James Balliro Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

My first impression of him was fright,i have other health issues and he is a very matter of fact doctor. I was very affaird of the surgery but i realized after a time that he really cared for his patients and in being so frank made you wake up and smell the coffee, i really do not believe in my heart that if he felt like you would not make it through the surgery he would not do it.he is a great doctor and i appericate him he went beyond the call of duty with me and did a great job.
I liked his staff alot there are very busy there but i found them to be friendly.
Dr Balliro not a hand holder he expects us to get up and get going.
Has a very structured plan for after care and diet, but it is still up to us
He was very open and honest about the risks of the surgery he candy coats nothing
I would give him a 100%
Well surgical competence he has your very life in his hands .bedside would be nice because afterwards your pretty scared but you can't have everything ,again he is a great doctor with a great staff and a great hospital ... Thank You Dr Balliro

Very nice, confident, experienced. Had my surgery on 1/14/04. Dr. Balliro visited me in hospital 2 times, his associate released me. Balliro doesn't say much but seems very thorough and understanding. Staff nice but didn't display alot of efficiency in dealing with insurance or with scheduling surgery. date was rescheduled twice before actually happening. Make sure you have thoroughly read balliro's required books on obesity, treatment options, surgery, and life after surgery prior to consultation, so that you have all your questions ready.
Balliro has years of experience in all gastric/stomach related issues. I feel very confident having this doctor because I have met alot of his patients, all very pleased with their opinion of him. I know that the key to success is to do what the doctor tells you, be well informed about all aspects of program and to fully realize that surgery is not a magic cure but a tool in overcoming obesity. It will give me the willpower and self control I can't seem to get on my own. God bless you in your journey and I hope you pray for me on mine. This journey is for life.

My impression of Dr. Balliro was that he was experienced in this type of surgery. He answered all the questions my husband and I had. He seem relax during the time we met him.
There were no complications with my surgery and while at the hospital Dr. Balliro stopped by everyday to make sure I was doing well. My husband and I were very pleased and would highly recommend him. In a scale of 1 to 10 I would give him a 9.
I mostly dealt with Shellie at Dr. Balliro's office and she was great. She was organized and knew what she was doing.
There is a nutrinist at his office and her name is Lynn. She has been very helpful.

I liked Dr. James Balliro immediately upon meeting him. He was friendly, but direct, and put me at ease. He was obviously knowledgable and efficient. I found his office staff to be the only weaker point of my experience. Now that being said, let me say that Shellie has been fantastic. She has been helpful and supportive. She is the person that I ask for when I call. If she is unavailable at the time, I leave a message and wait for her to call back. His office emphasizes follow-up with the dietician who meets with you at the surgeon's office. I aso see Shellie at these appointments to monitor weight, incision sites, general post-op, etc. I was well aware of the risks associated with the surgery due as much to my own research as was reaffirmed by my surgeon's office. Overall, I would rate Dr. Balliro a 7 out of 10. In my opinion/experience, his surgical competence is exceptional. His bedside manner is a bit lacking..but I was aware of this when I chose him to be my surgeon and his experience was the main priority to me. I also had the privilege of seeing one of his colleagues post-surgery when Dr. Balliro was unavailable and Dr. Bergedau (sp?) was both pleasant, polite and encouraging.

I found Dr. Balliro to be very nice and to the point.I've heard his bedside manner sucks but I havent experienced that yet. I'd prefer a Doctor who knows what he's doing over one who likes to chit chat. It's better if you research and take this experience into your own hands, and leave the hard work to the surgeon. Dr. Balliro knows what he's doing and his record shows he is a competent surgeon. I stake my life on it.

I HEARD MANY STORIES AND RUMORS ABOUT HIM BUT HE SEEMED TO BE A COOL PERSON.
I DID NOT HAVE ANY.
THE STAFF SEEM TO BE A PLEASANT GRUOP OF PEOPLE.
NOTHING AT ALL I DON'T BASE MY DECISION OFF OF WHAT OTHERS SAY.
THE ONLY THING I DID NOT LIKE, OR MAYBE IT WAS A GOOD THING THAT HE WASN'T MUCH OF A TALKER HE WAS RIGHT TO THE POINT.
DON'T EXPECT TO GO IN FOR FUN BE POSITIVE AND IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT YOU DO NOT KNOW ASK QUESTIONS.
NONE REALLY.
I AM NOT SURE.
YES HE DID.
I WOULD GIVE HIM A 8.
SURGICAL COMPETENCE.

i met with dr. balliro on oct.4th.the office staff was very nice and i truely
like dr.balliro. he is straight forward
no candy coating on his part. i was very
impressed with the staff and the doctor i
was in and out in less than an hour. dr.
balliro was informative to all my questions.
i have heard good things and bad things about him. i would have to say #1 in my eyes.

After reading the comments on this site I was prepared when I met him. He was to the point about what would happen and what he expected as outcome. I had read a lot about the procedure so I only had few questions.

Emily and the rest of his staff has been great so far. Emily has answered lots of basic insurance/cost etc type questions.

He addressed all the risk.

I liked him and am excited about my surgery. In my opinion surgical competence is most important becuase it will keep me safe, bedside manner is like opinions they vary and it's colored by the recipients state of mind at the moment.

August 1, 2003

My first appointment with Dr. Balliro was in February of this year. I was really impressed with him and his staff. Most of what I read about Dr. Balliro is correct. He is very to the point and very thorough and very confident. The one thing that I can't agree with is that he wasn't very personal or he didn't have a good bedside manner. The day I met with him he was friendly and very pleasant. I really feel that I have choosen the right surgeon. The office staff has been a real God send. I had a preexisting wait and they haven't been able to resend my information until yesterday. They made the whole process a lot easier. I don't think I could have gotten through these past few months without his caring staff. I do suggest that when you make your appointment that you are prepared. This is more for your benefit and the nurses. It really does help. Now all I am waiting for is the insurance to make their decision. Keep me in your prayers and good luck on your journey also. I really would apprieciate any info or advice. Every little bit helps. Thank you!

He was straight forward and to the point. I told him that timeline that I had to work with and what concerns I had and he has helped with all of it. He rushed my tests and approval, and five weeks later I have a surgery date. His staff has been amazing, they are so nice and they seem to be genuinely happy for you. I haven't had surgery yet, but if things go as well as they have so far, I'll be thrilled.