Joseph Caruana Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS

Dr. Caruana is a very down-to-earth and humorous person. He doesn't patronize his patients or talk down to them, and he seems genuinely caring. He seems to really like what he's doing and how's he's helping people. He was very up front with what the procedure entailed, along with all of the risks involved. He seems dedicated to divesting his knowledge and practice to the Greater Western New York area, and is equally dedicated to aftercare involvement post-op. The caveat to all of these good traits is Dr. Caruana is EXTREMELY busy...sometimes to the point of not addressing questions you may have. The personal one-on-one time just wasn't there. Although his office staff is extremely efficient and knowledgeable about the whole process, some of them could use a little "sensitivity" training and understanding when it comes to this process, instead of trying to make each person's journey an exact blueprint of each WLS patient which has gone before. Besides the few staff sensitivity issues, I am very happy with the care. The aftercare has been heavily stressed, right up to having gym facilities, a juice bar, and WLS post-op meals for sale. Since i'm only 5 days post-op, i will have to reserve the rest of my opinion on aftercare to a later date.

Dr. Joseph Caruana is a great surgeon. I had difficult gas pains a couple days after surgery and called him on a Sunday. I reached his answering service, a women took my message and Dr. Caruana called back within minutes to tell me not to worry and gave me some suggestions. I was very pleased. His words were.."and remember, I am only a phone call away." I felt assured. At my first post op appointment he asked me quite a few questions, which shows his concern and that he is complete in his care.
He has a few assistants in different areas like nutrition, exercise and such. Sometimes you feel like your answering the same questions more than once but better safe than sorry.

My surgeon and his assistent were great. They made me feel very comfortable though the whole prossess.

I went to the required Info meeting 12/16/02. It answered all my questions, and he put me at ease with some of his jokes. Most of the office staff was nice, albeit a bit exasperated. They were busy, and I am sure that is why they came of as curt. In the end, he seemed to be concerned with complete care. Will update more after my first appointment.

1-28-02 I had my first consult! The Dr's office was very nice. the front desk was effecient, and his nurse Deanne was absolutely wonderful. Very easy to talk to. The Dr saw me personally. He was kind, soft spoken, and very thourough....he is an expert in dispensing HOPE. Oh and by the way - he was ON TIME!!!!!

5-5-03 I have not seen Dr. C since my surgery..... My family said he was great on coming in and updating them after I was done. Since then I have only dealt with Marc the PA (not complaining!!!) He is nice also. He is very encouraging....

5-9-03 Ok, I had a bad experience with the PA this weekend (He was the one on call) I am trying not to let this effect my whole outlook on Dr. C's Operation....

After hearing all these wonderful comments and the defensiveness that his patients have for him, my surgeon, my first impression of him was "routine". Believe, that impression lasted only for a few minutes. Dr. Caruana and his P.A. Marc are two wonderful and very caring people. The rest of the office staff are great and will be right there to help with any questions and or concerns. There really isn't anything to not like about Dr. Carauna except for maybe his location....wish he was closer to my neck of the woods. Future patients should know that with Dr. Caruana and his staff they are in great hands. You are introduced to your aftercare program at one of your pre-op appointments at Dr. Carauna's office and SYNERGY. As far as addressing the risks of surgery, that is done at you very first meeting with Dr. Caruana and his staff and elaborated on in future visits pryor to surgery.
Overall rating on Dr. Carauna and his staff would definatly have to be very high. Sugical competence and bedside manner were both great.

I first saw Dr. Caruana at a group session where he reviewed his program and the operation. I was impressed with him and his staff. Everyone connected with Dr. Caruana seems to be very compentent and caring.

What impresses me most is that Dr Caruana's program treats the entire person. It is not just a surgery and there you go out on your own. He also has a gym right at his office. There is also a dietician on staff.

He is open to all questions including the risks involved. Since I have had a fairly uneventful recovery, I can't address risks on my own behave but a friend of mine who had some problems had them addressed well by the office.

Dr. Caruana is a great physician. He is open and seems caring. I would recommend him to anyone. He interacts well with his patients. I consider myself forunatte to be in his program.

I liked Dr. Caruana. I met him at the informational meeting. He seemed to have a nice sense of humor and a great understanding of his patients needs. Both physically and psychologically. His office staff were very nice and alot friendlier in person than over the phone. I sort of got a cold shoulder feeling on the phone. He does have a structured aftercare program but I have not taken part in that as of yet. He does address the risks of surgery at his informational meeting and at the appt. in his office. He gives ample time to you to ask any questions you may have. I would rate him so far at a 9. I haven't had surgery yet and will update this after I go through the process. As far as which I would prefer, surgical competence or bedside manner, I would rather he was an excellent surgeon. The bedside manner would be good but I want to know the Dr. who is performing surgery on me knows well what he is doing.

4/8/03- I met Marc and Dr. Caruana today they are both nice. Marc spent more time with me than the Dr. Marc made sure that my questions were answered and was very kind and understanding. After Marc examined my tummy I was told to get dressed and Dr. C. would come and get me. He came and escorted me to his office. He looked over my chart and the notations that Marc made. He asked me about the current medications I take and why. He said that although the Prednisone that I take can delay healing the surgery can be preformed with it. He said he couldn't guarantee that I would be pain free after surgery but he said I would feel better and my joints would not protest so.
I told him I knew that the surgery would not cure my arthritis.
I liked him, he was kind and very personable.

The negative things about the appointment were that I did feel a little bit rushed. The office was quite busy and there were people running everywhere. The receptionist was rather abrubt.

I must say also that I was rather disappointed that I did not get a surgery date. I have approval from insurance for the hospital stay. Dr. Caruana does not participate in my insurance so I am considered "Self Pay." because I have to pay upfront and then get re-embursed from the Ins co. I already have approval for both.
So I could not understand what the big deal was, but the office girls didn't seem to know what to do with the fact that I had approval and said I had to wait for their office to make sure.????

The office is beautiful with a gym attached to the office, and a "snack bar" with all WLS type supplements and high protien drinks available. The nutritionist is available when she is not teaching a pre-op class and the nice thing about the gym is that there is all heavy people working out so you do not feel intimidated. (too bad I don't live closer to the gym) They also sell "wls meals for people on the go."
They seem to have all the aspects of post op care covered. I met several people in various aspects of their journey.
Dr. Caruana also said that he has preformed 575 surgeries and has had 5 people die. He stated that all of these people had many co-morbidities. This does not affect my decision any. He stated that they have learned from doing the surgeries and they have changed things and feel very confident with their techniques.

I have much confidence in Dr. Caruana and his PA Marc. I guess it is in God's hands now.

WHEN I WENT TO THE INITIAL CONSULATION, THE DOCTOR PUT ON AN HOUR AND AHALF PROGRAM, WITH ALL OF THE UP & DOWNS REGARDING THE PROCEDURE.
I WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE DOCTOR AND HIS STAFF, ALL VERY FRIENDLY AND WILLING TO HELP WITH ANYTHING!!
AFTER GETTING MY PMD (PERSONEL MEDICAL DOCTOR) TO VISIT WITH ME AND DISCUSS THE PROCEDURE, HE HAS SENT ABOUT 10 OF HIS PATIENTS TO DR. CARUANA IN THE PAST AND THEY ALL REPLIED THEY WOULD DO IT AGAIN IF THEY HAD TO.
THEN MY NEXT VISIT WITH DR. CARUANA WAS A GOOD ONE, HE EXAMINE ME AND STATED I WAS A GOOD CANIDATE FOR THE OPERATION, THEN HIS STAFF SENT THE PAPER WORK IN AND I AM WAITING RIGHT NOW FOR THE WORD.
I AM TOTALLY HAPPY WITH DR. CARUANA, NO COMPLAINTS!!!

Dr. Caruana is kind, caring and genuine. This opinion grew stronger over time. His office is amazing - with a healthy foods cafe for WLS patients to congregate and a complete exercise facility.

He offers only open RNY. I wish he offered lap RNY and duodenal switch surgery options.

I would rate him and recommend him very, very highly.