Summa Health System Hospital

I met with Dr. Zografakis today, and my impression of him is that he seems very nice and was impressed with his "no nonsense" attitude. The staff was WONDERFUL as well and made me feel comfortable with them...in fact, everyone of the staff asked if I was okay when they met me because they could tell I was in pain.
The only downside... the cost of all the programs that aren't covered by my insurance... and I am worried about how I will ever be able to come up with all the money that is needed before my surgery.

Dr. Z is very energetic and straight forward. He is sincere in his caring about you as a person. His staff is top-notch and they all respect each other and their particular roles in the center. Dr. Z performed his first Lapband at Summa Health systems on March 12th, so he is watching his lap patients closely, which I like. He has no set schedule for appointments because he feels we need to play it by ear. My aftercare has been great. All patients gets pre-op surgery and nutrition classes and makes sure everyone understands what aftercare and meal progression will be. You even get a notebook to take home so you can always refer to it if you forget. Everything he said about the surgery pain and discomfort, has been true. Dr. Z and his staff prepared me well for the surgery. His practice is well organized and their bariactric program is great. So far I haven't had any unpleasant experiences. Really.

My first impression , he was a very caring, skilled and upbeat doctor. He knew his stuff. Very personable. My impression did not change but the level of care he provided reaffirmed his skill & ability. What a good guy!!!
The staff at his office is highly professional. They are very possitive and upbeat. They too know how to treat you. All of the staff are on the same page. Dr. Z doesn't let grass grow under his feet, he is always on the move. He definately picked the right profession for his personality.
I think he is a very attractive person and cares a great deal.
His office has a very structured program, including nutrition, exercise, counseling, and the best people to answer all your questions. You are under their care for the rest of you life if you want to be.
The risk are talked about over and over again , their is no doubt as to what the surgery will intell.
I would rate Dr. Z. as 100%, the best their is. In my opinion he can't be beat.
He excelles in bed side manner, caring about you as a person and most of all his skill.
He also is very thero, making sure of the finest detail. I would recommend him to anyone considering Laproscopic surgery or any Bariatric surgery.

I had a very good first impression of dr. Z , he is very serios about this surgery, it is impotant that you do well.
All of his staff is wonderful and very postive and supportive. I think future patients should know that Dr. Zografakis is a excellence and very skilled surgeon.

My first impressions of Dr. Z was when I first called the Advanced Bariatric Care and Weight Loss Management Program at Summa Akron City Hospital and instead of a receptionist I was talking to the Dr. himself. He was very pleasant and made me at ease just by his manner. When I went for my first visit to his office I was totally impressed my the office appearance and every person I met there. The office chairs were little couches instead of tight little chairs. Even the exam tables were oversized. No one looked passed me everyone looked me in the face and were totally real with me. When I had my time with the doctor he looked me in the eye when we talked. I can't trust a doctor who stares away from me because of my fat. He put me at ease and made me feel reassured that this time no one would leave me out on a limb like Dr. Jorok did. He made me feel at ease about the surgery by explaining every thing to me and assuring me that while all my medical problems can complicate things he was still willing to discuss surgery for my obesity problem. Even though my surgery has been put on the back burner because of gastritis, I am reassired that I have some one I can trust to do my surgery. Someone who respects me for who I am now and will be happy for me when I am again able to return to the profession I love. He explained in detail the entire surgery,Pre and post op and gave me information to read on it. It was he and not the nurse or the office personnel that discussed how the surgery was to be paid for and what insurance he took. He had professional office staff that went into more detail on certain matters but he was aware of every aspect of the process and made me feel comfortable about the process. On a scale of one to ten I rate him at,ten being the best, I rate him and his office staff at ten!

1. He is very pleaset...nice bedside manner 2.Only saw him twice..once at seminer and once at office...but seems nice and will answer any questions you might have..would recomend him thus far..3...the staff is very nice and informative...anxious to help where ever they can..4) have nothing to say in a negitive manner 5) havent had my sergury yet..but think that i picked the right sergon..lots of information..they do what they can to put you at ease..6)they see you after the first week ..first month...6 months..and a year...or anytime after ward..for as long as you wish..till you die if you want..7)they do have an extensive after care..you can see them when ever you want and call when ever you like..till you feel you no longer need them...8) he told us that a small very small percent like 1 to 2 percent die...but the odds of dieing from something related to the problems of obesidy or blood pressure or colostrol or someother thing is much higher..and that is true I have a very dear friend that is dieing right now because of complications with sugar and heart trouble..and she is 10 years older then me..and I dont want to be where she is now...shes only 64 and that is young in years today..she has lost both her big toes to surger and has had 13 antoplasties and triple bypass...I want to be healthy now so i can be free of these problems..before it is to late..9) like i said only met him twice...but from what I have seen I think he is a good choice..acts like he cares about the individual..for sergury and afterward... 10) I think both are important...you need someone who cares about your needs...and is very competent...and one that can convay them both to you as a patient and a person..and somepeople who look at fat people dont always give you the respect and thoughtful ness that is needed...your just a piece of meat...I dont think that is the case here..the staff and dr seem to be doing allthey can to make the sergury a success for you...as a person...for now and the lifetime to come..and to make you healthy..this dr..will not do the sergury just for weight loss..he is intersted in helpling you be healthy by helping to cure or inprove dibeties ..sleep apnea..high blood pressure and high clostrol and make you healthy..the weighloss is just a plus...but a good plus....and I hope it works for me..because i am sick of being sick and haveing no energy...I want to be healthy and feel like doing the things my grandkids need me to do...while i am still young enough to do it...

Actually Dr. Brian Jones is the surgeon but they are in the same office. They are both great. i'm a little partial to Dr. Jones though. They are very kind.
over time it just gets better, I can't say enough.
So far Bev was great she really worked hard to help fight the ins. The rest slow going but knowledgable.
After care is very important mandatoy support program.
only problem is it's costly About $1800.Not covered by ins.
YES, After care is carefully monitored.

BIG 10!!!!!
He is excellent all around.
Hopefully i have all the same things to say after the surgery.

He made me feel very comfortable. I like the fact that my primary doctor thought that he was a good surgeon. His staff is very professional and put you at ease. There is a lot of emphasis on aftercare, which is very important. Dr Zografakis does go over the risk. I have additional medical problems and he has addressed those also. I would rate him high. Sugical comptentce is important, but just as important to me was to feel comfortable and to have the feeling the doctor truly cared about my well being. I got that with Dr. Z.

Dr. Z is down to earth and has the greatest personality. I felt as though I had known him for years.

I have only had my consultation and awaiting insurance approval. My previous surgeon decided to stop doing WLS right after my first claim had been submitted. I was told I had no surgeon one day, and denied the insurance the next... talk about let down!

However, I researched surgeons through this site and found Dr. Z who's office was able to use most of my required evaluations to submit to insurance so that I didn't have to repeat them....insurance is still pending. He was very direct with me about possible complications but very supportive and FUN! I like that he does various preventive testing prior to surgery, which my other surgeon would never have done.

The staff is very structured and nice. I have a case manager I can contact any time and there is a seperate contact within the office that has helped me immensley with submittal to my insurance company.

There is a complete program for after care that even includes exercise and support.

So far, I am thankful my other surgeon decided not to do WLS ..... it led me to Dr.Z and his staff. Even though it will be more expensive - out of pocket - I feel it will be more thorough and I am comfortable that he has the perfect bedside manner for what I need to succeed. With everything I know at this point, I believe him to be surgically competent ..... since both bedside manner and compentency are both extremely and equally important.

At the very least, I can say that I am pleased with my choice in surgeons.

Great first impression. After meeting with a few surgeons, he is the first to make me laugh and feel comfortable. Even though I have to travel to him - it is worth the trip.

Since my surgery, Dr Z has been amazing. Listening to my concerns, calling me at home the first couple days and taking my call.

He reminds me of my personal family physican.