Joao Marchesini Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

WOW!!! Dr. Marchesini is my HERO. He is such a wonderful, sweet, kind, caring, loving, EXTRORDINARY man and doctor. He is so wonderful. He takes as much time as *you* need in explaining the surgery to you and making sure that you know and understand what you are getting yourself into. He wants you to know that you will be a success but that having the DS is a lifelong commitment. His bedside manner is like no other I've ever received. It's IMPECCABLE! He genuinely loves each of his patients as though they we are his children. (In a way, we are...He's like a father in the sense that has given us a second chance at life.) I was impressed with Dr. Marchesini by the first e-mail I got from him, I only became more and more impressed over time and then in finally getting to meet him. His staff is wonderful. Very nice and very caring and kind; a lot like Dr. Marchesini. If you come home and have a problem, he is just an e-mail or phone call away and he doesn't mind *IF* you have to wake him up during the middle of the night if you have a concer. (I haven't had to do this.) His bedside manner and surgical competence are surperior to any doctors/surgeons I know here in the U.S. If I were to rate him on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the best, I would have to rate him OFF the charts...I don't think #'s go up that high. Future patients of Dr. Marchesini's should know that they are in safe, kind and knowledgable hands and that they will be treated with the upmost respect. Dr. Marchesini isn't in the 'business' for the money, he's in it to help people. GOD BLESS DR. MARCHESINI.

I'm back to square one. I'm being laid off, which changes everything. Instead of waiting twelve months for insurance approval under COBRA (due to insurance-required diet monitoring), risk battling a NEW insurance company over coverage, or wait a year for FMLA to kick in again, I've decided to go ahead and self-pay while I'm unemployed.

I've decided to go with Dr Marchesini in Brazil. I like him for several reasons - he's very polite in his emails, he answered my questions, and addressed problems he foresaw from my emails, wanting to confirm whether or not I was ready for surgery. He didn't just rush into it, but took the time to make sure I was prepared.

My first impression of Dr. M was of how personable he was and how much he cared about his patients...
My impression of him only got better over time. He is a loving and caring man and every patient is treated like a friend and family member.
His office staff were gracious and attentive much like thier employer.
There is/was nothing that I didn't like about him.
Instead of going through every question one by one... let me summerize by saying that I have never had a doctor that was so attentive and experienced and his attention to detail was so precise, he covered all the bases 100%.
In my opinion he is the best surgeon in the world and that includes this wonderful country that I love USA.
This site says no person can be the best in all respects and that 100% positivie reviews are less informative so here is my "negative" comments about this subject. I didn't care for Brazil and the flight was TERRIBLE. There how's that LOL

After being denied by United Healthcare, I am having surgery in Brazil with a doctor who was actually my first choice. Since having medical insurance, I felt I should see if they would pay for it first, but my company has an exclusion in the policy for any non surgical or surgical methods for morbid obesity..go figure.
Dr Marchesini performed my sister's DS surgery back in Oct 2003, and she's done wonderfully.We had the opportunity to talk several times back then, and I was very taken by him even without meeting him! You are more like his family than his patient.
I've heard such absolutely glowing reports about Dr M, I feel very confident in my decision to go the self pay route, instead of waiting for appeals, which could take years with a negative outcome.
Whenever I email Dr Marchesini, I receive a very prompt reply, usually the same evening, but always within a day or 2.
The care one receives in Curitiba is unmatched in the US, sad to say. You are treated as a guest, more than a patient. Overall I give Dr Marchesnini a 9..and that is only because I am reserving giving him a 10 after I actually meet him in person!
Brazil is lovely in July, as it is their winter, so that is a plus. I'll keep you posted, please keep me in your prayers!

My first impression of Dr. Marchesini was that he was kind, professional and humble and that I liked him very much. His office staff is prompt, efficient, and courteous. Most people adore his nurse. Unfortunately, I am not one of them - just a personality thing. He is very good at medical care, and I would be happy to put my life in his hands again - but seems to be always hurrying. Understand, that I am just the opposite - I'm always slow. His office is within a block of the hotel. His home is 1 1/2 blocks away and the hospital is within a block and a half. If you need him, he is there. Future patients should know that this could very well be the best medical care that you will ever receive. He is very thorough, very patient and very knowledgable. There was nothing that I "liked least" about Dr. M. He is fabulous all around. I do think that the the weakest area of expertise is nutritional supplementation and he advises up front that you should be followed by a nutritionist. Being 1000's of miles away, aftercare can be an issue. It is very important to have a primary care physician, internist, gastro, etc to follow you. Dr. M is always available by phone or email. He answers his own cell phone and promptly returns emails. Dr. M rates a 10 in my book.

My first contact with Dr. M was via email, although I had already heard so many wonderful things about him from the members of the Dr. M Yahoo group. He said he would be honored to be my surgeon. How can you not like a doctor who says that? Anyway, not only is he a truly wonderful person, but his surgical credentials are impeccable. I finally met him when I arrived in Brazil, and loved him right away. He is just the sweetest person and makes you feel like you are important to him. He considers you a friend, not just a patient. He gives you his home and cell phone numbers and tells you to call him any time. All of my dealings with him from my initial email contact on have been directly with him. No office staff or middle man to go through. On my final appointment with him before leaving Brazil, he told me to give him a call on his cell phone anytime I just wanted to talk. Obviously, any follow up must be done by your PCP or a local surgeon, but Dr. M is always available and willing to consult.

A doctor who, right up front, gives you his home number, office number, 2 cell numbers and his email address? Unheard of here in the US. He seems to be a very kind, caring person.

I had my DS surgery with Dr. Joao Batista Marchesini on Dec. 14, 2004. While it is customary that everyone loves his surgeon, I must say that no one can compare with Dr. M. From the first contact and then each and every time you see him, this remarkable man treats each and every one as a special person with individual needs which he stands ready to address. He never hurries you or makes you feel that any question is not worth attention.
He is so capable, so fine in his treatment, so impressive as a person - that it is all the more incredible how easy my surgery was and with so much success. One never takes surgery lightly. I was at death's door with every possible co-morbidity. I have felt immediate relief ever since the surgery. My progress is outstanding. I had minor pain on the first day and it was well-controlled. I had no nausea, no vomiting, and was out of the hospital on Day 3. Dr. M. asks patients to stay 14 days after surgery so one stays in a hotel next door to his medical office, where you can cook and readjust your new life with this new tool - the change in your body.
I would never have imagined the success I am experiencing. My diabetes is controlled and I am dropping the need for insulin. My left leg was red and almost twice the size of the right one. They are now a similar color and size and the redness (circulation) is astonishingly improving. I am off all heart, lipids, and other meds. And I have never felt better. I am going to have to address my osteoarthritis, but maybe that too will improve as I progress in my weight loss. I would do this surgery again in a heartbeat. And I definitely recommend Dr. Marchesini to every single person needing the DS surgery.

Addressing the questions on the left:
Dr. M. takes care of all of his American patients himself. He answers every email and telephone call personally and gives you his personal phone number to use at all times. He visits his patients in the hospital daily and frequently afterwards in the hotel. He lives and works in the same block of the hotel and hospital and is available 24 hours for every possible complication. His aftercare when you are back in the U.S. is handled by email. You email him your quarterly bloodwork and ask questions as needed. He personally continues your followup.

Dr. Marchesini rates A+ on surgical competence, bedside manner, and is a great human being. A true man of character who treats obese patients with the finest hand and care. His success rate is phenomenal. And you are in the best possible situation in Curitiba. The hospital and staff are excellent. Even if language is a barrier, the nurses treat you kindly and care about your treatment. Imagine!

After being originlly scheduled with Dr. Himpens in Brussels, I have decided instead to travel to Brazil for my surgery.

This should not be construed in any way as negative to Dr. Himpens! This decision was made for a myriad of reasons, mostly financial.

My contacts with Dr. Marchesini have been positive so far.

Dr M is a wonderful surgeon and even a better Person! I loved meeting him. He is caring and very professional. He gives personal attention to each of his patients even AFTER surgery. I would recommend him to anyone! I am so happy I found him!