Beamer Breiling Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

My first impression of him was I thought he was very knowledgeable.He also was very nice.
The office staff was very nice too and helpful.
The least I liked about him was his age and his big hands. meaning I wanted to make sure
he didn't retire before I could get the surgeour scheduled. His hands looked so huge
all I could think was they had to fit in my
stomach.
I also liked the fact that he was straight
forward with me. Telling me if I don't make
it work it won't.

Dr. Breiling was very understanding from the start. My first impression of him was that he was informative and good-natured. I was afraid that he might not think I had a good enough reason to want to have this surgery. You have to see him three times before he will decide to do the surgery, just so he knows that you've thought about it and really are committed to this lifestyle change. On the second visit, I watched a movie that showed me how to eat and take care of myself after the surgery. After my second and third visit, I knew he understood why I wanted to do this and that it wasn't a quick fix, but a tool that would help me accomplish my goals. His nurse Kayleen is very nice as well. She is very helpful and personable. Dr. Breiling emphasizes aftercare alot, and he also discusses all the risks and the benefits. If I had to say anything negative at all, it would be the fact that he is very busy, so sometimes you have to wait awhile or reschedule. Overall, I would rate him a 10 out of 10.

He was an older gentleman and took the time to explain things very thoroughly. His office staff is very helpful with questions that I had. I was kept waiting quite awhile on my initial visit, but they had squeezed someone in, but since I had come from 90 miles away, even though it was almost 6:00 before I got in, they did take the time to speak with me. Aftercare I think will be very important. They have described the complications that could occur. Overall, I think I would give him a high rating. He might be a bit more conservative, but I feel very comfortable with him.

My first imprssion of Dr Breiling is that he was very very nice. He is also very serious about this surgery. You must see him 3 times before they even schedule a date, and coming from 2 hours away, it seemed like alot of gas, but was well worth it. He took alot of time explaining every thing, and he continually suggested to do alot of research on the internet also and then come back with any other questions. My first appt, he spent 1 1/2 hours with me. He was very patient and took the time to answer my questions even thought they seemed kind of dumb to me, but I needed to know. He has a great sense of humor and is very easy to talk to. He is very commited to his patients and follows up with them for about a year. His office staff is very sweet and knows you personally after they meet you. They always take the time to answer your questions and keep you in the loop with your insurance and stuff. He did a great job surgical wise, and he has a wonderful bedside manner. This was the first surgery I had ever had so I really didn't know what to expect. I had heard people talk, but until you experience it yourself, you don't really know. He had warned me that when I first wake up, I'm going to think "what in the heck have I done"! And he was right, I instantly had second thought ( though a little late), but he assured me in a few days I would feel very diffently and he was so right! I felt MUCH better in about 3 days. I must also say the Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids was also ABSOLUTELY wonderful. The nurses were great and always there with encouragement and support. Though I am only 3 weeks out, I don't regret it for a minute and I thank the dr and nurses for helping me!

First impression:he didn't talk much,and had no information for me other than a booklet. I asked how many surgeries he had done,and he flippantly said,"Oh, 100 or 200".

He did not discuss any details such as aftercare.Risks were the usual,routine ones.

I think I do nt like him at all and probably won't be using him.No bedside manner.In this type of surgery,bedside manner is extremely important!

Dr.Breiling: Now THIS doctor took time with me! He explained eerything in great detail.Now I feel like I know what I am doing! Definitely glad I tried a second opinion.

I don't know much more about him yet,as I am still waiting for insurance approval for the surgery---5 weeks later.

Dr. Breiling is GREAT. I left the initial appointment feeling like I knew exactly what to expect and the book and video helped too. The ladies in his office are just as great and you know, I never felt ashamed for being my size.

If you are looking for comfort, an understanding shoulder, Dr. Breiling is the one. He made it really clear to me what my role in this program is and I appreciated that because I did think that the surgery was the cure all and it isn't. I will be seeing him quite often after the surgery and I feel really confident about how my life is going to change.

I should also mention that this process went so smoothly because one of my dearest friends had the surgery in September and she recommended Dr. Breiling. Knowing someone who has gone through with the surgery also makes me feel more confident.

Dr. Breiling is very thorough. He makes you go for 3 visits and tells you a little more at each visit. He wants to make sure you understand and want whats going to happen to you. He is very understanding to overweight people which really helps a lot. His staff was also very friendly. I am not from Cedar Rapids, so I always took the latest appt available and sometimes his staff would have to stay late which they didn't seem to mind. The part I like least yet the most is that he is a talker. It nice because it is informative, yet sometimes you like just the facts. I would definatly tell other people about him. He also doesn't like to just rush into things, because it is a life long commitment. He is very big on aftercare. He said because I live out of town, I would only have to see him 2 a month, but he wanted to be sure and see my at least twice. He addressed the risks of surgery in quite detail, but he also addressed the benefits as well, and then basically it is your decision. I feel both surgical competence & bedside manner are very important, especially with the kind of surgery you are having done. I have not yet had surgery, so I really only know him from office visits, but I think he will be just fine.

Rose-Waterloo,IA

DR BREILING IS GREAT. He is so kind and is really doing this to help your life be better. He makes sure that you are sure that this is what you want to do. He never rushes you and answers all the questions that you can come up with. I would tell anyone to go to him, he is the kind os doctor that you are not scared to ask anything to.

I am very happy so far with Dr. Breiling. He is very understanding and takes the time to answer all of my questions. He hasn't pushed me into making the decision to have surgery but gave me options instead. I've never had a doctor of any kind give the time that Dr. Breiling has given me over the last several months since I decided to check into the possibility of having surgery. He encouraged me to do research on the subject and discussed my findings with me. He doesn't promise this surgery to be a miracle cure for my weight problem. But he does stress that this is a life altering surgery and that a person has to be dedicated to making this change or it won't work. I like him alot and give him high ratings. I have even recommended him to several friends and familiy members who have similar weight issues.

Dr. Breiling was very informative and expressed concern and asked me lots of questions and listened to me and my concerns. I felt very comfortable talking to him about my weight.

I have seen Dr. Breiling 3 times and still feel comfortable with him and having him perform my surgery.

His staff is very helpful they worked with me on scheduling appointments around my work time they were always respectful and very good to work with.

I don't like having to drive to Iowa city for the surgery. I would rather have it done at a local hospital.

Dr. Breiling truely comes across as a very caring doctor he is honest and tells you up front that this is going to take alot of hard work to be sucessful. He doesn't push surgery. He gives you the information to make your own choice.

Dr. Breiling stresses aftercare is very important and must be monitored carefully.

Aftercare is a structured program that must be followed exactly.

There are risks for having any surgery but there are some other risks like infection internally or at the sight of the opening. The possibility of leaking and requiring emergency surgery to fix it and the possibility of even death in very rare cases of high risk patients.

I personally rate Dr. Breiling very high he takes his time in gathering information and is thourough in making sure you understand everything involved with your options.

I have not had the surgery yet but he has a nice bedside manner so far as I have noticed.