Christopher Kaczmarski Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

He is a very fine surgeon, and I would and have recommended him to many people. He is very professional, and will answer any question that you have. His staff is very helpful, and probably one of the reasons that I decided to go out of my network, because it does matter to me how people treat me. This Doctor and his staff...definitely won me over with their knowledge and people skills.

Dr. Kaczmarski was wonderful. A man of few words, but very knowledgeable and a great surgeon. He was at the Bariatric Center in Ohio when I met him and he did my surgery. I now understand he is heading up the center in Pennsylvania. Good for him. The staff at the Bariatric Center was wonderful. They were very considerate and were helpful, sympathetic or supportive all the way. I've never met a group of people who enjoy what they do so well. Yes, the aftercare program was structured, but no one stood over you to make sure you did what you needed too. They were there to support you if you requested it. If you called with a problem after the surgery...they would follow up with you in a few days to see how you were doing. I was told about the risks of the surgery by Dr. K. but most of my information and support I got online from this site. I would rate Dr. K at 10 out of 10. Surgical competence is more important to me than bedside manner. I'm a big girl and I didn't need a lot of emotional support.

Dr. K was fabulous! He explained the entire procedure even though I've researched the this for years. He wanted to make sure that I knew what "his" procedure was. I got to speak with Angela. (I think that was her name). She has recently had the surgery in September and she looks great. They didn't sugar coat anything. The nutrition and strict guide lines were discussed in great detail. They have no time for briefings. They want to be sure you know exactly what decision you have made! I am awaiting approval now from my insurance company, but I certainly look forward to seeing Dr. K and Angela again. The BTC facility is beautiful. No need to worry about not fitting in those chairs. They are big! LOL.... They make you feel right at home. The only person that was a little annoying was the receptionist. She was ungodly slllooowwwww!!!!.. Great work BTC!

Dr Kaczmarski was chosen for me when I called for an appt at the Bariatric Treatment Center in Grove City, Ohio. He was nice but all business at the consultation. He explained everything in detail. But I had researched the procedure so knew a lot about what I would be having done. It was like he didn't want to waste time on someone that hadn't been approved for the surgery. I never saw Dr Kaczmarski again until he talked to me the day of surgery. My pre-op testing and PE was done by an internist on staff at the hospital. Not knowing the Dr did make me a little apprehensive but I just had faith that the Bariatric Center knew what they were doing and would do the best for me. The Bariatric Treatment Center has the operation and hospital care down to a science. They really knew what they were doing and made it plain what they expected of you, the patient, every day. The staff was very supportive. I did see Dr Kaczmarski at my 2 wk check up and he took all the time I needed to have my questions answered. This was the last time I saw him since he was moving to Pennsylvannia to work at a new Bariatric center. From then on I saw another surgeon and always a nutrionist at each visit. All through recovery exercise is stressed. As you heal they want the amount of exercise increased. This helps makes you feel better but also helps tone the muscles as you lose. I did have problems with the office staff loosing track of important papers that I faxed down to them. My pre-op testing lab results were faxed three times. Later another paper was lost and had to be sent again by my Dr back home. After surgery the headquarters in Michigan lost a check sent by my husbands place of employment that always pays for the first day of a hospital stay. My husband place of work had to make a copy of the check front and back and fax it with a cover letter to prove that The Bariatric Center did cash the check. It was little things that was so fustrating when you want everything to go without a hitch.

I THOUGHT HEWAS VERY OPEN AND FRIENDLY. I EXPECTED HIM TO BE KNOWLEDGABLE, WHICH HE WAS. HE GAVE ME ADEQUATE TIME TO ASK QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSED WHY I NEEDED TO GET A CARDIAC CLEARANCE AND A SLEEP APNEA EVALUATION.
THE OFFICE STAFF ARE WONDERFUL AND THE FACILITY IS BEAUTIFUL. IT IS SET-UP FOR OBESE PEOPLE.
HE HAS A STRUCTURED AFTERCARE PROGRAM AND HE EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF MEETING WITH THE DIETICIAN FREQUENTLY AND ATTENDING SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS. HE MADE SURE I KNEW THAT THIS WAS A LIFE LONG COMMITMENT.
EVEN THOUGH I KNEW THE RISKS FROM MY RESEARCH, HE WENT OVER EVERYONE WITH ME AND DISCUSSED WHY THEY COULD HAPPEN.
I FELT THAT HE WAS THE KIND OF DOCTOR WHO SHOULD BE TAKING CARE OF MORBIDLY OBESE PEOPLE.
SURGICAL COMPETANCE AND EXPERIENCE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT, BUT A GREAT BEDSIDE MANOR IS THE ICING ON THE CAKE.

DR KARZMARSKI TOOK THE TIME TO ANSWER ALL MY QUESYIONS. HE NEVER RUSH, HE TOOK THE TIME TO EXPLAIN EVEYTHING. KIND, GENTLE, AND VERY UNDERSTANDING. HE HAS A WONDERFUL MEDICAL STAFF BEHIND HIM.

My first impression of Dr. Kaczmarski was that he was serious and very professional. He seemed very confident about his surgical abilities and made me feel comfortable about him performing my surgery. I had lots of questions, and I think I threw him off his square so to speak, because he was prepared to give his presentation. Near the end of the appointment, he did seem to be in somewhat of a rush, but I was late for my appointment, and I knew he had others to see, so I didn't let it offend me. The office staff was wonderful, the receptionist, medical assistant,and even Audrey, the counselor who has had WLS herself were very attentive and pleasant. The aftercare emphasis seems to be more witht he nutritionist, but he did outline the timeframes post-op when I would need to come back for check-ups. He was frank and direct about all the risks of surgery, and he told me that he thought I am an excellent candidate for the surgery which made me feel good. Overall Dr. Kaczmarski gets an A+! I can't wait to have the surgery!

7/30/02 Had to change Drs. Unable to get an appointment before next year with one in Maryland. So my search continues.

8/5/02 Well I have decided because it's virtually impossible to get an appointment in Maryland with a surgeon who doesn't have a waiting list that's somewhere in the middle of next year.
So I am going through the Bariatric Treatment Center in Langhorne Pa. Donna who is so great has set everything up. I have a consult scheduled with a surgeon on August 16th, with Dr Kaczmarski.

9/11/02 I went to my appointment on August 16th and met with Dr Kaczmarski. I found him to be very friendly and pleasant, and had a dry sense of humor. He answered all of my questions, and believe me I had a million of them, but he was very patient with me and took the time to explain the procedure and discuss the after care. He explained why he chose this type of field, and the number of surgeries he's performed and the risk. My sister on the other hand said she didn't particularly care for him, and I think that was because he was very direct and didn't tell her what she wanted to hear. The bottom line is that she needs to get her blood pressure under control and he stated that he would not operate on her if her pressure was elevated. And I really don't think he got the impression that my sister is in this for the long haul. I feel that way sometimes when talking to her. I think she believes that this is some kind of quick fix and she doesn't have to do anything after the surgery the weight will just fall off, and her eating habits will not change. Anyone listening to her, would get the same impression. So I think it irritates him to know that he maybe wasting his time. For me, I'm willing to make the necessary diet and lifestyle changes that I need to, so I perceived him as more receptive to me.

I met with Dr. K on 8/29/02, and I thought he was great! He was very informative, even though I knew most of the things he discussed. It was very useful to my husband. Dr. K told us he's performed this surgery at least 1000 times. I am confident he will do an excellent job. He was very kind and polite, and yet conveyed his knowledge professionally.

I met Dr. Kaczmarski on Tuesday, September 3, 2002. Dr. Kaczmarski just relocated to the Philly area from the BTC in Ohio and came with an extensive background and experience in performing the Roux-en-y Procedure. He sat down with me for about 45 minutes and explained the entire procedure for me. He also descriped the pros as well as the cons to have my surgery and what I can expect prior, during, and post op. He throughly emphasized the importance of aftercare and the follow up appointments with both the center and my nutrionist. Once I made the decision to schedule my initial consultation, I had already made the decision to have the Roux-en-y procedure, it was just a matter of find the right surgeon. From the moment I walked through the doors at the BTC in Philly I knew I was in the right place. The warm and caring medical assistants and counselors made me feel right at home. Dr. Kaczmarski made a lasting impression on me and I can't wait to get the approval from my insurance company and schedule my surgery!