Vincent Vanek Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

I choose Dr. Vanek from my insurance list.rnMy first appointment is Oct 22, 2008rnI called for an appointment and had to wait for a return call. Molly called me back the same day. I wasn't home but returned her call after hours. She got back with me in the morning hours. She is good at returning voicemails.

Dr. Vanek impressed me as a no-nonsense kind of doctor. He is more experienced at gastric bypass than lap band but explained he has assisted his partner on several and he will have a surgeon who has done hundreds of lapbands proctoring him until he is more experienced. I liked that he didn't make me feel rushed during the consult and didn't have an air of superiority. He did get a little stern with DH because he didn't watch the info video about RNY. He said \"you need to support her, she can't do this by herself.\" But all was ok when I said he does, he just has a weak stomach! I also liked his description of how he will do fills. He will put enough in that I can't get water to go down, then remove enough to allow it to go through. So that seems like it takes the guesswork out of proper restriction.rnrnHis office staff were friendly and efficient. I had called a few times with some concerns pre-consult and they never seemed annoyed.rnrnThe center has a very structured aftercare program. Dr. Vanek placed heavy emphasis on the requirement of aftercare, especially for lapband patients. He feels if you can't commit to that part you shouldn't have lapband because you won't have successful weightloss results.rnrnHe did ensure we thoroughly understood all the risks, from possible problems from the scope to band slippage and erosion.rnrnSo far, I give him a high rating. Some people may be put off because he doesn't seem to be a real laugh and joke kind of guy, but he instilled a lot of confidence in me.rn

Dr Vanek is very professional and to the point. He tells it like it is and he is an excellent surgeon. His nurse & dietitian are GREAT and have awesome personalities.
This surgery WILL NOT WORK without support groups & supportive friends and family. Not to mention as change in attitiute regarding food habits and excercise.

I was very impressed with Dr. Vanek and his staff from St.Elizabeth and St.Joseph Surgical Weight Loss Center in Youngstown,Oh. Dr.Vanek was very knowledgeable,thorough and easy to talk with. The information I recieved from him and the dietician was informative and no questions went unanswered. From talking to Dr. Vanek and others from around ohio it sounds like he has one of the best aftercare programs around. I love the support groups they are awesome. They have 3 meetings a month at different location and one is a morning group.I think this is one of the best programs around. Dr. Vanek and his program has earned a 10 in my book. At this time I have nothing negative to say about this program.

<b>MY IMPRESSION OF HIM, WAS VERY CONFIDENT, AND COMFOTABLE, I THOUGHT HE WAS VERY "DOWN TO EARTH". THE OFFICE STAFF WAS WONDERFUL, SO FRIENDLY, AND THEY MADE YOU FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE. I LIKED THE FACT DR. VANEK TOLD YOU EVERYTHING ABOUT THE SURGERY, THE RISKS, AND THE BENEFITS. HE WAS WONDERFUL. DR. VANEK REALLY EMPHASIZES AFTERCARE, IT'S JUST AS IMPORTANT (IF NOT MORE) THEN PRE-OP. I THINK THE AFTER CARE PROGRAM IS GREAT, I KNOW YOU MEET WITH THE DIETICIAN, AND SO ON... THAT HELPS A LOT. I WOULD GIVE DR. VANEK A 10 OUT OF 10! I FELT VERY INFORMED, AND VERY SAFE, SO TO SPEAK. I HAVE A REALLY GOOD FEELING THAT I WILL HAVE A GOOD EXPERIENCE.

Very thorough in the pre-op and approval process. Nice staff, and very helpful and informative. Always availiable to answer questions of any kind, and have a very structured program for before and aftercare.

Dr. Vanek is a great surgeon. I loved him. He is a very caring man. He attends every support group meeting. The group meets once a month. I work in a hospital. I have alot of friends that are doctors. They highly recommended him. He is a very respected and competent surgeon.

The office staff is great. I can not say enough about them.

The dietician is wonderful. She is very knowledgeable and caring. She spends alot of time with you.

The aftercare program is great. I feel guilty calling all the time to ask quesions but they don't seem to mind.

He was very friendly, and professional.
I was considering not having the surgery, until I met him. He calmed all my fears. His office staff were also very friendly. They made me feel at ease. Dr.Vanek is to the point.He wants you to follow up with him for at least 18 months. After surgery you continue to see the diettion,nurse,and bariatric councilor. He was very open about risks and complications, and what he is doing to prevent complications. As of right now I would reccomend him to anyone.

When I first met Dr. Vanek he was very professional and detail oriented. There was no question unanswered and no possible outcome of the surgery unexplored. His group has put together a very good program of education, support and nutritional guidance, before, during hospilization and after surgery. There is a support group meeting of patients offered monthly.

My second meeting with Dr. Vanek was more relaxed but just as professional and complete.
I really have had more interaction with his staff and find them all excellent, caring and responsive to my needs.
I guess the only negative thing I can say about the group is that they are ridgid in some requirements which causes some difficulty for me personally. Their reasoning makes sense but I do not feel that it applies to me. But that's just a little thing, nothing to get uptight about.

My surgeon is extremely thorough. If you have a crooked toe nail, it will be listed in the his immensely detailed history and physical. He is kind and prides himself making a difference in the lives of WLS pts.
He is surgical skills are top notch. My incision is a work of art.