Paul E. Macik Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS

9/21/01 I first saw Dr. Macik at a monthly
support meeting at Northside Hospital. He was very laid
back, but informative. He didn't seem to have an
"air" about him which I liked. He was very "approachable" Then when I met him for the consultation
again, he was laid back and very informtative. Although I expected
our "one on one" to be a little more indepth, he did explain
a lot of questions to our group, with graphics which was quite detailed. We were instructed to
save "general" questions for our group session. The only problem was
I had to go to work and had only allowed and hour and half for appointment. So
make sure you allow enough time to get it all.

However, in all my months of research, that seems to be pretty
standard for consultations with bariactric doctors. The varing differences, are the
office staffs. I chose Dr. Waits office because of how
pleasant and patient Nancy was with me on my first phone
call and their obvious extensive knowledge in the field. Dr. Macik has excellent
recommendations. I feel very confident I made the right selection of
surgeon and office staff.

Dr. Macik is very understanding and he listens very well to what you are trying to accomplish. From that point, he will give you his thoughts and opinions of what he sees fit for you.
My opinion of Dr. Macik has never changed. He is excellent and I am glad that I did my research on him.
The office staff is excellent to me! The nurse cares very much and she is just as serious about this procedure as the doctors are.
Future patients should know that if you are coming into this procedure thinking that you can just do as you please, then forget it!! They emphasize on "following directions" very seriously.

8/2/01-I have made an appointment with Dr. Waits for 8/27. I am very impressed thus far with his office. They have been very informative and patient. I hope I find my appointment with the doctor is just as favorable. I will update after Monday.
8/26/01-I went for the orientation class with Dr. Macik (another MD at the office). I was very impressed at the amount of people at the office. Everyone seemed truely concerned about me. I also liked the fact that the doctor did not try to persuade me to have the surgery. He was very neutral and answered all the questions from an objective point of view. He also gave very detailed information which is what I needed.
For now, I wait for the office to call me to let me know what the insurance said.
10/6/01- I was approved by my insurance, and have a date scheduled too. This office seems to have it together.

My first impression of Dr. Macik was that he was so confident but laid back. I didn't feel intimidated or like I would give the wrong answer like I had with other doctors all my life. He took time to talk with me and didn't seem to mind my extensive questions. Unlike so many I didn't sense that he was overly aware of time or that he was thinking of where he needed to be next. I knew that I had his complete attention and it was very reassuring. I was impressed with his ability to address us as a group without seeming as though he was superior to us. I guess I have an over awareness of people in positions of authority and after a life of "exercise, diet, and self-control speeches" it was exhilerating to see someone care enough to sit down with us and talk to us acknowledging that we were not just numbers but real people with real concerns! I think that this surgeon really does emphasize on after care and they have mandatory nutrition classes and support group meetings that each patient must attend. At the intitial visit we covered all of the bases but there is a pre-op class too that insures that the patient has a complete understanding of the level of commitment and risk that surgery requires. I think coupled with the highly informed and abled staff that this surgeon would be an excellent choice for anyone who was serious about having this surgery! Who could ask for more than someone who is well informed, personable, and amoung the most skilled in his profession?!!

My original appt. was with Dr. Waits, but I met with Dr. Macik, and found him to be wonderful. He answered all of my questions, and seemed to really understand that obesity is a disease, and food is a drug. His staff is wonderful, very nice, Karen is an insurance guru. No nonsense, but with a really good sense of humour. Be sure to have all of your ducks in a row when you show up at the office. They mail you a packet ahead of time and ask that you mail it back, including diet history, and any medical forms. I also included a letter that I wrote to the insurance company (Cigna) because I didn't have any doctor-supervised diets. I also took some medical records from my PCP and GYN which had my co-morbidities listed (though they're not serious, every little bit helps). I'm impressed with Dr. Macik's bedside manner, I'll be able to talk more about his surgical competence later.

09/20/01: I'm so pleased with Dr. Macik in general. I came through the surgery with no problems, and when I was in the hospital, Dr. Macik made a point to see me every day, even when it was obvious he'd had a long, 12 hour day. My incision is about 6 inches long, from right between my breasts, stopping an inch above my navel. It's a very thin red line, and I have a feeling it's going to heal very nicely to barely noticeable. Dr. Macik is very quiet, but is also very funny. He came out to see my mom immediately after the surgery to tell my mother that I was doing well, and I think that's important too. She said he was very nice, and answered any questions she had. I highly recommend him.

Dr. Macik seems to be a very competent Dr. he seems to care about his patients and seems to want them to be well informed about the surgery. I've only met him once but I do not have any reservations about letting him operate on me, I know I am in good hands. He is a very likeable man who did not act like he was in a great hurry to get away from me and on to the next patient, he was willing to stay and talk and answer questions as long as I had any to ask. I don't think you will go wrong with Dr. Macik/

Well, I have not had any private time w/ Dr Macik. I saw him in two group settings once in his office and once at the support group. He will be doing my surgery in 4 days. I have heard many good things about him and feel like I might have fallen through the cracks in as far as not having a one on one interview or physical. However from what I have heard from collegues and people here I am over looking that. Karen is the insurance nazi. She took care of everything. When the insurance was giving me the run around on obesity codes that were used she got on a 3 way call and cleared everything up. Office staff is great..

My first impression of Dr. Macik was a good one. I went to the consult armed with a lot of questions, and he had thorough answers for every one that I asked. I like his attention to detail and ability to provide analogies when giving an answer. He was also very intent on making sure that I was truly absorbing everything he talked about. I took my husband with me, and he even spoke with him and allowed him time to ask questions. I felt comfortable with him as a person, and as a surgeon, and feel that I am in very competent hands.

If you are in Atlanta and you are looking for a surgeon - Dr. Waits & Dr. Macik are wonderful - One of my friends, just went through the procedure with them - and I am going in 3 months - they seem very caring and they take alot of time with you - Karen - in the office & also Jerry have got it together - and Nancy - is just so sweet - nevermind all the experience that they have or that they have never lost a patient - but they just dont make you feel bad for being there in the first place

So far I have been very pleased with Dr. Waits office and staff. My paperwork was sent off immediately to my insurance company and I got a super quick turn around and I believe it is because Karen knows what they need and gives it to them the first time. Everyone is very friendly. I have not meet Dr. Waits yet but I have heard he is wonderful. I have met Dr. Macik. He is very nice and answered all my questions. He will probably be the one to do my surgery. I will update this when I find out. I did find out who was doing my surgery and it is Dr. Macik. I have heard some great things about him too. I will be meeting him again at pre-op on the 10th. I meet with him last night for pre-op and he is very nice. I am looking forward to him doing my surgery. He did a great job with my surgery. He is very nice and put me to ease. I would recommend him to anyone wanting the surgery!!!!!