Fernando Bonanni, Jr. Bariatric Surgeon MD, MBA, FACS, FASMBS

I have so far only met with the doc one time. The next time we meet will be on april 1, surgery day. He was/is easy to talk to and answered all questions clearly. The office staff is ok. Aftercare is an important part of the discussion during the first visit with the dr. what is required physicaly and mentaly is discused. i will know more about that in the days after surgery i am sure. the risks of surgery are stressed in the first "info meeting" you have with a group of interested people and also in a video the first time you meet with the drs staff. i have to belive with an operation as this the bedside manner is as important as surgical competence.

I attended the info session on 2/13. I found Paula informative and helpful. I learned that I probably won't be able to have laproscopic surgery because I had an old fashioned gallbladder surgery (huge scar on my upper stomach). This is disappointing, but only a little. I am scheduled for a personal appointment with Paula on 3/26. I'm trying to get some of the evals out of the way beforehand. I have an appt. with my PCP on 3/3 and hopefully I will be able to convince him this surgery is for me. I think I have a strong case.

After reseaching on my own for a year and a half I found Dr. Bonannis office.My first encounter was at the monthly meeting they have for people seeking info about this procedure and about Dr.Bonanni and Dr, Beetle.It was led by Paula who runs the program and who was herself Dr.Bonanni's first lap rny patient And lost around 140 lbs.After the session I was more ready then ever, and felt good that everything they talked about in terms of the surgery and aftermath I was already aware of athru my research. For me the hunt for a doctor started with my family doctor who admitted he knew nothing about the gastric bypass but would help me find answers.I thank God for his initial support thru this.Back to Dr.Bonanni. Well for starters they make you jump thru hoops and then some to make sure you are well checked out pysically and emotionally before the surgery is ever scheduled.It was tough all those tests and trips to various doctors...but it made me realize how serious you need to be and how serious they take each and every patient.
The staff is very accessable .So far so good! More after surgery 2/20/2003

Dr. Bonanni has such a wonderful bedside manner. He really made me feel comfortable and took his time to address each and every one of my concerns regarding the wls.

9/12/02: I met Dr. B. today, and this man is a GENUINE
human being who really cares about helping the
morbidly obese get their lives back. He was
upfront with me about my being a very high risk;
he assured me that I can do this, if we
work together for success. A wonderful bedside
manner. His reputation and education precedes
him ~ his resume is impressive. Also very
thorough with all the pre-op consults. He is
considered an expert in LAP, but I am too
big for that. What I liked the most about him
was his ability to communicate with me, and his
ability to make me feel at ease. I am sure
his skill as a surgeon will also impress me
after I experience it. I got my surgery date:
12/12/02 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Reading,
PA. Merry Christmas to me!! 11/21/02: Met
him again, and signed the consent forms. This
man is a credit to the medical profession.
The compassion for his pts. is genuine. He
is worth waiting for, for WLS. 12/11/02:
MY SURGERY WAS CANCELLED at the last minute
due to critical blood shortage in PA. New
date is now Jan 2nd, 2003. 1/2/3!!! This
date was also cancelled due to new insurance
becoming effective 1/1/03, and no approval in
time. My THIRD date is now 1/14/03, thanks
to Paula and Dr. Bonanni going to bat for me
with the new insurance company. THIRD time's
the charm!!!! :~) I CANCELLED this date
myself. I was completely TERRIFIED to go
through with it. The previous cancellations
really did a number on my head....I wasn't
meant to have WLS now. I figured God was
telling me this was NOT the way to go. I am
following the post-op diet, now, anyway.

I am very impressed with my doctor he has answered all of question no matter how many times i ask.Everyone in his office is great. They are very friendly and helpful.They all stress that is is a tool to use to help you with the rest of your life.They are there to help you beofre and after any way they can.I have negative at this time,they help you with things to read and in understanding this is not party and you will have to change your life and lifestyle.

I was very impressed with Dr. Bonanni - very compassionate and caring. Dr. Bonanni's staff is great to work with, especially Paula, who has been very patient with our many phone calls. This office strongly emphasizes aftercare and you have to jump through a *LOT* of hoops before even getting to meet the Doc for a consultation (you must get a ton of blood work done, the psych and nutrition consults, and a PT consult FIRST). However, I was more than willing to do this based on my impressions of him - and the fact that there aren't any other doctors in Maryland who can do the Lap Band within the next few months. Very happy so far -- will post more as we progress along.
12/29/02 - I've got a date! Actually I got it about a week and a half ago - just been to busy to post. Was approved by mamsi in less than 2 days and my surgery is scheduled for January 11, 2003. I can hardly contain my excitement!

i really like dr. bonanni

it did not change i still like him

very friendly and helpful

nothing

Dr. B was great. He made me feel good about myself and very confident in his ability.


My impression of him only improved. I appreciated very much his great sense of humor.

I don't think that their was anything that I did not like.

He is extremely through, especially with all the pre-testing that he does.

yes

Explained all the risks and benefits of the surgery.
On a scale of 1 to 10 I'd rate him a 8
Bedside manner is good, will let you know about his surgical competence afterwards.

When I saw Doc I thought what a hunk.
He is still a hunk. Doc's staff is very friendly and helpful. I haven't found anything that I don't like about him at this point. I feel that Doc goes above and beyond his duty and makes sure you understand everything clearly. Explains very much about the importance of aftercare. Explained all of the risks of the surgery. On a scale of 1 to 10 I would give him a 10. Doc has a great bedside manner but can't comment yet on his surgical competence.