John Meilahn Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

I was impressed with the staff from the moment I nervously walked into the office. Dr. Meilahn was quiet, friendly and focused. He looked at my belly and explained where the surgery would be done and what kind of incisions there would be. He drew the surgery on the paper on the table, covered the risks, and answered my questions. I'm impressed with his caution and thoroughness (I have MS and he wants a clearance from my neurologist). I learned more about the aftercare program from his staff. He seems to have a dry sense of humor and compassionate bedside manner; but it's his competence(based on experience and the comments of his other patients) and his credentials that impress me the most.

Very good doctor. He did his first lapband surgery on 10/28/03 and I was his second patient. He spells out the risks of surgery and is very nice. Strange sense of humor-sometimes you can't tell whether he is serious or joking. His office staff-Nyeesha- is great!! I had a good experience with him and Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia. I would give him two thumbs up.

2/21/04 My first impression of him was that he seemed so easy to talk to. He was very open about the risks and answered my questions in a manner easy to understand.

His office staff was also very knowledgeable and easy to talk to.

Preop they require lab work, Upper GI, Abdomen Ultrasound, sleep study if BMI over 50, letter from primary doctor stating the medical necessity of procedure, pulmonary doctor consult, psych consult, and nutritionist visit. You need to attend a support group meeting and a Preop meeting which are held once a month. These are prerequisites that must be competed before surgery can be scheduled.

While I was there I noticed a posting for a Bariatric Exercise Program 6 week program.

The doctor and his nurse both emphasized that I will need to be on vitamins FOREVER, and that I will need to have followup visits FOREVER. Exercise FOREVER. I will need to avoid sugar FOREVER. This was welcomed, though a bit scary, but I am glad she emphasized them. Because, my life will be changed FOREVER!

Vicky (his nurse)addressed the risks of the procedure. Her first topic was DEATH. It is a risk of surgery, a low risk, but is a there. Secondly, she discussed leaks, infections, hernias, dumping, ulcers...

I felt my first consult was an eyeopener, but it didnt change my mind. They emphasized that they are there to inform me of everything to do with surgery, and for me to use that information to make a decision. There was absolutely no pressure.

Temple is opening a new bariatric wing, for pts who have had gastric bypass surgery. I hope this will be open for my surgery.

The above is all my opinion based on my personal experience.

Let me just say that I've had the luxury to meet with three different doctors in my area who preform gastric bypass surgery. I have chosen Dr. John Melihan for several reasons.

My first inital appointment with Dr. Melihan at Temple Hospital was great! To say the least - HE'S AWESOME! He took time with me and explained everything to me in real people terms, answered all my questions, drew pictures of how the surgery is to be done and made sure I understood. I did NOT feel that "rush-rush" feeling in his office (as with the other two doctors I had met, they wanted me in and out in a flash). Dr. Melihan actually took time with me and could laugh too. His staff are just as nice and friendly - Vicky, the phsysican's assistant, is MY girl, she ROCKS! (she already my favorite!)..and she gave me her personal beeper number in case I had questions. You can really tell they care about their patients and thats important to me. Also, the programs they have in place at this hospital are phoenominal: they are getting everyone personal trainers, they have support groups, also you get a personal nutritionist for a year and a half where the nutritionist calculates your very own daily protien intake for only YOUR body type. They are currently in the process of building their own "wing" at Temple Hospital for gastric bypass patients/surgery, where their nursing staff are being hand picked. I have to say on my first visit with Dr. Melihan, I was impressed and feel that when I'm ready for the surgery, I'm going to be in good hands.

My first inpression of Dr. Meilahn was one of his concern of my knowlege of the surgery.He wanted to make sure I was informed about the proceedure.He is a very soft spoken man,someone you know will listen to your concerns. I have not had a date set yet still waiting for the paperwork to be reviewed. I came apon a problem this week and I called the office and was very happy to hear that I was treated like a person not a number.The staff is very personable too. The Dr. addressed all the risks that involved the surgery and made a few suggestions to help me till the date come around. I hope I will have all the answers to the other questions after the surgery. On a scale of 1/10 I have to give him a 9 for the pleasent office visit I had with him and staff.

I had my consult with Dr.Meilahn on January 2nd. I really liked him as soon as he entered the room. He asked if I had any other questions.I told him I felt very positive about the information that his Nurse Practioner(Vickie)had gone over with me.She had done a very extensive history and explained the procedure(Roux-en-Y)from the worse possible to the most positive outcomes. Both Dr. Meilahn and Vickie were very helpful and informative.They both went over the procedure and the amount of before and aftercare that is involved. I also met with his nurse and his executive assistant(Kia and Nyeesha)they are also very nice and easy to talk to. Nyeesha sat down with me and explained the requirements that needed to be done before surgery can be scheduled. I had done alot of research on the different types of surgeries before I chose Dr. Meilahn. So I knew that the consult was only the first step, in a long process to a better and healther me.
When I first called to schedule my consult,I was told it would be March before I could get an appointment.When they called me with a cancellation, I felt like this was diffently going to be the start of a very good new year. So,the best thing I can tell future patients is to have patience.If you can't get an appointment right away.Don't get discouraged.You too will soon be on the road to a new you.

My first impression of my sugeon was -wow.
He is the one.

MY INPRESSION DID NOT CHANGE AT ANY time.


HIS STEFF WAS THE BEST.

I met with Dr.Meilahn on Dec 7th. I feel very comfortable in choosing him. He answered all my questions, did not rush me what so ever. He made sure I understood the risks involved. I liked the idea of being able to get some of the pre testing done even before my initial visit.

My first consult with Dr.Meilhn is March 12,2003. So far all I have had done is some pre-test and blood work.
3-03-03
Got a call that my first consult has been changed to March 19, 2003. Nysheea was nice enough to call and tell me.
3-19-03
Today was the big day I met DR.Meilahn.First I can say that I did make the right choice in surgens. He was right to the point even though I was nervious and all my shyness came out. Yet he still was calm and very nice to me and my DH. He gave me time to ask questions of him and get information. Nysheeha is the best. She is very kinde and gives each person one on one time.She let me know what my next steps should be and how to get information in to her. Yes I made the right Choice in picking this team to help me with my choice.
11-02-03
I still know I have made the right choice. The follow ups are done. All the test are done. Dr. M is always the same. That is some thing I Like alot. He is to the piont and will answer all questions. My surgery is November 11th 2003.

10/27/03
Well, I finally had my appointment with Dr. Meilahn. Here is a brief over view of the entire experience.

Temple is a big hospital, I found it a bit intimidating. I arrived early for my appointment but had to wait about 2 hours before being seen by Dr. Meilahn. A very nice medical student came in to get my history prior to meeting the good Doctor.

Dr. Meilahn appears to be a competent physician, he answered my questions and did not seem annoyed by my list.

I want my gastric bypass done lap but I got the feeling he was steering me towards an open. The idea of being gutted just makes me so incredibly frightened. I saw one of his patients who approached me in the waiting area (she was post-op 1 week) she had an open procedure and looked great and was up and walking about. She was very nice and it was great seeing someone in the flesh that had the procedure by the Dr. I am interested in using. Dr. Meilahn told me I should go on a diet, to increase my chances of having the procedure done Lap. ( has anyone else been told that)?

After leaving the appointment with Dr. Meilahn I sat down with his assistant and she gave me a list of follow up things I am going to need in order to go ahead with the surgery. I have no idea who to call for these tests, what type of Doctor does a sleep study? I don't know.

I am afraid, and I want any doctor I deal with to realize that he may do hundreds of surgeries but I only plan on doing this once. I have a family and friends that love me very much I don't want to get lost in a sea of patients (maybe that is too much to ask). I want to be alive and well after my procedure.

In closing, Dr. Meilahn was kind and straight forward, he drew pictures and answered all questions posed to him. I would like any of his post-op patients to contact me. I will be at the next group meeting in Nov.