Benotti Bariatrics Bariatric Center

Dr. Benotti is definitely very competent and knowledgeable in the field of bariatric surgery. I chose him even though he no longer participates with my ins. (Aetna USHC) because i felt very comfortable with him and his competency in this surgery. He has been performing the surgery for quite a while as compared to other surgeons. Whenever I heard anything about the surgery his name always seemed to be associated with it. He can be very dry and not overlt friendly though, although he does provide alot of incentive for having the surgery and is very supportive. he doesn't go out of his way to provide you with info though, so you should do your homework and ask him questions (which he will gladly answer). He has done over 1200 of the surgeries at this point and his patients seem to have few complications as compared to other surgeons. Barbara in his office is very helpful as far as getting everything submitted to the ins and whatever papers you may need she takes care of right away. Dr. B. urgeres you to follow the post-op stages that he sets forth and to visit with a nutrtionist before and afer surgery. He does have a structured aftercare program (Stages 1-5) as far as your eating goes. What he may lack in bedside manner, he definitely makes up for in surgical competency. He does come to vist you in the hospital daily post-surgery to check on your status and let you know how you're doing. I do highly recommend Dr. B.

I met Dr. Benotti at his bimonthly meeting during a great snow storm in NJ. At the time he just seemed like a sincere man.
When I met him in the office and had his undivided attention he came across as very nice. I told him I talked to other of his patients and how much they like him and trusted him and that I wanted that for myself. I heard he answered phone calls for problems and then checked up on you. I wanted a competent surgeon who would meet my needs and keep me alive.

My impression of him is the same. His patients that I write to all love him.
The staff was friendly and not intimidating. They smiled and said sit down and fill this out. Where have you heard that before.
There was nothing about Dr. Benotti that I didn't like. Things that I did like is that he has a nice smile and doesn't answer the phone while he was talking to me.
I think I will be able to tell people more about him after I have the surgery and will update this at that time.
Dr. Benotti does have a program after surgery. They meet twice a month on Mondays.
The risks of surgery were explained even though I had done a lot of research before I came to see him. I am very aware of the risks and I am definitely afraid.
For now I rate him a comfortable eight. We will see as time goes by.
I myself am looking first for surgical and medical competence and bedside matter last. I just want to live.

November 9, 2001

It is time I update this report. He is great, he is safe. I am alive. I have had not real problem other then the incision not going back together right a way because of my fat. He visited me in the hospital twice a day. I can eat about anything in moderation. I have lost 90 lbs as of today. I really feel he is SAFE. I had an open bypass. I was under anethesia for 1 hr. 30 min. A friend of mine who had the laporscopy was under for five hours. I really feel blessed. He is just the greatest and my life is back. I can walk and SHOP. I look much better and that makes me feel better. He is great and so is this surgery.
I did not write a glowing report about his staff but it was a mistake. The person I talked to on the phone was not one of his regular staff. His staff is great. The woman who runs the office has the greatest voice that always has a smile and the woman who handles the insurance can't do enough for you. I thank them for all their kindnesses and help. They always made me feel at home.

Dr. Benotti is very serious in what he does. At first, I didn't know if he was actually "too serious" for me. But then, when I saw how he takes a personal interest in each of his patients and believes in how surgery can give that long lost tool, I knew Dr. Benotti was the right surgeon for me.

Dr. Benotti's staff are sweet, supportive and very helpful women (Barbara, Theresa and Barbara (billing). They will do whatever is needed from insurance approval to then, throughout post-op care.

Dr. Benotti is very direct, to the point and from the moment I met him, I believed in him. He visits his patients twice a day (am & pm), making sure all is well. His first priority is the well being of his patients. Anyone who chooses Dr. Benotti for their surgery will be very pleased.

Dr. Benotti's aftercare is phenomenal. Follow-up is scheduled with him, nutritional counseling is required and support group meetings (twice per month) is recommended and encouraged.

Dr. Benotti has very thorough statistics of complications and fatalities. He reviews them at his pre-op orientation meetings, which is required prior to patients meeting with him.

I rate Dr. Peter Benotti a "10"!!!!! I consider him "my hero"!!

Dr. Benotti's surgical competence saved my life and his bedside manner was direct, yet sincere. I consider these both great. Some might get offended by how direct, to the point and serious approaches he takes, but I think it is meant for the patient's best interest.

I sent email to Dr. Greenbaum and was amazed by the prompt personal response.

Update: January 6, 2001

I had my initial consult with Dr. Greenbaum November 29th, 2000. I had also contacted/communicated with or seen more than 5 other doctors at that time. I went to support group meetings both at rancocas hospital and the support group at RWJ Hospital. I scheduled appointments with the other doctors Dr. Greenbaum requested and am currently waiting for insurance approval. Dr. Greenbaum's group is much more fun than the other, and of all the doctors I considered he is the most available to his patients. I have never seen Dr. Greenbaum without a smile and he took ample time to address my questions and concerns - not all other doctors did so. My only concern that I don't think can truly be addressed is the hospital where my surgery would take place. I had never been to Rancocas Hospital prior to my interest in this surgery. I was surprised by the hospital's size - it's very small and doesn't look like it has numerous benefactors doting on it or ground-breaking research occuring there. Working in a medical field myself, I know that larger establishments have the money to get the best - best facilities, best nurses, best maintenance and cleaning staff and the newest and most advanced equipment. I don't think Rancocas Hospital has those kind of resources - and that scares me a little.

Update April 1, 2001
I was scheduled for surgery with Dr. G for March 26th and was postponed. Dr. G had cancelled all his surgeries and stopped taking new appointments. At first the explanation given was that his father was sick, then I was told they were having some trouble with some equipment used for the surgery. It felt like there was more going on than we were led to believe (with changing stories) and I didn't like it. It seemed to me like Dr. G was having a LOT of leaks in comparison to other surgeons I spoke with. I met with some other surgeons and am likely to change to Dr. Benotti in Ridgewood. As far as I know all the insurance (except the precert) is still good. The procedure is slightly different and I think safer. Dr. Benotti was like Dr. G's opposite - definitely not the warm fuzzy type. Dr. G and his staff were wonderful to me and the support group is so great - but now I've got a lot of butterflies about having the surgery at Rancocas. I think I might need to change surgeons just to feel good and confident about doing this again.

Dr. Benotti is very caring of his patients. He knows them all by name. I like that in a doctor.
No, the more i spoke to him the more confident i became.
His office staff is the greatest. I never had one problem with them, they were always very helpful.
Nothing.

He is very close knit with his patients. All the tests ordered, are because he feels them necessary. His bedside manner is fabulous.

Yes.
Even before consult, he has you go to a support group wherein he speaks and he also gives you booklets outling general risks. Once you go to consult, he explains them on a personal level.
I rate him very high on the scale.
I would say both, you want the best surgeon you can find, but after all is said and done, a dr. you can talk to and have confidence in is the best.

Dr. Benotti seemed nice and polite. I have no compliants. When I was in Dr. Benotti's office one staff member was leaving as another was coming in so they seemed a littled hurried and confused. The office was very busy and the phone was ringing off the hook so it was hard to get a feel for the staff. My only real concern is that the insurance paperwork be submitted correctly. Without the insurance coverage I just can't do this.

Dr. Benotti gave me some reading information which discussing aftercare and how to prepare for surgery. I'm going to Dr. Benotti because he is very experienced with WLS surgery so I'm not too concerned with the social aspects of the office visits.

5/1/2001
I'm 8 days post-op and the one thing I want to say to women and men considering this surgery is choose your surgeon carefully. I had heard that Dr. Benotti was a good doctor,but you know I think he's some kind of wonderful. His aftercare in the hospital was wonderful. He visited me twice a day and provided great after surgery care. He's not what you'd call a big talker, but he is big on action. Thanks Dr. Benotti, I think you may have just saved my life.

Dr. B is a straight-forward guy. You will not die laughing in his office from his sense of humor. But that's the point,you won't die...period and that's most important. He's got a less than 1% morbidity rate with this surgery. He's performed about a thousand procedures. After much research I decided on him as my doctor becuase his name kept coming up again and again as one of the best in the country. He's very serious about his work which can sometimes be too much but I'd rather ere on the side of too serious, you know? He only performs open, proximal because they are the most safe. I will go under the knife 3/26/01.
4/19/01
Had the surgery. Valley hospital was wonderful - the staff was great. Dr B visited me every day and was very kind. No complications. I highly recommend both him and Valley Hopsital. Dr. B no longer accepts United Healthcare.

I have met with Dr. Benotti on 2 occasions. He was so wonderful. He spoke with me one on one and with in just a few minutes he wanted to help me. His staff is wonderfull, also. They are very patient with you and all of the questions that we all have.

When I called Dr. Benotti's office, he happened to answer the phone which was quite a surprise. It showed me he was involved with his office and patients, which meant he genually cares and is not just looking at the dollar signs. I have only met with him twice now and he is very nice and encouraging. Dr. Benotti's staff is incredibly nice, very patient with my questions. Everyone there is a class act.

The doctor emphasized this surgery is a tool and not a cure and after care is the patients responsibility. He provides a support group that meets twice monthly, which he leads. He is very honest about the risks and informed everybody of his personal statistics as well as national statisctics. His patients really care about him and many volunteer their time at these meeting. The patients care about him which lets me know he cares about his patients.

Surgical Competence, is of course the most important, but a bedside manner really reassures the patient that their doctor cares. No one wants to feel alienated by their doctor or circumstances. A doctor with a good bedside manner will be a better doctor for it.

1/22/01: After my insurance denial, Dr. Benotti wrote another appeal letter for me. I have a lot of confidence in him and I'm grateful to have found a doctor and staff who are genuinely nice people and not looking at the dollar signs alone.

**Very Stoic, serious, and knowledgeable.

**He is still all of those things, but he is also the most caring and accomadating Doctor I ever had.
**Efficient and friendly.

**His bed side manner. He is not a "gushy" kind of guy.

**Highly.

**Periodic visits with him and Dietician and ongoing support group.
**1st through his seminar, than at allof his visits.
**Excellent, I would HIGHLY recommend him to anyone.
**Surgical competence.