Palmyra Surgical Bariatric Center

Dr Bagnato and his staff are wonderful. I felt that I was in very good hands. The aftercare is exceptional, the ladies are always very professional and take time with you. I never felt rushed through any of this journey. The surgical competence and bedside manner were both great. I can't say enough good things about the Palmyra Surgical Group..

This doctor is very impressive. He really is knowledgable about the Lap-Band System, and takes the time to explain everything to you, including the procedure, the risks, and the benefits.
His office staff is very friendly and caring. They helped me with the insurance requisites, and when it was denied, gave me 2 other options to help pay for my surgery.

I have not actually visited the office yet. My appt is on 23 of Nov. but the phone conversations have been wonderful! They are so helpful in answering any questions I have had and giving suggestions of things to do to help prepare myself for the surgery. Nothing but wonderful things to say!!!

Update 10/12/03: I fired Surgical Weight Loss Associates due to their office staff. My interaction with Dr. Scott Steinberg was very nice and informative, but his office staff lost paperwork, didn't file the paperwork, lied about filing the paperwork, didn't respond to phone calls from me OR Inamed, and finally, with my first appeal, sent a totally inappropriate letter that didn't list the reasons for my need for surgery other than listing my BMI and co-morbidities. Enough!rnrnI am now with Emory Bariatrics, and Dr. Khaitan. I've been to the seminar, and will be meeting with her for the consultation this week. Will let you know...rnrnUpdate 12/02/04: I fired Emory Bariatrics. After BCBS denied the first application, Emory refused to help me file an appeal, and BCBS does not accept appeals from the patient, only the surgeon's office. After a month of fighting with them, I gave up and went with the Obesity Treatment Center in Albany, Georgia. Drs. Bagnato and Burnette do ONLY lap-band surgery. Currently waiting on 1st appeal decision, however, I'm changing insurance to Definity Health as of 1/1/05, so will be starting over AGAIN!!! OY!!!rn

I thought that he was very confident about the procedure that he performed and seem to want to really help his patients enjoy a better quality of life.rnI think that he is personally a little aloof, but very professional, and he may be just shy and I am reading it wrong. He let me and my family know that he would always be available if we needed him.rnHis office staff is great.rnI think they should know that he is a great surgeon and the follow for postop care is awesome.rnHe stresses that you should make all your appointments, after the intial post op visit, you are followed through the Obsesity Center. My first visit comes up Jan. 26th more on that later and how it is coordinated through his office.rnI am not sure yet about all the aftercare.rnHe did explain all the risk of surgery as well as the hospital.rnOut of a possible 100, I would give him 98.rnI think they are both great,but if I chose it would be surgical competence.

He was extremely personable. His staff was wonderful and friendly. Because I do not live in Albany, he gave me his PowerPoint presentation in lieu of making an extra trip to attend one of his seminars. He was very patient and was more than willing to answer any of my questions. I was also able to get my pre-op work done (EKG, x-ray) the same day of my visit. He was able to accomodate me on the date I wanted to have surgery. I would definitely rate he and his staff with an A.

I was really impressed with Dr. Bagnato when I first met him. My husband and I were also impressed with the fact that Dr. B trained with the doctor that invented the LapBand. I sorry I don't remember this doctors name. His seminar was very informative about all WLS. I also liked the fact that he put the port for the LapBand in the chest instead of the abdomen, because of this they can give a certain number of fills free each year. I have been banded for 4 years and have yet to have to pay for a fill.rnrnI like Dr. Bagnato enough that I had him do a hernia repair in 2005. Remember, he is 170 miles from my home.rnrnHis staff is great. There is a new lady running the Obesity Treatment Center in Albany, and I really don't know much about her. She has been very nice to me the two times I have seen her.rnrnThe thing I like the least about Dr. B is he is 170 miles away from my home.rnrnAftercare is given by the OTC in Albany. If you have problems it is very easy to get an appointment with him.rnrnHe was very straight forward about the complications and risks of surgery.rnrnOn a 1 to 10 scale, I think Dr. Bagato is a 10! He is professional, friendly and compassionate.rnrnSurgical competence and bedside manner are both important to me.

From the lap band seminar, I could tell that rnDr. Bagnato was a shoot straight from the hip, tell it like it is type. I described him as such when I chose him as my surgeon, and his very capable assistant agreed with my call. When I saw him for pre-op, he insisted on some breathing tests to be done by my GP for my convenience. When my surgery date finally got there, I had a small infection on my leg so he postponed it to give me antibiotics just to make sure my band did not get infected. Since that was not a regular surgery day for him and his partner, they worked me in on their lunch hour (he knew how badly I wanted this surgery--I had been on a liquid diet for 7 weeks in case they had a cancellation). I walked out of the hospital 3 hours later, went back to work 3 days later, and never had the first gas pain. His office staff is very capable and helpful. I could not recommend a doctor more highly, and respect him even more for his cautious decisions on my behalf. He places the port below the shoulder, and it has not bothered me a bit. This review wants me to say something negative so it will be believable to others. Sorry--I am the future president of the Dr. Bagnato fan club!!