AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center Bariatric Center

Dr. Onopchenko delivers a caring and patient spiel in promotion of his gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgery history. On the first visit he will answer all your questions, spend as much time as you need to feel comfortable to proceed with the surgery process. After you are hooked his true colors show. He is condescending, uncaring and shows this in his unprofessional bedside manner in the visits thereafter. Visits after the 1st lasted under 5 minutes. I am not complaining about his ability as a bariatric surgeon its just the point up to the surgery and the visits after, do you really want to deal with someone who talks down to you. Please please please search him on google for other reviews!

The biggest issue I had with him is that he will argue with you, he does not like to be wrong. I asked him about conflicting information I received from the initial seminal and the boot camp and he started to argue with me and then rephrased it so he could be right. His staff was courteous to a point when I complained about the issue but they were like his minions turning the situation and making it as if I was wrong even though the issue is his attitude. I am the most easy going person and have never been so angry and flushed about something in my 45 years.

UPDATE: I had my surgery with Dr. O on May 19 and I am still very happy I chose him! His office has been great throughout the whole process, and the hospital staff took great care of me as well. Its been 3 weeks since my surgery and I'm feeling very good. Including my pre-op diet I have now lost almost 40 pounds. :-) I would definitely do it again. Thanks Dr. O!


I was very happy with my consultation with Dr. Onopchenko. He was very kind and I felt comfortable speaking with him. I did not feel any judgement as I usually do from providers when discussing weight related topics. He was very knowledgeable and answered my questions thoroughly. He provided his expert advice and recommendations while acknowledging my thoughts and preferences. I feel very confident that he will be performing my surgery. He has done many many surgeries and his safety statistics and weight loss results are very good. I am now in the process of completing all of my evaluations, clearances and dietitian visits. The whole staff of the practice have all been wonderful. I can have my questions answered quickly and easily and all appointments have been scheduled conveniently. I have never waited more than 5 minutes at an appointment with them. The office works together to ensure all required aspects for insurance coverage are followed correctly which takes the worry off of me. They gave me a packet of paperwork to keep track of all I need to do, with phone numbers and addresses of multiple providers in the area. This was very helpful. Based on my experience so far, I highly recommend Dr. Onopchenko and Atlanticare Bariatrics.

Dr O is one of the best doctors I have ever had, from the moment I walked into his office he was very honest and personable, he is a man with a lot of knowledge and is always willing to share and elaborate on the things he is explaining and talking about! I had my surgery 3 years ago and still see him on occasions and he is the only doctor I enjoy going to see... Even after my surgery I got a phone call at home from him checking in on me!!

Dr. Patel and staff are Great! Very friendly and thorough! I was able to schedule an appointment without a long wait! I chose Dr Patel after doing an online research. AtlantiCare-Dr Patel's site was much more informative than most of the other sites, Dr Patel's includes webinars. I really liked the webinars. Dr Patel made sure that I really understood the surgical procedure and risks. also that I understood what I should expect and what I needed to do after my surgery to insure my success. My impression of Dr Patel has not changed at all, its still Great! I would not hesitate to recommend Dr Patel to my family and friends.

I had Gastric Bypass in 2/5/2003! Dr Onopchenko! preformed my procedure and I had no complication from that procedure. I think Dr O, is one of the best surgeons in the area. Before having the surgery I was taught that this is a tool and that the rest has to come from me. Dr O did his part and the rest was up to me. At this time I have succeeded in my weight loss. I have joined the gym a year ago. Also I had Plastic surgery by Dr Rayfield. which was my best choice in plastic surgeon.
I am so grateful to Dr O. because of his talents I never had any problems to this day and it has been 10 yr. I have to watch my Carbs and eat enough protein which is important. The Gym is part of my life now, Which had taken me a while to get there. Again,Dr Onopchenko is the best in this field..

The older he gets, the less patience he has for you. He is super nice while selling the surgery at the seminars. But, don't expect that in the following office visits. The staff is truly nice though. Him? Not so much. He doesn't listen to concerns and can definitely be condescending. He makes me feel that I am bothering him because I show up to my appointment that I am paying for. I kept telling him there was no restriction in the band each time I went and he actually had the nerve to tell me "Yes, there is. You are just not eating enough protein." I explained I am eating too much protein and can not even eat carbs because I am allergic to gluten. He would blow me off completely and "pretend" to do a fill. I say this because I finally left and went to a much better surgeon who immediately ordered a Fluoroscopy. The results? The port was completely upside-down, so the nine times I paid out of pocket begging Onopchenko to listen to me that there is no fill/restriction, and he would stick the needle in and "fill" it [after wiggling it all around and hurting me], he was actually just sending the saline into my body. Pathetic.
A few times I was in waiting to see him in an exam room, I could hear him talking with other patients through the wall, explaining to them why they are wrong and he wasn't listening to them either. He has a huge ego problem. What a waste of time and health for me. So GLAD to NOT be his patient anymore. I sure hope others have much better experiences. I hope he starts to see his patients as PEOPLE soon!

He is a wonderful salesman. But, like other patients have shared... HE DOES NOT LISTEN AT ALL TO YOUR CONCERNS. He actually got me confused with another patient. When I gently tried to correct him (he kept insisting he emptied my band in the past [which he never did] so he would not give me a greater fill ever, than .25 ccs) After wasting a year with him and several hundreds of dollars, I finally switched to another doctor. Wow, the new doctor listened to me and did not yell at me like grumpy puss Onopchenko did. (Not kidding, he actually YELLED at me.) He has the worst bed side manner I have ever experienced. Oh, and a big problem, he didn't place the port correctly, so from day one, my port has been flipped and almost impossible to fill. And, the new doctor realized on the FIRST visit, that not only did Onopchenko do a poor job installing the band & port, it is leaking so I have to have surgery all over again. I was really surprised to read good reviews for Dr. Onopchenko. He is miserable & it is time he retires.

WeLL i HAVE TO SAY IT HAS BEEN 7 YEARS SINCE I HAD MY SURGERY.AND I AM 175 POUNDS!I WANT TO GET DOWN TO 165 POUNDS HOPEFULLY BY THE END OF JUNE!I have been walking and doing and watching what i eat. and i have a really great Doctor that did my surgery.

thank you!

from aimee comfort.....

Dr O is one of the most skilled surgeons I know. He is NOT gruff, just no nonsense. I believe he truly cares about his patient population. I had to have my gallbladder removed in October and he was just as fantastic as he was when he did my gastric bypass RNY in December 2003. I highly recommend his program because I've heard horror stories about others' experiences. The whole process from start to finish is impeccable from the physical aspects to the psychological as well. He follows you indefinitely to make sure your journey is successful. You can't find a better gastric surgeon. His staff are all wonderful, too. :)

I have to say that Dr. Onopchenko was very courteous during my initial interview. I scheduled my appointment with him directly after the orientation seminar. His staff was very accomodating to my work schedule and they were quick to get me in. Once I was seen, he answered all of my questions and made certain that I did not have anything left unanswered. Being a nurse, I did extensive research not only on this surgery, but also this surgeon. I pointed out to Dr. O that I did my research on him as well. I think we as a society should have a more active role in our healthcare and subsequently our healthcare decisions. I have spoken with numerous individuals that have either had surgery with him, or know someone that has. I have NVER heard anything bad about him, in fact, I have only heard good things and that he is the BEST at what he does. He gave me a list of things I needed to do in order to prepare for the surgery and as of yesterday, I have completed that list. Now it is all up to me, and when I schedule. I understand that some individuals may lash out, especially if they are turned away from the surgery for any reason. I couldn't be more pleased with my experience, so far it has been nothing but positive. This is LIFE CHANGING and something NOT to be taken lightly. Not only do you need to be physically prepared, but also mentally and emotionally. I am very happy with my decision and I am looking forward to my surgery!!
***UPDATE***
I had my surgery on October 27, 2010 and I could not be more pleased!! I have to say that Dr. O is truly the best! I had a great experience from his staff, to the hospital and staff to Dr. Onopchenko! I have to admit that this is the best decision I have ever made. He has ensured that I follow his recommendations, that I take care of myself. My weight loss is right on track. I have to admit I have not had any dumping, then again, I eat what is recommended and not what isn't. If I had to do it all over again, I would in a heartbeat! If you listen to what he tells you and follow the receommendations, you will be fine!!