Synergy Bariatrics Bariatric Center
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I first saw Dr. Caruana at a group session where he reviewed his program and the operation. I was impressed with him and his staff. Everyone connected with Dr. Caruana seems to be very compentent and caring.
What impresses me most is that Dr Caruana's program treats the entire person. It is not just a surgery and there you go out on your own. He also has a gym right at his office. There is also a dietician on staff.
He is open to all questions including the risks involved. Since I have had a fairly uneventful recovery, I can't address risks on my own behave but a friend of mine who had some problems had them addressed well by the office.
Dr. Caruana is a great physician. He is open and seems caring. I would recommend him to anyone. He interacts well with his patients. I consider myself forunatte to be in his program.
I liked Dr. Caruana. I met him at the informational meeting. He seemed to have a nice sense of humor and a great understanding of his patients needs. Both physically and psychologically. His office staff were very nice and alot friendlier in person than over the phone. I sort of got a cold shoulder feeling on the phone. He does have a structured aftercare program but I have not taken part in that as of yet. He does address the risks of surgery at his informational meeting and at the appt. in his office. He gives ample time to you to ask any questions you may have. I would rate him so far at a 9. I haven't had surgery yet and will update this after I go through the process. As far as which I would prefer, surgical competence or bedside manner, I would rather he was an excellent surgeon. The bedside manner would be good but I want to know the Dr. who is performing surgery on me knows well what he is doing.
4/8/03- I met Marc and Dr. Caruana today they are both nice. Marc spent more time with me than the Dr. Marc made sure that my questions were answered and was very kind and understanding. After Marc examined my tummy I was told to get dressed and Dr. C. would come and get me. He came and escorted me to his office. He looked over my chart and the notations that Marc made. He asked me about the current medications I take and why. He said that although the Prednisone that I take can delay healing the surgery can be preformed with it. He said he couldn't guarantee that I would be pain free after surgery but he said I would feel better and my joints would not protest so.
I told him I knew that the surgery would not cure my arthritis.
I liked him, he was kind and very personable.
The negative things about the appointment were that I did feel a little bit rushed. The office was quite busy and there were people running everywhere. The receptionist was rather abrubt.
I must say also that I was rather disappointed that I did not get a surgery date. I have approval from insurance for the hospital stay. Dr. Caruana does not participate in my insurance so I am considered "Self Pay." because I have to pay upfront and then get re-embursed from the Ins co. I already have approval for both.
So I could not understand what the big deal was, but the office girls didn't seem to know what to do with the fact that I had approval and said I had to wait for their office to make sure.????
The office is beautiful with a gym attached to the office, and a "snack bar" with all WLS type supplements and high protien drinks available. The nutritionist is available when she is not teaching a pre-op class and the nice thing about the gym is that there is all heavy people working out so you do not feel intimidated. (too bad I don't live closer to the gym) They also sell "wls meals for people on the go."
They seem to have all the aspects of post op care covered. I met several people in various aspects of their journey.
Dr. Caruana also said that he has preformed 575 surgeries and has had 5 people die. He stated that all of these people had many co-morbidities. This does not affect my decision any. He stated that they have learned from doing the surgeries and they have changed things and feel very confident with their techniques.
I have much confidence in Dr. Caruana and his PA Marc. I guess it is in God's hands now.
WHEN I WENT TO THE INITIAL CONSULATION, THE DOCTOR PUT ON AN HOUR AND AHALF PROGRAM, WITH ALL OF THE UP & DOWNS REGARDING THE PROCEDURE.
I WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE DOCTOR AND HIS STAFF, ALL VERY FRIENDLY AND WILLING TO HELP WITH ANYTHING!!
AFTER GETTING MY PMD (PERSONEL MEDICAL DOCTOR) TO VISIT WITH ME AND DISCUSS THE PROCEDURE, HE HAS SENT ABOUT 10 OF HIS PATIENTS TO DR. CARUANA IN THE PAST AND THEY ALL REPLIED THEY WOULD DO IT AGAIN IF THEY HAD TO.
THEN MY NEXT VISIT WITH DR. CARUANA WAS A GOOD ONE, HE EXAMINE ME AND STATED I WAS A GOOD CANIDATE FOR THE OPERATION, THEN HIS STAFF SENT THE PAPER WORK IN AND I AM WAITING RIGHT NOW FOR THE WORD.
I AM TOTALLY HAPPY WITH DR. CARUANA, NO COMPLAINTS!!!
Dr. Caruana is kind, caring and genuine. This opinion grew stronger over time. His office is amazing - with a healthy foods cafe for WLS patients to congregate and a complete exercise facility.
He offers only open RNY. I wish he offered lap RNY and duodenal switch surgery options.
I would rate him and recommend him very, very highly.
Dr Caruana's staff is extremely efficient.
However, some of them come across very cold and non-human. This bothered me initially but have come to accept that this is a business. I preferred to be treated with a human element of concern as I went through the process. Not just "I have your approval from the insurance company and the next available date for surgery is...."
Dr Caruana has a full plan for pre & post op information and does an excellent job of getting out the information. It needs to be professionalized in it presentation, expecially the written material. There should be plans for out of the area information and a help line available for Q&A from his office.
I would have like to have Dr Caruana a little more personable but he is a very good surgeon as his statistics support.
Dr Caruana seems like a wonder surgeon. He was thorough and answered all my questions. I am looking forward to surgery, I am just waiting for insurance approval.
Mary Beth
I first met dr joseph caruana in a open meeting for anyone considering gastric by pass surgery. the meeting was at siste's of charity hospital in buffalo New York I could not believe how many obese people there where in the room my heart felt very sad
but anyway before any of us came to the meeeting dr caruana referred us to this web site and I sure learned alot!!!
The informational meeting answered alot of questions and I was able to bring my husband
which made things alot nicer to have my hsuband with me
one recomendation with dr caruana you must have all your insurance referrals and and paper work done before you gat thru his staff
they are very thorough I work in a dr's office so i understand the procedureI had a brief consultation with the dr his staff was able to answer any question i had i had my surgery on 3/3/03 it was rough the first two days in the hospital but i came home on the fourth day and i am recovering nicely i was very happy with the service dr caruana adn his staff provided cc
How do you thank a man who gave you back the gift of life? God has given this man such a talent to pass on. The staff are so friendly and helpful with anything you need. I know they only see a patient periodically after surgery, but going in they make you feel like you've been there a million times. I have left my phone number with Dr. Caruana in case anybody wants to talk to somebody who has been through the surgery. I'd be happy to talk about it. I was very blessed and had no side effects.