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

My first impression of Dr Sapala was very positive! He was very busy - yet approachable. He joked around a lot because his twin brother worked with him in the same office (as a nutritionalist). rnrnMy impression of him after surgery changed drastically when he wouldn't answer my questions and rushed out the exam room 90 seconds after coming in. He suddenly became too busy to deal with post-op issues and his answers often left me feeling like I got the big brush-off. I had to turn to my regular doctor for most of my follow up care and my regular doctor knew little about the micropouch gastric bypass surgery. rnrnI see that he has moved to NY now? I haven't followed this because I stopped seeing him completely after about the first year because his office kept moving and the locations became further and further from my home. The inconvience factor was the final deciding point for me to move on.rnrnMy personal feeling is that he probably made my STOMA too big and therefore I have no restriction to the amount of food that dumps directly into my intestine when I eat. It 's been this way since the second month and his only remedy was for me to cut out all carbohydrates. I figured - if I wanted to be on Atkins all my life, I wouldn't have needed his surgery.rnrnrn

I first researched Dr. James Sapala and was pleased to find out he has been doing Bariatric Surgery for 28 years. When I first met him he was sincere and had a positive outlook for me. His staff were /are supportive and will answer any questions or concerns you may have. It has been 4 years since I have seen Dr. Sapala. He now lives in New York. So, for those of you living in Michigan and want an excellent surgeon, I would suggest Dr. Wood. He has worked side by side with James Sapala and has been just as successful with his patients.

I had my open RNY in 2000, and all has been awesome ever since! Dr Sapala's energy and enthusiasm were absolutely contagious. He was a pioneer in the field, and brought this type of life saving surgery to our area (MOST areas, actually). I had every confidence in him and his Micro-Pouch procedure. My surgery went amazingly well. Dr.Sapala was very attentive and had no problem explaining every detail of all that I asked him. He really is a nice man and THAT really means alot given that he's a surgeon ;) . Went to the support meetings pre-op, as that was required (GREAT thing), and had my big day. Easy healing with a total loss of 173 lbs. I've kept it all off without much of a problem (except for this pesky 20 lbs that comes and goes...but I can't complain about THAT). The only problem that I've really had was that it seemed that when the surgery was over, there wasn't much follow up or after care. I don't remember there being a postcard or phone call regarding bloodwork or nutrition from the office. When Dr. Sapala left my area, his practice and the state, I wasn't notified. I had no one to answer my questions regarding long term post op concerns. I STILL have things I need to know, and I have to call Barix or the Cori center randomly as Dr.Sapala didn't refer his patients to anyone for this purpose. I've met and spoken to other former patients who have the same complaint. Maybe it worked out the way it did because I was so long ago...I don't have a CLUE where my records are from that office. He was in private practice with Dr Wood at the time. He doesn't seem to stay in one place very long. Not a problem as long as he doesn't leave his patients feeling abandoned... maybe myself and the others who've shared these feelings fell through the cracks. After all, what percentage are WE when there's been OVER 4000 OTHER PATIENTS accross the country??? He is a good guy and excellent Doctor, but this was my experience and opinion. Just something to think about....

I LOVE DR SAPALA I OWE HIM MY LIFE!rn I DID MY SURGERY 4/08/05 I WAS 345 AND NOW I AM DOWN TO 205 HE IS A GREAT MAN HE IS VERY CARING ANSWERED ALL MY QUESTIONS WHEN EVER I NEED TO SEE HIM I GOT QUICK APPOITMENTS AND HIS STAFF IS GREAT ( I LOVE YOU TOO MARY) I WOULD RATE DR.SAPALA THE #1 SURGEON IN THE COUNTRY! AND THE ONLY NEGATIVE THING I HAVE TO SAY IS THAT HE MOVES ALOT! BUT OTHER THAN THAT HE IS GREAT I WOULD GO ACROSS THE WORLD TO SEE HIM

Here I am 5 years post op and back to the same weight I was before I had the surgery. I still don't eat much, so I don't understand how my stomach grew, but it did. Even though Dr. Sapala assured me that it wasn't possible with his surgery. I have a few new health problems that may be related to the surgery. Now What? Now he's moved too, so who do I get in touch with to find out about what to do about the weight gain?rn

Surgeon: James A. Sapala M.D.rnI met him on Feb 5th very nice man. I haven't had a one on one consultation with him yet. 2/18/02 I had my first conference with Dr Sapala and his staff on 2/15/02. The receptionist there was not all that pleasant (maybe she was having a bad day?) I came in early because of the distance asked if there were any cancellations. There weren't so we went to the mall and then returned. She hands me a packet that I need to fill out (Wondering why she didn't give me these when I was there earlier and we could of saved sometime) I waited almost 90 minutes before I got to see the Doctor. When my name was finally called.. I went for my BP check and weight. Then wisked to the doctor's room to wait another 25 minutes. Dr. Sapala took almost 40 minutes with my husband and I (no wonder I had such a wait). Taking time to explain everything thoroughly to us. Then we met with his twin brother John (he is also the nutritionist) he was very clear on what the expectations for my diet are. Exactly what and how much I was going to eat, and at what stage I was going to be able to eat anything with consistency though some of his termanology was a bit over my head and I had to try to translate it. Theresa (Dr Sapala's nurse) was very friendly. I had an extrememly pleasant visit. I am most comfortable with my decision at this time. I am sure my feeling will stay the same. I have the H-pylori bacteria so I am taking 14 days of prevpac. I requested that my surgery be in March because I work for a steel mill and we are suppose to turn around second quarter and that it would be hard for me to get the time off... Well it wasn't a problem I am scheduled for 3/11 and I do not need to return to Drs office until 1 week later!rn

As many have noted before, I attended a \"seminar\" type appointment where Dr Sapala explained the procedure, what to expect, what not to expect, etc. He then meets one on one with everyone and addresses their individual questions and situations. He is very knowledgeable and is able to explain things very well.rnrnI worked through the Garden City office and his office staff there is very good and responsive to your needs.rnrnWow...had my surgery on October 16, 2003 and what a journey! I was fortunate and had no serious complications at all (incisional hernias which were repaired in April 2005 when I had also had an extended abdominoplasty done). Dr Sapala was wonderful and I was sorry to see him leave for New York. I feel very fortunate to have found him and thank him for the tool he gave me to allow me to become half of myself!rnrnCORI Centers leave a bit to be desired in regards to communication and follow-up care.

Dr. Sapala is a very personable man. He makes you feel confident in his abilities as a surgeon from the first meeting. And what better doctor to have then the one that has a patent for his on version of gastric bypass surgery. I couldn't have asked for a more qualified surgeon.

I researched various weight loss procedures for several weeks before finding Dr. Sapala at the CORI center. Dr Sapala and his partner Dr. Woods have patented the procedure they perform called the Sapala Wood Micro Pouch RNY. As soon as I read about him, I knew that I had to meet him.
He is a nice man who has done many many of these procedures.
This is the right surgeon for me I remember thinking.
His office has patient groups for pre and post op. There is also a team of Dieticians and nutritionists.
He is very cautious but very competent from my experience. I would take surgical competence over bedside manner anytime!!

Dr. sapala is very knowlegable and very charismatic.

The office staff at the CORI center is very attentive and kind. They will patiently answer all your questions even the ones you ask repeatedly.