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

Dr. Sapala is a wonderful person. He has the best bedside mannor that I have ever encountered with any physician. The office staff are so caring. The staff complents the doctor very well. Everyone treats you like you are very special. They have many paients and they are always busy, but when the door closes for your appointment, they treat you like there is no one else in the waiting room. They are 100%+ deicades to just you.Prior to surgery they were wonderful and caring. Before being rolled in to surgery I met with the doctor and one of his office staff and even before I was discharged from the hospital I of course saw Dr. Sapala, but the surprising part is a lady from his office staff stopped by by herself just to check on me. I have only wonderful things to say about Dr. Sapala and his staff. I was well advised prior to surgery of what was involved and expected of me. I think that Dr. Sapala and his staff have the best bedside mannor and surgical competence that I have every had. Also without a doubt I feel that Dr. Sapala's team definately treated me on a much more person note than the Barietric Treatment Center which is where I started out.

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Dr. Sapala was a very kind and compassionate man. He knew his work and how to explain it in laymens terms. I am confident I have made the right choice in physicians for me.

The ladies in the office were extremely helpful and very interested in the patients needs.

I can't imagine not liking everything about Dr. Sapala and his staff. They were so accomidating and helpful. It was a wonderful experience meeting them.

Dr. Sapala follows you for life and I think that is the fact I appreciate most about him.
There is so much more that is also great about what I have read.
Dr.Sapala does not hid the fact that this surgery is a large risk but he also talks about the precausions taken to eliminate many of the risks.
I am unsure about the communication between the two offices it seems that the Jackson office may be more organized. I called Warren several times for an appointment. When I called Jackson I recieved a date the same day.
I would at this time rate Dr. Sapala and his Jackson staff a 10+. I feel both his people skills and his surgical competence to be outstanding.

June 17, 2003
I called the office today to check on statis of my paper work and the staff was extremely helpful in finding out the answers to my questions immediately.

June 26, 2003

I got the date! July 2. That is quick but that is what I wanted. Amy in the Warren office was great. She was very understanding about my time period. I need to be healed enough to go back to work on Aug. 20. I is hard to find a sub who will teach music. THANKS to all the ladies in both offices you are great!

My first inmpression was, "wow, this guy is really dedicated or really busy." I had heard from other patients that he had run late before. I had a 2pm appointment and waited until 4 maybe 4:30 to see him. I just remember thinking " Darn it! I'm missing Oprah!" But this was all before I even met him. When I did finally get to see him, I thought he looked older than his picture on this site. He was everything I expected he was professional and very caring. His staff is the greatest! One of them is even an old patient of his and she looks great! It's really encouraging to see her happy and helping others that have the same problems she did. Future patients should know to try and find a comfotable seat ( my hips got caught in one of the chairs when I went to get up! I guess the chair wanted to come along.), bring a book and be prepared to wait. He may just be behind because it's a busy day or he could be late coming back from surgery. I'm not hating because if I was the one on the table I would want him to take his time and do it right! Write down ALL your questions as little or stupid you might think they are. He WILL answer them. His programs are very structured and his surgical competance AND his bedside manner are both more than I could personally ask for!

He gave me so much information about my surgery, really nice person, staff was great, he's the one to go to for the surgery. Thank you sapala very much..

I switched DR's because the BTC IS not accepting BCBS anymore. I am really happy with my new surgeon (DR. Sapala) he is very knowledgeable. He has done research for and performed bariatric surgeries for over 22 years. I believe that the micropouch surgery will work really well for me. He was very friendly and answered my questions about all of the problems with this type of surgery. His staff worked with me on my insurance deadline and got me a surgery date within a week of the consultation with him. I did have most of the pre testing done before I had my appointment. I have been waiting on BTC to get me scheduled since February. Dr. Sapala stresses the aftercare and following all of his outlines that this is only a tool and if you don't do your part it will not be 100 % effective. I would rate him a 10.

I had my consult with Dr. Sapala, he seemed very knowlegable. He spoke of doing about 2500-3000 surgeries with his father. They made a lemon sized pouch using part of the fundus of the stomach. They later had to redo a number of the surgeries as they found that the fundus allowed for stretching of the stomach and increase of weight. Since changing the procedure and using the micropouch none have had to be redone. He has done approx. 2500 to 3000 since the change and without his father. He seems to really understand the frustration of being overweight. The staff has been very supportive and couldn't have been nicer. I think the fact that he could understand and look positively to the future is a real plus. We spoke about buying into the whole plan and working with it, some people have not and have not been as successful. We did not speak much about aftercare, but I feel that we will touch on that subject after surgery. I know that the office has support group meetings. As far as risks, he was concerned about my age (51) and the history of hypertension, he suggested insertion of a Greenfield filter to prevent any complication of blood clot travel. I went to Harper-Hutzel to have the surgery done by Dr. Seeley and could not have been more pleased. I give Dr. Sapala and A+, I am a nurse and would work with him any time. I think that surgical competence and bedside manner are both important.

Dr Sapala was very nice and made me feel very comfortable.
He explained the procudure very well and also explained the complications that could occour. I have no worries what so ever and put my complet confedence in DR Sapala. He stressed how important it is to follow after care, and the need to change eating habits. The office staff was also very nice.
I am very excited about my surgery.

Dr. Sapapla came highly recommended by some friends of mine. On the visit he was warm, knoledgeable and very professional. He seemed very committed to me and stressed that this is just a tool.

The wait in the office was reasonable and the staff was very friendly and efficent in getting everything done in a short time.

He strongly emphasizes aftercare and I am looking forward to working with him for years to come.

nice he goes fast. Sometimes I think he's in too much of a hurry. He's trying to help lots of people though. His staff is nice. you have to agree to go back once a year to see him