Michael A Perez Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

The incision is getting better every day. Dr. Perez authorized my working for the Post Office delivering mail on a temporary fill in basis. I feel that the nurse was a bit upset about my request for a fax to authorize my new job duties due to the heavy lifting that will be involved especially when she did it half way and had to do it according to the Postal Service's standards. Oh well, I fought for this one and I better make it count.

My first impresson of Dr Perez was that he has kind eyes and a mellow demeanor. His office staff is huge, I have never seen so many in one office before. They are all friendly and upbeat. Their pre-op and post op support are what brought me to this office, US Bariatrics. There are many specialists..nutrition..excercise..nursing...even a full time non denominational chaplain. Seems to be a well oiled machine :)
Risks of surgery are explained very well. There are extensive pre-op classes to attend where they leave no stone unturned. There is also a full compliment of post-op meetings and support groups. I feel that surgical competence,bedside manner and full support are what will make a successful WLS journey. I do believe that the team at US Bariatrics has it all.

I was a bit wary of Dr. Perez being that he was so young and didnt have many years exp (10+ yrs) considering another surgeon in his same office I was looking to do it with. But my insurance only covered me through Dr. Perez. I spoke with others in their office as well as another one of the surgeons which reassured me he was good. His office staff at U.S. Bariatric (http://www.usbariatric.com/) is awesome! They are extremely helpful, caring and concerned. What I like the most is that much of the staff has had the surgery as well as two of the surgeons! Dr. Perez seems to be a very quiet and reserved. Not only does he emphasize aftercare but the entire staff constantly empahsizes it. They not only have a structured aftercare program but they have excellent support groups and information meetings. The risks of surgery are all explained in detail and you are provided a booklet at the information meeting as well as after at an educational class. Overall, I would say an 8...I have not had much experience with surgeons to compare though. Both surgical competence and bedside manners are great.

Q.) What was your first impression of him/her?
A.) Very mild mannered and well spoken. Kind eyes and likes to laugh (not too severe or clinical).

Q.)How did your impression change over time?
A.)I only like him more as time goes on. At my first follow up appointment, he was so kind and I got the impression that he really cared about how I was doing.

Q.)How would you describe his/her office staff?
A.) Very kind, supportive and efficient.

Q.) What did you like least about him/her?
A.) I have no complaints at this time other than I wish I lived closer! I am now following up with Dr. Krahn out of Orlando because his office is 1/5 hours away versus 4.5 for Dr. Perez.

Q.) What should future patients know about him/her?
A.) That he has done as of 8/1/02 around 100 lap RNYs and 400 open RNYs and has not yet lost a patient.

Q.) How much does he/she emphasize aftercare?
A.) The program is the very best in the country as far as I'm concerned and was well worth the fee in exchange for the service provided. The program is called FOOD FOR THOUGHT CENTER.

Q.) Does he/she have a structured aftercare program?
A.) YES!!!! (See above)

Q.) How did he/she address the risks of surgery?
A.) A questionnaire was given to patient covering topics such as this. They use it to determine how informed you are. I got a 100% (woohoo) so he asked me what questions I had, etc. and covered them all with me.

Q.) How would you rate him/her overall? (
A.) I would recommend Dr. Perez to anyone. He is a wonderful surgeon, does not have a God complex, and with the exception of my Jackson Pratt incision which got infected, I am left with fine small scars.

Q.) Which is better, surgical competence, bedside manner, or both great?
A.) BOTH, if you can get em, are the BEST POSSIBLE COMBINATION ... and YOU CAN have
both with Dr. Perez.

I just met my surgeon yesterday 4-23-02 at one of the rescource meetings. I just walked up to him and started talking to him. Dr. Perez was very frendly and helpful, I told him about my insurance troubles with United Health Care. He seemed truly concerned how this will affect a lot a people. He answered all my questions and made me feel good about him.

The office staff is great a little busy but there good.

I talked to Pablo in the insurance department at the recource meeting and told him my problem. He called me back the next morning @8:15 and told me he talked to united health care and sent them some info.

AT 11:00 the office called me back and told me I HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR MY SURGERY.

THANK YOU PABLO!!!!

I should have my surgery date by the end of the week.

8/15/02 Just had my pre-op and met my surgeon for the first time. The office was slammed and people everywhere, yet the staff remained professional and thorough even though it was after 5! Dr. Perez was patient and answered all of my questions and took his time. I never felt rushed or that he was disinterested -- I felt that he wanted to make sure I understood what to expect. US Bariatrics in Ft. Lauderdale is the very best. The amount of information, the classes we were required to attend, the medical clearances from the cardiologist and pulmonary doctors, etc. only served to help me realize this wasn't "drive-through" service I was receiving. My well-being is foremost! I would highly recommend this practice to anyone. Dr. Perez possesses both excellent bedside manner and we have heard so many people say that he is brilliant! I am looking forward to the surgery!

I met Dr. Perez yesterday,{August,8, 2002}. I liked him very much. Surgeons in general are not very personable, but he was nice and very professional. The office staff was extremely compassionate and comforting. They could not have done anything better. I was most impressed with the staff.

Very Nice informative doctor. The aftercare with this surgeon's group is amazing. All of the doctor's in Dr Marema's group have a high success rate of patients reaching their goal weight. I rate this group as a 10.

IT'S JULY 25 ,02. I MEET MY SURGEON TODAY, DR. M.PEREZ. HE WAS VERY NICE AND HE HAS VERY GOOD BED SIDE MANNERS. HE WAS VERY POLITE AND VERY PATIENT WITH MY HUSBAND AND I, WHILE WE ASKED ALOT OF QUESTION. THE WHOLE STAFF AT DOCTOR MERAMARS OFFICE IS GREAT AND VERY WELL INFORMED, EVEN THE CHAPLIN, MIKE. I WAS VERY SURPRISE TO SEE THAT HE KNOW ALOT ABOUT THE SURGERY ALSO. MY HAT GOES OFF TO YOU, DOCTOR MERAMAR FOR HAVING SUCH A WELL INFORMED STAFF. I JUST WENT ON LINE FOR MY HOME TOWN TO LOOK UP WHAT SURGEONS WERE PREFORMING THE GASTRO AND WHERE. I HAVE TO SAY THAT SINCE I HAVE BEEN READING DIFFENT PRO-FILES OF PEOPLE THAT HAD THE GASTRO BY PASS PREFORMED, NOT ONE SURGEON HAS COME CLOSE TO THE WAY DR. MERAMAR HAS SET THE WHOLE PRECEDURE UP. I WILL BE DIFFENTLY MAKING UP DATES ON MY PROGRESS. MY SURGORY IS AUGUST 6TH, 2002. I VERY EXCITIED AND LOOKING FORWARD TO MY NEW LIFE WITH MY NEW BODY.

He was a cutie. He was very polite and answered all my questions. Everyone at the office was kind and very helpful. The staff also remembered me just by talking to me on the phone I thought that was awesome that they remember you just by talking to you a couple of times. I'm sure they talk to a lot of people and still remembered me. There was absolutely nothing that I didn't like about Dr. Perez. He has done the surgery for 8-9 yrs. Yes he has a structured after care program his staff spoke to me about it. Yes he addressed all the surgery risk. I rate Dr. Perez a 20. lol.... I believe both. I am very happy with my choice to have Dr. Perez do the surgery. I have nothing negative to say about the staff or surgeons. The only thing it's hard to speak to someone on the phone very busy in the office, but, they return your call within a day or two.