St. Joe's Health Bariatrics Bariatric Center

I would like to begin by saying that overall, my experience with Dr. Zeni and his staff has been GREAT!
Dr. Zeni has been exceptional! I recommend him to those of you considering minimally invasive Roux en y GBP surgery for a number of reasons. I immediately felt comfortable with Dr. Zeni at my consultation on August 30, 2005. He took the time to explain in detail what my surgery would entail. He answered all questions I had for him in a way that I understood and was able to explain to my friends and family. Since this was my first surgical experience, I had a lot of questions and fears. Dr. Zeni was available and supportive of me pre and post operatively and continues to be to this day. I experienced no complications possible related to major surgery except for a minor wound infection which was easily cleared with an antibiotic. I am now 5 months out and have lost 68% of my excess body weight. I feel great and have no problems with my new digestive system. I like Dr. Zeni's personality the most and appreciate his dedication to St. Mary's bariatric program. I can't thank him enough!
St. Mary Mercy bariatric center has the best information and application process I have seen(I obtained information from 3 bariatric facilities). It was easy to understand, fill out and most importantly I delt directly with the programs director, Paula Magid. I must tell you about Paula. Paula is an excellent educator. A GBP patient herself, she has left no stone unturned in educating and supporting me pre-operatively. Paula continues that education post-operatively when she leads our monthly support groups. She is a warm, caring, genuine person who I immediately felt comfortable with. She allways has a welcoming smile and encouraging hug for me.
I would like to share a few feelings with you about Tamara, the programs dietician and Angie, the program directors assistant. Both are very personable and their commitment to my success was apparent from the beginning. Tamara spent all the time I needed to work out my nutritional needs and helped me find alternatives available. She has tremendously helped me keep on tract to healthy eating. She is always educating and attends our monthly support groups. Angie had been very supportive and helpful. She will be the friendly face that greets you at your consultation with Dr. Zeni at St. Mary Mercy Bariatric Center.

I was very impressed with Dr. Zeni right from our first consultation. He is very through and his staff seem like family. Dr. Zeni and his staff have been right there for me through everything.....I would recommend him very highly to anyone who is contimplating bariatric sugery.....this surgery has saved my life and I am so glad that I chose Dr. Zeni and his staff to help me through this journey....

The staff at St. Mary Mercy Bariatric Center is wonderful, knowledgable, and supportive. They are always easy to contact. There was nothing that I didn't like about Dr. Zeni. Future patients should know that he is an excellent surgeon- anyone that would come to your room in the middle of the night (2:30 am) is a good surgeon. He also has an excellent bedside manner. He emphasizes aftercare greatly. He has a great structured aftercare program. Dr. Zeni covered every aspect of the surgery with me beforehand. I would give Dr. Zeni a "20" on a scale of 1-10. Dr. Zeni's bedside manner and surgical competence are both great. I particularly like the support groups- they are informative and you get to meet other people facing the same challenges you are going through. This is very helpful. It is good to know that you are not alone in your struggle. The staff on 5East was great. I would recommend this program to anyone that is considering gastric bypass surgery. This is one of the best programs out there!

I had already made the decision to have the laparoscopic Roux-en-Y surgery, so the next step was to find a competent surgeon. During my exam with Dr. Zeni, we throughly discussed my medical history and he answered all my questions. He was honest about the risks I faced in relation to my health problems. He was very professional and interested in how he could best meet my needs as a GBS patient.
My surgery was on Jan. 11, 2006. The first day of the rest of my life! I've had minimal problems adjusting to my new digestive system.
Dr. Zeni's Program Director, Paula Magid, is also a successful GBS loser. She has been there and done that! No wonder, she has been able to give Dr. Zeni's GBS patients all the support and assistance they need. She's waiting and ready to be your advocate too. She leads the monthly support group which you will not want to miss!
And not to forget Tamara and Angie. Thanks for being so sweet.
Thanks to Dr. Zeni and his whole staff, I could not have hoped for a better sugical experience.
Losing and loving it! ---DDutch

I first met Dr. Zeni in September 2005 when I went for a consultation. I found him to be very personable and knowledgable about laproscoptic rou-n-y which I felt would be the best surgery for me. He took his time explaining the procedure. He also discussed the pro's and con's of this type of surgery. After our consultation I was ready to move forward I knew I had found the right person to perform my surgery. Also, Dr. Zeni made me feel good about myself, never once did he make me feel like he was looking down on me because of my weight. His waiting room and exam rooms all had chairs that larger people could sit in without being embarrassed because the chair was to small. The whole experience was pleasant and uplifting. If you are looking for an excellent surgeon Dr. Zeni is the person I would recommend to my friends and family members. You should also note Dr. Zeni is a cute guy that isn't hard to look at. Just one more reason to go to Dr. Zeni!!! As far as his staff goes they are wonderful. Paula, Tamara & Angie are extremely warm, caring, and helpful no matter what concern or questions you have they will take care of it in no time. They call to check on you after your surgery and I found them to be fun & pleasant to deal with. They have an after care program where patients who have had the surgery meet and discuss their progress, which is so crucial to the patients overall well being. The moral support is superb and I would be remiss if I didn't mention how wonderful the nurses were once you have had the surgery. I had never been to St. Mary's Hospital before so I was concerned that they might not be a good hospital. My concern was quickly erased. I found St. Mary's to be the best hospital I had ever been to in my life. Every one was nice, helpful, pleasant and I couldn't believe how quickly tests were done. I was on my way home within minutes after I arrived which has never been the case at other hospitals.

Over all, from beginning to end I couldn't have asked for a better hospital, surgeon or staff. I want to thank them for giving me back my life, my self esteem, and most of all, my dignity.

I was surprised that he was so young until I realized that maybe it's just me that is getting old...but knew that his training and experience were going to make him a much better choice because it is up to date and current. He is very professional and knowledgeable, and outlined the entire process. The pre-op tests made me feel confident that if there was some reason why I wouldn't be a good candidate he would ferret it out. There are always risks with any surgery, and they were outlined fully by Dr Zeni. I feel I got excellent care and follow up, and am very pleased with both his competence and his bedside manner. The office staff is very friendly and very supportive. They are wonderful - very helpful during office visits and when phoning in questions you might have. The dietician makes me feel like she's making sure that things are going well and that I'm making the appropriate choices. They also run a monthly support meeting that is very helpful to pre and post-op patients. The 5th floor nursing staff and aides were all wonderful too! I'm glad I had my surgery at St Mary Mercy!

He was very well informed/detailed. I felt more comfortable over time. His office staff was very courteous and friendly. Future patients should know that he does good work. He is very strict about aftercare and follow up. I would highly recommend Dr. Zeni to anyone considering surgery. Dr. Zeni's surgical competence and bedside manner are both great. If anyone is considering Gastric Bypass surgery you should call St. Mary Mercy Hospital Bariatric Center.

My first impression was that he was young and very nice. Dr. Zeni took a lot of time on the first visit and actually gave me his seminar presentation just for me. He answered all my questions and patiently walked me through everything. Rather than be discouraged because he is a young surgeon, I felt very reassured that he was at the top of his game. My impression was correct. He oredered a battery of tests and told me that if I passed the tests he would perform my surgery. I was so greatful because I am 62 years old and have multiple diagnoses, and an abdominal scar from a previous surgery. I passed my test and Dr. Zeni said it was a go. He has been without question the most patient, kind, and thoughtful surgeon I have ever had- and I've had many, many surgeons. ST. Mary Mercy Hospital has a wonderful Bariatric Program. I'll start with Mrs. Paula Magid, who is so warm and wonderful- she makes you feel right at home, seems to understand all that you are thinking, and knows just how to comfort you. As a matter of fact, from the moment you enter the lobby at the hospital, you are greeted and asked if there is any assistance you need. It only gets better from there. Mrs. Magid, Tamara Lark, the dietician, held our mandatory classes and gave us a wealth of information while patiently answering our questions. They reassured us that we could call at any time, and they were. As for the hospital staff, from the diagnostic area and the technicians who were so prompt and kind, and actually seemed to keep to a schedule, they made every process as comfortalbe as possible. On the day of surgery, I was so reassured by the kind and caring people in pre-op, and post-op. When I got to Five East, I was made so comfortalbe. The staff without exception, are the most professional, kind, genuinely caring people I have ever met. In particular, I want to say that the nurses aid was wonderful. Everything was done to keep me comfortable- I wish I could've stayed longer!

I thought he was a very nice and friendly doctor who gave very good answers to my questions, and was very knowledgable about this procedure. After getting to know him I thought he was very friendly- not stern like some doctors. His office staff was very informative and helpful. I think future patients should know his background in his profession- his schooling and research, which is very advanced. He emphasized how important after care is- that you take your vitamins, etc. He has a very good pre surgery program and an excellent aftercare progarm. His bedside manner and surgical competence are both outstanding. He is also qualified to do other laparoscopic procedures such as hernia repair, appendectomy, choly, etc.

Dr. Zeni is very professional, knowledgeable and caring. With time I only became more confident that I had chosen the right physician. Dr. Zeni's office staff is wonderful. You could not ask for individuals who are more caring, helpful and concerned about each individual patient. There is nothing I disliked about Dr. Zeni, his staff or St. Mary Mercy Hospital in Livonia, MI. I feel I received the best care I could have asked for, both before and after my surgery. They have a good aftercare program in place, both with Dr. Zeni and a dietician who is very helpful and informative. There is also a monthly support group meeting for patients to share and offer encouragement and support to each other.
I would rate Dr. Zeni as excellent in all areas. I could not have asked for better!