United Sugical Associates Bariatric Center

My surgery was actually with Dr. Jerzy Macura, with Dr. Nicastro assisting. Dr. Macura is now working out of Brooklyn at Maimonedies Medical Center. Dr. Nicastro now head the bariatric surgical team at Staten Island University Hospital.

Dr. Nicastro's credentials are exemplary. He is very straightforward, and some can conceive him to be harsh, almost cold. I personally think the guy is a straightshooter, and honest, and that's what I think is important in a surgeon. People need to hear the realities of this surgery, and not be coddled. The Staff and program at SIUH are great, the hopsital staff during my surgical stay were uncomonly caring and attentive.

SIUH Bariatric program aftercare offers weekly meetings, and a great support staff. Even though Macura has gone to Brooklyn, and I live in Brooklyn, I've chosen to stay with the SIUH program.

Dr. Nicastro is very honest about the risks of surgery, almost to the point of scaring you. I think it is to test your resolve, and a way for him to see if you're really ready to do it, and will be serious about your commitment after surgery.

Dr. Nicastro also has an extensive background in the emergency room, and high-risk surgery, so I felt safe in his hands.

I guess many would say his surgical competance is better than his bedside manner, but I was at ease with both, and would reccomend him highly, and without reservation

I was very skeptical about this procedure to begin with, my attitude was that you don't mess around with nature. But knowing someone who went through this helped me keep an open mind when I went for my initial appointment. Dr.Macura was very helpful in explaining every aspect for the sugery to me and answered most of my questions before I had to ask them. He mapped out the procedure from beginning to end and explained all the complications that can arise. I left this meeting feeling very confident in his ability and began the process to have the surgery done.

04/11/03 - As of today my surgeon has changed. Dr Jerzy Macura is no longer with the practice. I will be seeing Dr. Heather McMullen,Who I have been told is an excellent surgeon. My surgery Date has been given to me, which is May 8th. I will be seeing Dr. McMullen before then and will ask all my questions over again.

08/19/03 - Well I am almost 11 weeks post-op and I am feeling real good. I had no major problems and I am losing weight. I would just like to say that Dr's McMullen, Coppa,and Nicastro have all been fantastic. I would recommend them to anyone that is interested in this surgery.

I was very pleased with my surgeons, Dr. Nicastro and Dr. McMullen. I was also relieved that both surgeons were operating on me. Everything was explained thoroughly and completely before the surgery, all of my questions were addressed before I even addressesd them. Wasn't to happy about the initial consult cost for the nutritionist but was extremely content with everything else. I would have also found a more detailed example of the diet plan to be more beneficial. The office staff was extremely helpful and very friendly. My hurdle with the insurance company was also made alot easier because of the staff. I have recommend these surgeons to others. From before care programs to aftercare programs, being 2 weeks post op, so far I am very happy.

Dr. McMullen was my surgeon in addition to Dr. Macura. Since surgery I've only followed-up with Dr. McMullen. I find her to be pleasant, straight-forward and has a great bedside manner.

The office staff is also wonderful, especially Elsie, the nurse practitioner.

She seemed calm, confident and patient. Allowed me to ask questions. I am looking forward to meeting the second surgeon, Dr. Coppa soon.

Office staff is incredible, from Samantha the receptionist, to Linda and Daisy! Add Sandra and Elsie to that and you have an incredible team in the office.

6/10 - Met Dr Coppa today -- he'll be assisting Dr McMullen on my surgery 6/16. I liked him a whole lot -- more personality and reassuring than Dr McMullen (well - I get a balanced team!).

Well, I was very suprised to see how young Dr. Nicastro was. He seemed a bit chilly at first, but after he got into the consultation, he was pretty friendly.

I attended a support group meeting that Dr. Nicastro was facilitating, and I walked away from the meeting feeling frightened, but enlighted about all the risk of surgery. He was straight forward and to the point.

The staff is excellent. Although they are extremely busy, they seem to be very dedicated to helping me.

What I least liked about Dr. Nicastro was his chilling way of explaining the risk of the surgery, however I don't think he skipped a beat. It was like being in a surgical classroom.

Future patients should braced themselves to be told the "gorry" details of the surgery and that Dr. Nicastro will not blink an eye when explaining them to you.

Dr. Nicastro placed great emphasis on aftercare. In fact, he placed great emphasis on every detail of the pre-op and post-op phases!

Dr. Nicastro drew a diagram of the roux-y and the duodenal switch. He explained that the first is a restriction with some malabsorbic detail and the second is a malabsorbic procedure with some retriction. He further explained in detail what action is taken for each procedure. His explanation of the risk for both procedures were extremely gory.

In rating Dr. Nicastro from 1 to 10, I have to give him a 9 1/2 because he was very informative. However, I beleive he should warm up a little with patients because after all the surgery is to be performed on Human beings not mechanical things.

I believe his surgical competence far outweighs his bedside manner. It is a great quality to be a "no-nonsense" kind of Doctor, but again, people, in general want to feel that the Doctor cares about them as a person.