Ioannis Raftopoulos Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

After attending various weightloss seminars in the Hartford area I chose to have my surgery with Dr. Raftopoulos. I found him to be knowledgeable, informative and very straightforward during the initial seminar and subsequent appointments. rnrnFrom my first appointment I knew that I had made the right choice. He spent time going over the pros and cons of both the lap band and gastric bypass surgeries and made sure I knew what was best for me and that I had a good understanding of the procedure. His research and database of results showed a commitment to his science. I had gastric bypass surgery and a repair to an umbilical hernia in Feb 2008. Surgery was a success and his follow up at the hospital and at home was excellent. I have not had a single complication. I loved the fact that I was giving a pager to reach him directly and when I used it he was very prompt in returning my calls. He also called me several times just to make sure I was doing well. He stresses the importance of aftercare and will follow my progress for the rest of my life. Not all surgeons have as thorough of an aftercare plan.rnrnEveryone at the office is wonderful and dedicated to the patients. Andrea and Judy are knowledgeable and responsive. They go out of their way to make sure that I have everything I need for a successful journey and in addition run an excellent support group. rnrnWith the support and follow up from everyone in Dr. R’s practice I will reach my goal and live an obesity free life. I am glad I chose Dr. Raftopoulos and would highly recommend him and his staff to anyone who is contemplating surgery.rnrn

My first impression of him was that he was very knowledgable and knew what he was doing. To some he may seem a bit brisk, but I would take professional competence over a smiling all the time incompeptant doc any day. That is however, not to say that he doesn't care, because he does. He made sure that I was taken care of with every aspect and when one of my nurses wasn't as compassionate, he lit into all of them in regards to my pain medication. I hadn't even got home yet and he was already calling to check on me. He gives you his personal pager so you don't have to go through a service to get him. His office team are very efficiennt and as long as you are straight forward and work with them, they will work with you. I never had any problems with them at all, a lovely group. Future patients should know that he is serious because this procedure is serious and if you follow all of the rules youu won't have any problems. Dr. Raftoppoulos doesn't hide the risks that you can face if you don't follow the rules and I am grateful for that as I made an informed choice and because I listened to him, I had my surgery on the 15th of December and was home the evening of the 16th. If I had to choose surgical competence or bedside manner, I would choose the fomer but for me there wasn't a need for a choice. Overall I would rate him a 10/10 because he has the surgical competence, and a caring bedside manner and if you can have both then you are in great hands. I could not have asked for more.

Well today is Nov. 6, 2008. I saw the doctor for the first time today one on one. I was a little bit nervous about meeting him. When I walked in the door I was dead set on having the lap band. Well needless to say after meeting with him for any hour and half I changed my mind to the full by-pass that I was so afraid of. Dr. Raft is a straight forward kind of guy. I like that about him. He gave me all the pro's and con's of both surgeries and answered more questions on top of that. I feel very comfortable with him and am on my way thru the process. Hopefully by January I will have the surgery.

3/18/09
Had my first meeting with Dr. Raftopoulos today. Several members on the board suggested I schedule an appointment with him after being so disappointed with a previous surgeon in New Haven.

I couldn't of been more pleased with my experience with Dr. R. He was proffessional, educated and truely invested in his patients and the life long commitment to WLS.

I am looking forward to our ongoing relationship as I continue towards my RNY.

PRE-OPrnI haven't met Dr. Barba yet, but I did meet and speak to his partner, Dr. Lorenzo. He was very nice, answered all of my questions and was very knowledgeble. I'm not sure who will be doing my surgery, but I feel confident going with either Doctor. :-)rnWhen I met the Dr., it was during an informatin session. The information session consisted of a presentation on WLS and also specifically the Doctors and the hospital (St. Francis). There was also a question/answer period.rnrnDr. Lorenzo talked quite a bit about what could go wrong and also why things go wrong. He should us the nations %'s and then theirs. I like my odds. I figure, as long as I follow what they tell me to the letter,I should have no problems.rnrnAftercare is big issue to both these Doctors. A lot was said about needing the aftercare even if you think that you don't. I was really impressed. rnrnI think that their office staff is the best available. 1 of the office staff had this surgery about 15 months ago and is very forthcoming with information and will answer any question posed! rnrnSo far, as a pre-op, I don't have anything bad to say about Dr's Barba & Lorenzo.rnrn8/28/02 -- I met with Dr. Lorenzo just a little while ago. I came to him with a list of 74 questions and he answered all of them and took all the time in the world with me. He was really sweet and I am so glad that he will be the one operating on me! The only thing that I wished he could of helped me with (but couldn't because it was my choice) was the decision to have it either open or lap. I have decided on open.rnrn1/14/03...I can't tell you how amazing my Dr.s are. I had just recently been rushed to the ER for blinding pain. They got me into the office within that week and checked me out to make sure that everything was A-OK. They are such gentle and caring folks. I'm so very pleased with my choice.rnrn8/28/08...I have since changed Doctors because I was getting horrible aftercare which actually required fixing from Dr. R...Dr. R is not warm and fuzzy but he is an amazing doctor and is doing everything he can to make me feel better and more healthy.

I recently switched to Dr. Raftopouls in May. I had some complications since March 2008 (not all due to WLS) where it was in my best interests to switch WLSurgeons.rnrnDr. Raftopoulous is thorough, very direct, and informative. I had thought I knew alot about my RNY until he educated me more so.rnrnHe is not a \"warm & fuzzy type of Dr.\" He is very witty and approachable however if you're looking for a more \"personal\" relationship than he may not fit what you're looking for.rnrnI wish I had met him or knew about him 3 years ago... He would have been my choice in a surgeon & after care. rnrnHe has restructured my eating of proteins & carbs (mostly due to my current internal system's state) I feel so much better & I know it's due to Dr. Raft knowing the RNY surgery and it's functions so well. rnrnI trust him with my health & on going med care.rnrnHi staff is friendly, encouraging, and respectful. Professional in their approach & interactions with you. It's refreshing.rnrnHe does have support group meetings, however I have not attended to date.. I do plan on going in the near future.on the situation. rnrn

I waited three years and finally my day came when I met Dr Raftopoulos at his information session, after my visits and surgery date (5/6/08) I can say he is very kind, listens to you and makes you feel comfortable, he is polite, honest and very serious with his work. What a like about him, he keeps track of his patients and he sees you every time you follow- up with the office. After my surgery he called me several times, making sure everything was all right, he gives his patients his beeper number incase of any problems and yes he even called me on Sunday mothers day just to check!rnHis office staff is very professional, very nice, thank you Andrea, Judy and Liz!rnThey also have a great support group.rn

I can not possibly say enough good things about Dr. Raftopoulos. He has given me a second chance to have an obesity-free life! That is an invaluable gift!rnrnHis staff is very caring and considerate. I've always felt that I was important to them as a patient. The entire office, Dr. included, is very focused on aftercare, and making your surgery a success.rnrnI went into Dr. R's office depressed because of my first \"failed\" surgery and not convinced I would be able to get coverage for a revision. He explained that it may be difficult to get coverage, but that we would try, and it was a success!rnrnNot only is Dr. Raftopoulos a brilliant doctor and surgeon, his bedside manner is almost unheard of. When I was in the hospital post-op, he either visited me or contacted me 3x a day to check on me. When I was released, he called me every day at home to see how I was doing.rnrnI had to page him on 2 different occasions post-op and he called back within minutes. One time was at 2am and I was unfortunately experiencing a complication. He called the hospital ahead for me and they took me right in. I ended up being admitted and had a 4 day stay, and again I got excellent treatment. He is very genuine with his care and concern. Following discharge, he is still continuing to follow up with me at home.rnrnI am so blessed to have met him and to be treated by him.

Dr. Raft made me so comfortable immediately, I can't wait to have his support post-op. The rest of his staff is great also. Andrea called today to check up on me and my progress. It was good to hear from them.

I love Dr. Raft. He is wonderful. He requires extensive preop testing, which some people may complain about...I was more comfortable with that. I wanted to know that, going into surgery, I had eliminated as many risks as possible. He always answered my questions and explained things thoroughly. His bedside manner is great. After having my surgery, while in the hospital, he stopped by my room a few times a day. When I was released from the hospital, he kept in constant contact with me...I truly appreciated this...when I wasn't feeling good and didn't want to \"bother him\", he was calling me anyway asking me how I was doing. Also, he gives his patients his direct pager # so there is no middleman with an answering service. I can't tell you how many times he told me to call his pager if I needed him and that I was not bothering him. I am so glad he relocated to CT. His nurse, Andrea is wonderful also - very kind, easy to talk to and responds quickly when you call her.