Bradley J. Needleman Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

Dr. Needleman is awesome. The first time I met him was when my dad had his WLS. During my dad's surgery there was complications and Dr. Needlman showed what a big heart he has. As a side note on my father he is doing awesome and lost 190 pounds since April 04. Dr. Needleman's admin (Suzy ) is very friendly and very prompt on follow ups.rnI don't have issues with him. The OSU program is very extensive from the start and seems to be after surgery.

Dr. Needleman is a wonderful surgeon. I did not feel rushed when I met him or for any of my other visits. He has an air of confidence about him. Despite being very overweight he was able to do my surgery laposcrapy. The OSU program is very complete and informative. I'd highly recommend him and the program.

Dr. Neeleman and the Ohio State University were wonderful! Dr. Needleman was very informative and wanted to be sure that I knew everything I needed to know and that I was sure about the surgery. He was absolutely sure I would be 100% pleased with my surgery and he was right! The before and after care programs that were offered by OSU were great! They make sure you are ready physically, mentally and emotionally! One a scale of 1 - 10, I would give Dr. Needlemand and the OSU program a 10!! Way to go!!!

I was scared and excited about the whole concept of having gastric bypass surgery. Dr. Needleman put my mind at ease. I did my research and found that he was the most qualified and reputable surgeon in the area. I am glad I have made the choice and will follow through. October 2006, 3 years later, I still se Dr. Needleman for my yearly check ups he must have done a good job because I have lost 156#. Thank you, Dr. Needleman

My surgeon, Bradley Needleman, M.D first impressed me by not pushing for the gastric bypass surgery. He was very candid about the surgery and its risks and possible complications. He also talked about the solutions to the risks and complications, which was very reassuring. He has both superb surgical competence and a winning bedside manner.
Dr. Needleman is the best qualified, kindest, most caring surgeon I could have chosen. It was as if a family member were taking care of me. He was as distressed over my post surgery nausea (I'm prone to upset stomach)as I was . Although he had to leave town a day after the surgery, he kept in touch with his colleagues concerning my progress. I always felt he was only a phone call away.
Dr. Needleman is a very patient and thorough doctor, and is excellent at describing each step of the surgery and fills. I am not surprised that each of his patients feels the same way I do--he is simply the best!!

Dr. Needleman was professional and humble. He was kind and made me feel comfortable asking questions. He really reassured me regarding thoughts about surgery and post op care. He had a good discussion regarding aftercare and emphasized that this is a tool which requires effort on my part. He did address the risks and made sure that my husband and I understood them. I feel he is very thorough regarding surgery and I truly appreciate that he doesn't require a bunch of fasting and bowel prep as a pre op. The staff that I dealt with were very pleasant. I really have been impressed with the entire OSU program. I didn't realize how wonderful they are and I'm so thankful that I got the opportunity to change from my original surgeon/bariatric treatment center. And yes, God does work in mysterious ways!

I have not met Dr. Needleman yet, but I like what I have heard. I trust the Ohio State University Hospitals, feeling they are most capable of handling anything that may come along.

It has been nearly 2 months since I was told by OSU that I was "approved" for their program. Since then I have traveled to Columbus for another psych eval and nutrional consult. Both I have already completed, but have had to complete again with the professionals associated with OSU. Included in the nurtritional consult, I was required to have a MedGem reading (measures the bodies resting metabolic rate), the cost was $50, on top of my copay, and will not be covered by my insurance.

I am becoming quiet frustrated as I feel I am being drug along, despite having insurance approval. I already jumped through hoops with my insurance company, I don't feel I need to do this for a surgeon.

This week I had approx 10 lab tests drawn, and faxed the results to OSU. Friday I was told by Shannon, their program manager, that my case would be reviewed by the multi - disciplinary team next week, and at that time it would be decided weather or not I was accepted into their program.

Now, I have to do a 4 week diet program, and maybe I will be scheduled to see the surgeon in a couple of months.!!!!!!!! AAARGGGHHH, I'm not happy. I have been going at this for nearly a year, have battled the insurance company, and feel I'm being needlessly scrutinized by the the OSU bariatric program.

I met Dr. Needleman on 1/31/06, and he is worth the wait!! His staff is awesome, energetic and friendly. Dr. Needleman is very professional, but very down to earth. He doesn't have a good complex that some doctors have. He explained everything to me and my husband in a mannner that was easy to understand but not condescending.

Anyone else that is interested in having this procedure done at OSU should be aware there is a lot involved, this a very structured program, but this is all to provide the patient with the greatest chance of success. I

1) What was your first impression of him/her? I thought Dr. Needleman was very nice, personable, very confident and competent. I felt very reassured and comfortable, didn't feel rushed.
2) How did your impression change over time? I still belive in my first impression, but have noticed that while he doesn't rush the patient, he has a very hectic and overloaded schedule.
3) What did you like least about him/her? He can be difficult to contact. Make sure in your appointments to get all of your questions asked and answered, or you will be a long time waiting for him.
4) What should future patients know about him/her? Great Doctor!
5) How much does he/she emphasize aftercare? Very important....critical to continued success.
6) Does he/she have a structured aftercare program? Yes. I felt it was TOO structured. I needed special attention because of the emergency conversion of my surgery from lap to open incision, and because of my allergy to Nutrasweet(aspartame, phenylalanine). Many of the medication prescribed to me contained Nutrasweet. He was unaware of the nutrasweet being in the medication...until I did the research and contacted his office for options.
7) How did he/she address the risks of surgery? Very direct, open and honest. I would have liked more details, but you can ask any questions....and I couldn't think of them, there on the spot.....bring notes to the office and do your homework!
8) How would you rate him/her overall? Great Doctor! on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being best, an 8.5 or 9.
9) Which is better, surgical competence, bedside manner, or are both great? Both are great, I would give him a 9, or 9.5 on surgical skills and a 7.5 or 8 on bedside manner in the hospital, better in his office.

COMMENT: Whenever I saw Dr. Needleman in the hospital, he was always surrounded by his residents and students. It was a little intimidating to have him checking his "work" on me and all of the eyes watching and looking. I felt a little self conscious in front of all the "observers". Special cudo's to Dr. Needleman's resident, Dr. Andrew Hendershot. I felt very comfortable with him. He had a very friendly and approachable demeaner. I wish I could have seen him again at the office, when I started feeling better and making some progress.

Dr. Needleman and his team is EXCEPTIONAL! He was very knowledgable and very down to earth. He answered all of my questions, and basically had a very good bedside manners. The process that the OSU program has is extensive, but is definately nessicary. I wouldnt change anything about their process b/c this truely is a lifestyle change and their program prepares you for it. The hospital staff was wonderful. Dr. Needleman's Nurce, Janice is the best! She is quick to return calls and she is proactive in filling out paperwork. She does what ever she can to take the stress off of you.

The whole team again was EXCEPTIONAL!

KUDOS, to Dr. Needleman and his surgical/nursing/administrative team.

Dr. Needleman was very kind and caring. He
explained the surgery thoroughly and answered
all my questions. He did not rush me or make me feel like I was just another "case".

The office staff are all top notch. Not sure
how Dr. Needleman was so fortunate to get
such great people. Maybe, they were just fortunate to get Dr. Needleman. I think it speaks highly of his priorities and leadership.

The aftercare program seems very structured.
Periodic checkups that includes Dr. Needleman
checking you, dietitian counseling and bloodwork.

Dr. Needleman does not pull punches about the surgery. He definitely explains the risks while still showing confidence in the
potential successes of this type surgery.

Since I was at a teaching hospital I saw Dr. Needleman once while in the hospital. I can
understand the busyness connected with my doctor also being a teaching surgeon.

His bedside manner was kind. His competence
was not measured by how long he stood next to my bed, it was the fact that his expertise got me through the surgery and the followup
care was and is still thorough.