John Zografakis Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS, FASMBS

I have so far met Dr. Z only at the informational seminar and at my initial consult. He seems extremely professional and knowledgeable. He was apologetic that we had to wait a bit before seeing him, but he did not rush us out... he gave us (my wife and I) the same benefit as he apparently did his previous patients that day: he let us determine when we were done asking questions, etc. I have to say that the Advanced Bariatric Care Program at Akron City Hospital told us to be prepared to spend an hour each with the doctor, the nurse case manager, and the financial counselor. It took more than an hour with the doc, but considerably less with the other two so we were "out" within the 3 hours as predicted. A very good experience which calmed some of my anxieties.

We are very lucky to have Dr. Zografakis in the Akron area. It took me about two years to finally decide to have bariatric surgery. I wanted to stay in my home area for the surgery and I wanted it done Laproscopic, not open. Cleveland or Columbus for surgery and follow ups were just not feasible for me. When I heard that a Bariatric program was starting up at Summa Health Systems in Akron, I was very encouraged. I went to the Bariatric pubic seminar and listened to Dr Zografakis and thought he was personable and sounded like he had been well trained and knew what he doing. I decided to wait and see how his first few surgeries went. I heard general reports back that were very favorable and that people who had gone thru with surgery by Dr Zografakis were doing well. Three months after I heard him in the public seminar, I went for an initial consultation and found Dr Zografakis to be very pleasant and easy to talk to. He fully informs you at what you are getting into and what is requied of you for bariatric surgery. As I went thru all the required pretesting before surgery and had my appointments in all the various departments in the hospital, I kept hearing good reports and positive comments from hospital personnel about Dr Zografakis and or the Bariatric program. That encouraged me that I had made the right decision to have him do my surgery. His nurse Debbie also told me that his operating room staff chose to train and work with him and that was encouraging to me also, to know that there is a team of people working on you that wanted to be there and have your best interest and outcome at heart.
I had my surgery April 18, 2005 and did very well. Dr Zografakis and his nurse Debbie saw me every day I was in the hospital. I went in on a Monday morning and was discharged around noon on Wednesday. I followed his instructions to the letter and did as was instructed in my pre operative class.
I think anyone considering Bariatric surgery would do well to consider going to Dr Zografakis. His office staff are all very kind and helpful. They are well informed to help get you thru the maze of insurance requirements and pre operative testing. Dr Zografakis is a very confident and skilled surgeon. He wants his patients to have a positive outcome from their surgery so he is very careful and does a comprehensive workup on his patients to uncover any problems and treat them before surgery. Like I said at the beginning, we are very lucky to have him in the Akron area.

I liked Dr Z right off the bat he is very easy to talk too and has a good sense of humor he came highly reccomended to me by my OB/Gyn and so far i have not been disappointed. The rest of the staff at the office were also very personable and on the ball anyone in the akron canton cleveland area should definatly check out this program when deciding on a surgeon

I met with Dr. Zografakis today, and my impression of him is that he seems very nice and was impressed with his "no nonsense" attitude. The staff was WONDERFUL as well and made me feel comfortable with them...in fact, everyone of the staff asked if I was okay when they met me because they could tell I was in pain.
The only downside... the cost of all the programs that aren't covered by my insurance... and I am worried about how I will ever be able to come up with all the money that is needed before my surgery.

Dr. Z is very energetic and straight forward. He is sincere in his caring about you as a person. His staff is top-notch and they all respect each other and their particular roles in the center. Dr. Z performed his first Lapband at Summa Health systems on March 12th, so he is watching his lap patients closely, which I like. He has no set schedule for appointments because he feels we need to play it by ear. My aftercare has been great. All patients gets pre-op surgery and nutrition classes and makes sure everyone understands what aftercare and meal progression will be. You even get a notebook to take home so you can always refer to it if you forget. Everything he said about the surgery pain and discomfort, has been true. Dr. Z and his staff prepared me well for the surgery. His practice is well organized and their bariactric program is great. So far I haven't had any unpleasant experiences. Really.

My first impression , he was a very caring, skilled and upbeat doctor. He knew his stuff. Very personable. My impression did not change but the level of care he provided reaffirmed his skill & ability. What a good guy!!!
The staff at his office is highly professional. They are very possitive and upbeat. They too know how to treat you. All of the staff are on the same page. Dr. Z doesn't let grass grow under his feet, he is always on the move. He definately picked the right profession for his personality.
I think he is a very attractive person and cares a great deal.
His office has a very structured program, including nutrition, exercise, counseling, and the best people to answer all your questions. You are under their care for the rest of you life if you want to be.
The risk are talked about over and over again , their is no doubt as to what the surgery will intell.
I would rate Dr. Z. as 100%, the best their is. In my opinion he can't be beat.
He excelles in bed side manner, caring about you as a person and most of all his skill.
He also is very thero, making sure of the finest detail. I would recommend him to anyone considering Laproscopic surgery or any Bariatric surgery.

I had a very good first impression of dr. Z , he is very serios about this surgery, it is impotant that you do well.
All of his staff is wonderful and very postive and supportive. I think future patients should know that Dr. Zografakis is a excellence and very skilled surgeon.

My first impressions of Dr. Z was when I first called the Advanced Bariatric Care and Weight Loss Management Program at Summa Akron City Hospital and instead of a receptionist I was talking to the Dr. himself. He was very pleasant and made me at ease just by his manner. When I went for my first visit to his office I was totally impressed my the office appearance and every person I met there. The office chairs were little couches instead of tight little chairs. Even the exam tables were oversized. No one looked passed me everyone looked me in the face and were totally real with me. When I had my time with the doctor he looked me in the eye when we talked. I can't trust a doctor who stares away from me because of my fat. He put me at ease and made me feel reassured that this time no one would leave me out on a limb like Dr. Jorok did. He made me feel at ease about the surgery by explaining every thing to me and assuring me that while all my medical problems can complicate things he was still willing to discuss surgery for my obesity problem. Even though my surgery has been put on the back burner because of gastritis, I am reassired that I have some one I can trust to do my surgery. Someone who respects me for who I am now and will be happy for me when I am again able to return to the profession I love. He explained in detail the entire surgery,Pre and post op and gave me information to read on it. It was he and not the nurse or the office personnel that discussed how the surgery was to be paid for and what insurance he took. He had professional office staff that went into more detail on certain matters but he was aware of every aspect of the process and made me feel comfortable about the process. On a scale of one to ten I rate him at,ten being the best, I rate him and his office staff at ten!

1. He is very pleaset...nice bedside manner 2.Only saw him twice..once at seminer and once at office...but seems nice and will answer any questions you might have..would recomend him thus far..3...the staff is very nice and informative...anxious to help where ever they can..4) have nothing to say in a negitive manner 5) havent had my sergury yet..but think that i picked the right sergon..lots of information..they do what they can to put you at ease..6)they see you after the first week ..first month...6 months..and a year...or anytime after ward..for as long as you wish..till you die if you want..7)they do have an extensive after care..you can see them when ever you want and call when ever you like..till you feel you no longer need them...8) he told us that a small very small percent like 1 to 2 percent die...but the odds of dieing from something related to the problems of obesidy or blood pressure or colostrol or someother thing is much higher..and that is true I have a very dear friend that is dieing right now because of complications with sugar and heart trouble..and she is 10 years older then me..and I dont want to be where she is now...shes only 64 and that is young in years today..she has lost both her big toes to surger and has had 13 antoplasties and triple bypass...I want to be healthy now so i can be free of these problems..before it is to late..9) like i said only met him twice...but from what I have seen I think he is a good choice..acts like he cares about the individual..for sergury and afterward... 10) I think both are important...you need someone who cares about your needs...and is very competent...and one that can convay them both to you as a patient and a person..and somepeople who look at fat people dont always give you the respect and thoughtful ness that is needed...your just a piece of meat...I dont think that is the case here..the staff and dr seem to be doing allthey can to make the sergury a success for you...as a person...for now and the lifetime to come..and to make you healthy..this dr..will not do the sergury just for weight loss..he is intersted in helpling you be healthy by helping to cure or inprove dibeties ..sleep apnea..high blood pressure and high clostrol and make you healthy..the weighloss is just a plus...but a good plus....and I hope it works for me..because i am sick of being sick and haveing no energy...I want to be healthy and feel like doing the things my grandkids need me to do...while i am still young enough to do it...

Actually Dr. Brian Jones is the surgeon but they are in the same office. They are both great. i'm a little partial to Dr. Jones though. They are very kind.
over time it just gets better, I can't say enough.
So far Bev was great she really worked hard to help fight the ins. The rest slow going but knowledgable.
After care is very important mandatoy support program.
only problem is it's costly About $1800.Not covered by ins.
YES, After care is carefully monitored.

BIG 10!!!!!
He is excellent all around.
Hopefully i have all the same things to say after the surgery.