Englewood Hospital and Medical Center (COE) Hospital

Dr. McGinty is a great doc, I meet him three years ago when he took out my gulbladder. When I made my decission to have weight loss Surgery, he was the first person I thought of to do it. I was thrilled when I found out that he has a hole program for weight loss surgery. Dr. Mcginty is very desciptive in what the positives and negatives are. Also, he is very caring. rnrnI have also been told by a number of people that he one of the top ten docs in NYC that do this surgery. rn

Dr. Vaimakis and her staff have been VERY helpful since Day 1. I just came in to see whether I would be a good candidate for WLS. Dr Vaimakis and her staff immediately make you feel at ease and welcome you as if they have know you for years. They all worked hard to get me approved and to the pre-op testing. She told me the risks that were involved and also the many benefits. I cannot wait to get my lapband tomorrow and I couldn't have picked a better surgeon and staff to help me through this whole process.

My first impression of her was that she genuinely cared about me, and really wanted to help me start a new life for myself through this WLS. My impression of her changed in a good way, I got closer to her, and felt that she wasn't just a surgeon but a friend. Her office staff was amazing, and still is! Christine Robinson is the woman who I spoke to, and she is a truly amazing woman. She makes you feel so comfortable, and she is another person that I look at more as a friend and a mentor. I did not have one thing that I disliked about my surgeon. Future patients should know that this surgeon and her staff will treat you with the most unbelievable care, and me being younger than most, I am 19, they almost felt like mothers. Aftercare is not optional, it is mandatory as far as Dr. Vaimakis is concerned. It is the only way you will have the sucess you want. The programs offered are very good, and there is always a support group. The risks of surgery were made very clear to me, as well as percentage rates and statistics. I can not place a number rating on Dr Vaimakis, I can only say that I had seen another surgeon besides her, and I wouldn't have wanted anyone else to perform this surgery other than her. Her surgical competence and her bedside manner are outstanding, when I woke up the next day from surgery, Dr. Vaimakis AND Mrs. Christine Robinson were both there to check up on me and congratulate me. The only downfall was the insurance company. Also, I think that some of the tests I took were a little unnecessary due to the fact that I am 19, but I can understand how someone older might have needed to be tested in those areas.

I had my Gastric Bypass on November 13, 2002. Gastric Bypass was the best thing I have ever done for myself. After loosing 200+ lbs, I feel like I have gotten my life back! My care was excellent! I can't say enough good about my decission to have weight loss surgery. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at [email protected], I would be happy to answer any questions you may have about my experience with Gastric Bypass.

When I met Dr. Ibrahim, I had a very good impression of him. He made me feel very comfortable and more relaxed. His surgery cooridnator is excellent. They seem very caring. They run the support group.rnrnThey have the best staff around. They have turned their program into a full service program. They keep you in the loop. If you are denied they try to work with you with exercise and nutrition. They have a structured aftercare program. Much more evolved then when I first had the surgery. rnrnWhat I like the best about them is that they really care and fight for you. You are not just another number to them. My impression of them only gets better with time.rnrnChristine Robinson was the best. Without her I would have never won my appeal for my revision. She knows her stuff. She fights the insurance companies etc.

When I first met Dr.Vaimakis, I though she was so young. Thought she was just a candy striper/aid. Not the doctor!rnBut I had a sense of well being with her, so I stuck with her. I feel that everything else will fall into place and I sense a caring nature in all the office and Dr. V.rnAs far as the office staff, I have only had contact with Christine Robinson, who has been just great in dealing with Aetna. She got me approved and I had very little hassel from them. So Far I have not experienced any negative issues as I have not had the surgery yet. rnFebruary 15, 2008rnWell, I have had the surgery and it's been over a yr. Ihave not really worked my band as I should. I have had some fills, but they are not enough. I will need to find a new dr here in Florida.rnAs far as Dr V. I have to say she was great and very compassionate. The negative side is that I was not informed that she was not in the network of dr's for my surgery(Aetna). They only paid $3000.00 of the surgery, so now I am stuck with an amount that I will be lucky to see paid off. I am very dissappointed in this. I should have been made aware she was out of network. Th at is my only negative statement.rn

Dr. Edward Pucci is a board-certified surgeon who is fellowship trained in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery from The George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Dr. Pucci completed his general surgery residency at The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey/Morristown Memorial Hospital where he served as a chief resident and received his medical degree from The University of Health Sciences in Kansas City.rnrn rnrnWhile at The George Washington University Medical Center he gained experience in several research trials including Laparoscopic Electrical Stimulation for Weight Loss and Diabetes. A publication of his in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons reviewed the alterations in gastrointestinal physiology after the Roux-En-Y gastric bypass. Other publications of his have appeared in Surgical Endoscopy, Annals of Vascular Surgery, and The Journal of Trauma. In addition, he has presented a surgical video presentation on Laparoscopic Adrenal Surgery for the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons.rnrnrnrnDr. Pucci specializes in the laparoscopic Roux-En-Y gastric bypass, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, laparoscopic surgery for reflux and other gastrointestinal diseases including the stomach, colon, and gallbladder. He also specializes in minimally invasive hernia and solid organ surgery.rnrnrnrnDr. Pucci has taken great pride in his surgical abilities and patient care. Nothing exemplifies this more than the awards he has received. These awards include the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons Resident Achievement Award in 2002. He also received the Hughes D. Dougan, M.D. Outstanding Surgical Resident Award when he was a chief resident. This award was selected by his peers in recognition of the surgical resident who exemplifies devotion to patient care, attention to detail and excellence of surgical technique.rnrnrnrnrnrnPublicationsrnrnrnrnA Pucci, E Pucci, F Brody, S Calhoun, A Abkin, N Bertha. Percutaneous Gastrojejunostomy For Malnutrition After Laparoscopic Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass. Awaiting acceptance, The Jounal of Laparoscopic and Percuatneous Techniques.rnrnrnrnC Sanchez, E Pucci, F Brody. Laparoscopic Total Gastrectomy for Menetrier’s Disease. Awaiting acceptance, The Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery.rnrnrnrnE Pucci, T Ponsky, H Zemon, F Brody. Laparoscopic Splenectomy for Delayed Splenic Rupture Following Embolization. Accepted for publication, The Journal of Trauma Injury Infection and Critical Care.rnrnrnrnT Ponsky, F Brody, E Pucci. Alterations in Gastrointesinal Physilogy after Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass. The Journal of the American College of Surgeons. 201(1):125-131, 2005 July.rnrnrnrnD Chattar-Cora, E Pucci, N Tulysan, EA Cudjoe, KV James, M rnrnResnikoff. Ultrasound Guided Thrombin Injection of Psuedoaneurysms: A Community Hospital Experience. Annals of Vascular Surgery. 16(3):294-6, 2002 May.rnrnrnrnAbstractsrnrnrnrnE Pucci, H Zemon, T Ponsky, F Brody. Laparoscopic Splenectomy for Delayed Splenic Rupture Following Embolization. Surgical Endoscopy. 19(3):S304, March 2005.rnrnrnrnA Pucci, A Abkin, N Bertha, S Calhoun, F Brody, E Pucci. Percutaneous Gastrojejunostomy After Laparoscopic Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass for Malnutrition. Surgical Endoscopy. 19(3):S292, March 2005.rnrnrnrnE Pucci, A Pucci, R Tutela, A Abkin, N Bertha, R Rollandelli. Closure of Incarcerated Umbilical Hernias Encountered During Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Surgery: How we do it. Sugical Endoscopy. 18(3):S203, March 2004.rnrnrnrnPresentationsrnrnrnrnE Pucci, F Brody. Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy for Large Ganglioneuroma. Video Presentation, The Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons Annual Symposium-Scientific Session, Fort Lauderdale, FL April 15, 2005.rnrnrnrnE Pucci, T Ponsky, H Zemon, F Brody. Laparoscopic Splenectomy for Delayed Splenic Rupture Following Embolization. Poster presentation. The Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons Annual Symposium, Fort Lauderdale, FL April 13-16, 2005.rnrnrnrnA Pucci, A Abkin, N Bertha, S Calhoun, F Brody, E Pucci. Percutaneous Gastrojejunostomy After Laparoscopic Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass for Malnutrition. Poster presentation. The Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons Annual Symposium, Fort Lauderdale, FL April 13-16, 2005.rnrnrnrnE Pucci. Laparoscopic Colon Surgery, Department of Surgery Grand Rounds Presentation, Morristown Memorial Hospital, May 5, 2004.rnrnrnrnE Pucci, A Pucci, R Tutela, A Abkin, N Bertha, R Rollandelli. Closure of Incarcerated Umbilical Hernias Encountered During Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Surgery: How we do it. Poster Presention. The Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons Annual Symposium, Denver CO, March 31-April 3, 2004.rnrnrnrnD Chattar-Cora, E Pucci, N Tulysan, EA Cudjoe, KV James, M rnrnResnikoff. Ultrasound Guided Thrombin Injection of Psuedoaneurysms: A Community Hospital Experience. Presented at the 29th Annual Symposium for The Society For Clinical Vascular Surgery; Boca Raton, FL April 4-7, 2001.rnrnrnrnrnrnFor appointments with Dr. Edward Pucci please call (845)-624-4425rnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnBack To Toprn445 Route 304, Bardonia, NY 10954 Phone (845) 624-4425 Fax (845) 624-4428rnrnrnrnrnAdvanced Laparoscopic Surgical Specialists rnrnAdvanced Laparoscopic Surgery, Bariatric Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery, General Surgeryrnrnrnrn445 Route 304, Bardonia, NY 10954 Phone (845)624-4425 Fax (845)624-4428 rnrnrnrnrn rn rn rnSupport Groups rnHome rnContact Us rnOur Program rnBariatric Surgery rnSeminars rnOffice Directions rn

my first impressions of dr pucci were that he is professional but cool at the same time and easy to talk to.his staff is a pleasure to work with and flexible .i do have to say that they take all pre-causions seriously and have a \"lets be safe rather than sorry\" motto which is a little pain in the butt when it comes to me wanting to be (fill-ed right up) but thank goodness for that,they are the experts.healthy weight loss is the only way they operate .the office staff followed up a few times sfter surgery and is always available for questions,big or small.rnoverall the surgery went great,no complications ,i was completly catered to by the\" Good Samaritan Hospital \"staff .all was comfortable and quick.i have referred my family and friends to him ,i trust him completly.

My first impression of Dr.Vaimakis was she was very thorough and understanding. My impression has not changed, the office staff was friendly and will go out of their way to be very helpful.I dont dislike anything about her at this point. She is easy to talk to and she will answer your questions over and over if need be. You will have a comfortable feeling when you meet her. Dr. Vaimakis believes aftercare is very important, like group meetings,calling her if need be,and keeping your physicians informed. She explained all the risk factors for this surgery as well as alternative weight loss surgeries.At this point of my experience I wouold give her a 8 out of 10 because i haven't had the surgery yet.I believe both are very improtant to a person before and after surgery. You diffently want the most qualified as well as someone you feel comfortable with answering all you questions and making you feel relaxed.

She really is so kind and totally understanding. I really can't explain how happy I am with Dr. Vaimakis and her team. They all take the time to get to know you and understand how hard this road can be for many of us. I really do feel blessed to have met Dr. Vaimakis and \"The Ladies.\"rnWith much love & deep appreciation,rnUGLY BETTY;)