Victor F. Novak, III Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

Since surgery it needs to be noted that while hospitalized (had open) Dr. Novak arranged while hospitalized for a nutritionist to visit and provided a wealth of information and is available to me with just a phone call. He called about 24 hours after surgery(which I missed and got fussed at for) because I was out doing exactly what he wanted-WALK. I have had some difficulty with emotional issues and he was right there for me. He worked with my PCP and they have gotten things worked out for me so far. His personal interest was very present during the hospital as we had some problems with the staff and boy did the fur fly! He has absoulately no problem taking a bull by the horns and wants the answer yesterday as to why his orders were not followed. On the day of surgery, he even was calling the staff at the hospital in the wee hours of the morning wanting an update of my status. He should of been sleeping. I feel he is definitely the correct choice for me. He gives me full range to do what he asks which is helping me to re-learn 45 years of bad habits and make the right choices as there are definite nasty side effects to bad ones!

Dr. Novak is a very blunt person, He staff seems to be very helpful. I did ask him about nutrition information and he stated that what you are really doing is starving yourself. After my EGD he called my house to make sure I was doing okay. That made a very good impression on me.

My first impression of Dr. Novak was a tough one. I had a tough time dealing with the frankness.
I have learned that he doesn't deal with people that aren't willing to help make this work. I have developed a deep respect for him. He called my house to see how I was doing after my EGD. Now not to many doctors will do that for you. That was when I really started to like him.
His Staff is great, Becky and Kris get 2 thumbs up!
Im not sure what I dislike about him yet. I haven't found anything to dislike, other than he's as bullheaded as I am.
If you are interested in seeing him. You won't go wrong! He's great. Just face the facts that you are overweight. Don't let it hurt your feelings when he tells you your morbidly obese. Its a FACT!
He wants people to take this very seriously! It isn't a play time thing. It isn't an easy surgery. He's tough. But he's great! I called him the other day because I thought that my incision looked a little bad. Well anyone that has 40 staples in their stomach isn't going to look good. They had me come in and looked at it. I felt stupid for worrying but thats their job and they were very nice about it. Needless to say. Im fine. No infections, nothing. Just a thing that looks like a zipper down the front.
He's really big on aftercare! Don't let yourself or him down.
He's very blunt about your risks of the surgery. He will look you right in the eye and tell you, "You can die from this!"
Overall I would give him a 10 for his skills, his patience, his caring. He's a good guy. The man is more than surgically competent. Some days his bedside manner stinks! But 96% its great!

He seemed warm and caring - he assured me he could help me although he didn't sugar coat any of the risks.

He's still warm and caring although he doesn't like you to disagree with him. He's got a bit of an ego but he is so good he actually deserves it.

His staff has always been friendly and try to help me in any way - with the exception of one who just seems to rub me the wrong way. It's probably a personality thing and I don't let it bother me.

When he believes he is right there is no reasoning with him - but he's a male after all.

He is one highly skilled physician and I have the surgical experience to prove it. Instead of quitting in a tough situation he kept going for hours at a very tedious job to give me the satisfaction he knew I wanted. It took him three hours to just get to the surgical site - he told my husband that it was like trying to cut a layer of paint off a wall with a scalpel and not chip or tear it. He really went above the call of duty. He requests special bariatric beds for his patients and I know the nursing staff knows that the patient comes first with him. He encourages and pushes just enough to get you up and moving and on the road to recovery.I have met many many of his patients and I don't think any would dispute his skill level.

He keeps very close tabs on you after surgery - monthly visits plus he's started a monthly support group. If there appears to be any type of problem he checks it out quickly.

I've already mentioned he addresses the surgical risks right up front but also takes time to assure you he'll do everything possible to help if there's a problem.

I would rate his skill as excellent. Because he meets with us monthly we all have gotten to know his personal side a little better - that really helps a doctor-patient relationship.

His surgical competence and bedside manner are both good. I quess I would rate his competence a little higher because I've come to see results of his high skill level, where bedside manner can depend a lot on a patients perception of all that's going on around them.

When it comes down to it, I would highly reccomend him to anyone - and we are fortunate to have him right in our own back yard!

Victor Novak, M.D.
He is a "vascular surgeon" that performs many Bariatric surgeries. It has been my experience to believe him to be knowledgable & skilled in Baraitric surgery.

The office staff is very nice. Quite pleasant & friendly. They are in charge of making arrangements & do it very quickly.

The thing I like least is the fact there are so many appt's to go & his office is 30 minutes away.

After care is emphasized a great deal. He really pushes to make you go to the support group meetings as well as alot of office visits.

He is very up front about the risks of each surgery. But you have to remember to ask alot of questions.