The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Ctr Bariatric Surgery Bariatric Center

I cant say enough good things about Dr Needleman and his staff. He is very down to earth and warm. His staff is very good at answering any questions you may have and returning phone calls very quickly. His bedside manner is much more personal than a lot of surgeons. The office staff has been wonderful and never made me feel like I was bothering them or that any question was stupid. Im so glad I chose Dr Needleman and OSU hospital.

My first impression of Dr. Needleman was that he is a kind, committed, intelligent man who has dedicated himself to doing this kind of work. I had my surgery 2 weeks ago and my impressions of him have not changed since the initial visit.rnrnThe office staff is kind and helpful, though sometimes seem to be over-booked and confused.rnrnFor me, surgical competence is the number 1 priority--a good bedside manner is a nice addition. Dr. Needleman has displayed both of these!

GREAT!! He explained everything and was great throughout the entire process. I would recommend him to anyone!!rn

I met Dr. Needleman during our information session at OSU. My first impression of him was great. He seemed very informative and down to earth. I like that. He pretty much just laid all the info out there ... good and bad.

Dr Needleman was very casual, not condescending at all. He had a relaxed way of talking during the presurgery appt. I was assured that i was a very good candidate for the lap band surgery due to previously losing 50 pounds on my own. He agreed that a little \"help\" would let me be sucessful this time.rnHis nurse/secretary Suzie is the best! She is very concerned and very much on top of things. She tries in every way to make sure you understand everything and even when you know she is highly busy, she still has a smile for you even on the phone! You can hear it in her voice.rnThe only thing i wasnt crazy about during my surgery was the day of, i was told i would get to ask the doctor to see the band. I was put to sleep before even seeing Dr Needleman! I then didnt see him until the next day. He stopped in the first day but i was in the rest room. I heard him say he would be back but didnt return till the next day.

Wow, I am so glad that Dr. Needleman is the doctor assigned to my case. He was wonderful. He gave me lots of great information, talked through the risks and benefits, and was all around fantastic. I am a little more than a week out and so relieved that things are finally moving in the right direction!! This whole process has definitely taken a long time, but I am glad that things are finally going forward! He was certainly great after the surgery too!! He just makes you feel at ease!! I am excited he has given me the tool to change my life :-)!! And he has never once made me feel like bad for letting myself get like I was, rather he celebrates my successes, no matter how slight!!

I haven't met him yet and am not positive that he's the one who's going to do it, but as of right now, I'm choosing him because he's the first option. He's who I have had my PCP refer me to, so I hope it's him!<BR><BR> rnrnI don't know much about him except what I've read and so far the people I've spoken with on the phone (getting my application and such) have been very nice and patient.<BR><BR>rnrnI met him on 9-11-01. He was very very nice and I have every confidence in him. He's pretty cute, too..LOL!!<BR><BR>rnrnHe came to see me in the hospital after being gone the whole weekend after my surgery (which was on a Friday). He was very pleasant and let me know that he'd answer any questions I had. He checked my little holes and said they looked fine. He apologized for being out of town, since I was running a fever Saturday night and was put through test after test to make sure I was ok. He was very nice and answered all of my mom's questions. The only thing I wasn't thrilled with was that I never saw him before surgery. I was out by the time he got in the OR. I can't even be sure HE did the surgery!!!! But I'm confident he did!

I sure hope I meet my surgeon soon!rnrnI've met with a psychologist, Dr. Kramer, and the Dietician, Sarah Crawford. Both were great meetings; very encouraging.rnrnI'm not sure what to do next; I think I need to see my regular doctor to see what tests I need. I am afraid he will yell at me and tell me to try diet and exercise again. (Like he has for twenty years.)rnrnI wish I had a better idea of a time frame and what I am supposed to do next.

Dr. Custer struck me as very professional; he immediately got \"down to business\". Answered all my questions, as well as my husband's. In all honesty I didn't have many questions, as I have been researching bariatric surgery for about two years. He emphasized how permanent the surgery is, and the need to follow medical directions closely. Requires one visit to the support group that meets at the hospital; indicated it would be good to make the support group a monthly habit. Discussed aftercare--medical and psychological/emotional. Addressed the risks as well as the benefits of the surgery; he isn't going to glamorize the surgery to make a buck. rnrnDiscussed the merits of traditional surgery vs. laproscopic. I prefer to have the traditional surgery as there is no proven benefit for lap surgery in a person as large as me. He agreed. rnrnI think surgical competence and bedside manner are equally important. I'm not the type of person who has to have my hand held; I would say Dr. Custer is not that type of doctor either. But he does seem to have a good personality; joked a little. He didn't keep checking the beeper or seem rushed/irritated. Overall I would give him an 8 out of possible 10. I'm satisfied with him and would recommend him to others without hesitation.

Dr. Needleman is so great. I would recommend him to anyone considering having any type of weight loss surgery. He takes the time to make sure you and he are a team for the procedure. He is very caring and skilled.