St. Cloud Surgical Weight Loss Program Bariatric Center

What was your first impression of him/her?rnrnI really don't know what my first impression was.rnrnHow did your impression change over time?rnrnWell, over time I found I really did not care for him at all.rnrnHow would you describe his/her office staff?rnrnHis office staff was fantastic!! I really loved those girls!!rnrnWhat did you like least about him/her?rnrnI found him to be unsympathetic, had absolutely no bedside manner, condescending, etc. We just had a complete clash of personalities I guess and that was unfortunate. But this is just my view. Other people may find his way to be exactly what they want in a doctor. And just because I didn't mesh with him, I still found him to be a very skillful and a very good surgeon. rnrnWhat should future patients know about him/her?rnrnJust what I said above. If they are determined to go to him for their surgery, they will have a really good surgeon and not alot of hand holding. I wish I would've known this before my surgery, but at the time of my surgery, he was the only one doing it in St. Cloud.rnrnHow much does he/she emphasize aftercare?rnrnHe emphasized it alot. I had follow up care for 2 years with him.rnrnDoes he/she have a structured aftercare program?rnrnYes. I went once a month for the first year. Every few months after that. And he also had support group with other people that had had the surgery. rnrnHow did he/she address the risks of surgery?rnrnOh yes. He did a wonderful job of this. I knew all the risks and I knew my NOT having the surgery was MORE of a risk and I was determined to go ahead with it.rnrnHow would you rate him/her overall?rnrnLike I said, He's a very good surgeon, but I would not choose to have him for my doctor if I had a choice. I like to have a more personal relationship with my doctors and sadly, I just didn't have this with him.rnrnWhich is better, surgical competence, bedside manner, or are both great?rnrnFor this kind of surgery, I think the doctor needs to have both. This is life altering for the person doing it and no one other than your doctor really knows what it's going to be like for you to go through. It would have been SO much nicer to have a doctor that cared more about me as a person. But like I said, that's my personal point of view. rnrnrnrn

Dr. Shapiro was very knowledgeable about the surgery, had done thousands. I would have appreciated it if he had said right away when I went to the information meeting that he was just about ready to retire. rnI was his 2nd to last RNY surgery and he retired in August 2007 with my last visit to him in May. Arrrgh!!!! rnrnAlso his long-time nurse retired before I had the surgery and it seemed to me that the staff I was involved with where not very experienced. I suspect because of the retirements they weren't going to put lots of time into training people. rnrnThere was no surgeon taking over that practice for me to follow-up with. rnrnThank heavens that I have a great primary care physician and the support from her and the other clinic staff there.

My first impression was that he was very blunt and to the point.rnrnI have found out through the surgery, that he explains his plan for diet very thouroughly, and is not as blunt as I first thought.rn rnHis office staff have always treated me very nicely. Very caringrnrnI can't say that there is anything I truly dislike about him.rnrnFuture patients should know he is very dedicated to his patients, surgery and weight loss program.rnrnThrough him and his staff, there is a monthly support group meeting for newbies on Wednesday, and post ops on Tuesday. rnrnHe went through the risks of surgery with me, with a fine tooth comb. All of the pre op testing critiqued finely.rnEverything was a go before the surgery was scheduled.rnrnI think he is a great surgeon, bedside manner is improving <G>. very caring.rnrnI'd say his surgical competence and bedside manner are both great. <JMHO>rnrnTodays Date 06/24/07rnrnI have finally thought to take the time and add. That earlier this year Dr. Shapiro informed us that he'd be retiring, and would be doing no more surgeries after Jan 2007. rnHe is keeping up with patients until Aug, so that many of us who've had surgeries will get to have our six month to a year visit with him.rnrnHe did a great surgery on the wife and I both. We will miss him visiting our support group.rnHe did compile a list of Surgeons who would be willing to take us on for follow up on our Bariatric journey.rn Thank you Dr Shapiro.rnrnrn.

I liked Dr. Shapiro from the time I met him. He was very thorough. I have had a very positive experience through this whole process. I would refer anyone to this doctor.

Poor bedside manner.

My first impression was that he is very strict about this surgery/program and seems very well informewd. I still feel he was the best doctor for me. He has wonderful office staff, Karen is amazing with all the paper work ect and his nurse is very compassionate. I would recommend him and he is very strict about aftercare appts and support groups. He does reveiw the risk and when you meet with him you also need to know how the bypass is done. He is an excellent doctor, both, but surgical competence definately.

Dr. Shapiro is extremely kind. He didn't make me feel like I am a failure because I am overweight. He made me feel as if he was there that day to help me and only me. He is very informative and wants to make sure you know what you're getting into. I'm so glad I have chosen him to do my surgery.

My first impression was that he was caring and to the point. He is also dedicated to the work he does and does'nt want to mess around with someone who won't follow the rules he sets down.
His staff are very friendly and Karen is a real angel. Always willing to answer a question or 10.
I really don't think I have found anything to dislike about him as of yet.
Just be honest and don't waste his time if you are'nt serious.
He has explained that it will be a life changing surgery and if you can't make and stick to the change don't have the surgery.
We have talked briefly about after care and I'm sure I will find out more prior to and after surgery.
He has addressed the risks of surgery and it is VERY important that you understand them prior to surgery.
I have to wait befor I can give him an overall rating, cause I have'nt experienced his bedside manner. but as far as surgical competance. I have totall faith in him!

I was scared to death.He was so intimadating.
Well i guess he's just doing his job, and really wants people to take the surgury serious.
Staff is very friendly.
Just the way he scared me at first.
That he is very strict and is for your own safty.
Alot!!!!!
Yes, myself i don't get the chance to go to the meetings because i have alot of kids and just don't ever have the spare time.
He was always asking if i knew the risks, always asking me and reviewing me about the risks, so yes.
I think he is a very professional doctor and takes things very serious, which is what i liked about him most.
I think both were great.

My first impression of Dr. Shapiro was good. I thought he was very thorough, to the point, and friendly. I was very pleased with him and still am. My surgery went smoothly and my follow-ups with him have gone just as well.
A word of advice for future patients would be to be very prepared. Dr. Shapiro runs a tight ship! You'll need to know and prove that you know that you're making an educated decision when electing to have this surgery.
Dr. Shapiro's aftercare program is the greatest. It's kinda like a big family. His nurses are awesome. They all stress the importance of aftercare!
I chose Dr. Shapiro after I did quite a bit of research about surgeons in MN. I found that Dr. Shapiro is one of the best. After having my surgery with him, I KNOW he's the best!