Eric J. DeMaria Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

My first impression of Dr. Demaria was that he was a very professional man, but he also had a very warm, friendly, and even funny side to him. His office staff was very friendly, also. I was first required to watch a video explaining the gastric bypass and it's risks as well as benefits. Then, I met with the dietician. After meeting with the dietician, I finally met Dr. Demaria. He stresses the importance of aftercare, especially of taking your vitamins and getting enough protein. There is also a support group that meets at VCU. I was very impressed with both his surgical competence and his bedside manner.

From the first, I was impressed with Dr. DeMaria--but I had done my homework and I knew before I met him that he is one of the "pioneers" of laporoscopic RNY surgery and that he presents on the subject at scientific meetings. My high opinion has never changed. He and his entire staff are both caring and professional. I especially liked the fact that they put pre-op patients through a very iterative process that is almost certain to uncover any pertinent medical facts they need to know. For example, I think I gave my medical history to five people one day--and every time I remembered something I hadn't mentioned before! Also, Dr. DeMaria himself and his residents stress the risks of the surgery as well as the benefits. He has a pre- and post-op patient-care program (I'm too far away to attend the weekly meetings, unfortunately), and a gastric bypass nurse and a nutritionist are only a phone call away to help with any before-or-after questions. He and his staff rate an A+. (By the way, the laporascopic procedure was as close to pain-free as a surgery could be. When I woke up after a hysterectomy, I was screaming for morphine. When I woke up after this surgery, I was calling for the nurses to get me out of bed so that I could start walking around.)