dcwsdfw Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

VERY PEOPLE ORIENTED AND KNOWLEDGABLE
OF THE SURGERY. MADE ME FEEL COMFORTABLE
AND HIS STAFF IS VERY NICE AND ALSO KNEW
ABOUT INSURANCE COMPANIES. HIS SUPPORT
GROUP WAS WERE I GOT AWESOME INFO FROM HIS
STAFF, THE GROUP MEMBERS AND THE HOSPITAL
STAFF.

dr marcus surprised me with the ease of my first appt. He answered all questions and made me so comfortable. He even hugged me when I left. I am 3 mnths post op and he has been so supportive. His office staff is great, Tasha is my lifeline! The nutritionist Chrlotte gets you on vitamins so that you are ready for surgery, then she helps you through each stage of eating afterward. My surgery went without complications, and Dr Marcus saw me everyday, he is the best.

There are a lot of hoops to go through with this surgery. EGD, pre-op testing, pulmonologists, anesthesiologists, mental health consultations. If you can keep up with the "requirements" the end result should be great. I am having trouble with some of the required pain management issues, but hopefully, all will work out in the end.

The support group (meetings twice a month in two MD locations) can be a bit troubling, but is worth it for the information value. The "scare tactics" employed during the informational portion of the first support group meeting are overdone and terribly blatant, (especially since obese people know full well their own mortality) but necesary, when you consider that people do and have recently died after this surgery.

Dr. Marcus and his staff are horribly overworked. Despite that, I felt very comfortable, had all my questions answered and did not feel like I was being lectured to about my weight problem. One complaint I do have is the continual push for the nutritionist who is not covered by my insurance, and who I cannot afford (at $400 plus vitamins). There are other things that seem pushy to me, too, but may be a personal thing toward me, and not indicative of the treatment others would receive.

The office manager and scheduler are polite and informative, but because they are overworked, they can't remember anything personal about me. What happens when I call the office is, I am forced to repeat all my information, including my preferences about certain aspects of the procedure.

Overall, I give the doctor a good score, and the office personnel a good score.

4/2/01-- I've finished the Pulmo workup, had the sleep study, been to the shrink twice and gotten approval for the hospital stay. I'm ready...as ready as I'll ever be.

Dr. Marcus is a very "down to earth" sort of person. His office staff are super people. I would encourage anybody in the DC area who us considering wls to go and talk to these folks. Dr. Marcus and his staff stress the signifigance of support before and after sugery. There are meetings twice a month at two locations (Silver Spring, and Poolesville MD).

Dr. Marcus is a gem. He loves to give hugs. From the first time we met, he made me feel that I was worth something. He and his staff are remarkable. Although the staff is not required, they attend our online group and biweekly support group meetings.
The staff is very supportive. The consultation visit proves how together this group is. They work with you throughout the pre-op process and for aftercare. Charlotte, the nutritionist on staff, is also terrific. She prepares you before and after surgery as to the nutritional changes you will be experiencing. Dr. Marcus and his team made me at ease with all of the information that I received about the procedure. I asked almost everything a person could possibly ask. He gave me the good and the bad. He also introduced me to post-op patients, who were glad to answer my questions. Overall I think he is the best surgeon I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.

Both surgical competence and bedside manner are necessary for a patient to feel they are in the best hands before and after surgery.

I had my first consultation with Dr. Marcus on Jan. 29, 2001. I felt very comfortable with him right off the bat. He has a wonderful sense of humor and is very nice. He answered all of my questions and was very thorough in explaining the procedure. His office staff is superb. They are all very helpful and patient with all of the questions. Dr. Marcus has a support group that meets twice a month. The meetings are very informative and they really emphasize aftercare. He also has an online support group. Everyone is one big family. Dr. Marcus has a team of professionals that really work with you and make you feel like you are their only patient. All of the risks were clearly explained and addressed. I have complete trust in Dr. Marcus and his staff.

At first I didn not feel comfortable with my surgeon. But he did an excellent job with my
surgery and always checked with me while I was in the hospital. (Which was a month.)
Now that I have been seeing him regularly as
an outpatient, I feel so much more comfortable with him and feel that he truly cares about his patients.
One night I had to call him on a holiday. He answered my call within 5 mins. I couldn't believe it! I would highly recomment him to anyone considering this type
of surgery.
His office is friendly and other patients in the waiting room talk and exchange information with each other. The staff is very friendly and helpful. They take their
time with you and treat you respectfully.
Aftercare was emphasized from the very begining. I was told of how important it was for me to continue with aftercare and my
appointments. To keep up with my vitamens and to continue to go to the Support Group that this doctor has twice a month. The support group is truly worth it's weight in gold.

Dr. William Y Marcus impressed me from the
very begining
as a very caring, competent, and honest
doctor. My impression of him
has not changed in the four(4) months I've
known him. His staff
is the best. They have been there for me no
matter how many times I
call with questions and are always pleasant.
Dr. Marcus explains the benefits
of the surgery and the risk of the surgery
in your initial consultation.
He stresses the importance nutrition
consultation before and after surgery.
Overall Dr. Marcus is fantastic in every
area. His patients call themselves
Marcus's Miracle!

Dr. Marcus is a very nice man, very paternal and caring. I was very intimdated by him when I first met him, I actually thought he was mean. But he isn't! He's just very passionate and doesn't want you coming into his office misled or under the wrong impression of what his tool will do for you. His staff is very competent and right now, very busy. But they get the job done and make sure they get all their t's crossed and i's dotted. The one thing I would say is sort of frustrating about the office is the info packet given at the support meetings for pre-ops. It needs a FAQ page desperately!!
If you are considering him, know that he doesn't take any sh*t! You are there to work and you better do your share after he does his. I am not yet aware of aftercare, but from what I have heard, it is extensive and FOREVER! You will be on a nutritional and vitamin-based regimen forver! You become a member of his extended family and don't forget it. I haven't had surgery yet, so I cannot rate bedside manner...
I would like to caution you to the cultish support group. They jump down your throat if you have a difference of opinion or a disparaging comment about doctor or staff. So, watch what you say in mixed company. The support group meets 3xs a month faithfully. They have topics of discussion and also have an advocacy group that meets with the hospital staff at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring so that all his patients are well cared for and not treated with anything but respect. I am happy I found this doctor and the group...Very informative and no guff!

He is a great doctor and a wonderful human being. I look forward to being under his care on the operating table. All his office staff are wonderful and very helpful. He has a very good structured aftercare program with a nutritionist and a support group. I have no doubts and feel very secure with his expertise in this type of surgery.