John Brems Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

I love Dr Brems but at the time of my surgery there was no formal program at Loyola Hospital and I had no comprehensive pre-op testing or post op care other than routine surgical incision checks.

Dr. Brems and his staff were understanding and extreamly caring. Loyola is a teaching hospital, I had many student doctors. They were all fantastic.

Remember, your surgeon is the one who performs the operation. It's your primary care doctor and the nutritionist who you will have the most contact with.

Well, my first impression was...I thought he was nice and I quizzed him like..forever and he answered every one of my questions lol..patiently too!
Office staff are wonderful people.
Since Loyola is a teaching hospital, I had lots of resident Dr's too. They are all wonderful, very patient and caring people.
Everyone should have a Dr like him. Aftercare is very important to them.
He addressed all my questions and reaffirmed the risks to me to make sure I understood them.
Overall all, I rate him on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the best...a 15...
You couldn't ask for anyone better!

I was very impressed with Dr. Brems

He was very careful to let me know all the good & bads of the surgery. Not afraid to let me know the dangers also.

Dr. Brems is a wonderful doctor. My experience with him was a positive one. I had an advantage because my husband works at the hospital where I had the surgery done. He sees Dr. Brems on a daily basis, so he has always been friendly and asks about my regularly.
After several months seeing Dr. Brems my insurance company HMO Illinois made it difficult to get a referral to see him for follow up visits. I now see my PCP for regular checkups.
The nutritionists that work with the program are very nice and helpful I have only been to a couple of the monthly support meetings that they have at Loyola.
I would recommend Dr. Brems to anyone. I feel he is a competent and caring surgeon.

Dr.Brems was very straight forward and honest but he was very gracious. He only does the Open RnY and stresses aftercare. His staff recommends a support group too. I appreciate the fact that he is a skilled surgeon and the work he does with liver patients at Loyola is noble. The only thing different regarding his office from others, is to keep in mind that Loyola is a teaching hospital and you will be talking to medical students. Get used to lots of attention and lots of questions. His staff was very kind and his dietician was very helpful and not judgemental. She understands the struggle. The office is not like some of those advertised specific WLS programs. After going to several seminars at a few of those centers (which are a wonderful convenience ans concept), I am feeling that I will be getting the same care as a program but with by more traditional means. I must work within my insurance and am thankful that I am within the Loyola group.

I have had numerous medical problems stemming from birth defects so i am some what of a major doctor critic, i can usually tell when someone is full of them selves or very genuine. Dr Brems came across as the real deal, the whole process of going thru Loyola University Hospital and my PCP was easier than i ever thought it was.
The office staff is great. Everything was explained prety much as it was going to be. Met with the dietician also, no misconceptions or anything hidden. It was a very good morning all around.

My 1st impression of Dr. Brems at my 1st visit was very positive, he was very patient and answered all my questions,and explained all the risks in very plain english!!
My impression of him changed while I was post op in the hospital... He was in & out of my room on visits so fast, I never got to ask anything if I wanted to. I saw more of his interns.
His office staff is great!
The only thing I really dont like about Dr. Brems was his bedside manner. But, then, I really didnt get to see any type of bedside manner since he was in & out so quickly.
What would I tell future patients about him? He is a wonderful surgeon and when he is talking to you, he doesnt talk above you.
The main aftercare of couse is REST,REST,REST. And come to the support group meetings. Overall, I would rate him an 8 ( from 1-10; 10 being the best)

He was nice and to the point
i only had a month to my surgery from when i first met him
very nice staff and interns
nothing
he is to the point
very much so
yes
was straight to the point
10
both were great

I had my first visit with Dr. Brems, 10/18/02. He seems very knowledgable and answered any questions my partner and I had. His office staff was very friendly and welcoming.

He was very frank about risks of surgery and spoke in terms i could understand.