Rochester General Hospital Hospital

I went to Dr Dibenedetto due to his outstanding reputation as a surgeon for many years in this community. In Western NY he is considered by many to be among the surgical elite. He has been peforming this surgery since 2004. I met him at the information meeting he held. He was informative, concise and to the point. All of the risks and hardships of this surgery, including the risk of death, were clearly explained to me. I find him to be quite compassionate to those who suffer from obesity. His office staff has always been professional and courteous. No complaints here. Dr D. is a nice guy BUT... he is also a very tough and stern taskmaster. He is a very no-nonsense kind of guy.
He makes it clear from the beginning, you WILL do what he says or you will find another surgeon. You WILL attend a minimum of 3 support group meetings before surgery is even scheduled.
You WILL lose a minimum of 20 pounds before surgery. (He required 50 pounds from me, I lost 81 pounds presurgically). You WILL be on a Slim-Fast diet during the 2 weeks immediately prior to surgery to shrink the liver, thus minimizing the dangers & risks and making his work that much easier. His no nonsense attitude should NOT be mistaken as curt or mean. This is a very serious and dangerous procedure. There is a TERMINAL RISK on that operating table. Part of the reason Dr. D has never lost a bariatric patient is because he is so serious about his work and the ONLY patients that make it to his operating table are patients who take this procedure JUST AS SERIOUSLY AS HE DOES ! The weight loss shows your dedication to this process, and I know I would have had a far harder surgical and post surgical experience had I not lost all of that weight prior to my surgery. He has cancelled several surgery dates and said goodbye to several patients who did not comply with his rules. Every rule is designed for the wellbeing of the patient. He is a straight shooter, he plays no games, but if you do your part he will do his. Followup is excellent. I had a minor bacterial infection when my tube was removed two weeks after surgery. He was right on top of that situation. He even spoke with me on New Years Eve at 11:30 PM on the phone.
He really & truly means it when he says "I am ALWAYS available when you need me." Aftercare program is good and he has an excellent support group in place. Overall I would recommend Dr. Dibenedetto to anyone seeking this surgery. His surgical competence and credentials are unquestionable. As for his bedside manner, I consider Dr. D to be the Sgt. Joe Friday of surgeons - "Just the facts maam" If there are legitimate concerns or questions he takes as much time as you need to discuss them with you. But he will not waste a lot of time with idle chitchat as he has a lot of patients to see and is a very busy man. This is not "curt". Out of absolute neccesity, Dr. D. very simply delegates his time wisely. On a personal level he strikes me as a nice guy, with a bit of a dry humored, tongue in cheek wit that I appreciate. My overall experience with this surgeon has been excellent.

He seemed passionate about his work and the reasons why he does this surgery. He realizes obesity is a disease and very difficulty to over come on your own.
I liked his staff they seemed nice and knowledgable. I feel his after care program is strict and I like that... as he follows you through out. I love him and he has a great rapport with his patients!

Update: I am 16 months post-op, and just want to let everyone who is considering Dr. DB to know that his journey with you will not end after surgery. I have had some minor issues typical from the surgery, and he and his office staff have been wonderful and very accomodating to me. Dr. D takes a lot of pride in his work, and has been so supportive of all his patients. Even the smallest concern is addressed immediately and personally. I would highly recommend him for this surgery, and have sent others to him.

I have known Dr. DiBenedetto for 10 years. He has cared for both myself and my parents.
Before I even knew that he was starting a Bariatric Program, I began to look into WLS at one of the _____Centers. I was very excited when I found out from one of my patients (I am a nurse) that Dr. DiBenedetto was going to be doing the surgery. This meant that I could go to a Doctor whom I know and trust and who knows me. I have the added bonus of knowing him from both sides of the bedrail. I work at a hospital that he serves as well as I have had surgery by him. I have seen him at work and he has my complete respect and trust. Yes, as others have mentioned, he can be curt sometimes, but that is because he cares about his patients and wants the best outcome for them. He doesn't sugar coat anything and why would you want him to, this is serious stuff....He tells you everything that could go wrong including, you could die. He is a competent surgeon and a nice person in my opinion.

He does have an aftercare program, but since I am preop, I have not been to it yet.
I have heard good things though.

His office staff is WONDERFUL. My situation has been anything but troublefree when it comes to getting insurance approval. They have worked with me thru one denial after an appeal and are working with me now with a new insurance company.

my first impression was wonderful. he is very caring about you as a person and your goals.

his office staff is very nice and helpful.

they are very concerned about after care. they stess the issue of the care you are going to get after the procedure.

they do have a structured aftercare program.

they went over all the risks about the surgery. you have to go to the pre-surgery class.

I would rate him a 9. (only because i have only seen him twice)

both great.

This hospital was top-notch. Everything from Dr. Pennino and his surgical team, all of the nurses and techs, the accomodations & care - it was absolutely awesome from start to finish. I felt totally confident in the hospital, staff, facilities and especially my surgeon Dr. Pennino.

Article written in our local paper.
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041210/NEWS01/412100375/-1/ARCHIVE4

Went to the informational meeting with Dr DiBenedetto on April 29th, 2004. My first impression of him after the meeting was a good one. Dr DiBenedetto is a very knowledgable guy towards obesity and cares about the well being of his patients and is very empathetic with us. Hes new to the Bariatric surgery but wants the best Bariatric program around, so is working towards his best. He did state that before he will even opertate on you he wants you to lose 20 to 30lbs. After the consult and if you are a good candiate you have to meet with a nutritionist and a psychiatrist. At the information meeting he stated he had done 10 of the surgeries and all went well. I called on April 30th and made an appointment to consult with Dr DiBenedetto. I had my Consult and met with a nutritionist and psychiatrist then the letter was sent to the insurance company and I was approved in less than 2 weeks and then I made a date for 10/04/04. Dr. D does let you know every office visit of the risks so that your aware. His office staff has been very pleasent with me. I have no complaints about Dr DiBenedetto. He was in to see me every day after the surgery anywhere form 1-3 times a day, plus his assistants would also stop in to see me. If the nurses had any questions at the hospital they could always get ahold of him. I have no complaints with Dr. DiBenedetto and personally feel that I could not have asked for a better Doctor. He has a very structured before and after program. Thanks Dr. DiBenedetto!!!!!!!

First question he asked was are you sure you want to do this.I said yes ,he said ok lets get started.
I feel he is really concerned for you . He is always caring in how he talks to you and your concerns. his office staff has been great to me. He is stern he lets you know the risks . He doesn't sugar coat things. He wants all Patients to loose 20 to 30 Pounds.He has an after care program.The risks are told every visit so you are well aware. He tells you if you have any reservations about having the surgery don't have it it is a life change.He also tells his office staff to be on the watch for Patients questioning if they should go Through with it.I rate him as good my surgery is dec 13 I will let you know more then .I want surgical competence and bedside manner. I don't believe he will be real great on the bedside manner time will tell. These are my views.GLORIA

I am a medical transcriptionist and have worked in the area hospitals for years. I have actually done Dr. DiBenedetto's dictation many times in the past and have encountered in him the halls, etc at the hospitals. My first one-on-one/in person was at the informational meeting on September 23, 2004 and I found him to be incredibly knowledgable and passionate about WLS. As I have read in posts by others, Dr. DiBenedetto doesn't play mind games or beat around the bush. He is very open, up front and blatently honest about all he says. He WILL tell you how it is - which I think is the best way to be. No one wants to hear half-truths or hear information that is sugar-coated to make you feel better in this process! I met his office staff on November 4, 2004 and was delighted and pleased with them as well. I had also met Theresa, Dr. DiBenedetto's wife (who heads up the support team) during the informational seminar and saw her again at my first office visit. Dr. DiBenedetto is commited to before-care, after-care and followup care at least one year following surgery. He wants to structure the very best WLS program possible. He adds that Lockport Memorial Hospital has a special Bariatric Wing - A special Bariatric Team caring ONLY for WLS patients as well as large-sized beds, gowns and chairs for the comfort and ease of his patients. Again, Dr. DiBenedetto is very honest about the risks, possible complications and the need for strict dedication on the patient's part before, during and after this procedure - or he won't do it - plain and simple! He requires his patients to lose between 20 and 30 pounds prior to surgery. Dr. DiBenedetto's exact words on this subject to me were " You owe me 30 pounds - you take it off and I will keep it off....I am going to make that scale your friend." I rate Dr. DiBenedetto a 10 at this point.....I don't expect my feelings to change during this process. I have been to my sleep study and C-PAP titration already (Yes, I tested positive for sleep apnea! ARGGGH!) I have also seen my PCP, Dr. David Bell, and gotten a letter from him. I am scheduled to see Dr. Mark Varallo for my psychiatric consult on 12/14/04, Dawn Copperthite, the Nutritionist on 12/15/04 and then back to Dr. DiBenedetto on 12/16/04 - Gonna be a busy week! I am told that as soon as each has provided their letter of necessity to Dr. DiBenedetto, they will be sent to BCBS/Traditional Blue for approval (which he says takes between 5 days to 6 weeks - but usually before 2 weeks!!) Once this happens.....I get a date!!!! Very excited!!