Synergy Bariatrics Bariatric Center

Dr. Caruana is very warm, patient and has explained the surgery and its after effects in great detail. He encouraged me to talk to a recent post-surgical patient and that was a big help. His secretary is just great and answers everything I need.
Update 10/02 I am now working for my surgeon! I run his pre-op support group, do telephone counseling and create his bi-monthly newsletter. I recommend him highly to anyone in our area and outside of it. This is a truly caring man and a fine surgeon. I have lost 125 lbs and am having abdominoplasty 10/30/02. Wish me luck.
madeline

My first impression was possitive, they answered all my questions.
My impression has not changed.
Everyone in the office is very friendly & very informative.
There is nothing I did not like about them.
Aftercare is highly emphasized! Before surgery they require you to take a nutrition & exercize program. And after they have a gym type program right at the office. Very structured.
At my first appt. he told me about any risk.
Overall I would rate them a perfect 10.
Both surgical competence & bedside manner were great. The surgeon even taught our pre surgical exercize program.
I know it is almost unheard of that someone is 100% satisfied, but I am.

Well, I did it. Saw my PCP today and after MANY restatements of my desire to have surgery, and NOT to "give Xenical ONE more try" he finally agreed to put through the referral. I'm not very worried about insurance issues- I work for my health insurance carrier as a medical biller/coder, so I'm one step ahead of the game in that aspect. (Besides, one of the girls in Util Review owes me a favor ;)
I've already got a "reservation" for an informational meeting with Dr. Caruana (10/21/02), and I have to admit, I'm not very pleased with that step in the process. Patience is NOT one of my better virtues, and a 2 month wait just to be able to SCHEDULE an initial consult is borderline ridiculous. When I asked the woman I spoke with about the types of procedures Dr. C. performs, she dismissed me with "he covers all that at the meeting". I have no desire to waste my time, nor his- I will not undergo an open procedure, period, the end. I've already had an open appendectomy on an emergent basis, and I'd never electively endure another surgery. I'd rather know NOW, so I can look into surgeons elsewhere if need be, but the woman I spoke with was very reluctant to get into that with me. *sigh* Feeling frustrated already...

I WENT TO HIS INFO. MEETING AND MAN WAS IT GOOD ALOT OF INFO. WAS GIVEN AND HE ALSO ANSWERED A LOT QUESTIONS. THE STAFF AT HIS OFFICE WAS NICE BUT HAVING A PROBLEM WITH DISABLITY PAPERS. OVERALL I SAY HE IS A VERY GOOD/NICE DOCTOR BUT HE HASN'T DONE THE SURGERY YET.

I met him at his informative meeting, he seems to be a nice, caring, compassionate man, who really understands the struggles obese people go thru. More after my initial consult. Well I have had my initial visit with Dr.Caruana, first of all his office staff are wonderful, they answer all of your questions. I was in and out of there in like less than 45 minutes. The first thing I noticed was the waiting room, no arms on the chairs, and you know when you go to a regular doctor how everyone in the waiting room keeps to their selves and reads a magazine, well not here, everyone is talking to one another about what stage of the journey they are at, and about how great Dr.Caruana is. I met a few wonderful people there, one of his patients was just 3 months out and had lost 100lbs. Then I got weighed and my hieght was taken, 263.5 and 5"7. I went back to the waiting room for about 5 minutes and was called into the examining room, I was there just a few minutes and Mark came in, and yes everyone, he is gorgeous!!!, He asked me a few questions, then gave me a gown to put on, you get to keep your bra and panties on, and yes the gown is big enough, it was falling off of me, he came back in and examined my abdomen and looked at my legs and asked a few more questions. Then I got dressed and Dr.C came to get me and I went to his office. He looked over my paperwork, and said that my PCP wrote a very nice letter to him, he asked if I knew about the surgery, and I told him that I had been researching it for like 2 years now. He asked if I had any questions, and I had a few, he answered each and everyone for me, in a way that I would understand, not doctor talk!!! He told me I was a good candidate for the surgery and that I would have no problem getting approved. I feel so comfortable with him and his staff, I would recommend them to anyone who was serious about making a life changing decision such as this.

I met with Dr Caruana and his PA, Marc and was very impressed. They both appear to be caring individuals who are devoted to helping people with obesity. They gave thorough explanations about the surgery procedure and risks.

What a kind and caring doctor this man is!!! Great manner of speaking WITH his patients, not AT them. Dr. Caruana exphasizes after care in a big way - that is why he chose not to continue as a provider of Independent Health insurance company. Speaks about all of the risks, possible complications of surgery as well as the benefits. I am very pleased.

Dr. Caruana is a vary understanding person that will listen to you. His staff is great they will help you all the way. I do not think their was anything that I did not like.He explained aftercare and risks in normal words so you could understand him without having a medical background.

I liked him very much. He just started having
siminars because the response to the surgery
was overwelming ... he was very much to the
point to pussy footing around on all the comp-
plactions you could have i like that about
him and his staff is wonderfull they dont look
down at you for being fat..they take thier
time explaining things and his asst! oh yea
baby if only i was 20 years younger...lol

My first impression of Dr. "C" was a good one, he seemed to be informative, and patient answering my husbands questions. I like a Dr who looks you in the eyes when speaking to you, Dr. "C" did this. He also speaks in terms you can understand. His PA Marc was also very good with me. He is kind caring considerate, an excellent bedside manner.