Lester Cooperstone Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

My first impression of Dr Cooperstone, honestly was that he was attractive, warm eyes, beautiful skin an endearing smile. But he seemed a little rigid and too serious. However that impression of him quickly changed, when my obvious urgency for the surgery jokingly prompted him to offer to clear off the top of his desk and do it right then and there. rnrnI further found him to be very knowledgeable, informative and extremely patient. He can accommodate the personalities of his patients in such a way that he can be as straightforward and serious or as lighthearted as you'd like, basically you set the tempo. I went with lighthearted. rnrnI once would have said surgical competence meant more then bedside manner however with Doc I actually got the best of both, I had a post-op issue and he was there everyday and he made great effort to support and comfort me. During the post-op office visits he is just as supportive and encouraging, I've never felt rushed or hurried, EVER. rnrnIf there was anything I liked lease about him I would say it is that he puts his medical expertise before your immediate comfort so he will make you tough it out before he would put you at unnecessary risk even if it would make you \"feel\" better faster. And remember he's a surgeon so there are mental and emotional issues associated with post-op, he is not the one for this, but he has support groups and provides support information. rnrnAs for his personal staff, I found them to be friendly, courteous helpful and attentive as was the hospital staff at Syosset North Shore LIJ.

My first impression of Dr. Cooperstone is that he was blunt. But I soon realized his bluntness is to wean out the \"not so serious\", and get to business with the serious patients. The first thing he did after the intro's is take a small plastic cup slam it on the table and say \"This is how small your stomach with be...\" (BUT I WASN'T SCARED! HA! HA!) Dr. Cooperstone saw that I meant business and his whole attitude changed to very warm and friendly... he's even funny too! <P>rnDr. Cooperstone made me very comfortable. It is very important to have a doctor with a good bedside manner. He was very impressed with the months of backround study I put into this before meeting him, and he made sure that he told me that!<P>rnAfter meeting with 3 doctors total, Dr. Cooperstone is the Doc for me! My friend, Margaret, recommended him to me... She was very happy with his bedside manner and his staff... FERN is the best lady of the office! She does it all! <P>rnDr. Cooperstone stresses important change of life habbits... eating, excersize, WALKING, and vitamins every day for the rest of my life! NO DRINKING WITH YOUR MEALS!!! If you can't commit to these few things, it is not the surgery for you!

My first impression was that he was the one. He answered all of my questions right to the point . His staff is the best Fern & Noreen have been helpful with all my needs. rnrnDr. Cooperstone has and continues to adress all of my needs. rnrnHe is the best !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!rnrnLINDA VIVES rnFLUSHING, NY

I met with a total of 3 surgeons before deciding which to use. Each one had his own positives and negatives. However, after attending Dr. Cooperstone's support group, I knew he was the doctor for me. He is very knowledgable, compassionate and understanding. He thoroughly explains everything and is always available to answer any question. Fern, the office manager, is wonderful and supportive as well. Of the doctor's that I met, Dr Cooperstone was the least rigid. Meaning that there are not a set group of doctors that everyone must see for evaluation, he decides which dr's you need based on your medical status. Afterwards, he does not have a \"strict\" program, which to me is a plus, because I need to learn how to live MY life with my new \"plumbing\". His bedside manner is wonderful and he really listens to what you have to say; but sometimes as a patient you need to be emphatic about cerain situations, but I guess that is true of any dr. Overall, I would give Dr Cooperstone a 10 and have no problem recommending him to other people.

Dr. Cooperstone is great and I love his staff. They are so helpful. From my first visit I have felt the support that is needed for this surgery.

Dr. Cooperstone was an amazing surgeon; I have been very fortunate to find caring doctors throughout this entire process. rnDr. C's staff was also top notch.rnDr. C is a big advocate of walking, he really pushes it! make sure you DO IT!rnDr. C gave me all the info I needed to make a very informed decision.rnI couldn't rate Dr. C as he would be OFF THE CHARTS....LOVED HIM AND HIS STAFF ;-)rnI firmly believe both a good bedside manner and surgical competence are essential to a great doctor and my doctor Dr. Cooperstone is a GREAT DOCTOR!!! thank you for this opportunity to share my thoughts!

I was very hesitant to do the surgury. I have been contemplating surgury for over a year now.Ive seen many others who have had surgury done and not doing so well.Either they gained alot of weight back or were just not well,physcially. (They did not have Dr.Cooperstone as their doctor.) Then my sister had surgury,with Dr. cooperstone this past March. She was very satisfied with Dr. Cooperstone. Her surgury was a success and she is following everything her doctor told her to do. She has lost 75ish lbs and is looking great and most of all feeling great. That is the main reason why I decided to go with the surgury only if Dr. Cooperstone was my surgeon. I met with him for our first visit,and I was very glad I made the decision to have him as my doctor too.He was very pleasant. All my young adult life I was overweight and to sit there and talk about my weight and using the word obesity was not something I would ever appreciate talking about in the past. At first it was uncomfortable to say the word Obese but the dr. made me feel very comfortable. Knowing that I am having surgury done for my Obesity, I know I will be more healthy and doing the right thing for myself. My life will be so much more productive with the surgury. I plan on having gastric bypass surgury. Dr.Cooperstone office staff was very pleasant the day I was there and also anytime I called to ask question or let them know how things were going with the dr.'s I had to see they were always very helpful. When the dr and I spoke he was very strong about the aftercare, the diet, what not to have and what is good to have.Also that exersize is so important for success of the weight loss. He did metion the risks of surgury. I would rate Dr.Cooperstone way past 10. 10 being the best and I havent even had surgury yet. When surgury is done I will definately write and let you know how things are going and what I thought of the doc after surgury.I am hoping that my good thoughts as far as the dr. goes is still the same or a higher rating.So far there is nothing I can say that is negative. I've had nothing but positive outlooks so far,thank goodness.

My first impression of Dr Cooperstone remains the same as my second. He is a very informative, patient, caring, Docter. In all my years I have never felt the time that was given by him. In my first consult he spent over an hour with me, never felt rushed, he told me all the downsides as well as the upsides of this surgery. He has a great bedside manner.As a matter of fact I had an appt. with another well known bariatric surgeon which I cancelled because I didn't want the feeling of being in a factory. Dr Cooperstone stresses the importance of aftercare and has his own groups in the Hospital . As well as activities during the year to keep patients involved. Even though I haven't had the surgery yet, I feel totally confident in him and would rate him as a 10 PLUS.rnrnBTW he has an office staff also who is just as incredible Fern and Nor are always there for you!!

My first impession of Dr. C was a kind and compassionate man who understood the whole meaing of being morbidly obese.rnrnMy impression of him has stayed the same throughout time.rnrnHis office staff is phenomenal and helpful.rnrnThere is nothing that I don't like about him.rnrnOne of his biggest stressors after surgery is WALK, WALK, WALK!!!!rnrnHe emphasizes aftercare a great deal and will tell you your new pouch is a tool and use it as such.rnrnHe does have a structured aftercare program.rnrnHe was very straight forward with the risks of surgery and emphasizing that this is a life long committment.rnrnI would rate him as a very competant and caring doctor one that I trust with my life.rnrnBoth his surgical competence and his bedside manner are great.rn

He is very nice & has a good sense of humor. He knows exactly what he is doing & from what i have seen remains interested & concerned in his patients health & life for years to come after surgery. His sense of humor is a little dry ( dead pan) though so you have to get used to it & dont be overly sensitive .