Manuel E. Castro-Arreola Bariatric Surgeon MD, PhD, FACS

Dr. Castro is rare among doctors these days; he is an excellent surgeon and deals with his patients with compassion and understanding. I have never felt rushed when asking questions and he explained fully all the aspects of the surgery. Likewise, Dr. Castro's staff are informative, helpful, supportive and friendly. I was impressed on my first visit and my opinion hasn't dimmed. rnFuture patients should know they will be in capable hands in a well rounded program; beginning with a very informative education class pre-surgery, surgery, and an aftercare program which includes contact with an exercise physiologist and nutritionist. Future patients should also know they will get loads of encouragement from the staff and doctor. rnMy experience, thus far, has been truly wonderful. Occasionally, there is a bit of a wait at appointment times but it is usually not long and the extra bit of wait is worth it. A good friend accompanies me to appointments and she wants to switch from her current bariatric surgeon to Dr. Castro.rn

My first impression was that he was a wonderful, well trained and compassionate physician really takes his time with you, does not rush you in any way. He is very caring and patient with me. The office staff is the best, from the first person you talk too Helen, to Jayne and Daphne they are the best. They all seem to share the same compassionate and caring attitude of the physician, his wife Lyndora is also a Gastric patient , so he has an oppurnity to see both sides of the picture, and understands in a way no other Dr is able too. The aftercare program is the best. I haven't seen any others that have the same intense follow up. I would have to say that his surgical competence and his bedside manner are out of this world!rnrnHe is the BEST!

My first impression of him was he was a very caring person. Him and his staff are very caring and supportive. They all have a family atmosphere. They have support meetings for patients and just people that want to learn more about obesity. I think he is one of the best doctors I have ever met. You can get a hold of him 24 hours a day. I can not say enough about him and his friendly caring staff.

I had my first visit with Dr. Castro and his staff today. I was so nervous and anxious. We all know that feeling when we first get to the doctor's office. I can honestly say I have never felt more comfortable and understood in a doctor's office like I felt today. Jane was so enthusiastic and welcoming. She made me feel like I was talking to one of my friends not a nurse. Dr. Castro has the best bed side manner. I never once felt misunderstood. He listened to everyting I had to say so diligently. He described the proceedures on terms I could understand. As I was scheduling my education class Mrs. Castro and Daphne were so awesome. Mrs. Castro was so down to earth and so helpful and kind. Daphne was so helpful and willing to answer all of my 5 million questions. Helen was so super sweet as well.They actuaaly made me feel like that THEY were happy that I was there. I did not feel like I was just another patient walking through, but a human being that has a chance at changing her life. I was so motivated when I left that I knew my life is never going to be the same-after the surgery(thats a good thing). THANKS to all of at New Beginnings!!!!! Mandi B

Dr. Castro is a very kind, gentle person, very laid back and I would highly recommend him to anyone interested in weight loss surgery. He understands so well that this is a disease and we've all tried everything or we wouldn't be here. He has wonderful bedside manner and was very sweet and very skilled surgeon. I feel very fortunate to be one of Dr. Castro's patients. His staff is the best I've ever been around, everyone makes you want to come back and they are very friendly and helpful in every way. I love all of them! The entire program is wonderful and all of them are there if you have any questions at all. They have wonderful support programs and seminars for all the questions that you might have.

Upon the orientation I found the staff helpful and very friendly. After going to the office for my visit it was even better and he really seems to understand. His office staff got everything taken care of on the first try. I have yet to find anything negative about him except i wished he did the surgery a little closer to home. Future patients should know that he and his staff are really nice and caring. Aftercare and support groups are there. Explained the risks and nothing new there... hmmm risks of life with surgery or certain things without... on a scale of 1-10 ---10 both seem to be great had several co-workers and friends use him

Dr. Castro came across as a very caring pyhsician. That was my initial impression and has not changed. I am from El Paso,Tx but I flew to Dallas, Tx to have him operate on me. He had done my sisters surgery three months prior and I had full trust in him. No other surgeon satisfied me and after my sisters great recovery and success, I had to go to him. I found him in Dallas and made the proper arrangements for my surgery. He satisfied all my concerns by answering all my questions and eliminating my fears. He is detailed oriented and straight forward. Patients should know, that \"Thrust\" is key to finding a surgeon and he excels in this category. For me, both surgical competence and bedside manner are important. Dr. Castro satsifies both of these with flying colors.

My first impression of Dr. Castro was that he was a true medical professional. He was very polite and spoke calmly without a rush. My impression of him from beginning to now is still sustained. I cannot truthfully say anything negative about him. My patient experience with him has been superseded by any expectations I might have had. His office staff was kind and professional. If there is one thing any patient should know about him, is that he has the human component that is so much lacking in the medical profession. He genuinely cares for his patient without any biases or discrimination. He covers risk in detail and answers truthfully to any concerns. I would rate him higher than a 10 if it was possible. With Dr. Castro you get the best care from A to Z because his surgical competence is a proven track record and his bedside manner is at the highest level. You basically get the \"Best\" at your service.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Dr. Castro at Methodist Dallas Medical Center.rnrnHe's very caring. He listens to you. rnrnAbout three weeks after my surgery, I was extremely sick. I called him (after hours). He returned my call the next morning while he was away at a conference. He was very reassuring that I would be okay and gave me guidance of what I should do. He called me again the next two days to check on me. That's what I call CARING!rnrnI cannot think of anything negative to say about Dr. Castro.rnrnI have already sent one person to him for her post-op care. I think she is 3 or 4 years out, and she needed a doctor. So my mother told her about Dr. Castro. And she has been very pleased with him as well.rnrnI feel like I'm a walking billboard for Dr. Castro because I like him so much. Everyone who knows that I have had the surgery also know that I am very pleased with Dr. Castro.rnrn

My first impression of Dr. Castro was that he is a very nice man and not arrogant like most doctors. rnrnMy impression of him has not changed. The office staff: Daphne, Helen, Jane, Lorna (his wife, sorry if I spelled your name wrong) are all very nice, helpful, encouraging and friendly. You could not ask for a more supportive team before and after surgery. I also have to say that the team he brought in from the hospital, the psychiatrist, dietician, and Ginny the exercise guru were all nice and friendly. Also Dr. Meyers is the BEST ANESTHESIOLOGIST in Dallas. I did not have a sore throat after the surgery from my intubation.rnrnSo far I honestly cannot say anything bad about New Beginnings, the staff or Dr. Castro. rnrnFuture patients should know that the staff will really work hard to get you approved for your surgery and they will be your strongest advocates. Dr. Castro also is very encouraging as you take your journey to a new you.rnrnDr. Castro and his whole staff emphasis aftercare through follow-up visits.rnrnDr. Castro has a really structured aftercare program. You can meet with the exercise guru, or the dietician. The hospital gives a discount at the Folsom Fitness Center for biatric patients who go through Methodist to have the surgery. There is a support meeting every month for the patients. You have to fill out a questionaire every time you make an office viists so the doctor can track how you are doing. I think the support meetings are the best. I guess that can be my one complaint, I wish there were more support meetings, although I am have a mini support group with some co-workers who have been through the process.rnrnDr. Castro has monthly seminars where he talks about the risk of surgery and the benefits. Dr. Castro also has a consultation with you one on one when you start the process. He is very honest and open about the benefits and risk of surgery and also about how the surgery is just a TOOL to help you lose weight and is not a MAGIC BULLET.rnrnI would give Dr. Castro and his staff a 10 on the scale of 1 through 10. Positives: Open, friendly, supportive, and caring.rnNegatives: Need more support meetings.rnrnDr. Castro has surgical competence, and bedside manners so he is a very balanced doctor. I think the other great thing is that some of the people on his staff have had the surgery so they know the emotional highs and lows that you are going through. I don't think I would have had the surgery if I had encountered another doctor who was not as nice as Dr. Castro.rnrnLinda Amie