Eric J. DeMaria Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

My first impression was that he seemed like a very nice, caring physician. I chose him because he is considered the best laporoscopic surgeon in Richmond. He has done hundreds of these procedures and was very positive about me as a candidate. I did not feel pressured into making the decision. He outlined all the pros and cons and all of the risks. He did stress aftercare. He explained in detail what I could expect. He pointed out there was a support group at the hospital that would be helpful before or after the surgery. I rate Dr. DeMaria as excellent.

I liked him immediately.
His staff needs improved efficiency, I had to stay on them. But for most part they were nice. They address the risks of surgery if front.

I thought he was very knowledgeable. I was right with my first impression. His office staff is very friendly and helpful. There wasn't anything I didn't like about him. He is always very busy, but the gastric bypass nurses and dieticians are very helpful and prompt in calling you back. The aftercare is the most important and is stressed all the time. There is a structured aftercare program. You are shown a film before surgery is set up that tells of all the risks that are involved. It is kind of scary to listen to, but you have to know what it is all about. I would rate as high as the scale goes. He did a magnificent job with my surgery and my sister's and several friends. He has surgical competence and a great bedside manner, but I prefer surgical competence over anything else. I have the confidence in his ability as a surgeon and was very pleased with my care and results. Hopefully, everyone will feel as I do, but there are no guaranties that everyone will be as satisfied as I am.

First impression was that he is very knowledgeable and friendly. His office staff was very organized, and kept the process moving. I met with a nurse to discuss my health problems, then saw a movie about the surgery, then talked with the dietician. After that I met Dr. DeMaria for a short period. I have no problems with him, he has an excellent reputation and is very busy. I basically just want to have the surgery and get on with my life. I don't worry about developing a long standing relationship with a doctor, I just want the best surgerical treatment and the best recovery that a doctor can provide. Again the biggest hurdle is the paperwork and getting approved for the surgery.One suggestion I would give the Doctors' offices is that they set up a generic timetable to give to each patient and on this timetable, it gives the average time period for each part of the whole process, and when they will get back in touch with you even if you have heard nothing from them or your insurance company. They know that overweight people feel like hiding in a corner as it is.

I thought I might as well write this after thinking about it.Dr.DeMaria based on the only time I have met him was very easy going answered all the questions I had at the time.The explaination he gave concerning the risks and the surgery itself made me feel more comfortable about the whole ordeal.I do have to also give credit to his nurse Jill Meador.Since my initial vist and finding out I was approved a week later some questions started coming out.I work 70miles from home and calling her was a problem do to the time I arrive home in the evening.Every E-Mail I have sent has been returned the next day almost without fail.As of May 9th 2002 no problems.Surgery date July 12 2002

Because VCU/MCV is a teaching college hospital, I did not actually meet Dr DeMaria until the morning of my surgery. His staff, though, had been excellent and I was confidnet in my decision to use him due to all I had read and heard about him. His nurse, Jill, is WONDERFUL!! She has such a terrific sense of humor and is very realistic in what she tells you before/after surgery. The required class scheduled a few days in advance of surgery makes it all seem so much more real and gives you excellent information (as does the handbook you are given in advance of the class) They are all very firm in their insistance about followup appts and attending the support group metings; the support group newsletters can even be emailed to you! I was extremely impressed by the efficiency of the pre-op tests and how little time was spent waiting. It was thorough and everyone was pleasant.

had the best experience of my life pre op was not easy but post op i have been treated like a queen thnaks dr de maria

I have had to change surgeons due to some complications with the original one. I have selected Dr. Eric DeMaria at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, VA. His credentials are outstanding...he is an instructor and head of a department, also does over 200 bypass surgeries a year. My appointment is quite a way off, May, 2002, but I should move up due to cancellations. He did the same surgery on a friend of mine and she did excellent with the recovery and weight loss...she is quite a recommendation. I will add information about him as I see him. Now finally, I am excited again.

I had the first visit with Dr. DeMaria on Thursday, Jan. 31st...I found both him and his staff to be very accommodating, very knowledgable and efficient. I am very pleased with everyone I have had contact with to this point. The Dr's. credentials are outstanding and he is recognized internationally for his work in this area. So far his bedside manor has been simply outstanding..he is very understanding and I never got the feeling that I was being treated any differently than any other patient simply due to my size and problem. There is an excellent nutrition program in place, had to talk with one the day of first visit and go back for a class pre-op. There is also a book to help guide me in what to do and eat. He strongly recommends a support group. After care visits are 3 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, yearly thereafter. All risks were explained and the degree of risk, also, but the benefits were also covered for a pro/con type of information. I would rate the Dr. and his staff as excellent and am so glad I chose them...I thank Christy Smith sooooo much for passing along the information about him.

Dr DeMaria and his staff were wonderful. They are the greatest about making sure you know what to expect after surgery and arm you with lots of information about what to expect. Very important. Staff is also great.
Only negative thing about my surgery had nothing to do with the doctor but MCV could not have been worse. The after care from the nursing staff was soooooo bad. Really really bad if the doctor hadn't done such a great job I would have been scared. Since they (Dr DeMaria) had me so prepared I knew what to do for myself and I could do it thanks to the dr's good job.

8/16..Well I met with Dr. DeMaria on the 14th and I really liked him. He is very soft spoken, but a very good listener. Was patient and waiting to see if I had anything else to ask before continuing on on his own. He didn't make me feel like he had to get up and rush out of the room. Seemed very competent and caring. I can't wait to meet him again on my surgery day!!!

9/4...I was very disappointed to find out the doc's office didn't send in the insurance info till a whole week after my appointment with him. Which puts me a week behind schedule. I was so impressed with the office staff and him as a doc, before this. Now I am going to have to keep a closer eye on them then I had planned to do.

9/25..Not much has changed since my last entry. I am still a little disappointed in the doctors office staff. I had to find out through my insurance what my date for surgery was. The doc's office hasn't called me yet. When I call them, they try to shuffle me around to everyone else. No one seems able to give me a straight answer. Hopefully these problems are only with his staff and does not reflect on his abilities. I have heard great things about him, so I am not assuming the worse. We'll see.....

12/2001...I was able to work things out with the doc and his staff. All are wonderful people....just doctors, if you know what I mean. However he has just been a wonderful surgeon and I wouldn't change having him do it for the world.