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

I immediately liked Dr. Meilahn with his calm, reassuring nature. In our 20-minute initial visit back in January, he was highly cordial and professional, described a number of bariatric procedures to me, and was very patient in answering my many questions. His staff, though very very busy, have been somewhat short, but professional in helping me through the various pre-opt tests. My one complaint has been that I was not provided at my initial visit with a comprehensive list of pre-opt procedures which I needed to complete. Each time I provided a test report, I was given one or two additional test assignments. This became frustrating and slowed down the pre-opt process. These, of course, are just my general impressions and do not reflect those of others.

As I have spoken and learned from others, Dr. Meilahn comes very highly recommended. I have another "pre-admission" visit scheduled for Friday, August 30. I'm very ready to move to the next phase of this long journey.

October 25, 2003
After two surgeries and a year of post op after care, I have become quite fond of Dr. Meilahn. To have the case load that he does and the intense after care patient load, I have a new found respect and admiration for him. He's such a caring doctor, yet patient and deliberate. I've read and heard of doctor horror stories and complacent care. For anyone considering surgery in the Philadelphia area, you couldn't make a wiser selection that Dr. John Meilahn.

3/24/03 Have not had appt yet for 1st consult,but it is set up for June 25th... I mainly picked this Dr. Due to the Travel he is very close then Reading all of your comments was great help.... Thanks Well see whats happens.... 9/23/03 Okay Okay Well I changed Doctors Went from Dr. VonRuden to Dr. Meilahn...

I have to wait till 7/9/03 to see him. Seems like an eternity.Well at long last I got to meet Dr Meilahn. The wait in the office was at least 1.5 hrs. Which isn't unusual for a surgeon.That's normal for me when I go to see my ortho doc.I had to go through a series of residents before I met Dr Meilahn. even though they went through my info Dr M has to do it himself. He started by quizzing me. I felt he also needed to get a feel for me as I did for him.I'm a RN with alot of hospital experience, so that saved alot of time.I had a list of questions which he didn't feel put off by.My initial reaction is that he is very thorough and competent.I now need to get my iron saturation up.I feel surgery won't be done till he's 100% satisfied.Even though I'm in a rush I can understand his reasoning.Joann

My first meeting with Dr Meilahn was last November. Thank God I had read some reviews of him on your website before meeting him. When he came into the room I said, "Your the man who is going to make me skinny". His response, with a totally poker straight face was, "No I'm not". He waited just long enough for me to get mad (two beats) then said, "I'll do 50% but you have to do the rest". I liked him. He explains the surgery to you drawing pictures on the paper that covers the exam table and will answer any questions you have. On the day of surgery, when they woke me up, I was startled to find out I had been out for 5 hours, and immediatley said my Mom was going to be worried. Dr Meilahn told me he was going out to talk to her as soon as he knew I was ok and he did. Mom had been kept up to date on the procedure though all along. While I was in the hospital Dr Meilahn stopped by everyday, even after 9PM the one night because he had just gotten out of surgery. When I went back to see him to have my drain removed, he called me "maam" almost as if he could not recall what my name was. At first this took me back, but then I realized it is more surgeon's arrogance, not to be taken as a bad thing. To me it appears that you are "his Patient" and you get the best of his ability and care as "his patient". I happen to not need a whole lot of hand-holding so I don't know if he is good at that or not. I think I got the best damn surgeon in the city and would recommend him to anyone interested in bariatric surgery. He does attempt most surgeries laproscopically, but if you don't qualify he tells you upfront. His Office Administrator, Nyeesha, is the best. I honestly do believe I got the best care I could get. My surgery was done lap but even a friend who also had a lap bariatric surgery is jealous of my little scars! I have worse scars from my cat's claws! The whole staff at Temple University Hospital emphasizes aftercare. I am scheduled to see Dr Meilahn once a month for the first 3 months post-op. I haven't asked what the schedule is after that but will find out at my next visit.

I had my consultation today and Dr. Meilahn could not have been nicer! There was a small wait to see him, but not as long as I have waited at other doctor's offices. He came into the room all smiles and jokes. While he made me feel good about him, I was a ball of nerves and had to leave the room at one point because I thought I was going to vomit, and he was totally understanding about that! He explained the procedure (complete with drawing) and all of the pros and cons. He really knew how to deal with a patient and showed me that he has a good bedside manner. Aside from him, all of the people in the office were very nice, and his assistant Nyeesha is as sweet and friendly as everybody has said!

I have my first scheduled appointment May 21,2002.

I had my appointment and Dr. Meilahn is great. He makes you feel right at home and answers any questions you may have. I am so glad I picked him and wouldn't want any other surgern. His assistant Neesha is wonderful as well.

Dr. Meilahn is absolutely wonderful!
When my daughter had her consultation with him, I asked him a million questions and asked a million more at her second visit and I wasn't even the patient, nor was my daughter a minor. He was kind, patient, very understanding and extremely honest about possible complications. He is also very particular about the care of his patients. After watching the way he delt with my sister
in-law and my daughter, I wouldn't think of having this procedure done by anyone else. I have since referred 3 of my closest friends to him who feel the same way.

I have not personally met Dr. Meilahn as of yet, but I have heard nothing but great reviews. His executive secretary Nyeesha has been great thus far and I only anticipate the same as time goes on. From what I've heard I understand Dr. Meilahn has a great aftercare program and discusses fully the risk of surgery during the consultation. Well today is March 26th, and I'm really excited because I only have 10 more days before I go to see Dr. Meilahn, next Friday!!! I'm also excited because I was able to get a phys. evaluation for this Friday, so this will definitely help speed things up. I have most of my pre-testing done already, all I have to do now is talk to Nyeesha about what additional test I have to take.

April 8th - I went to see Dr. John Meilahn at Temple Hospital on Friday. He is a very caring and concerned Surgeon. My first impression was that he is not just interested in performing surgery on his future patients, he wants you to be in good health also. He takes the time to explain the risk and benefits of surgery and lets you know upfront that you have to be committed to changing your lifestyle and that the surgery is just part of the work. His staff is on the ball and very friendly, Nyeesha is great! I give Doctor Meilahn a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10. He appears to have both surgical competence and excellent beside manner. I am very comfortable with letting him do my surgery and I believe all future patients will as well.

Dr. Meilahan is totally awesome! Very understanding! The man knows his stuff! Answered ALL of my questions. It seems to me that he is a sedate type of person , but with a twinkle in his eye! Very easy to talk to, and focuses his attention squarely on you. I'm in love! LOL

Nyeesha is just a dollbaby. This is one BUSY ladie. She's on her toes! Very informative and a pleasure to deal with.

As far as the aftercare stuff- I'll let ya know after April 7th!

I saw Dr. Meilahn on 12-13-02 and he was very nice and did everything to make me feel comfortable. He took the time to go over the entire procedure and made sure to answer all my questions. I feel very confident that I have made the right decision going choosing him. Whenever I mention his name I get good responses. I am still waiting to get my surgery date..........this is the only thing I have found very frustrating. I have done all the necessary tests and now I sit and wait for someone at his office to call me and tell me when it's going to be. I will say that Dr. Meilahn is very through on his evaluation of you and your health, he requires a lot of testing before he will even give you a surgery date and I thought this was silly and I was getting very frustrated. but then I went to my preoperative teaching class and they explained each one of the tests and how it was going to help Dr. Meilahn when it come time for my surgery. So I guess the wait isn't too bad....I been dealing with my weight for a lot longer.