Cleveland Clinic Florida/Bariatric Institute Bariatric Center

At first I did not like him. I was so set on using another surgeon (dr. maremar) I was denied that doctor becuase he was not on my hmo
After getting to know him..I really like him and the other dr's on his staff.
The office staff is the worse, especially the insurance person. It was like pulling teeth to get her to so anything for me.
/future patients should know that Dr. Rosenthal has a great sense of humor and is very knowlageble.
After care is important. there are monthly support meetings as well as monthly meetings with the neutritionist.
The risks were explained to me about having the surgery and about not having the surgery.
on a 1-10 scale I would say an 8
both competancy and bed side manner are important to me

Dr Rosenthal is a very approachable doctor. He is friendly, and very knowledgable. His staff was courteous, and very helpful!

Dr Szomstein was extremely caring and empathetic. He listen to what I felt and why it was important to me to get back my health. He spent a great deal of time going over the different surgeries that he could offer and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

I liked that he was so thorough and address every concern I had. I did not feel rushed and he asked me twice if I had any other questions.

I found his office to be unusually organized and systematic. They had a systematic schedule in which they arranged all of your consults and appointments.

Dr Szomstein encouraged me to use the internet extensively and to join support groups online as well as at his office.

For myself I can say that TRUST is everything !!!!! There is no doubt in my mind that this surgeon will take my life into his hands with caring - experience - and expertise.

I would recommend him highly.

2/21-Today was the initial visit with Dr. Raul Rosenthal, my first impression was a good one. He explained everything in detail and he's also very personal. I've gone to several support groups and he's always there. I was amazed at how he knew his patients by their 1st name and told their stories. I haven't seen him personally after the initial visit, but I will a few days before surgery. Wish me luck :o)

7/02-Today I saw Dr Rosenthal for surgery clearance and he was real nice we both asked each other questions. I'm very impressed w/him. Everyone tells me I'm in good hands. Him and his office staff seems overwhelemed. I will let you know more about him after surgery.

7/12-Today I got home from the surgery, I can't say enough from my Dr's. Dr. Rosenthal and Dr. Szomstein were awesome, I've got to say from a scale of 1 to 10, they're a 10+. So caring and understanding.

Dr R is a very nice person i had the surgery with DR Trevedi but he moved to new jersey so i switched to rosenthal the clevland clinic is beautiful and the dr seem to be very caring.

I had to change surgeon offices due to the lack of personal comfort in the office of Jorge Rabaza. I am now awaiting my appointment at the Cleveland Clinic located in the plush greens of Weston, Florida. I expect to submit my documents to the insurance company at my appointment, so wish me luck!
Anxious 2 Live!

Dr. Rosenthal is an increadale man. He was the second surgeon that I went to see. The first was Dr. Norton from Port St. Lucie, and after the first meeting with him (Dr. Norton) I knew that he was not the man I was looking for. He made me feel like I was being attacked by his questions and he told me to go and get some more of the "Hard Knocks of Life" and then come back to him in a few years. (I am 24 y/o). The good thing about Dr. Norton is that he got me in touch with Dr. Rosenthal. Dr. Rosenthal on the other hand was WONDERFUL. His staff Pam (nurse) and Carol (office manager) let me call and bug them, and ask as may questions as I had. The Cleveland Clinic is clean and beautiful. We went over all of the pros and Cons, I met with the entire staff that would be in the operating room, including the attending Dr. I know that I have a gret surgeon, and I highly recommend him to anyone. Dr. Rosenthal looked at me and said..."Danette, you and I are going to save your life." At that point, with tears of joy in my eyes, I knew I had the right Dr.

Well, Doctors as a whole don't impress me but I can describe Dr. Rosenthal as very personable. I can ask him anything and so far he has been very honest and informative with his answers. His staff seem to know what there doing, (which is most important for me) and have made the pre-op go pretty smooth.

Dr. Rosenthal is a very energetic outgoing man. He has been very personable and friendly each time I have gone to see him. The research I have done has made a world of difference to me. He is a competent surgeon as well as being a compassionate man.

The many people who work with Dr. Rosenthal have been incredible. I have bombarded them with questions that I know they have been asked a thousand times. And even so, they are always helpful and courteous to me.

Dr Rosenthal's office has what appears to be an incredible aftercare program for patients. I have attended one of his support group meetings and his aftercare patients are still very happy with him. Once I am in aftercare (not much longer), I'll let you know how it works in actuality rather than in theory.

I found out my company was switching from Cigna HMO to BCBS of Michigan PPO on August 1st. My consultation with Dr. Rosenthal wasn't scheduled until June 11th. I started doing my homework and learned that Dr. Rosenthal accepted BCBS, but only as "out of network" (i.e. $$$$). I was very disheartened because I really wanted Dr. R to be my surgeon, but I know that the process is a long one and that chances were that from 6/11 to 8/1, I was probably not going to have had my surgery. I called his office to try to move up my appt. and they said there was nothing they could do. I finally was able to get in touch with Dr. Rosenthal, briefly explained my insurance dilemma, and he told me to come in the next morning. I couldn't believe that he was soooo nice and understanding. I went for my first consultation on 5/30 and he told me that I met the criteria for the surgery, but that I didn't really have any major co-morbidities, YET. He suggested I go for a sleep study because he thinks I may have Sleep Apnea.(he read my answers to the sleep questions). Obviously, it's easier to be approved for surgery if you have comorbidities.

His office gave me a list of all the tests I need, and they informed me I needed to get referrals for several of the doctors I must see. I was very lucky to get those referrals the same day I requested them. (Amazing, considering my PCP's office can be a nightmare). I was also able to schedule an appointment with the psychiatrist for this coming week.

I can't emphasize enough how sweet my doctor was. He let me ask him all the questions I had on my list and he was very reassuring when I expressed concerns about not being able to have this surgery before my insurance switch He kept saying how he wanted me to have this surgery for my health, but he did say that there were risks involved. He said, there are risks involved if you do something about your obesity (i.e. surgery) and there are risks involved if you don't do anything about your obesity. Of course, he did say he couldn't promise me anything, but he assured me that he would try his best to help me have this surgery.

I've called his office twice since my visit to ask about the required tests, and Karol, his secretary, was helpful. You can tell she is a little bit fed up with people calling to ask about the surgeries, but I think she's nice once she sees you're asking about something other than, "When's my surgery?" or "Have I been approved?"

Overall, I think his bedside manner seems good, and he was GENUINELY concerned about my individual situation. Considering he doesn't lack for patients, I was impressed with his personal touch.

I hope that my entire experience with this office continues to be this positive.