Joseph M. Vitello Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

He was very strait foward very dry.but straight to the point.He was a well educated surgeon and was just great.Not so great.nothing.

From what I've read here what others have said, my experience with Dr. Vitello are pretty much the same. He's a bit standoff'ish at first, but by the time surgery rolls around, he's much easier to talk with. I even got some smiles and chuckles out of him!!!

I have the upmost respect for his skills...the surgery went off without a hitch...no problems, no unexpected situations. He seems to be an outstanding surgeon...

I will see him 8 days after leaving the hospital....for a schedule of aftercare.

DR. J. VITELLO WAS HARD TO GET HOLD OF AT FIRST , AND ON THE FIRST VISIT TO HIS OFFICE HE SCARES THE CRAP OUT OF YOU OF WHAT CAN GO WRONG. BUT AFTER YOU GET THE APPROVEL FOR THE SURGERY HE IS A GREAT GUY. I THINK HE HAS TO MAKE SURE YOU REALLY WANT TO GO THROUGH WITH THE SURGERY BEFORE HE SHOWS HIS TRUE PERSONALITY. HIS NURSE IS VERY NICE AND THE STAFF ARE GOOD ALSO. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS IT TAKES SO LONG TO GO THROUGH THE UIC PROCESSES SET UP . I WOULD RATE HIM A 9 AS A SURGEON. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS AT ALL SINCE MY SURGERY AND I HAVE LOST 41#S IN 6 WEEKS. MY SCAR IS THIN AND STRAIGHT AND HEALING NICELY. HIS SURGICAL COMPETENCE THE BEST!

He is definitely not rosey rosey like some surgeons I have met. He tells you exactly what can happen good and bad. Every possible compliction is discussed until you want to run screaming out of his office. LOL. He wants to mke sure that you know what you are doing before you do it. If you want someone to sugar coat things, He is not the doctor for you. You know what "his" statistics when you leave, not a national average.

I like him. I like the fact that he seems to know his stuff.

Dr. Vitello can be summed up in one word! INTENSE! If your someone like me who cracks jokes when your nervous be perpared, he is a no nonsense kind of guy. He gives you all the risk factors involved when you go for consult and it is a bit overwhelming! I went home thinking "what the heck did i get myself in to!" You have a lot of thinking to do when you get home and several things to consider. I like the fact he gave me his email address! That way I didn't have to wait for phone calls! If you call it can be weeks before you hear back and if you have a answering machine, a message that says "call me" isn't helpful. I think doctors forget we have jobs too! But email worked out nice. It never took more then a day or 2 for a responce and I did my best to keep them short! He is the busiest man I have ever met in my life! So far I have been very happy with him. I have heard from a nurse that Dr. Vitello has had people come out of his consults in tears never to return and I talked to someone who told me so many bad things about him I was scared. Dont be offended by his honesty! Sometimes the truth hurts, he is very blunt. Be ready for it.

I like Dr. Vitello he is a upfront kind of doctor. He tell you how it is. He answers all of your questions. He also tells you about the risks and what to expect. Great doctor.

Very confident and educated, my opinion remains same after my first consult in Aug/Sept 03' The staff appears to be informed and efficient... So far I do not have any dislikes of my doctor (so far, lol) Dr. Vitello is direct and to the point. Do not be put off by his seeming standoffishness, I think it is due to his being a very busy man. He is very emphatic about how you take care of yourself and how you listen to his advice post-op.. He stresses how changing eating habits and lifestyles will be your greatest struggle and yet your greatest accomplishment. I am only now learning about the aftercare program, will get back on that later with more info... I was made very aware of the risks of surgery. Dr. Vitello has a 0.07% fatality rate and a 45% success rate for those who DO NOT regain their weight. I consider that a great accomplishment.. At this point I rate him high, but I will get back to you all with more info AFTER my surgery... Best is competence, but throw in a bit of good bedside and you have the perfect doctor,( which I dont know yet) I will let you know on those things after Jan 21... :-)

My first impression of Dr. Vitello was that he was a very serious guy and no sense of humor.
My impression of Dr. Vitello changed when my consult with him was over. He sat with me and gave me the pros and cons and made very clear how this surgery would only be a tool and not a cure.
His office staff was very pleasant, but - boy are they busy!!!!

I have not yet met with Dr. Vitello. I have an appointment Scheduled for October 7, 2003.

I did want to say that his Program Manager, Kelly, is so wonderful to work with. When she called me to schedule the appointment, she asked me a bunch of questions and sent out the letter to my insurance. She calls me every few days to let me know the status of my claim. She is so understanding, too. When I talk to her, I feel like I've been a patient there for years.