J Stone Bariatrics Bariatric Center

I was really impressed with him. He was very pleasant and spent alot of time answering all my questions during my consultation visit. After my consultation, Dr. Stone suggested that I bring my husband to meet with him at my pre-op visit. Dr. Stone answered all my husbands' questions honestly and clearly, as well as any of my questions. After leaving Dr. Stone's office, my husband felt all his questions were answered. The risks of surgery were addressed as well as the importance of the aftercare program.

What was your first impression of him? I liked him- he's rather serious and isn't particularly cuddly but that wasn't important to me. He answered questions competently, thoroughly, and was kind about the weight loss I'd done to become eligible for his program.

How did your impression change over time? It didn't, he remains very capable and I still like him.

How would you describe his office staff? Julie, his nurse, is ok. I'm not sure what her credentials are; she doesn't wear a badge that identifies her as a RN or what. She can be a bit intrusive but I think she overall is competent and cares about the work she does. The other folks in the office (it's a large, multi practitioner surgical practice) were very polite and helpful

What did you like least about him? I have no complaints. I suppose if someone really wanted a "warm" doctor, he might not be the right fit for them.

What should future patients know about him? He will not consider anyone for surgery that is over 50.0 BMI. You must be below 50- no exceptions. Also, as I mentioned, he isn't the most chatty surgeon and is rather serious. If you need a lot of hand holding, you might want to schedule an appointment that has extra time allowed. I took a list of questions- he answered all of them without hesitiation.

How much does he emphasize aftercare? He's very into people attending the support groups but he is realistic enough to know for people out of the area, that may not be possible. He expects high compliance post operatively, even if you have to manage this without the help of the support groups. This program provides a different (not his office nurse) RN coordinator, Dianne, who is very accessable and helpful. Dianne gets high marks! She is lovely!

Does he have a structured aftercare program? Dianne does a lot of the education, Dr. Stone is more focused on the medical management.

How did he address the risks of surgery? He is very up front. Before getting a doctor's appointment, you will have to have attended an "orientation meeting" that is presented by program staff. He expects you to have paid attention there where risks are discussed but he reiterates post op complications at the consultation visit. He will have you sign a form that risks have been disussed and you understand them.
How would you rate him/her overall? He's very, very competent. I had no complications and felt very safe with him doing my surgery.

Which is better, surgical competence, bedside
manner, or both great? Surgical competence. He is polite, but as a lot of surgeons, he clearly has the operative process as his priority. For me, competency over bedside manner was my priority also. His little dry bedside manner wasn't a problem. The nursing staff at both the in-patient and the surgicenter gave him high marks for competence.

I have seen Dr. Stone on three occasions. Once when I attended his informational seminar with my best friend, then when I attended his semianr with my husband and finally at my consultation. So far I am very happy with him. He was great in answering all of our questions. He described the surgery as well as the possible risks and benefits in great detail. He does not sugar coat the procedure nor does he make me fear it. As far as his office staff, his nurse Julie was quite nice and I felt very comfortable with her. As for his clercial staff, I have found that through this particular program you are supposed to direct any and ALL of your questions to the bariatric coordinators office, thus some of the ladies at the surgeon's office are pretty rude if you call them directly.

I am very comfortable with my decision to have Dr. Stone perform my WLS. I will provide more info about him after the surgery is over.