John Zografakis Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS, FASMBS

He made me feel very comfortable. I like the fact that my primary doctor thought that he was a good surgeon. His staff is very professional and put you at ease. There is a lot of emphasis on aftercare, which is very important. Dr Zografakis does go over the risk. I have additional medical problems and he has addressed those also. I would rate him high. Sugical comptentce is important, but just as important to me was to feel comfortable and to have the feeling the doctor truly cared about my well being. I got that with Dr. Z.

Dr. Z is down to earth and has the greatest personality. I felt as though I had known him for years.

I have only had my consultation and awaiting insurance approval. My previous surgeon decided to stop doing WLS right after my first claim had been submitted. I was told I had no surgeon one day, and denied the insurance the next... talk about let down!

However, I researched surgeons through this site and found Dr. Z who's office was able to use most of my required evaluations to submit to insurance so that I didn't have to repeat them....insurance is still pending. He was very direct with me about possible complications but very supportive and FUN! I like that he does various preventive testing prior to surgery, which my other surgeon would never have done.

The staff is very structured and nice. I have a case manager I can contact any time and there is a seperate contact within the office that has helped me immensley with submittal to my insurance company.

There is a complete program for after care that even includes exercise and support.

So far, I am thankful my other surgeon decided not to do WLS ..... it led me to Dr.Z and his staff. Even though it will be more expensive - out of pocket - I feel it will be more thorough and I am comfortable that he has the perfect bedside manner for what I need to succeed. With everything I know at this point, I believe him to be surgically competent ..... since both bedside manner and compentency are both extremely and equally important.

At the very least, I can say that I am pleased with my choice in surgeons.

Great first impression. After meeting with a few surgeons, he is the first to make me laugh and feel comfortable. Even though I have to travel to him - it is worth the trip.

Since my surgery, Dr Z has been amazing. Listening to my concerns, calling me at home the first couple days and taking my call.

He reminds me of my personal family physican.

Dr. Zografakis held a seminar early in July to inform the public about wieght loss surgery and to announce the opening of the center at City Hospital . He was kind and compassionate. While there were many in the room, I felt as though there were just a few of us. He made it a point to answer any and all questions anyone had. When I met him in the office he was just as kind and easy going as he was at the seminar. One thing I really liked was meeting him before any procedures were done (pre-op testing). So many programs I have checked out require you to jump through the hoops before you ever meet your surgeon.

The office staff is wonderful. They were kind and caring. They are accepting of you. I never felt uncomfortable. Seating in the office was adequate and you don't get "squeezed" into chairs meant for the thinner person I will become. I usually hate my picture being taken, but it is kind of fun now. I know I won't look this way much longer! I felt like I was the only patient they were seeing that day, although I know I may have been the second patient through the doors for the new center, I wasn't there alone. Everyone took the time to talk to me and explain anything that I needed to know. The office staff can make or break a doctor's practice. I am sure based on the mannerisms of his office staff this practice will be a huge hit!

The thing I liked best about Dr. Zografakis was his easy going manner and the way he made you feel at ease. I knew I would never get his name out, but as he walked into the exam room he said "Hi, I'm Dr. John". He is obviously very intelligent and knows his stuff and often times those people forget the human side of the patients with whom they are dealing. Not Dr. Zografakis. He is human. I have always heard that the eyes are the windows to the soul. I think he is as kind inside and truly cares about helping people. His eyes tell the whole story.

Dr. Zografakis strongly emphasizes before and after care. This is a learning process. His program is geared to make sure that you are well aware of what you need to know to be healthy before and after your surgery. He has structured programs geared at supporting your physical (exercise and healing) and mental state (support groups).

Dr. Zografakis gives his patients information sheets that detail the risks of surgery. He also addresses the benefits of it as well. He only wants the best for his patients and I am sure that if he felt a patient was truly a poor risk to have the surgery, he would be the first to say so.

Overall I am most comfortable to have Dr. Zografakis do my surgery. He is well versed in the procedures, he is Board Certified, his office staff seem competent, and most of all he is a real person. I am so glad I waited to have my surgery and he will be the one to perform it!

I haven't had surgery yet, but I am sure his surgical competence will be as great as his bedside manner!

12-18-04
Surgery is over and I am home. Dr. Zografakis was calming, professional, and most importantly of all skilled and caring. He saw me in the pre-op area, was there before I went to sleep and one of the first voices I remember hearing when I woke up. He checked on me in my room once I got there I believe twice the same day and was there bright and early the next morning. Words cannot express just how wonderful of a surgeon he is. I know why I waited so long to have the surgery. It was so Dr. Z. could do my surgery and I could be at Summa's City Hospital to have it done. Can you believe he even called me personally on Friday night after I came home to check and see how I was? Truly, this is not only a skilled surgeon, but a kind and caring man who wants only the best for his patients.

Dr. Zografakis and his entire medical staff are the utmost professional and friendly. They go out of their way to assist you in anyway! They are the BEST!

Dr Z was easy to communicate with. He is there for you and you can tell he wants you to succeed. He says what he means and you can trust that! He will hold you to your end of the work.The Bariartic Care Center is great! All the staff work together to be successful. It is a new program and it is very well put together.
He described the risks of the surgery openly and in terms of percentages. Future patients should know that he expects the patient to do his/her part and will not accept less.
Surgical competence is proven with his track record. He conveys his confidence in success clearly.

My first impression of Dr. Zografakis came when I saw him on a TV23 news broadcast a few weeks ago. He was much younger than I thought he would be, but he seemed to be warm and friendly even then. During the August seminar I was impressed by his honesty and the ease with which he spoke to us. He also seemed to be very much concerned with us getting the proper informaion regarding the procedure he uses, and he was very thorough in giving us information about the other procedures available at this time. I got the feeling that he genuinely cared about his patients and wanted us to be as informed as possible.
He has a great sense of humor and he put us at ease immediately. He didn't 'sugar coat'
or minimize the risks involved.

Have yet to judge his surgical competence, but overall I'm comfortable with him.

I have learned to do a more in depth informational gathering of both the doctor/surgeon, as well as, pre and post op.
Patient should feel at ease talking/discussing the surgery and own individuals health concerns with whoever the surgeon becomes for such an important life changing experience. I know for myself it was the best decision I have ever made for 'ME'!
Pick a surgeon who is competant, and one you can discuss health issues with and one who does not feel threatened if you ask informational questions concerning you own health outcome.
These are all in my own opinion and from my own experiences...
One can learn a lot by going to seminars that the surgeons offer to begin learning about the procedure and the surgeon...

I just met Dr. Zografakis on August 11, 2004. My first (and only so far) was a great one. He has a complication rate that is well below the national average and he seems extremely sensitive to our special needs. He also is pretty good looking, so that is a plus too. I also had an oppertunity to meet some of his staff, and I must say they are all great too. They will bend over backwards to help us get through this process. So far I have not found anything that I do not like. The surgery rooms are equipt with all new state of the art surgical equiptment that is voice activated, the recovery rooms looke comfortable, and I am alot more at ease with this entire thing now after meeting all of them. I will update more as I can, my next appointment is not untill Oct. 1, 2004. The aftercare program is extensive, meaning ...for life! After the second year you go once yearly forever. They have counceling that is a must according to their program so that you learn how to eat again fter surgery. That also ensures weight loss long term. All in all, he has the proof that he is surgically competent, and has a great bedside manor. He had me laughing a few times. I agreed with everything he said and I am educated on this....Beleive me!!! I would recommend him to my own kids if they ever chose to do this...that is how much I like him. There was 1 thing that I did not like.....He tried (and failed miserabley if you ask me) to answer some insurance questions that I don't think he knew anything about. Oh well. I am not hiring him to get me approved, just to make my surgery a success. No one is perfect.

Dr. John was doing his fellowship with the surgeon I used (Dr. Frantzides). What can I say? Dr. John was a HUGE factor in my satisfaction with the entire process. The patience, generousity and sense of humor that he brought to his consultations and exams with me made me very comfortable. Whether it be questions before, during, or after surgery, he was always there. If you are looking for a surgeon with experience look no further... he studied with one of the masters. His surgical knowledge coupled with a friendly, patient bedside manner makes him a fantastic surgeon in my opinion.