St. John Providence Weight Loss Bariatric Center

Dr. Pesta is the man. The care is top notch and the way things are explained is amazing. I would refer anyone I know to him. Thanks for the new life Dr. Pesta(Dr. GQ)

I cannot be more pleased with Dr. Kole. He is the most caring, lovable doctor I have ever met. My story is a bit unique. I was all the way through the University of Michigan's bariatric program (with a surgery date and all), when my insurance decided to pitch a fit telling me I needed a Center of Excellence. At the time I was so upset, but by pure coincidence, I found the St John system on the sheet of paper the insurance company provided (with a list of approved doctors) and called.

While it did take about 2 weeks to get an appointment with them, 2 weeks is an almost impossible feat. I was just so anxious since my surgery had just been canceled. But 2 weeks is amazing. I go in and in walks this very tall, quiet man. He was ever-so-confident in the way he talked and he did not talk 'down' to me. He explained the procedure, and he even offered to tell me about the other procedures available, so by no means did he force this decision on me.

The girls in the office are lovely too, extremely helpful. My first impression of Dr. Kole that day was... 'boy... he is so calm, so quiet (not overbearing) and I'm surprised I actually got to meet him on my first appointment. Most surgeons are met way farther out, and they are almost 'too godly' to reach out to. I never felt that with Dr Kole. Oddly enough, that was the first and last time I met Dr. Kole before the day of surgery. I walked away thinking... ok, this won't be that bad.

I can't say anything I do NOT like about him. I know this review is supposed to include both likes and dislikes, but seriously, I would be making something up right now if I told you I had any problems with him.

I can't speak to his surgical competence since I wasn't looking over his shoulder when he did the surgery. However, as a patient of his, I CAN say that I have had 100% NO COMPLICATIONS thus far from his work. Which to me, means he is 'clean' with his surgeries, (not sloppy-go-fast like other surgeons I've had for other body parts), he must be extremely concentrated when he's doing surgeries and his attitude shines out so brightly.

After surgery I was acting like a child, gas pains (which are 100% normal with this procedure) were making me cry and I wanted relief. Dr. Kole must have seen me a couple times the first day, a couple the second day and once on the morning I went home. Even though the only thing I had to say was that I was hating the gas pains, Dr. Kole was MORE than patient with me. His presence made me feel calm, comfortable, like everything was going to be fine. His demeanor is what I like most about him.

One thing I NEVER expected was for Dr. Kole to give me his personal cell phone number upon discharge. Anytime, day or night, he said.. call me with any problems. Wow. Never have I seen anyone with more commitment to his/her patients. The next time I saw Dr. Kole was on the 1-week post-op appointment. He was smiling, relaxed and extremely supportive. Your insides looked good, your scabs look fantastic, just keep doing what you are doing. That made me feel great.

One thing that's perhaps not the best (but has 0% to do with Dr. Kole) is the fact that the St. John Weight Loss Center has monthly support groups and they only offer one time. I really liked U of M because they had 3 support groups a month, all at different times so if you can't make one, you can make a Saturday one, etc. But this is something negative about St John, NOT Dr. Kole as he has no control over these things.

Overall, I would say that insurance denying me at U of M was the best thing that could have happened to me. I met Dr. Kole and I felt so well-cared for... like a member of the family. I felt like he CARED, something lacking in this age of assembly line health care. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Kole for changing my life and being such a loving figure.

My first impression was that I really liked this guy and I made up my mind right then that I would have surgery and he would do it. I am 3 weeks post surgery and I still have the highest opinion of him. Dr Marshall and all his crew are the best!!.
I do not have one negative thing to say about him.

HES AWESOME!! UNDERSTANDS AND LISTENS, OFFICE(SMALL) STAFF WAS GREAT! I FELTED SAFE AND THE DOCS I WORKED FOR (DR.FAHEY) RECOMMENED DR.PESTA AS A GOOD SURGEON. AFTER CARE WAS GOOD AND HE WENT OVER THE RISK WITH A FINE TOOTH COMB, NOT GOOD CARE FIRST NIGHT IN HOSPITAL AND HE LET ME VENT. H LYNN MAYLE

I had my surgery on February 22, 2011 and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Dr. Keith Marshall is a fantastic and caring surgeon and the team at the Bariatric Center in Warren are wonderful. Today I would just like to say to Dr. Marshall, I am sending my well wishes and remember ..... walk, walk walk!!!

Thank you so much for everything!

When I first discussed a bariatric procedure with my primary care physician, I was thinking of the Lap-Band surgery. He immediately said, "No you will have to talk to my friend Kerry Kole and he will want you to have the Gastric Sleeve procedure." I had not heard of this type of surgery, but I did make an appointment with Dr. Kole because I trust my PCP.

I was very impressed with Dr. Kole for his patience in answering my questions thoroughly and in a way that I could understand. He did not minimize the risks and was straightforward with all the complications that could arise. He seemed passionate about his profession and genuinely cared about his patients and their successes.

He did recommend the Gastric Sleeve and told me that my insurance wouldn't cover the surgery unless my BMI was higher. He was meeting with a committee to present evidence that the sleeve was just as effective as the Roux en Y. I must thank him for his persistence. Within a month, my insurance company approved the Gastric Sleeve for me and I scheduled the surgery that same day.

Dr. Kole is always available to answer questions, as is his staff. I never feel that I am imposing on them or asking a silly question. I feel they respect me and want me to succeed. I do attend the support group meetings every month that are scheduled through Dr. Kole's office and appreciate the information sharing with other patients.

I would recommend Dr. Kole wholeheartedly. He made sure that I was informed on all aspects of the surgery, both pre op and post op. I felt fantastic within two days of having my surgery and have been steadily dropping the pounds in a safe and monitored fashion. I know that I will have the support of a great team should I need them.

The only drawback to the surgery was the location of the hospital. It was 55 miles from my home. But all of the post op appointments and support group meetings are within 30 miles and that makes it much easier on me. And frankly, I would have gone 100 miles to have Dr. Kole perform the surgery. My PCP was absolutely right about him!

My first impression of doctor Kole was that he was completely laid back guy. He was calm about everything he was explaining. He answered all of our questions. He even made suggestions as to what surgery he thought I should have. This impression of him didn't change over time it only got better! He came and saw me right after the surgery to make sure I was OK and explained everything that happened. Even his residents were great! They came in and checked on me when he couldn't. Dr. Kole is a master of aftercare. I know this personally because I've developed a seroma/hematoma in one of my incision areas. During this time Dr.Kole even personally gave me his cell phone number so I could call him anytime!! He moved appointments for me to come see him immediately. As it didn't go away I had to come see him at his hospital. He was in surgery that day also. They told me he would be probable too busy to see me. I was in the ER with doctors telling me I needed CAT Scans and a bunch of different things, I got scared! But like Superman Dr.Kole walked into my room and set everything straight! No test, he diagnosed me right there and made sure I had meds.I cannot say anything bad yet about this doctor. His office is amazing, there is a nutritionist you can call at any time and a nurse anytime during office hours for anything you can think of! Dr.Kole is smart, efficient, has the best bedside manners I've met in a doctor. This office doesn't let you pick your surgeon. There are 5 different doctors at the office. Its like God told the office to give me doctor Kole because I couldn't have gotten a better guardian angel for my weight loss journey!

My surgeon was everything I could have wanted in a doctor. He's very approachable, easy to talk to & takes alot of time pre-operatively to make sure you understand what to expect. When I was having an anxiety attack in the OR just prior to surgery, he was so kind & gentle & calmed me down immediately (or maybe it was those pre op drugs they gave me just then!). I am interested in seeing how the post op visits will flow. Thank you for this opportunity to brag on my surgeon. Also, DH, who really doesn't like anyone, especially doctors, was impressed with Dr. Pesta. So, that is the highest compliment Dr Pesta could receive from this family.

Dr. Katz was very helpful and actually caring. I did not feel like another fat patient. I truley believed he is interested in me. warm, pleasnt caring and very good at what he does. the office staff wass warm and appeare to genuinely care for me as a person. overal rating on a scale of 1-10 being the highest. He actually took an interest in me and would call me daily after surgery.

Please let others know:

*What was your first impression of him/her?
Seem, nice. Would listen to what I had to set.

*How did your impression change over time?
I felt that some times my surgery would not got through.
*How would you describe his/her office staff?
over all good
*What did you like least about him/her?
needs to be more communication.
*What should future patients know about him/her? That he is a great doctor even more so if you have other health problems
* How much does he/she emphasize aftercare? The last time I saw him was after my ports came out. After that I have not needed to see him.



The after care is the best care.from start to the end. From that first meeting to ]the seconded one maybe a 3erd. But through it all Its a great and wonderful surgery.