Alexander Onopchenko Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

My first impression was that he was gruff and not friendly but professional and more than an expert in this field. I did not choose him in 2005. After 4 yrs with another doctor who did not help me I went back to Dr. O and found him to be everything I was looking for in a bypass surgeon. His staff was friendly, supportive and quite knowledgeble as they had been patients also. Every support system was in place to help you on your journey to good health and to help you succeed not just now but for the rest of your life. His medical facility houses his office as well as a nutritionists, dieticians, diabetic care and a gym with personal trainers, metabolic testing and a top of the line (reasonable rates)programs. Support goups for pre-surgery, after surgery, maintenance and back on track programs. He addresses all phases & risks of pre-surgery and after surgery care. As I have not had my surgery yet (soon)I will update you on his bedside manner.

My first impression of Dr. Onopchenko when I attended the informational seminar that he gave for people that were interested in having either the Roux-en-y gastric bypass or having the lap band. His seminar was extremly informative, and he is very well educated, and trained in performing these procedures. His success record is outstanding, and records of surgical complications is very low. He encouaged the group to ask whom ever they were going to have to do the surgery to make sure that they research the history of the physician very well. rnrn His office staff is very pleasant and also extremly knowledgeable about what you are to expect, and when you ask a question, they know the answers. rnrnThere wasn't anything that I disliked about him or his office staff. rnrnHis program is very structured, and you have to be enrolled with the dietician before and after your surgery to ensure that you are following your dietary restrictions, and also informed when to advace your diet.rnrnThe hospital Atlantic Care Regiona Medical Center, Atlantic City division, has a whole program (bariatric boot camp)that you go to 2 weeks before you have your surgery, that informs you of what to expect when you wake up, what to expect post-op, you are shown one of the bariatric rooms on the floor 4 Harmony at the hospital. Respiratory therapy instructs on proper use of the incentive spirometer, and the reasons why it's important. Physical therapy explains the importance of exercise post-op, and also how to get in/out of the bariatric beds. They have a psychologist come in and talk to the group to explain what kind of feelings/frustrations you may go through post-0p. After you finish with the boot camp, you go to Dr. Onopchenko's office for a pre-op visit with Dr. Onopchenko, where he explains the risks/benefits of the surgery and also all the complications that can happen post-op.rnrnHe is an excellent surgeon, has many years of being a trama surgeon prior to doing bariatric surgery.rnrnHis surgical competence and bedside manner are both great. I would highly recommend any one in this area that is comtemplating having either procedure done to use Dr. Onopchenko and his expertise. The entire nursing staff on 4 harmony are also excellent.

I love Dr. O. I had my gallbladder out about 15 years ago and he was my surgeon then. He was wonderful and had a great bedside manner, so there was no hesitation going to him again. rnrnHis office staff are really nice, supportive and professional. Dr. O's before and after care are great, I just don't take enough advantage of them. rnrnDr. Onopchenko makes sure you know EVERYTHING about the surgery before your date, he even does a mandatory 'bootcamp'.rnI didn't have any questions left before the surgery and knew exactly what to expect. There were absolutely no surprises.rnrnI would rate Dr. O, his staff and his program a 10. I would, and have, recommended him to friends and family.rn

The first impression I had of Dr. O was that he was very confident and that didn't change over time. His office staff is very busy, but also very efficient. Because Dr. O has so many patients I felt that he rushed over me a couple of times during my office visits. On the day of my surgery I saw him for a brief 30 seconds before I was taken to the operation room and then I saw him again the day after my surgery for a brief 70 seconds or so. I'm 5 days post op and I still need to call his office to set up the follow-up appointment.

Very handsome and friendly, but seem to rush. He had a lot of patients on that day.rnHe took his time with me and answered all questions I had for him. He is a strict and to the point surgeon. He was very excellent after the surgery and was there everyday. He covered every aspect and was great even when I had complications a week after surgery. He rates an A+!!

Dr. O is the man!

I was impressed with Dr. O initially at the Seminar he conducted. He was organized, had impressive statistics, had a winning personality, and gave an aura of competance. This impression did not change over time. the staff is also helpful. His program of pre-op visits and Boot Camp were very imformative. I really don't have anything negative to state about him, except that my first visit with him was a bit abrupt. He stresses after care, exercise, going to Support groups, the nutritionist, as well as follow up visits with him. He is a great surgeon with a good bedside manner. He addressed the risks of surgery, in my case Lap Band, in an understandable manner.

The stats on this page are a tiny bit off. Dr. O has done about 1,000 bariatric surgeries and no deaths to date.rnrnLet me just say I love him, I couldn't imagne getting my surgery done by anyone else. he just cares soooo much about his patients. he is so nice and understanding. his whole office is soo dedicated to you from the moment you walk in. It took me a year and a half to get surgery and they were with me every step of the way. He does not pressure you, and he makes sure you are 1000% informed about the surgery. their program is awesome they follow you for the rest of ur life, you have post op visits for 10-15 yrs after surgery. they provide a nut and all the other help after. i gaurentee you will be getting the best pre op, surgery, and post op care avaible. dr. O is the friggin best, i can't express it enough! i literally have nothing bad to say.

I have not talked to him yet

WHEN YOU FIRST MEET DR O, YOU SEE A VERY FIT, ALMOST STERN LOOKING MAN.rnHIS APPROACH TO A ROOM FULL OF NERVOUS, OVERWEIGHT, PEOPLE WHO MAYrnBECOME PATIENTS AND THEIR SKEPTICALrnSUPPORT PERSONS IS SIMPLE...HE SPEAKSrnFROM THE HEART. EVERYONE IN THAT ROOMrnCAN TELL IN THE FIRST FEW MINUTES THAT HE LOVES HIS WORK, HE KEEPS UP WITH THErnLATEST TECHNOLOGY, AND HE DOESN'T HAVErnTIME FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT WILLING TOrnTAKE THIS SURGERY AND THEIR HEALTH SERIOUSLY. rn ONCE HE TAKES OVER AS YOUR SURGEON,rnYOU HAVE A BATTERY OF TESTS TO BE DONErnALONG WITH NUTRITION AND MENTAL EVALUATIONS. SUPPORT GROUPS ARE ALSOrnIMPORTANT. HE EXPECTS YOU TO BE THErnHARDEST WORKER IN YOUR OWN LIFE CHANGING SURGERY. IF YOU DON'T, HE WILLrnNOT TAKE YOU AS A PATIENT. HE LAYS ITrnRIGHT OUT. THIS IS NOT FOR SISSIES.rn HIS SKILL AS A SURGEON WAS KNOWN TOrnME BEFOREHAND. I AM IN THE MEDICAL FIELDrnAND ONE OF OUR SURGEONS IN A DIFFERENTrnHOSPITAL, TOLD ME ABOUT HIM. HE HIGHLYrnRECOMMENDED HIM. rn WHEN PATIENTS LOOK FOR A SURGEON, THEY OFTEN MAKE THE MISTAKE GETTING Arn\"BEDSIDE MANNER\"DOCTOR WHO WILL YESrnTHEM AND SMILE. NOT THIS DOCTOR. YOUrnWILL DO IT HIS WAY, OR FIND SOMEONE ELSE. DOING IT HIS WAY IS HEALTHIEST FORrnYOU IN THE LONG RUN. HE KNOWS MORE ABOUT YOU THE DAY OF YOUR SURGERY THAN YOU DO, AFTER ALL THE TESTS ON ALLrnTHE SYSTEMS OF YOUR BODY. HE IS TRULYrnA REMARKABLE MAN. I CONTINUE TO GO TOrnSUPPORT GROUP ONCE A MONTH AFTERrn2 1/2 YEARS AND ALL THE PEOPLE THERE WHO HAVE HAD DR.O FEEL THE SAME WAY.rnHE NOW HAS A PARTNER, WHO CAME TO OUR SUPPORT GROUP TO TALK, AND HE WASrnWONDERFUL ALSO. HE CARES. IF THERE ISrnA MISSING TEST ON YOUR CHART, HE FLIPSrnOUT AND DEMANDS ANSWERS...THAT'S WHAT WE ALL WANT....SOMEONE LOOKINGrnOUT FOR OUR BEST INTERESTS. I HAVErnNEVER REGRETTED HAVING DR.O FOR MYrnSURGEON...NOT ONE DAY. KH