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

Dr. Sapala was very nice and very confident. He thoroughly explained the procedure and also the aftercare.

Based on his experience, I feel very confident about this surgery. Dr. Sapala has performed bariatric surgery more than any other surgeon in the US and has lost very few patients. He hasn't lost a patient in over 5 years.

He was very sincere about those that were lost, and his extreme desire to avoid that risk.

Dr Sapala was wonderful, very kind and explains everything. Has a wonderful bedside manner. I think I picked the best of the bunch

Dr. Sapala showed a lot of personal interest in me and all of the conditions I have related to being obese. He was very informative and I feel he is concerned in my success and not a pay check from my insurance company. He is a wonderful man and I feel very comfortable with him. His staff is very polite and helpfull.Debbie in the Jackson office is the greatest and took care of all my insurance needs. He showed me great concern for my risk factor being very high and advised me as to what I need to do to become a normal risk. Overall he is a very compassionate, caring doctor whom I will not leave until I know he is satisfied with every step I must follow from now until finished with aftercare. He is extermly compentent and has a great sence of humor to go with his great bedside manner. Makes you feel good about yourself and the choice you have made. The only problem I had was having to waite for a long time 2+ hrs. for my second visit. I changed the time of day I make appointments for and no longer have that problem.

6-11-03 Dr. Sapala is great, he seems to be so caring and gentle, not generic and harsh like some Dr.'s can be. I love that he is outgoing and just lays it all on the table. He honestly answered all of my questions as well as my mom's. I absolutely feel safe to put my life in his hands.
9-26-03 I could not be more satisfied with my choice in surgeons. Dr. Sapala is the most caring, gentle, understanding, and gifted Dr. I have ever met. I may be only 6 weeks post op, but I know that he has saved my life.

September 25, 2003

I liked him, didn't spend that much time but he knows his stuff. My father went with me. It doesn't matter how old you are, if you are lucky enough to still have your parents around. He liked Dr. Sapala, boy was I glad. My father can be very persuasive when he wants.

So far the Office staff has be great! Couldn't ask for better and they have been very helpful. Thank Goodness!

When researching the subject and looking for a Dr. I first look to surgical competence, then convenience, the bed side manner. Thank goodness the distance is only 1.5 hours or more depending on traffic and the follow up care in only a half hour.

I promise if there is anything negative to say I will…..this is to important not to be upfront so that others may learn.

Dr. Sapala was wonderful... very kind, encouraging, and thorough. My surgery went smooth and my recovery was quick and almost painless!! His staff are wonderful as well!! I would easily recommend him to anyone!!

I have not meet the Dr. as yet will let you no when I see Him. But have talked with Joan at Corie Center she has been great very helpful also Lois at Dr. Sapalas office;she also has been wonderful and helpful.
UPDATE!!! I have now met Dr. Sapala, I was very imprest by him he is a very warm and caring Dr. who only has the best in mind for His Patient's. I believe if I listen to him and follow his instruction's I will be a success. Would'nt choose any other Dr. as He appear's the best.

My first impression of Dr. Sapala was that he was very friendly and makes you feel comfortable. I believe that he genuinely cares for his patients and will continue to do so in the future. His office staff was so friendly my sister who went with me to the consultation was in awe of how they treated everybody and made us feel comfortable. There is nothing I did not like about Dr. Sapala. Future patients should know that it is much easier to go through the consultation with the Dr. by learning as much as you possibly can about every aspect of this surgery. He told me that I will be a patient for life and set forth his expectations. They have a very structured aftercare program. Dr. Sapala described all of the risks of the surgery that I have read about through my journey. I would rate him as Excellent overall, and I feel so good about getting the micropouch which they have never had to do a revision, he has performed a ton of these surgeries, and he is probably the top Bariatric surgeon in Michigan. Both his surgical competence and bedside manner are equally wonderful!

My first impression was that he was a caring, very knowledgable doctor who was down to earth. He was frank about the risks of the surgery, but we both agreed that there were a great deal of risks by not doing the surgery. I was taken aback when he wouldn't OK my surgery (due to being type I diabetic) without a further clearance from an internist he knew. It made sense after a while, but I thought I had all bases covered. The next time I saw him, after I saw the internist (Dr. C. Dedrick), who I immediately liked and feel very comfortable with his helping manage my diabetes while in the hospital, Dr. Sapala was even kinder and very optomistic about my decision. I feel very positive about my decision to have him do my surgery.

Dr. Sapala's office staff have been terrific, from the start. They have been compasionate & patient with my high anxiety level and impatience. I have always worked with his Jackson office. No matter who has answered the phone or has assisted me when I was in the office, they always made me feel special. I rate both Dr. Sapala and his office staff a 10.

I would also like to rate Amy Reed and Lois Harman a 10. They were both extremely timely and so patient with my heightened anxiety. They too made me feel like I had their undivided attention.

I met Dr. Sapala on July 2, 2003 at a seminar he gave about the RNY procedure, Sapala-Wood Micropouch. My husband attended this seminar with me and we were both very impressed with Dr. Sapala's knowledge and many years of experience in bariatric surgery. I will have my consultation with Dr. Sapala on August 4.