Jefferson Vaughan Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

My first impression of Dr. Vaughan was that he was very serious and thorough about his work. Also, that he prided himself on his very low complication record. My impression of him has only grown over time because I have had no problems whatsoever post op. His office staff is good,especially his assistant. She is caring and knows as much as he does, according to him!! He has an aftercare program but it meets 100 miles away,so I am not active in it. Generally, he described all risks involved but emphasized that he had a very high success rate with patients who followed his suggestions. I do believe that he is a very talented surgeon and would reccomend him highly to anyone.

January 03: Hi, I have not yet met Dr Nicastro or any of the associates at United Surgical Associates. I was referred by the registered nurse/office manager and the doctors at my endocrinologist office. I am so excited to finally have made the decision to pursue this, it has been a long time in coming, and I am hoping for a smooth process and result. Right now I am awaiting the date of the educational class (5/20/03) and then will be able to begin the paperwork/insurance application process. I am really looking forward to it! I was glad to read the recommendations from the other patients. It was nice to hear such positive things about the people whose care I will be under.

Added on 9-27-04: Wow! this has been a long time in the making! I finally had my surgery on 8/17/04, but not with the original surgeons! I had been pursuing the surgery when I was linving in NYC, and the practice at Staten Island University hospital was TOTALLY wonderful, but I moved to Florida in January 04! When I got down here, I contacted a practice in my new hometown, Fort Myers, but that didn't go well. The office wasn't really up to par, the coordinator and office manager didn't really keep on top of things, and SIX MONTHS later, I was still waiting for a surgery date, (even though I ALREADY HAD insurance approval) and the hospital CANCELLED the program due to risk assessment factors. Maybe I was lucky. Several people actually *DIED* through that program and everyone who had surgery on one day had sepsis and wound healing difficulties.

Eventually, I found DR. VAUGHAN's practice on the opposite coast of Florida, in Jupiter, and it was that the very BEST thing that ever happened to me! They were totally on top of things, totally competent, wonderfully educational, and less than 60 days after my first contact with them, and in between hurricanes this terrible hurricane year, I was in surgery! Their practice and the hospital they used were TOTALLY efficient, the staff at ALL levels were well trained specifically for the needs of the Bariatric patient, and every detail was attended to with professionalism and compassion. All in all, the journey TO surgery has taken me 1 1/2 years.

I originally found Dr.Vaughan through the internet. I was looking for surgoens close by that would perform the Lap Band surgery. I attended his lecture with my mother and was persuade into the bypass for so many reasons. I have now attended three of his lectures and I love him each time I talk to him. He stayed about 30 minutes late the first time I saw his - just to talk to my mom and I. He is an incredibly wise man, very knowledgable, and certainly has a heart! When I saw him at his third lecture - I had all of my info with me and ready to be faxed the next morning - but Dr. Vaughan took the liberty to save me the fax time and he took all my info that night. He also mentioned about remembering me from before. I think this man is incredible and I highly recommend anyone interested in this surgery too look him up! Ps. This man has an incredible sense of humor

Met With Dr. Vaughn yesterday and we are looking at October 25th as a date. I am paying cash so I will hopefully move through the ropes quickly. He was very nice and informative. He was to the point direct and super knowledegable. Dr. Vaughn was able to lay out all the risks and benefits. I can't wait to proceed!!

I am looking into finding a surgeon. There are two in my area that I am interested in:
Dr. Jeff Vaughan (Jupiter, FL) and
Dr. Marema (Ft. Lauderdale, FL).
I have only sent email inquiries to their offices so far. They answered my questions quickly (mainly about insurance and lecture dates). My next step is attending their informational sessions.

I have attended both surgeons' lectures. Both seem very good, but I have decided that I will go with Dr. Vaughan. He was just outstanding :)

I am one week post op now. I am VERY pleased with my choice. Dr. Vaughan is fantastic and I highly recommend him.

I truly had no positive or negative first impression of Dr. Vaughn. The first time I meet him was at an informational seminar and I was so into the lecture I did not form an oponion. Over time, I began to know his staff more and really liked them. I figured if his staff was nice than he had to be. Honestly, there has been nothing I can find that I don't like. He really took good care of me and my family. I had a few complications after the operation and was in the hospital two more times after surgery. Patients should know that he likes to explain everything to you so you understand what is going on before and after the operation. He and his staff totaly emphasize after care, in fact they give you two big Bariatric handbooks for you to keep so you may reference them throughout. Dr. Vaughn goes over all the risks and lets you ask any questions you might have. I would have to give Dr. Vaughn an A+ for all his hard work and help.

Dr Vaughn was very informative and very personable.His office staff were great.His aftercare program and program staff are wonderful.The nurses and staff are people I can personally relate to.They have a good sense of people and what we are going through.Doctor Vaughn explained all the risks of surgery to me on several occasions.I am so pleased I had it done, I am having no complications and I feel better than I have in years.

Very knowledgeable. Teaches other how to do lap RNY. Succinct; pressured almost.
He takes the time I need. I just need to let him know!
Competent.
Doesn't respond to e-mail very quickly.
You can trust him with your life. He is SO capable. I would recommend him to anyone.
Aftercare is very comprehensive. I wish I was closer to him so I could attend support group there. It is very structured; but a 2 1/2 hour drive from where I live.
Risks: Good informed consent; time to ask questions. Pre-op lecture mandatory. Good prevention (i.e.; pre-op antibiotics, pressure boots, anti-coagulants, physical therapy, extensive labs.)
EXCELLENT.
Surgical competence; but there is nothing WRONG with him bedside manner. Just nothing extra special.

DR Vaughn is a great surgeon. He is always there when you need him no matter what time of day or night.His staff is great and they love working with him. Future patients should know that he expects you to follow the rules and that this is not a game this is real serious and that it takes a lifetime change. Dr Vaughn expects you to follow the aftercare program and get all your test done in a timely manner. Dr Vaughn is a great Surgeon and he cares for his patients.

Went to several informational sessions with different physicians, and I was most impressed with his blunt and direct description of the procedure, did not soft sell the procedure. The structured before care, the year long after care program and the amount of cases Dr. Vaughan has done were the deciding factors for me.

Dr Vaughan describes the surgery in detail, and stays to ask any and all questions at the end of his informational talk.

I found Dr. Vaughan's surgical expertise and his bedside manner to be above and beyond. He makes you feel as though you are his most important case of the day.