Rafael Capella Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

I had my surgery back in 2005 with dr capella had i known the long term affect i wouldn't have done it. I lost 150 orginally and gain back 60lbs since. I also developed. 3 uclers in my stomach i have to keep seeing a gi dr., I've been in so much pain over the year's. I really regret this surgery. Im always Bloated and have Heartburn and gas all the time. Now I started having pain in my back under my breast area and they cant find what's wrong. I won't recommend this to anyone. Thank god he stop practicing. Is there anyone that has had the same problem.

I had my original surgery in August, 1990, by Dr. Rafael Capellla. I went to the before surgery meetings and had a visit with the doctor, back then you had to wait 6 months to get your surgery date! I was vèry anxious of course, 3 days before my surgery on a Monday, on a Friday, my insuranc ed called to tell me that it wasn't going to pay for my surgery. So, I got on the phone and finally got everything straightened out! On Sunday, I showed up at the hospital, my kids had been sick the week before, so, of course, I now had a fever and was sick. Dr.Capella came in to tell me that I couldn't have the surgery and it would have to be rescheduled! I cried so hard, I had gone through a lot to get to that point! Well, good news was, I was rescheduled a week later, and had my surgery! Recovery was great, I thought it would be worse, but it went really well, hardly any vpmiting! Little did I know what was happening! At that rime, they didn't realize that they needed to put me on acid reducers, so in q993, I developed two very large ulcers, one on the staple line, so my surgery was ruined and in October,1994, I had it revised or redone! This time, recovery was harder, I had a lit of vomiting and always had a pain under my right ribs! I still didn't lose my faith in Dr. Capella yet! I thought he was an angel! After all, he did something I felt I couldn't do by myself, he helped me lose weight! I lost 100 lbs., I was 286 lbs when I started! I stayed at 180 lbs until 2008. I was vomiting on and off for all those years, had gone to see Dr. Capella several times over those years, but he could not find anything. But meanwhile, my GO Specialist diagnosed me with a hint al hernia, acid reflux, amongst other things! I have been in severe pain since 2008! That pain under my right rib that they could never figure out! They took out my gallbladder in 2008. They thought that would fix the problem! It did not. In 2010, I was put in the hospital, severely dehydrated from vomiting and in a lot of pain! They diagnosed me with Chronic Pancreatitis and told me I had 2 fistula or holes in my stomach! I again had to have my original surgery revised, the best they could, because they could not figure out what he had done, they said my anatomy was completely different than normal, I didn't undrtstand. In 2004, I had asked, when I was at Dr. Capella's off ice for a visit, if they could look at my past records, and mysteriously, they had been lost, with my pictures and everything! Well, anyway, went through the revision and I was still vomiting so they decided in 2012, to put a G-tube through my skin or stomach wall into my stomach, so they could get a better look inside, because my anatomy was so "off". And i also needed nutrition through that tube, I lost 30 lbs in 6 months, and i was really sick at this point! When they put the tube in, I started leaking all my fluids out of my stomach, so for the next 4 months, twice a week, I had to be in the Emergency Room, to receive 3 bottles of liquid because I was so dehydrated that my blood pressure was going down to 60 over 30 and I needed help! I asked them to remove the tube and the hole took a year to heal completely! My skin on my stomach was gone and just was a bloody mess! It took a year to feel better from all that! Since 2013, I haven't vomited more than a couple of times a day, but then I don't eat very much! I have list a total of 150 lbs now but at what costs? My teeth are mostly gone and I feel horrible! I still have the pain under my right rib because i will never be free of the Chronic Pancreatitis! And I am still living on double doses of nexium. I won't even discuss my issues with constipation because of my fluid problems, only to say that they are unbearable at times! I know a lit of people who have had lap band surgery without all the complications and good results, I probably would have went that way if it was available at that time! But it wasnt! I am sorry, Dr. Capella knew what he was doing but the aftercare was horrible! I had my surgery at Good Samaritan hospital in Suffern, NY and then at Hackensack Hospital, the second time, and they were great! It has nothing to do with his personality but I feel like I was just a step up the ladder and sort of a guinea pig, them learning off of our problems, successes and failures! I would just say that you should consider this very carefully! It has a lot of good and bad! God Bless Everyone and Good Luck!

I did a lot of research on Dr. Capella and went to his informational seminar. I felt comfortable with him and his office staff, including the day I went in for surgery. I lost a total of 140 lbs. Not near my goal so I was disappointed. Here's where my review goes downhill. From almost day 1, I've had nothing but problems. I throw up constantly (it's been 7 years since my surgery), some days I'm unable to keep down any food at all. I was hospitalized again 3 weeks after my initial surgery because my incision site was leaking and because I was throwing up even pureed food. I never saw Dr. Rafael, only his son who only does plastic surgery. I kept telling them that I knew something was wrong but they were blowing me off and telling me it would stop. (7 years and it hasn't stopped). They did an endoscopy while I was awake, said they found nothing, so I finally gave up and figured that this would be my way of life from now on. All this throwing up has taken it's toll on my body. My teeth are like those of a bulimic, I developed ulcers, I have a hiatal hernia which my current GI doctor said I likely had BEFORE my GPS and he doesn't understand why it was fixed then and there, I have terrible acid reflux and my GI doctor also said it appears as though my GPS completely unraveled. I can no longer lose weight, but I can barely eat anything because most of the time when I do, I throw it back up. Although I was happy to lose the weight, I would never have done the surgery had I known what I would go through for the rest of my life. I am fortunate to have found a GI doctor who is not giving up running tests until he can 100% accurately determine why I'm having so much trouble. He said he's never seen anyone with a GPS like mine. He also did an endoscopy and said that he was able to see all the way into my "old" stomach which he should not have been able to see. I think that if Dr. Capella is still practicing medicine, he needs to stop. He ruined my life.

I went to a informational meeting with Dr Capella. I was very impressed. I have been researchinmg him for little over a year He is very up front with you and to the point but at the same time I feel he has a sense of humor. People come from all over to see this man. He really just made me feel much calmer about what I wanted to do (have the WLS surgery), and assured me I did do my homework and picked the right doctor for me.

I went to one of his seminars. I was shocked at the results. Even still I waited 3 and half years before actually having the surgery performed. I thought the surgery was a dramatic measure for me to take but when I finally did see him, he made me feel completely comfortable in his hands. rnrnHe is kind, honest, sympathetic and truly cares about his patients. He is soft spoken and listens attentively to everything you say. He encourages you to ask questions and offers you a list of patients to contact for their comments if you wish. He also has his own website. It's www.CapellaSurgery.com. rnrnHis staff is highly trained and is always there to help in any way they can. They understand that the paperwork can be overwhelming and will spend as much time with you as you require. rnrnI chose Dr Capella ultimately because of his years of experience, his personality, location and willingness to teach me how to better my quality of life.rnrnHe never made me feel like I was a failure, instead he made me feel like I was giving him the privledge of allowing him into my life; that I chose him to help me give myself, my family and my friends a better quality of life. rnrnrnHe explained why he chose the type of surgery he does and what to expect. I wasn't happy about the fact that I would have an abdominal scar BUT after listening to why he does an open VBG, I can understand and appreciate why. He puts your life before your beauty. He was very honest upfront in letting me know that I would have to submit to a battery of tests before hand but that was to ensure that there were no underlying medical conditions that needed to be looked at first, including a psych evaluation if my insurance company requested one. Oh and about that scar, as you lose weight and your belly starts to shrink....the scar does too. I'm also using a special product to help with that. It's called Scar Guard and you can visit them for more info at their website, www.scarguard.com. rnrnI have absolutely no regrets about the surgery, and most especially about chosing Dr Rapheal Capella as my surgeon. To me, he's Saint. rnrnHe doesn't even \"participate\" with my insurance but because they approved it, he accepted it. I was lucky to have out-of-network benefits. rnrnI had to deal with three states because I live in NY, Dr Capella is in NJ and the insurance company (and my employer) are in CT. rnrnIt was hard to deal with all the requests for tests but I starting dealing with a contact person directly at the insurance company instead of doing it via the doctor's office. It made things move much more quickly. I learned you have to be your own preponent. Don't wait for the doctor's office or insurance company to do all the work. You must keep on them about what you need, what they need and what the doctor and/or hospital needs. rnrnYOU must look out for Number One.....

Dr. Cappella is very busy, he has done many RNY's. I wish I had the lap band surgery but it was unavailable to me when I needed my operation. My MD is now Dr.Peter Kwon, and he is the best person I could have ever found for follow-up care!

Completely professional, informative, answered all questions. The facility has a well structured aftercare program and the staff is incredibly helpful and available for the patients. I would rate Dr Capella a 10 on a 1-10 scale, he was terrific and I could not have had a beter experience and I am 16 months out.

Dr. Capella was wonderful. I could not have chosen a better doctor.

I liked his style instantly! I felt that he knew what he was talking about and what he was doing.rnrnMy impression of Dr.Capella has only improved, especially since my surgery on 11/29/2004!rnrn I feel that the staff is very helpful & competent. I have lots of questions and they are all very willing to answer my inquiries.rnrnIf I had a \"least like\", it would be bedside manner.rnrnAll of the above, that he is a great Surgeon who knows what he is doing and has a great team working with him.rnrnDr. Capella stresses aftercare very strongly. rnrnYes, He does.rnrnDr. Capella does not beat around the bush, he explains all of the risks of surgery. He explains all of the precautions that are taken to minimize the risks, but he does not downplay them. He advises his patients that the decision is theirs.rnrnOn a scale of 1-10 Dr. Capella gets a 10 from me.rnrnI personally feel that Dr. Capella's surgical competence is greater than his bedside manner but for me, that is best!rnrnrnI apologize, but I can only state my true feelings and the above is how I feel about my experience with Dr. Rafael Capella.rnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrn

**last edited June 3, 2007**rnJan '07 Found the names of Drs. Capella and Iannace by searching on obesityhelp.com. rnFeb 6, 2007 – Attended “Informational meeting” - very disorganized. No one told us what do. Took a clipboard and completed a stack of papers. Then stood on a line to make an appointment for a consult. This was before we were given info. I was told I would see Dr. Rafael Capella because his name was under my insurance. We then saw a powerpoint presentation that boasted of all their successes and experience. They described all possible procedures, and the after weight loss surgery that Dr Capella Junior does. Lots of information about risks, complications, etc. At the end of the presentation they took questions. Overall, it was an informative meeting but I had the distinct feeling they wanted the open RNY for all patients. rnFeb 13, 2007 consultationrnI arrived early for my 3:00 appointment. It didn't take long for the nurse to call me to get weighed and have some pictures taken. There was a huge issue with my insurance coverage. Had consult and exam and was told they'd be in touch. Meanwhile, they still hadn't followed up with my insurance company so I called and got the information I needed. I got everything I needed together, and faxed it to them.. followed up 2 days later and was told that they hadn't sent it yet because they were trying to determine what they needed to send... grrr.. explained I did that and to please send it. Next communication was a form letter telling me when to go for pre-surgical testing and what my surgery date was. About 2 weeks pre-op a nurse called me to say that I had to come in to pick up prescriptions I had to fill. No contact with anyone else in the office. rnDay of surgery - Dr. Capella said hello and he'd be back soon.. Dr. Iannace was late and they were trying to call him. Then I was out. Post-op -- day 1 both dr's stopped in for about 45 seconds to say hi. Rest of the time, Dr. Iannace stopped in. He was very late on the day of my discharge - I had to wait at the hospital 4 hours longer than I planned. I was told to schedule next appointment in 4 weeks. rn1 month post surgery visit-rnSaw Dr. Capella for about 7 minutes for my 1 month appointment. I lost 25 pounds in 28 days and he was very disappointed saying that he would have expected me to lose 30 pounds.. then he tried to reverse himself because I was only 28 days out and had another 2 days to lose the rest.. I told him point blank that I'm not in a contest and that I was very happy with my progress. rnOverall, I think as a surgeon he is top notch and would recommend him for that part.. but bedside manner, realistic expectations, aftercare, etc.. all are way below what I'd want. I don't care to be treated as a statistic. rnrn