Mark Vierra Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

Dr. Vierra is a little hard to read at first. He's not one of those hold your hand doctors, but also not one of those arrogant it's all about me types. He's a bit reserved, with a quiet, humble brillance. This man knows more about nutrition than anyone I've ever met and can communicate it in everyday terms to patients. He truly cares about his patients (though don't look for any tender bedside minstrations, he's the surgeon not a nurse) and makes that clear in his concern for their welfare, aftercare/recovery, and return to healthy lives. He also expects you to do your part and follow the rules. The aftercare program is thorough and well documented for you. Be sure to attend the "what to eat after surgery" nutrition class (cost is $69 I believe, well worth it!) But, his staff is not going to coddle you either. His behind the door office staff is wonderful but the front desk ladies could learn to smile at patients instead of seeming like robots. Of course, they work for the entire practice, not directly for Dr. Vierra. His staff was great about getting me approved for surgery with my insurance, no issues there at all. I like working with PA Deidre Hamilton very much, she's the Physican's Assistant and a bit easier to make appointments with than Dr. Vierra. My biggest difficulty has been making appointments. I'll finish with one appt and be told to make appt in 4 weeks, I'll find out at the front desk that there aren't any appts in 4 weeks available. I think they should have us make appts 2 months out! The most important thing to know about Dr. Vierra's program is that he is the best at what he does here on the West Coast. I had a relatively easy surgery and recovery, following all his rules (and you get a long list of them!) likely due to his technical excellence. This is serious surgery and you want the best! Be aware that his practice is very busy and that's a good sign, but sometimes it can seem a bit rushed if you aren't ready with your food diary or questions. Go in prepared and your visits will go smoothly.

Runs a nice program (ASMBS COE). Well organized. Post-surgical needs anticipated, adequate preparation. Efficient office staff. I'd let him operate on anyone in my family.

Cannot say enough good things about Dr. Vierra and his team. Incredibly good surgeon, but still takes time to be caring and compassionate. Awesome support with PA Dierdre Hamilton. Always there when I need them. Great follow-up support, too!

I actually seen Dr. Vierra before I had my consultation with him. I attended his support group and it happened that he was speaking that night. I like him, he really seems to be very protective of his patients and out for their best interest. I like that he was a teacher at Stanford before moving to the Monterey area. So, only good things to say so far, we'll post more after the surgery! HA! His office is great...his nurse is very sweet and helpful along with his office staff.

Dr vierra is a great DR very well respected and like man. Dr vierra really talk to me about the whole surgery process and was very impressed that I am a single mother with 4 kids working 2 jobs. He had just as many questions about me being a single parent as I did about the surgery which made me very happy because he has family values. He even told me that just being a parent is hard and he has a wife and 3 kids. I was very happy he told me all this because you rarely find a DR who will go and talk to his patient about his personal life. His staff is wonderful and never had an attitued even when I call 4 times out the day. I was told by several other DR's of mine and by people who have been to him before that he is the best

I first learned of Dr. Mark Vierra, via Dr. Richard Kanack, Pulmonologist. Dr. Vierra had recently moved into the Monterey Bay, Ca., September 1, 2001, joining a very well respected surgical group. Dr. Vierra had, according to Dr. Kanack, headed up the Stanford University Medical Center Bariatric Surgery Programs for the previous 10 to 15 years. The Stanford University Medical Center Bariatric Surgery Program reportedly was one of the first, if not the first, Bariatric Surgery program in the United States. I liked the feeling that Dr. Vierra was willing to not only learn the surgery, but to teach the surgery to Surgical Residents. A great deal of skill is gained from teaching other physicians, especially students i.e. Residents, who will be asking the Teaching Physician, in this case Dr. Vierra, difficult questions that will result in the Teaching Physician having to constantly and always "be on his toes". Also, to survive in the very competitive University Professor level of one of the world's most highly ranked Medical Universities, Stanford University Medical Center, implies that Dr. Vierra is well thought of by his medical peers. Dr. Vierra had also chosen to move out of the Stanford University Medical Center so that his three young children would not be exposed to some of the more negative attributes of large metropolitan areas. Dr. Vierra, it appears, is able to place his family first at this point in his life. In summary, I was pleased to find a highly trained, highly reviewed, highly technical, very highly competent physician performing my surgery; this would assure me of the fewest consequences postoperatively. I also was pleased to find an individual who valued the importance of family.

After my first medical visit with Dr. Vierra, I attended a lecture that he gave to diabetics at CHOMP (Community Hospital Of the Monterey Peninsula). I like the fact that he could dress casually, when speaking "after hours". I didn't want a physician who was "formal" around the clock. I like surgeons with "human" characteristics.

Dr. Vierra performs the surgery laparoscopically i.e. "through little telescopes". This is an absolutely incredible way to have surgery; I was up walking around the nursing station six hours after the start of surgery i.e. about two hours after leaving Surgical Recovery. This early mobility and lack of intense pain is of course why I warned such a technically competent physician. This "Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery" is not a skill that is easily gained; it takes patience, experience, and dedication to be able to perform it quickly, as well as safely. When surgery is performed on me, I want the feeling, and knowledge, that I have the VERY BEST surgeon available to me performing my surgery.

As of today's date, November 29, 2001, Dr. Vierra's problems seem limited to those associated with starting a new practice. After more than 10 years at Stanford Medical Center, I'm sure that Dr. Vierra had many competent staff taking care of the problems that arise around the surgical practice, and as a consequence, few mistakes were being made. That is not currently the case from my observations, which are probably much more highly critical, since I see his problems from both the patient's view and from a fellow physician's view. Laboratory work that was needed preoperatively did not get properly set up by office staff. Referrals to other professionals that Dr. Vierra wanted were not smoothly obtained e.g. Dietetic Consult and Psychiatric Consult. The Dietetic Consult knew less about the procedure, and its consequences, than I did, and I did not know very much. While in the hospital, nursing staff on the Postop Surgery Floor gave incorrect advice regarding the follow-up limitations of my surgery; this is a minor consequence, as Dr. Vierra was readily available to correct misinformation. Both Dr. Vierra and CHOMP will, I am sure, improve upon the quality and availability of postoperative instructions. Although staff made some mistakes, they have all been friendly, supportive, and giving every evidence of striving to do their very best.

On a patient satisfactory ranking I would give Dr. Vierra 9.8 on scale of 10.

I nearly had surgery at Stanford with Dr Vierra. My first impression was that was he was insensitive and arrogant. This did not change over time it only got worse. He was unable to understand the humiliation and desperation of what his patients endure through this whole procedure. He had a intern w/him during his exam and was taking bets that I probably had a umbilical hernia. The intern seemed to be very uncomfortable with this to me. His nurse was very sweet. She seemed to be under alot of stress and pressure. There was follow up at the clinic and a support group was offered. The risks were very clear to me. I was pre-menstral and bloated and probaly should have rescheduled the surgery, but this was the second date I had been give the first one was said to have been a mistake. I had arranged for time off from work for the second time and didn't want to take the chance of another long wait befoe scheduled again. So as a result I was on the surgery table when my Intravenous pressure elevated and my asthma kicked in. The surgery was stopped and I went home. I was thankful that he did not persue the surgery, but I felt like he felt uncomfortable and uncertain of dealing with my heart condition. Maybe he should have refered me to someone who was more comfortable dealing with my heart condition. In a perfect world bedside manner and surgical competence would be the best situation for a patient. In reality if someone has a good beside manner your going to be more confident of their capabilities, but you would want someone that can do the best job for you always. I think that Dr Vierra could use some help with seeing obese people as not just a case, but as sensitive,humiliated people with little control over their situation. Then treating them with respect and dignity that every human being deserves. His competentcy as a surgeon is not at question.This was my own personal experience and I am not maiking any statement of what other's may have said they experienced.

I have heard that some people don't like Dr. Vierra's personality. I personally found him to be funny and charming. He is not one to hold your hand, but he is a very caring man. Over time, I heard some negative things about him, but I never experienced anything negative with him. It is my understanding that no one has any issues with his abilities...he is simply a man you either like or dislike...without much middle ground. Dr. Vierra's assistant, Michelle, was always pleasant and helpful to me. She did not answer her calls as quickly as I might have liked, but when I had a medical problem, they were both right there. My disappointment with Stanford and Dr. Vierra had to do with the aftercare. Medically, I got great aftercare, but I didn't feel that I was given enough support material to go home and do what I needed to do. He is a surgeon first (other types as well as weight loss surgery), and a weight loss surgeon only as a part of his practice. So he releases you with surgical instructions...not lifestyle instructions. Overall, I would rate him extremely competent. I feel that I was in good hands with him. While it is nice to have competence and bedside manner if I have to make a choice, I would pick the competent surgeon. My friends and family will give me bedside manner. I had a complication a couple of weeks after surgery and had to be mediflighted back to Stanford. Dr. Vierra and his staff were wonderful. However, I would say that he releases his patients a little sooner than I like. I had my original surgery on a Wednesday afternoon and he sent me home (2 hours away) on Friday morning. I did not feel ready to leave. Comparing this to other surgeries that I have had, I usually want to go home a day or two before the doctor wants me to.

My first impression of Dr. Mark Vierra was very good. I found him to be very professional, no nonsense, and to the point. At first I thought he didn't have a sense of humor, but after my second visit I found that he does, but tries to be as professional as possible. His assistant, Michelle, has been very easy to deal with and has been very helpful to me with an insurance problem. We haven't discussed which type of surgery I'll have, but I'll ask about that at my next visit.

I really was quite nervous and he put me right at ease. He came accross as very sincere and has a good sense of humor.

Michele, his staff nurse, has been very helpful and show much patience with all my questions.

We discussed the surgery and all the information I had accumulated over the previous 7 months. I would give him an 8 with 10 being the highest.(He kept me waiting for 40 min. a pet peave of mine.)

----6/6/00 Met with the doctor for my 3 weeks post op. He was very informative and offered a lot of info to help with my nausea and upset stomach. I was very happy with his staff and with Dr. Vierra. My expectations were such that I never expect much, so what I get is better than expected!!! I won't see him again for 6 weeks.