Gary Pearlstein Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

I liked him he seemed VERY LAid back and EASY to talk to.

Well, I was suppossed to 1st do this last August, but kinda "Chickened out" Dr. P. had kinda gotten upset cause I had gained weight before my surgery, but he was also NOT aware that I had just recently had a REALLY bad BREAK -Up withmmy Fiancee. He & I have since spoken and he has been VERY supportive and has been GREAT to me!!!!!!!!!!!
Linda has been just as NICE and rREALLY KNOWS her stuff!!!!!!!!!! Dr. P. says: "She's the Boss!!!!!!!!!" LOL
Futture patients should just know to follow his orders, especially witht he 10 day LIQUID DIET BEFORE SURGERY!!!!!
Dr. P. did NOT BEAT around the bush, he was STRAIGHT UP with the RISK involved!!!!!!!
I know he has an EXCELLENT track record!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BOTH Bedside and Surgical Competence!!!!!!!

THIS IS A PUBLIC THANK YOU TO DR. GARY PEARLSTEIN, AND THE GASTRIC BYPASS STAFF! Today, I would like to publicly say thank you to Dr. Gary Pearlstein, Linda Allocco, Heidi and the Entire Staff involved in the life changing surgery Gastric Bypass. This group of caring people have been changing lives for sometime now, and it is about time we thank you. This surgery saves lives. A little over a year ago my Husband William and I disgust the procedure of Gastric Bypass. We knew it would be a very involved, as well as life altering. Dr. Pearlstein, and the Staff guided us step by step , explaining all the details we needed to know. The big day came on February 17, 2003, and the procedure was a total success, Dr. Pearlstein, and Staff were once again there not only for my William, but for me. I was given a play by play report during the long surgery to ease my mind. My Husband, and Children are my world, this is obvious for those who know me well. After William was released from Columbia Memorial Hospital with a clean bill of health, only two days had gone by when the phone rang. It was Dr. Pearlstein making a call from a ski lift, on a very deserving day off to check on William. Now if that does not say something about this Doctor, I do not know what will. I know for a fact he worries about his patients as if we were family. You can see this in the eyes of the good Doctor, as well as the Staff. Dr. Pearlstein and his Staff are also, down to earth. Unlike some who might seem to be all about money. There are most likely many people thinking about this procedure, and if it is right for them. We highly recommend Dr. Pearlstein. Also, I would like to make note that after the procedure it does not end there. You have follow-up appointments making sure you are doing just fine. They are more than willing to help with many questions, and concerns. My William has been overweight since a child, looking for an answer. I am not overweight myself. However, I married my Husband twenty-two years ago and he has always been beautiful in my eyes struggling with a weight problem, and high blood pressure. Over the years he has tried so many diets and exercises with slight weight loss. For some people this does not work. Gastric Bypass might be your answer too. I hope to speak for the people who have had this procedure losing a great deal of weight enjoying a new life. Indeed your life will change. Our life is a new, my Billy is 100 pounds lighter with a small amount left to lose. People offer him compliments now. For those who mock the overweight, maybe you might think twice. They do not chose to live like this, nor are they lazy. I have seen for myself the sheer ignorance of people. Over the past year while sitting in on the support group Dr. Pearlstein offers in Catskill, New York, I was overwhelmed by the weight loss stories, and tears the people shed when telling them. They are enjoying life, and have so much more pride now. Dr. Pearlstein, from our hearts we send you our Appreciation and Thanks. You have given quality life to our loved ones, and set them free to live life to the fullest. It is an honor to know you. May God Bless You and the Entire Staff......Sincerely Sharon and William O'Connor...P.S. We feel so strong and sincere about Dr. Pearlstein, and Staff that I requested this article to be published in one of our highly distributed newspapers from our area...It was!!!

i liked him right away when he spoke at a seminar.i liked him even better over time. he is caring, compassionate

office staff is very warm and helpful

i felt comfortable that he could handle any eventuality. (i'm an rn)


nutrition and supplementation not adequate.

aftercare surgeon visits liberal and adequate

personal discussion- to address risks of surgery



i like him a lot

both great!

Dr Pearlstein was always very professional, courteous and very helpful. Spent at least 90 mins with me explaining everything to me. Any questions I ask was always answered in a very professional manner. Up front and honest. I could not have asked for any nicer staff than Linda and Heidi. Very helpful on everything. Would go out of there way for you. If any one is considering Dr Pearlstein for there surgeon don't hesitate to see him. Dr explained all the risks of the surgery as well as the benefits. There are support meetings for you to attend. I will be attending my first one on Monday 2/2/04.

I met Dr. Pearlstein and staff yesterday, they were great!! They spent a lot of time explaining everything to me regarding pre-op, surgery, and post-op. Dr. Pearlstein seems very competent and knowledgable. I look forward to having him perform my surgery.

The first time I met Dr. Pealstein he was very informative he pulled no punches. He explained everything down to the last detail and didn't lie about how serious and life altering this surgery would be. He made me feel very comfortable with my decision and was encouraging and very supportive. His staff is absolutely the best. Linda can't do enough and never is there too many questions. She answers them all and as many as you have. Heidi is the very best at scheduling and getting you the times that you need.After surgery the care is top notch and any problems you have whether big or small are immediately addressed.My husband was very much against this surgery until he met Dr. Pearlstein. My husabnd liked him immediately as Dr. Pearlstein has a very confident and down to earth nature. I would highly recomend him to anyonre who is interested in this surgey.

WHEN I MET DR PEARLSTEIN, MY MOM CAME WITH ME. WE BOTH IMMEDIATELY LIKE HIM VERY MUCH, VERY UP FRONT ABOUT ALL POSSIBLITIES OF COMPLICATIONS. VERY DOWN TO EARTH TYPE OF GUY. AND LINDA IS AN ANGEL HERSELF, AND HELPFUL IN ANY WAY. I LOOK FORWARD TO GROUP SUPPORT MEETINGS THEY HOLD.

Dr. Pearlstein was very personable and friendly right from the start. He took about 55 minutes to go over the bypass process in detail. He is also very honest and tells you up front that this won't be easy. He is the first Dr. in 30 years that I felt that comfortable with so quickly. His office staff is wonderful. Linda, his nurse, is very pleasant and professional. She is also extremely knowledgable. Heidi the receptionist is a pleasure to work with also. I have had nothing but good relations with him and his entire staff.

I met with Dr. Pearlstein today for my inital consult. I found him to be very friendly and easy to talk to. He was very self confident, and made me feel at ease about my decision. We spoke for about an hour. He was very honest about the risks, but also told me what his procedures are in order to avoid problems. I didn't get to ask all my questions, but he touched on most of them, and the nurse answered a lot also. They told me to call anytime I had a question, that I'll probably think of a lot more ! His office staff is, by far, the nicest, friendliest, most helpful office staff I have EVER encountered--(I work in a doctor's office, and deal with many offices on a daily basis). To me, that was very important. Secretary Heidi and Nurse Linda are both sweethearts. I was having a hard time deciding on which doctor to go to, but I feel I have absolutely picked the right one.

Update: My surgery is scheduled for May 12, 2003--just 7 weeks since I began this journey! I went to a support meeting where Dr. Pearlstein did a guest lecture---it just reconfirmed that I picked the right doctor!

My first impression of Dr. Pearlstein is that he was cocky. I felt weird, but after several visits, I relized he is very sure of himself and he knows he is a good surgeon. He was very honest with everything that could go wrong with the operation, and yet I felt so comfortable and totally trusted him with my life. I think that self assureness he carries is what I have mistake for cockness. I'm glad I chose him, and would do it again in a heart beat.
His nurse Linda made me feel at ease, and she is one of the friendliest people going.
she is very helpful and informative about the procedure.
Heidi the secretary, is also a wonderful person. She was right there on top of things taking care of all my insurance needs. She is very friendly and all of his staff is an asset to his office.
I not only got the attention after the surgery, but he is great with the on going care, and had organized a support group for all those who have had the surgery, and those who are thinking about it. This group not only give the doctors point of veiw, but also allows new patients to hear the good along with everything that went wrong with their surgeries. I had a few complications myself, but Im glad he was my doctor.
I highly recommend Dr. Pearlstein, you wont find someone more caring.
Now that I am 2 months post op, I will say the same thing. I recommend this doctor to anyone looking for one. He is very concerned about his patients, and he takes no risk. If there is even the slightest chance of something being wrong, he will find it.