rosenthal, meeting his was totally awesome.. He answered all my questions and my concerns, he was honest and upfront with me.. As far as his office staff, they are all wonderful too, except sometimes, some need to listen alittle more to what you are saying than what they want to hear.. But overall, Dr R and his staff all really great people.. I'll post more, once I get to meet more with him...

I first posted my profile back in May 2002. I had seen Dr. Overcash in Ocala, Florida. I had started to have some of the necessary testing done but because I have Medicaid it was sometimes difficult to find clinics/hospitals that would except my insurance for some of the tests. Time was passing and I wasn't getting anywhere and then my wife went looking for any other info we could use to help me in my journey. She found a site about a place called The Cleveland Clinic in Westin, Florida and the doctor there is Dr. Raul Rosenthal. Well..he is my new physican as of yesterday! Had my first consult with him and it was wonderful. The facilities are great, everyone from the person at the enterance to the clinic to the nurses, to the check-out person were very professional and courteaous. We had to attend an orientation meeting that morning before my appointment. We were given paperwork and a packet that contained all pertinant info about WLS. We were also shown a short film showing someone actually having surgery performed which was very informative. Emily, who is the program coordinator, as well as the staff nutritionist also spoke to us briefly. Dr.Szomstein, also a surgeon at the clinic gave the main lecture that covered a good range of topics. I found it to be well put together and informative. During the consultation they went over all my medical history and appeared very knowledgeable about the pros and cons of the procedure. I will be having laparoscopic WLS. The decision to go to another surgeon was based on 2 factors: 1)Cleveland Clinic made all my appointments for me to have my testing and 2) the Clinic is closer to my family in Miami. I am from Orlando but will be traveling to Westin which is approx. 230 miles. I will be retuning to the CC on January 20th to have my tests done. Once this is completed they can apply for insurance approval and hopefully I will be having my surgery in February. I feel as if I'm finally moving forward in my journey to a new me.

Both Drs. Rosenthal and his partner, Dr. Szomstein are very personable, competant and thorough. They answer all questions in a comprehensible manner and explain all the risks. Their nurse Aleecia, is also very knowledgable and nice. They have monthly pre-op support groups on the last Monday night fo the month at 6PM. Their practice is booming and the office staff is totally swamped.