James A. Sapala Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S., F.A.S.M.B.S.

He was very up front on the procedure he is doing, and tells you what to expect for the rest of your life. and what you'll have to scracfice. He go into great lenths to help you be successful.I feel they could of been more open about to expect after sugery. What you would be going through. Eveyone needs to know this.

truely loved him.And he is there when ever I call.The staff is just as good.He is always looking to improve.Just how important it is.Somewhat of one.Was very upfront about everything involved and all the risks.Just a great doctor and person.Both are great.The only part he forgot to mention was the hospital I went to the care I received could of been better.

Dr. Sapala presented himself as very competent and he was nice. Low morbidity rate due to surgery was comforting. The office staff were friendly. Though I've been researching this procedure for over a year, I wish I would have had more questions prepared/written down, to get HIS perspective. Not a lot of discussion on aftercare program except for nutrition and post-op visits. No mention of support group.

He wasn't kidding around. He made me see a nutritionist, a psychologist, and gave me lots to read. No my impression is that he really loves his work and that he is a truly gifted surgeon. I would truly recommend any one in the morbid obesity "club" to see him. T he only negative experience that I had was the particular hospital I was at. I was not real keen on the care that I received there...certain issues have been dealt with in those areas and I have heard that the care has improved.

I have had my initial appt. with Dr. Sapala in December of 1999. I think that he is a wonderful man with a heart for obese patients. He talked to me about the surgery and made sure that I did not think that this surgery was a miracle cure. His staff that I have met are wonderful.

Dr Sapala was a great help, he was very detailed on his explaination of the surgery, and insurance help. The staff was made up of mostly post op bariatric surgery people. He highly emphasizes aftercare, in the form of visits and support groups. He is great at explaining the risk of surgery, and the risk of not having surgery. He has a great manner to him, and from what ive been told he is an exellent surgeon. I will let ya know in two weeks :)

The staff are wonderful and very informative. They treat you like you are the most important person on the list that day. Dr. Sapala answered all of my questions openly and to my satisfaction and didnt spare me the details, both good and bad. I felt very informed and much more sure about having the surgery. i would recommend him to anyone. His staff are available to talk to, to call and ask questions at any time and he has a nutritionist, his twin brother, right there in the office. I think I will have a good and long relationship with him and his staff and will always have them there whenever i need them. The only bad point to all of this is that he operates in a Detroit hospital that sadly lacks in prompt care. Most of the staff at the hospital are very good, kind professionals but you will run into some not-so-good ones. All in all, i was glad to go home and maybe that helped me to recuperate faster.

2/22 Met with Dr. Sapala for the first time on 2/18. He was just as
wonderful as all of the information I had gathered had led me to believe.
He took all the time we(my husband and I) needed to answer our questions,
and to ask some himself. His office staff was very nice and helpful, as well.

My first impression of "Dr. Jim" was that he was a wonderful caring individual who truly has a desire and compassion to help morbidly obese people to lose weight, get healthy, and gain new lives. My impression has never changed except for possibly I have put "Dr. Jim" on an even higher pedestal. He has the most caring and wonderful office staff I have ever met!! I cannot think of anything that I didn't like about Dr. Sapala. Future patients should know that Dr. Sapala does not ever lead you to believe that this surgery is a miracle cure, it is a stepping stone (helping hand) but you still have to learn how to eat, exercise and follow all of the protocols that are explained in detail before and after the surgery. He expects you to be honest and put forth 110% effort in order to make this work. Dr. Sapala is very insistent on continuing after care and follow up contacts/visits. He does have an aftercare protocol and even when you are pretty much "healed" up and feeling great he wants you to make yearly visits just so he can keep track of you and your progress. Dr. Sapala and his staff go over all of the risks of surgery in great detail and encourage all questions. I rate Dr. Sapala as the Best of the Best. Both surgical competence and bedside manner are equally great!!

PS: Of my overall experience, the only "bad" thing that I have to report is the care (not physical) but cleanliness of the hospital where I had the procedure done.

Dr. Jim (as everyone likes to
call him), is a very thorough
and professional dr. He cares
about each and every one of his
patients. I have seen him 3
times since my surgery in 7/99,
and he and his staff are the
best!!! The only thing that I
don't like is that his office
is so far away from where I live.
But, I believe he said that will
change soon!!! I feel like an
advocate for Dr. Jim, because he
has basically saved my life. I
was told by 2 doctors, that if
I didn't do something about my
weight, that I would not live to
see my 30th birthday! Now THAT
is scary!! He is very sure to
let you know what the risks are
in the surgery. Everyone knows
that with any surgery, there is
a death percentage. Dr. Jim is
an excellent surgeon. I recommend
him HIGHLY!!!!!