Alison Clarey Bariatric Surgeon D.O.

Dr. Clarey is very kind and also busnesslike, my impression has not changed even after she had to remove my gallblader in an emergency surgery after a sevear gallblader attak landed me in the ER. Her office staff is very efficient and well informed, they also have a sense of humor which is great. From my experience Dr. Clarey does have an aftercare program and also stresses the attendance of support group meetings. I would rate Dr. Clarey as above average. In my opinion surgical competence is better than anything else, a good bedside manner is iceing on the cake, in my opinion Dr. Clarey has both.

I was fine with Dr. Clarey. She didn't seem to be in a rush to get me out of the office and answered my questions.

A very nice person.
She was able to put my mind at ease.I know of a person who past from having this surgery.
The office staff was well informed and pleasant.
Over all on a scale of 1 to 10 I give Dr.Clarey a 9 because nobody is perfect.
I've only meet with Dr.Clarey twice but have
talked with others who only have wonderful things to say about her and Dr.Bruce.
Let me add this by saying,this is My opinion,
this is My experience(so far),I feel very confident with choosing Dr.Clarey and Dr. Bruce.I feel I have made the right choice for
Me.

I FIRST MET DR. CLAREY AND DR. BRUCE AT THE ORIENTATION AT GRANDVIEW HOSPITAL. I WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE PRESENTATION AND HOW THOROUGH THE MEETING WAS OF WHAT TO EXPECT, THE RISKS, ETC. I WAS ABLE TO GET IN FAIRLY QUICKLY, IN FACT THE DAY AFTER THE ORIENTATION BECAUSE OF A CANCELLATION. MY DAUGHTER AND MY HUSBAND WENT ALONG FOR THE 1ST APPT. THE STAFF, FROM THE FRONT DESK TO CHECKOUT WERE VERY FRIENDLY AND SEEMED TO REALLY CARE. DR. CLAREY VERY THOROUGHLY EXPLAINED EVERYTHING AND ANSWERED ALL OF OUR QUESTIONS AND SAT AND WAITED ON ME TO FINISH WITH MY QUESTIONS. SHE DID EMPHASIZE THIS WAS A MAJOR SURGERY AND THAT THIS IS A WHOLE NEW LIFT STYLE CHANGE AND THAT YOU CANNOT GO BACK TO HOW YOU ATE BEFORE AND THAT THIS SURGERY IS A TOOL TO HELP YOU, BUT YOU STILL HAVE TO EAT RIGHT ACCORDING TO THE LIST AND YOU MUST EXERCISE AND WALK. WE ALL WERE IMPRESSED. SHE SEEMED TO GENUINELY BE IN IT TO HELP PATIENTS. SHE REALLY EMPACISED THE AFTER CARE AND IN FACT LAST WEEK I GOT A PACKET ABOUT MY SURGERY DATE, HOW THINGS WILL PROCEED, PREADMISSION TESTING, EVEN TO WHAT FOODS TO BUY BEFORE SURGERY SO YOU WILL HAVE THEM WHEN YOU GET HOME.SO FAR I RATE HER HIGH.
DR. BRUCE WILL BE ASSISTING HER AND HE SEEMED TO HAVE THE SAME PERSONALITY AND CARING GENUINELY ABOUT THE PATIENTS.

My first impression of Dr. Clarey was good. I found her to be professional, extremely knowledgeable, direct and to the point, as well as compassionate and concerned for her patients.


My first impression was correct--she is a doctor who takes time for her patients and cares for them. She enjoys hearing about my successes and partners well with me on how to continue or improve my health. She also has a wonderful dry sense of humor.

Dr. Clarey's office staff is wonderful--they're very much involved in patient care. Due to the busyness of the office, they can come across as impatient on the phone but when you are in the office, they're helpful, efficient and friendly. Two of Dr. Clarey's staff members run the monthly support group meetings and I think that helps patients also feel even more comfortable with them.

There isn't anything I've found I don't like. Dr. Clarey has been an excellent surgeon for me. I appreciate what she has done for me and my present and future health.

Future patients should know that there are times when you will have to wait in the waiting room--appointments aren't always "on time". Dr. Clarey takes whatever time is needed with her patients and this can sometimes cause delays. Just remember, she'll take the same time with you. One thing that makes the waiting more pleasant is that if there are several patients waiting, it becomes a 'mini support group' atmosphere which is WONDERFUL! (Although probably a bit scarey for individuals who haven't had WLS surgery yet or are there for Dr. Clarey's General Surgical abilities!)

Dr. Clarey GREATLY emphasizes aftercare. She wants to check the patient's progress and wants the patient working closely with the PCP as well.

Yes and all of this information is given to the patient several times--at the Surgical Seminars that are given, when meeting with the nutritionist, when I left the hospital. There was no question about what I needed to be doing once I was released from the hospital.

Risks of surgery: These were discussed in my appointment prior to having the surgery scheduled. She feels it's important for her patients to have complete understanding of the risks and potential complications. I also knew that I was taking responsibility for this procedure myself--making sure I was following her orders, walking as much as possible, etc.

I rate Dr. Clarey as an excellent and outstanding physician. She is concerned, caring, and highly skilled in WLS.

Surgical Competence or Bedside Manner? Some people may find Dr. Clarey impersonal because she isn't an overly emotional or expressive individual. However, I've found her to be very personable, likeable and friendly. She has a wonderful way with her patients and is an extremely qualified and experienced doctor. Ultimately, I want a high qualified and competent doctor. In Dr. Clarey, I got exactly what I needed!

Doctor Clarey is personable, friendly, and has a vast knowledge of her field as she has been doing this since the '70s. Once I attended her seminar I felt completely at ease with her and subsequent visits only strengthened that. She has a top-notch office staff that is very friendly and efficient. She and her staff make sure that you know what you're getting into. That's why you must attend the seminar and you must follow your care plan carefully. She never did anything that made me feel endangered and that was paramount to me. For my money, there is no better bariatric surgeon than Dr. Clarey. She and her partner, Dr. Bruce, do a fantastic job and have never hesitated to answer any questions I have whether it was in person or on the phone.

Dr. Clarey seemed a bit quiet but very thorough. She had a calming affect on me. I was afraid that there would be more hassles than there was. She and her office staff have done everything possible to make this procedure run smoothly. The front staff were merely OK, but the staff in back were excellent! They are very concerened about good aftercare and making sure you understand what things will be like after the surgery.

Dr.Allison Clarey and her staff have been wonderful.Very supportive.In surgery holding,I told Dr.Clarey she was giving me my life back.She gave me the warmest smile and held my hand and said,"You're going to do just fine".I strongly feel people are sent into our lives at the time we need them the most.Dr. Clarey is just that person.

Dr Clarey and Dr Bruce work together in the surgery room so that makes me feel a little better knowing there are 2 of them that work closely together on each patient. They are both very patient surgeons from what I've seen so far. They have both been doing this surgery for years. I don't really have much else to say right now since I haven't had my surgery yet.

My first impression of Dr. Clarey was from word of mouth. My friend had her as a surgeon for WLS and highly reccommended her. Worked for me. Turns out her reccommendation was right on time. I was happy to see that the office staff and the doctor were pleasant, professional, and seemed accessible as well.
Dr.s Clarey and Bruce have a carefully planned packet that outlines everything regarding the upcoming WLS.
Questions are welcomed by the staff and the doctor. Dr Clarey has a member of her staff who not only runs the support group but is a former patient. The dr answered all of my questions regarding surgery risks and seemed happy that I had questions and was not just walking into this blindly. Overall she gets a 10 out of 10.
As for which is better, surgical competence or bedside manner - I don't care if I never see my dr at all as long as s/he knows what they are doing when it comes to my surgery and healthcare.