Mark A. Vierra, MD Bariatrics Bariatric Center

Our first meeting did not go so well. I have heard strong recommendations of his abilities but felt that he was too stringent with some of his requirements. I was required to lose 20 pounds before surgery and I felt defeated at the thought. However, 20 pounds came off and I was ready physically and mentally for what is about to happen. I believe, and I hate to say it, he was right in insisting this. I have already started changing my lifestyle and implementing healthy and beneficial habits. It will not be such a shock to my physical or mental state.

Dr. Vierra is extremely respected in the laproscopic field. I was told by many individuals at the hospital and some did not know I was a patient of his. I had interns come in to see his "work" because of his reputation.

I only saw him briefly once in the hospital after surgery. He seemed to be very pleased with my recovery and I was pleased that he was pleased! I wanted to go home and his response was..."tomorrow". He did not give me time to plead. He just smiled and walked out the door with a "you are doing great". So all in all any apprehensions I had about Dr. Vierra were replaced with respect due to his reputation amoung his peers. They speak highly of his abilities. I was pleased to hear this information, however, I was asked quite a few times if I could show the residents and interns my belly. I became a specimen.

I very much like Dr. Vierra. He is very warm and caring. At first I did not like that he wants his patients to lose weight before surgery. In fact, the second time I saw him I had gained weight. But then, I realized I truly want the surgery and will do what is necessary to get it. As of today 4/24/00, I have lost from 315 to 289.4 and feel much better because of it.

Michelle has been very nice to me as long as I am following the program! The second visit when I had gained, she was not as helpful or friendly but every other time has been.

5/10/00, I just spoke with Michelle as I had numerous questions about the surgery and post op. She took her time explaining thoroughly in detail each thing I asked. I was quite pleased with this and could understand all she explained, especially about the proximal/distal RNY!

8/11/00 Post-Op: My three day hospital stay turned into 23 days. Quick recap: After the initial surgery, blockage, 2nd surgery, still blockage, 3rd surgery, still blockage and repaired a hernia obstructed by the bowel. I was sent home a few days later and was completely dehydrated. Fainted twice at home that same day and was readmitted to the hospital that night where I vomited a huge amount of blood and later passed out again. Was taken to ICU for five days. In two of those days I was loosing blood so fast, I was given 22 units. Finally went back to a regular room, still had the blockage and my dr. was talking a 4th surgery but waiting a bit to see if the blockage would open up on its own. At this point, I wanted a second opinion. Just when a family/doctor meeting was planned to discuss this, my blockage opened and I went home two days later. All has been fine since then thank God!
I do question a couple things that were not done correctly. One, I should never have been sent home initially. Someone, nurses, doctors, etc should have seen and noticed how completely dehydrated I was since I passed out the first time within a half hour of returning home. I live about 30 minutes from the hospital. Dr. Vierra has been a different person since all of my complications. He has personally called me at home to see how I am doing and has turned from a mostly businesslike person into a very warm and caring doctor. My guess is he is well aware of mistakes made and is trying to make up for it now. At this point, I am feeling real good and just want to move forward, get on with my life, and forget the horror of those days in the hospital. This is just my own personal belief and assumption.