Leo Murphy Bariatric Surgeon

Dr. Murphy was very honest and matter of fact. He was very adiment in his expectations of me, if he was to do the surgery. He requires dedication to excercise and a willingness to follow his pre-op directives before he will committ to the surgery.
The staff at Pacific was very friendly and made me feel very at ease. Many of them have had the surgery themselves.
Dr. Murphy was very specific about what he would do during surgery and about possible complications.

The first time I met Dr. Leo Murphy was at the Pacific Bariatric Seminar in San Diego early November 2002. My first impression was that he had a great sense of humor (not too dry, not too funny) and he seemed like he knew what he was doing, and knew how to do it well. He was very informative, and also described the complications, and how you can prevent some of them.


The office staff was fine, not too nice and not rude. Just so-so.


I can't name anything that I did not like about Dr. Murphy.


Future patients should know that Dr. Murphy intends people to be driven to change their ways prior to surgery. Start eXercising atleast 1/2 an hour a day walking and join a gym after the surgery. Also he puts stress on the protein shakes, make sure you stick with the one he recommends.


I am not too sure about the structured aftercare program. Information like that was not really eXplained besides in a pamphlet that you should get a check up 1,3,6,12 months post op @PB. I also am not too sure about the Disability Info since this is my first time having surgery. But if the question this survey refers to as 'aftercare' being what to do (eXercise and eating healthy) and what not to do (bad food, asprin, juices, etc.) he couldn't have been more thorough.


He eXplained all the risks and complications of surgery.


I think it's important to really know your surgeon. I would rate him very highly since he stresses eXercising, strongly eXplains what to eat vs. not to eat, basically tells you the steps to be and stay a success.


Surgical competence and beside manner are both great; but if I had to pick, I would pick surgical competence.

My first impression of Dr. Murphy was formed at a Pacific Bariatrics seminar he spoke at in Sacramento. He was very thorough in explaining the procedure and the possible complications. He was careful to explain the steps a patient can take to minimize the risk of complications in a way that made a huge impression on me. He described what it's like performing this surgery on a patient that has been exercising vigorously and eating lots of protein, versus someone who has not. He said if you exercise in a gym for a minimum of 4 hours per week and eat lots of lean protein, your tissue will be like "shoe leather." He said that's what he wants to sew on because when the tissue is strong and firm there is less chance of leaks and hernias. I really got a lot out of Dr. Murphy's talk and it got me off to a good start my preparation. As luck would have it, when Pacific Bariatrics called to set a date for my consultation I was offered Dr. Murphy as my surgeon. I travelled to San Diego and met Dr. Murphy in his office. He asked if I had joined a gym and if I was eating my protein supplements. I told him I had and he was pleased that I was already doing what he asked. He was also seemed pleased that I brought my husband to my appointment, as I got the impression that Dr. Murphy is a big believer in patients having a strong support team. I will be having my surgery in six weeks, so I cannot comment on that experience yet. My overall impression is that Dr. Murphy will take the time to explain why it is SO important to eat protein and exercise hard in a gym, but you'd better do those things if you want to work with him. Because of hearing Dr. Murphy talk at the seminar, I knew that these are not arbitrary requests (like other surgeons make, such as loose 10% of your body weight) but he wants you to do these things for very legitimate reasons and it has motivated me well!

Dr. Murphy is great. Upon meeting him I was convinced that he was the doctor for me. He took the time to answer all of my questions and reassured me that I was making the right decision.

He and his staff stress the importance of correctly utilizing the tool he puts in place by ingesting plenty of protein and water daily as well as developing a exercise regime.

I appreciate the care I received from Dr. Murphy and his colleagues. When I was hospitalized 6 weeks after sugery and Kaiser doctors didn't know what to do with me. I called Pacific Bariatric and Dr. Murphy gladly arranged to talk to my treating physician at Kaiser. The doctor was even impressed as he and Dr. Murphy spent over an hour on the phone tring to come up with the proper treatment plan for me. Without this inout there is no telling what would have happened to me.

Dr. Murphy has been wonderful since the first day I saw him. I had some complications after the surgery, he and his daughter Mary followed up on my care beautifully. I spent a month in the hospital, had 3 surgeries, and am 10 months out now. It is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I see Dr. Murphy on a regular basis now and everything is terrific. He will be doing my hernia repair and tummy tuck, can't wait. Him taking care of me is just like having the most caring Daddy always making sure you are okay. You just need to follow the program and do what he says and it works!

Well, he did it! Dr. Murphy went in to fix a hernia and found 3 and he fixed them all! He was great, he a Dr. Jones shared the OR and I had a tummy tuck and breast lift at the same time. 10 days have past and I can't thank Dr. Murphy enough for taking care of me.

This journey was only 15 months from beginning to end and I couldn't be happier!

DR MURPHY IS VERY PROFESSIONAL BUT PERSONABLE. HE FULLY EXPLAINED ALL ASPECTS OF THE SURGERY AND LISTENED TO ANY COMMENTS, ANSWERED ALL QUESTIONS AND ASKED IF I HAD ANY OTHER THINGS I WANTED TO DISCUSS.

I liked Dr. Murphy right away. He was very kind and gentle. He reminded me of an uncle I have! I did have to wait for him for almost an hour, which made me late for my phych appt.He desccribed the surgery once again in detail. The only problem I had was that he received two phone calls while I was there. I didn't mind the first one, but was not amused when he got the second one and left again. Since I was late for my other appt., when he excused himself, I told him I was running late for it and he said, "well, we're finished anyway." Well, he might have been, but I still had a question or two. So, that part I didn't like. But for him as a Dr., I did like him and the way he treated me....with respect.

He was too cute! My last name is Murphy also. He said his sister's name is Kathleen (same as mine). He kept patting me on the knee and saying everything was going to be alright.
Everyone at Pacific Bariatric has been very nice and willing to answer questions.

Dr. Murphy is a wonderful surgeon. He is very down to earth and relaxed. He made me feel very relaxed and welcome. My impression of him only got better each time I saw him. I went into the consultation with as much knowledge as a person could have aboutt his surgery, however, he still opened my eyes to several things. He explained things very simply without making me feel like an uneducated person. The whole experience was awesome. The staff at Pacific Bariatric are all wonderful people and are extremely helpful. Dr. Murphy was adamant about exercise after surgery. He wants to make sure his patients are going to follow the Post-op protocol. He went over all the risks of the surgery, leaving nothing out. On a rating scale of 1-10, I would rate him a 10.5.

I met with Pacific Bariatrics on 9-9-02. The office staff were very helpful and polite. My appointment was at 0915. Although I was taken straight back to an exam room, undressed and into a Lovely-Paper-Exam-Gown, I then waited on the exam table for almost an hour. When Dr. Murphy came in, he struck me as very personable, certainly knowledgable and experienced. He explained the procedure and the risks and the post-operative phase. It was great. Very Informative. However, my family and I felt that when it came time for "Our Questions", after about 4 minutes of our questions, he stood up, indicating that we were done with our appointment. I could have used a few more minutes. I should have asked him to settle in for another second. But I was afraid to seem pushy. I feel that it is my fault, not his. I feel very confident in his abilities and VERY MUCH appreciated his remembering my daughter's name after the appointment. All in all I would rate him a 10/10.