Norfolk Surgical Group Bariatric Center

Great staff. Excellent surgeon/cutter (concern over not putting in my records anesthesia problems but otherwise technically excellent).

Concerns with the other care:

1) Communication or personal style/attitude. I would not get some questions answered, some questions were met with resistance or anger. Most of those had to do with medical research, other options, etc. When the anger was in the tone/voice, comments like 'I did what I thought was right' (I'm paying for this, don't I get a say?), 'if you don't like it, go elsewhere', 'I've been a doctor for 20 years', or get up and walk out on me, doesn't do positives for the relationship. Telling me when I didn't want to take a test (so much for my rights, put in writing by the hospital), 'if you don't do as I say, I'll put it in your records, and other doctors will see it and wonder why', got burned into my brain. I couldn't afford a treatment and paying for it has set me back ever since then. Other doctors & I have worked this out, except for his buddy. Conflicting instructions and then get mad at me for it. When coming out of the hospital, told to make an appt. for a particular date. I did. I got called back, he wanted another date. I said it was X you said. "Well I don't know what I was thinking". Me either but DUDE don't flag me in my records when you make a mistake. Got angry at me for trying to get his nurse on the phone once. I was making a cake to thank him for and wanted to make sure he'd be in the office on the day I brought it in. I said you got mad on this and I was trying to do it for you. He laughed.

Accusing me of mental issues (like ED's) and its all in my head when I have gastroparesis, IBS, multiple food intolerances, and GERD/reflux, all but the gastroparesis happening after surgery, I have a problem with. Years ago when I was first diagnosed with gastroparesis, it was such a disaster the GI told me if I didn't stablize that week, I was going to be hospitalized for nutritional issues. Telling someone that if they were "disciplined", they could do it, well I can't find anywhere in medical research agreement with that assessment. I did a marathon within time limit at 100 pds. overweight but I have a discipline problem?

Sending lawyers and/or risk managers after me for speaking my experiences and showing people my records, the questions I have, not cool. Dude ... no one is suing you or sending lawyers to you. Every other problem I've had with places, we dealt with things without lawyers, money and talked like adults over the issues. I've protested stuff before and we did it legally & respectfully, the business owner came and talked to over 30 of us: no cursing, yelling, etc. and we talked like adults and spoke with each other. Shook hands and got on with our protests. This place is NOT that way. The police get called (4 times by them) and every time they've said everything is legal, no crazy stuff. The police actually checked it out and saw I never trespassed, cursed, but was respectful.

2) Said he didn't know of global weakness after surgery but there are research articles/papers on neuropathies due to nutritional problems. All of which (nutritional problems) I have in droves after surgery. I feel that should have been caught. Including gallbladder issues that 2 other surgical opinions, an ED doc, my PCP at the time, etc. said its her gallbladder: ditch it. I was in pain for months, finally the counselors at the insurance that I talked with every month (who knew I wasn't crazy) talked to the insurance people who called the admin & him directly. All of a sudden, things changed and I got surgery.

3) Told me to go figure out how to exercise and my diet. So I paid for a nut and this (an extra fee no one else has in the area) and they can't solve dietary issues after surgery? So I'm not a practicing MD or RD, and I can solve them or am expected to. Then when every doctor says you need nutritional help, and spoke with the office, the nut/other doc would take the case until they spoke with him. Amazing how things changed. Yet I was called "noncompliant", when their own nut asked on their support list for suggestions to help me.

4) Telling me at 16 months out I had no further surgical needs. Many doctors have disagreed. The ASMBS disagrees. I was never out of his office by 3 months at the most. Yet they treat people for problems that GI's or PCP's could at farther out than me.

5) If you discuss HIPAA or go to admin, you may not have care in the area. It is my understanding there is a non compete agreement between them and the other biggest group in the area, but no one wants to confirm this in writing.

I've got other examples. Please be careful and investigate aftercare and other situations.

What a terrific job Dr. Fontana did. He took time with me and during my leak test... guess who was there... you got it... My surgeon. This really made me feel extra special. Thank you Dr. Fontana for not just your medical skills, but for your excellent patient services.

I met Dr.Fontana on April 26 2010. I was very impressed with him and his Staff. He was very nice to me, and never made me feel uncomfortable. He explained to me a lot of what I already know,and just confirmed all of my questions. He is very Picky, but I love this..It make me feel so secure!!!

My surgeon was Dr. Mark Fontana. I really liked him. I had an unrelated surgery with another member of his surgical group and I was not impressed. Felt like a cookie cutter job was done. (It was a gallbladder lap removal.) Dr. Fontana was very professional and competent. I also picked up that the hospital nurses had his respect.

My first impression of Dr. Fontana was a very warm and secure feeling. Being that he is prior Navy and so am I, I felt he was a great choice. He explains everything in detail that is easy to understand. The office staff gets a rating of a TEN-Plus. They are more like family. Dr. Fontana and his entire staff are so dedicated to each and every patient as an individual, which is a very comforting feeling during a major process such as WLS.

I have called the office several times in a week and have been greeted with such warm and kind staff. It is never a "stupid" question and they are all there to calm our nerves and assist us through this process.

Loved my surgeon. He made me feel very comfortable about the revision and I was well informed at the time of the surgery. The staff have been incredible when with answering any questions I may have.

First Impression: Very Personable, Easy To Talk TornTOTALLY Adressess the risks of surgery! rnWill Tell You More After my surgery... SO Far So Good

Brooks, Jarod (Norfolk VA)

Dr. Fontana was great

HE WAS GREAT... GREAT I SAY....