Richard Rubenstein Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

My first impressions was he is like the rest very busy, My first visit he was running late, He was at the Hospital. 1 1/2 hours late. It was alot of information to proccess at the first visit. but my impression changed very quickly for after that he is always on time, and at the hospital for his patients. He is mild mannered and very caring. His staff is the best never judgemental alway helpful and friendly, Joanne is his right hand the best ever. One visit I was overwhelmed and she noticed and just sweetly closed the door again and talked to me until all my fears and questions were answered {very resuring}. The whole office knows every person by name and knows were they are in the proccess of what is happening. His office runs the monthly support groups all are encouraged and at least one required. There is alot of information and personal stories there. Everything was explained in clear everyday terms the risk was up front One in 200 don't make it through surgery. We are highrisk from the start. So far before surgery my overall rating would be a 8 out of 10.

Where do I start..... I went to see Dr. Rubenstein 1/01. I had met Dory and went over the info about the Lap Band. I watched the video about the surgery. I deceided that I wanted to have the surgery that wasn't that invasive( I went the Laproscopic route). I had all the required test that I needed. The Authroization was sent in the BC/BS. Dory said that my BMI wasn't high enough without CO-Morbidity issues. I told her that I HAD high blood pressure a few years ago and was on meds for it. She told the insurance company that i was currently on meds. I told her that i wasn't on them now..She told me that the insurance company didn't need to know that. I can personally vouch for this...I was very clear on this subject... the insurace company approved the surgery. The date was set 3/01 I went in on friday and was to be home by saturday. I woke up on sat. in ICU.

by what I was told, after the fact. When Dr. Rubenstein was attempting to insert the laproscopic instrument the Messentric vessel was cut and/or nicked and I bled out. I needed a tranfusion of over 30 units of blood, platlets and cell saver.

My husband and I told Dr.Rubenstein during the last consult prior to the surgery that I had 4 previous C-sections and my OB/GYN told me not to have any more children because of scar tissue. Dr. Rubenstein infatically assured us that the surgery was to be preformed very high on the stomach that the scar tissue wouldn't be a problem.

10-15 minutes into the surgery Dory had called my husband at home and asked if I had any previous abdominal surgeries!!! He told yes i had 4 c-sections as was explained before hand. She told him that I was in trouble and was Hemmoraging badly..


Now instead of 4 1 inch scars I have 16 inch scar running from breast bone to past my belly button...I spent 4 days in ICU and then another 8 days in a regular room. Then a few weeks later I returned to the hospital for another 4 day stay... My husband had to take 6 weks off from work to stay home and take care of me and my 4 children. I couldn't walk, use the bathroom on my own, shower or hold my children. I am very happy that this surgery has worked out of all of you. But, for me It was a nightmare.. and after all of this I never even had the surgery... I will NEVER ever think again about this surgery.


I realize that life is too precious to gamble with!!


I know that this is just from my personnal experience But, I felt that people considering this surgery should be aware of good and bad outcomes so that they can make an informed decision.


Good Luck

Michelle Ventrano

October 29- Met Dr Rubenstein. He was very nice. I have all of my appointments scheduled and will be finished with them November 21. I am looking at a mid December surgery date. Wish me luck! Got my date- Dec 26th!

I LOVE DR. RUBENSTEIN!!!! I CAN'T SAY THAT ENOUGH. I WENT TO SEE HIM FOR THE FIRST TIME IN JUNE 2002. HE WAS VERY COMPASSIONATE AND READY WILLING AND EAGER TO ANSWER ALL OF MY QUESTIONS. I WAS VERY NERVOUS ABOUT HAVING SURGERY SINCE THIS WAS MY FIRST AND EVERYONE TOLD ME TO MEET WITH A COUPLE OF SURGEONS BEFORE I CHOSE ONE. THAT WAS NOT NECESSARY, THE MOMENT I MET DR RUBENSTEIN I KNEW THAT IF AND WHEN I HAD THIS SURGERY HE WOULD BE THE ONE TO DO IT. IT WAS THE BEST DECISION I HAD EVER MADE AND I HONESTLY DONT THINK I WOULDVE WENT FOR IT IF I HADNT MET DR. RUBENSTEIN. AS I GOT TO KNOW HIM MY RESPECT AND ADMIRATION FOR HIM GREW STRONGER! I CAME THROUGH MY SURGERY WITH NO COMPLICATIONS. BEFORE DURING AND AFTER MY SURGERY DR RUBENSTEIN TREATED ME LIKE GOLD AS IF I WERE A MEMBER OF HIS OWN FAMILY RATHER THAN JUST ANOTHER PATIENT.I WILL BE ETERNALLY GRATEFUL TO HIM! THERE ISNT ANYTHING I DIDNT LIKE ABOUT HIM!ANYBODY CONSIDERING WLS SHOULD AT LEAST MEET WITH DR RUBENSTEIN!HE IS THE BEST!HIS SURGICAL COMPETENCE AS WELL AS HIS BEDSIDE MANNER IS SUPERB. HE IS VERY SOFT SPOKEN AND DOWN TO EARTH. HE TREATS YOU LIKE AN EQUAL. HE LOOKS FORWARD TO ATTENDING THE SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS AND ALWAYS HAS DETAILED ANSWERS TO EVERY QUESTIONS ASKED. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND DR. RUBENSTEIN. I COULD NOT HAVE GOTTEN BETTER CARE BOTH IN AND OUT OF THE OPERATING ROOM.

The doctor is friendly, warm, and intelligent. I still think highly of the doctor. The offices nurses were comforting, even at the moments I was most afraid. I would rate him and his team highly.

After much research, I found Dr. Rubenstein on the internet. I called his office and got an appointment quite easily (Some of the other doctors I called, made me wait 2-3 months for an initial visit). He was very nice and answered all my questions. His office is part of a large group of doctors and support specialists. I told him that I wanted to have the Lap-Band and I was very informed and that I didn't want to waste time. He gave me a list of tests I needed completed and doctors that I needed to see.
I completed the tests within the 1st week. He met with me a week later and he further explained all the details of the surgery process.

I found Dr.Rubenstein to be very nice, but does not waste your time. His staff is friendly and efficient, especially Joanne (the office coordinator). He made sure that I went to his monthly support group meeting before he sent my letter of authorization to Cigna. That was extremely helpful and a great source of information. He has sent my letter and I await approval and a surgery date. My experience has been very good so far.

Dr.Rubenstein was very straight foward and willing to answere any questions that I had. In fact he even made me ask him questions about the surgery. I liked him right away and felt comfortable with my choice. His office staff especially Dory Ferraro and Sally were there for me every step of the way.
His after care program is quite extensive and his staff has assured me that they will be right there for me. In fact Dory is coming into the operating room with me and will be right there.
I would highly recommend this doctor and his most competant staff.

Dr. Rubenstein and his Caremax staff are wonderful. They are caring and very thorough with all the tests and information needed to get approval from the insurance company.

Dr Rubenstein is a very caring person. He is involved with the support group, answers patients questions in an understandable and teaching manner. He respects his patients and speaks on their level. He encourages family involvement and emphazes aftercare. He is part of the caremax team. The staff at caremax are very knowledgeable and caring. Caremax has a very extensive aftercare. Dr Rubenstein has an impressive resume, (www.caremax.com),Has vast experience in performing WLS, is sincere, and has a great bedside manner.

I have my first consult with Dr. Rubenstein on 8/23/00. I am looking forward to meeting him since I've heard nothing but kind words of appreciation about him here on this site.

Update 1/21/01: My surgeon was changed to Dr. Shukri, who is a partner of Dr. Rubenstein's. At first I was a little annoyed that Caremax changed surgeons without my consent. But it was due to insurance coverage. Long story, anyway my first impression of Dr. Shukri was I felt a little rushed. I also felt that he had not even read my chart before coming in to the room to meet me. After the surgery though my feelings have changed a lot. Dr. Shukri has been very attentive, kind, caring and understanding. He's the type of Dr. that grows on you. I would recommend him to anyone considering this surgery.