Cleveland Center for Bariatric Surgery St Vincents Bariatric Center

My appointment with the surgeon at the Cleveland Center for Bariatric Surgery went very well. Everyone was very friendly, helpful,and encouraging. The physician went over the surgery and was very helpful in making my husband understand everthing that was required for me to be successful. He stated that the surgery is a tool and that 60% is the surgery itself and I have to give the other 40% to make it successful. He touched on the aftercare but I had already learned from the seminar how important that was. Their support system is phenominal. As a nurse I feel that sugical competence is the most important thing and I know that I have that with him. I have heard many great comments on his expertise. My only negative part of this process is that it took so long to get appointments and I have to wait for surgery where if I went to another facility I could get it sooner. But then, I know it is worth the wait for the best.

09/17/02: Attended Seminar at CCBS. Very informative. I was impressed with the number of surgeries they have performed and the fact that the surgeons have developed new techniques to decrease risks of complications during and after surgery. I was also impressed that my surgeon, Dr. Schreiber has been teaching other surgeons across the country these newly developed techniques. And I was especially impressed with the fact that they have had only 3 deaths in over 2100 surgeries. Although, you can never take anything for granted in this life, it is somewhat comforting to know that I have a very strong surgeon assigned to my case. As for Dr. Schreiber himself, he was factual and straight forward. He answered all of my questions, and I had a ton of them. I was his last patient after his 14 hour day (it was after 8:30 pm when I left his office) -- he did not rush me and since I was already pre-approved by my insurance company he did not waste time with any type of "sales pitch" presentation. We got down to business - I appreciated that.

He was precise and to the point on the explanation of the surgery. The staff also was efficient. They explained the risks in detail. The provide followup group meetings but I live over 50 miles away from the hospital and did not return for the support group meetings. I already had a guilt feeling about my inability to maintain a healthy weight and felt uneasy coming back when I started to gain weight again.

MY DR RIGHT OF THE BAT WAS TO THE POINT AND TOLD IT LIKE IT IS. HE WAS VERY NICE AS WELL AS HIS HELP, THEY HAD GREAT KNOWLEDGE OF THE SURGERY.

<y 1st impression was that He's not a warm, fuzzy kind of guy, but he was very nice and answered all my questions thoroughly. I was really impressed with the vastness of his knowledge and the fact that this is the only kind of surgery that he performs. The office staff of CCBS is excellent. Very helpful and very BUSY. They are so patient and understanding.

The week before my surgery, I was called by CCBS and was told Dr Schreiber had ruptured a disk in his back and needed to have surgery too. Would I mind Dr Sonpal? Nope! He was and is really wonderful. He has a great sense of humor and I think a little bit of an ornery streak ;o) But that's a good thing! He kept my family informed and they were really impressed with him. He came to see me everyday in the hospital and was very sweet during my 4 wk visit. He said my progress was excellent. He really made sure all my needs were met. I would rate him as a 9! His bedside manner and surgical competence were equal. I didn't have any complication then or since.

I went to see Dr Sonpal on Sept 18. I'd have to say he is a kind, soft spoken man. He also had a great sense of humor. He did however seem to be in quite a hurry but it was also the end of the day. I felt very comfortable talking to him.

Dr. Patterson, who was my orignal surgeon will not be back from her maternity leave in time for my surgery. So I now have Dr. Schreiber. He is very busy and was running behind when I met him. He seemed nice but very professional. I understand that he is the best so that is fine with me. I just want this over with.

The Doctor is very friendly and so is all the staff that I've met so far. They are very busy and are sometimes hard to get in touch with. But they provide e-mail addresses, phone #'s and an 24 hour emergency number for post op patients. Being so hard to get in touch bothered me at first, but their success rate has increased their number of patients.
They are getting more doctors to add to their staff. I like the fact 2 surgeons are used for every surgery. They are very informative about the pro's and cons of the surgery. I have talked with the doctor, nurses, a previous patient who works for them and counsels presurgical patients and a dietician. They make sure you are well informed before the surgery. They also have groups, and help you post op too. My mother-inlaw and husband both had the surgery by Dr Sonpal, so I am very confident about the Cleveland Center. I would not trust any other place.
Looking at my husbands surgery, I stayed with him in the hospital. The doctor didn't have an unpleasant bedside manner,but he was always in a rush. Actually, we didn't see him very much. The nurse's were nice. My husbands surgery went well, thats most important to me. His was 11/9/2001, weighed 405lbs and now 9/15/2002 he weighs 245lbs. He has no regrets and is much healthier and happier. That is what I'm looking forward too.
So the only negative oppinions I have is that the center is very busy. The staff is hard to get a hold of. I had to waite a year for my big date 11/26/2002. But it will be worth it.

I LOVED Dr. Sonpal. He is very friendly and down to earth. He made me fell at ease with the upcoming surgery.

The staff at Cleveland was very helpful when I needed anything. Even though I only had to call once before the insurance was approved....Thank Goodness!!

Well, my surgeon was out at the time of my consulation.
So I had his co-worker Sompal. We laugh and joke about
my job and I felt very confortable with him. He even
made an impression on my husband and mom.
So far the staff has been great. Any thing I have
needed I got within a few days.
When I went for my pre-testing the staff again was
cheerful. The gentleman that gave the overview of what
was going to happen a week before the surgery, the day before,
the day of and days after had been through it. I wasn't like
talking to someone that just knows,,, he lived it. And that
made a true difference. No SUGAR coating it.

The doctor let us know that this is a SERIOUS
surgery. Gave us all the what if's and if nots.

I believe you have to go into this knowing the risks.
Any Surgery is HIGH risk and anyone that tell you
different is lying.

At this point he is my surgeon and I do trust
him. I do not know what he will be like after
surgery but before, he has my vote.