Synergy Bariatrics Bariatric Center

I researchd the RNY procedure for almost 6 months. I kept hearing Dr Caruana's name, and checked him out. His standing with the medical board was excellent, as was his reputation locally with other Dr's. being as I work in the medical field, I felt comfortable hearing from other Dr's and nurses that he is an excellent surgeon. Also, his staff De-Anne and Rhonda, as well as his PA Mark were all very nice and helpful, and moved the whole process along very quickly for me. There are monthly support mtgs as well as aftercare programs that the Dr and his staff facillitate. I have not had the surgery yet, am scheduled for 5/30/02, but so far my experience with the DR and his staff has been very positive.Will keep everyone updated. :)Just an updat..Dr Caruana is terrific as is all of his staff. My scar is not that big, and healing very well. Dr C really follows thru with what he says, he met with us twice before surgery to give excercise and nutrition tips, and is friendly and get this.....on time :) I would recommend him highly to anyone researching this surgery!

I totally enjoyed meeting Dr. Caruana. He is very friendly and informative. Right off the bat, he tells you that there are risks involved and explains to you what they are. He takes the time to sit and discuss any questions/concerns you have about the surgery. All in all, I left the consultation feeling much more secure in my decision to have the surgery. :)

Dr. Caruana struck me as professional, confident and assured. I felt that I could trust him and even asked about his previous experience. As of 4/23/2002 he has done 220 weight loss surgeries. His statistics about post-op complications and weight lost by those who had surgery with him were quite good. I liked the fact that he presented factual information; and he was balanced - here's the good and here's the less good. Before doing WLS, he has extensive experience in gastro-intestinal surgery. He and his physician's assistant, Marc, are also certified personal fitness trainers (that may not be the correct title) and are developing exercise classes for their patients, which is definitely a plus. They are concerned about helping patients' continue to be successful. His staff is caring and supportive; they understood when I called to check if my insurance approval had been received. And also my need to make sure that my boss was okay when the surgical date was closer than I thought it would be.

His waiting room is filled with people in various stages of WLS. The day (4/23) I was there for my initial consultation, there were people who had surgery on 4/10 and were glowing with health and success. There were also people who had lost over 100 pounds and down to a person, everyone said that they would do the surgery all over again. All the patients were upbeat and willing to share their experiences. It was one of the happiest and family of people who did not know each other that I've ever seen.

Dr. Caruana holds 2 pre-surgical nutrition and exercise classes.

I would think that surgical comptence is the most important. As an adult, I prefer a compassionate but professional manner.

Dr. Caruana was my surgeon twice before. Once in 1994 he fixed a hernia and 1996 removed my gallbladder laparscopically. I think he is a very thorough, easy to talk to man.
I had my 1st consult regarding rny surgery on April 23rd. I was first examined by his assistant Marc who got all my medical history and examined my stomach and old scars (which are very small). I then spent about 15 minutes with Dr. Carauna who explained the surgery with a colored pic and showed me a list of all the complications he has had since starting this surgery. They give you a consent form to read and sign, either there or at home. I signed and now am waiting to be called with my surgery date.

The only negative thing I could say was that the office was very busy and I was left with not quite knowing when they would call me to let me know when surgery would take place.I think surgical competence and beside manner go hand in hand. Dr. Caruana has this.

Got my date yesterday.. June 3rd.. That wasn't too bad.. Took 9 days from the date of consult to get a surgery date.

He is very warm and caring, very thorough discussed both the benefits and risks of the surgery. he doesnt do lap right now he feels more comfortable with open, he could do it just because people want it and he doesnt. He is a gastrointenstinal surgeon with years experience and did special training in bariatric surgery.He doesnt take Independant Health insurance because they wont cover follow up care and he feels it is necessary. His follow up is an all around program exercise, nutrition, he stresses that this is a life style change. His office staff is terrific and his office is designed to accomadate larger people.
No arms on the waiting room chairs, the blood pressure cuff actually went around my arm with room to spare and didnt pop off.
The gown in the examining room actually fit with room to spare and I wear a 3x.
That type of sensitivity to the needs of large people says a lot about the doctor and his staff in my opinion.
he hasnt done my surgery yet so I cant rate him on surgical competence yet.

Dr. Caruana is a nice guy. Although, it's kind of hard to remember, because I haven't seen him since my surgery. Since then I have only seen his PA Marc, who is very nice, and I think, too good looking (LOL). Dr. Caruana did an excellent job with my surgery. My scar is not too big and I was very happy that he determined that I didn't need any drains put in. I also did not wake up and have an NG tube, as I have read some other profiles on here and I was not looking forward to that. Too date I have had no complications whatsoever. While Dr. Caruana is a great surgeon, I do think he lacks knowledge on aftercare and nutrition. He doesn't prescribe any supplements after surgery as some other drs do (i.e. Trinsicon for Iron, or B12). He's more of a check your labs a couple times a year and wait and see if a problem develops type of dr. That is...I assume that's his position...again, I have only seen his PA after my surgery and that is what he told me.

I have just met the surgeon for the first
time on Friday. My first impression was that
he was honest and forthright-pretty no nonsense
My primary care doctor told me that he considered him
an excellent surgeon. He told me that when
his wife needed surgery, he sent him to Dr.
Caruana. He told me that he had lost three
patients out of about 250. He told me that
he and his assistant had gone through training
to become personal trainers to help me with
excercise after the surgery.
His office staff was nice.
That's about all I can offer at this time but I will
add as time goes by and I interact with the
office more.

DR CARUANA WAS WARM AND VERY NICE HE TOOK THE TIME TO EXPLAIN THE SURGERY AS WELL AS THE RICK (S) INVOLVED. MY IMPRESSION DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO CHANGE I METT HIM ON 03-05-2002 AND HAD MY SURGERY DATE 04-04-2002. OFFICE STAFF IS WONDERFUL. LEAST NO TIME TO TELL. FURTURE PATIENTS SHOULD KNOW DR CARAUNA IS DOING THIS SURGERY ONLY AND HAS HAD THE SAME PARTNER FOR ALL SURGERY AND A WARD AT THE HOSPITAL THAT IS ONLY TAKING CARE OF HIS PATIENTS. AFTERCARE IS EMPHASIZED IN EVERY CALL AT THE ONSET OF THE FRIST CALL FOR INFORMATION AND HAS CONTINUED TO BE SPOKEN OF EVERY TIME I CALL. STRUCTURE AFTERCARE IN THE OFFICE FOR BLOOD WORK EXERCISE PROGRAM AND NURT. RISK OF SURGERY WAS SPOKE OF AS IT CAN AND HAS HAPPEN AS IN ALL SURGERY THERE IS A RISK YOU TAKE HOWEVER THERE ARE SOME STEPS WE TAKE TO HELP PREVENT BLOT CLOTS AND COMPLICATIONS. OVERALL DR CARUANA IS VERY NICE, CONCERNED FOR HIS PATIENTS, UNDERSTANDING AND WILLING TO HELP IN MANY WAYSSURGICAL COMPETENCE IS WONDERFUL AS FOR THE REST I HAVE TO HAVE THE EXPERIENCE FIRST TO RATE HIM. FROM WHAT I SEE THUS FAR DR CARUANA IS A CARING AND UNDERSTANDING DOCTOR HE IS WILLING TO HELP IN ANY WAY AND HE AND HIS PARTNER ARE BOTH CERTIFIED TRAINERS TO DISCUSS THE WORK OUT PROGRAM TO FOLLOW YOUR SURGERY.

DR. CARUANA AND HIS STAFF ARE NUMBER 1, THEY HAVE BEEN VERY HELPFULL IN GETTING ME READY FOR SURGERY. DR. CARUANA WILL ANSWERED ALL OF YOUR QUESTION AND TELL YOU ABOUT ALL THE COMPLICATIONS.

I had my initial consultation on Friday March 15, 2002. My first impression was very good. The two receptionists greeted me as if they had known me for years! They talked to me about all of the ins and outs of insurance approval. I was a half an hour early for my appointment and I got right in! Dr. Caruana examined me and went over my paperwork in about fifteen minutes,then we moved to his office. He was very thorough in describing the surgery. My husband was very pleased with his explanation of everything and felt much more at ease after seeing Dr. Caruana. First impression - THUMBS UP! I'll keep you posted on the rest of the story...to be continued...