Lester Cooperstone Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

Dr. Cooperstone is not only a talented and experienced surgeon, but he is one of the most caring people I have ever known. He is passionate about what he does and he truly cares about his patients. He is very personable as well as witty.

When I first met with him, he was very thorough about the surgery and clearly answered all of my questions. He does not send you for a bunch of tests that you don't need (unless it is required by insurance company of course). He tailors pre-op testing and post-op care to each patient.

After surgery he visited me everyday and kept me well informed as well as kept my mind at ease. He has been available to me at any time of the day and never makes me feel as though I am a bother if I need to reach out to ask him a question.

His office staff is equally unbelievable. Fern is informative as well as caring. She is also the guru of insurance plans. She can get almost anyone approved!

Dr. Cooperstone's patients have built great relationships not only with him but with each other. Dr. C holds meetings every month. One for post-op and one for pre-op patients. He also organizes picnics, dances, and other extra cirricular activities for his patients to give them the opportunity to have fun with other people that share in your weight loss journey.

<B>I would HIGHLY recommend Dr. Cooperstone to anyone that is considering WLS.</B>

MY NAME IS ROSEANNE AND I LIKED DR.C FROM THE FIRST VISIT. HE WAS THE ONLY DR.(I WENT TO 5 CONSULTATIONS!) THAT ACTUALLY TOOK THE TIME TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT WOULD HAPPEN DURING AND AFTER MY SURGERY. HE HAS A DRY WITT ABOUT HIM THAT KIND OF TAKES YOU BACK AT FIRST, BUT ONCE YOU REALISE THAT YOU BECOME VERY COMFORTABLE. HIS OFFICE STAFF FERN AND DOROTHY ARE THE BEST... FERN IS THE BEST SUPPORT DURING PRE AND POST OP THAT YOU COULD EVER WANT...SHE WAS HELPFUL ALL THE WAY THROUGH. THE PRE AND POST-OP CARE AND SUPPORT GROUP SYSTEM IS THE BEST. THE ANGEL PROGRAM IS VERY HELPFUL SO YOU DON'T FEEL SO ALL ALONE. I FEEL AS THOUGH I HAVE ADDED TONS OF PEOPLE TO MY EXTENDED FAMILY BY ATTENDING THE SUPPORT GROUPS . IT IS A GREAT FEELING. WHILE IN THE HOSPITAL DR.C VISITED EVERY DAY AND WAS VERY PATIENT. THE NURSING STAFF AT NORTH SHORE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL WAS THE BEST.. VERY ATTENTIVE. OVERALL DR.C IS A VERY QUALIFIED SUREGON AND AN UNDERSTANDING CARING PERSON I WOULD SAY HE IS TOP ON MY LIST. THANKS DR.COOPERSTONE YOU HAVE GIVEN ME A NEW LIFE!

Dr Cooperstone is cool!! He is totally professional with a dry sense of humor, but does throw in some funny comments along the way.... I knew from the minute I walked into his office and spoke to him and his staff that "he was the one." At this point I cant say anything negative about him or his staff... I have heard that Fern, his right and left hand woman is a true miracle worker, and she is!!! She is a devoted patient person.... He does emphasize aftercare and even has Pre-op and Post-op meetings... his patients cant stop raving about him... and now I know why.... He answered all my questions and went over the whole procedure and made me feel comfortable.... I would definately recommend him!!! He's a 20+++ in my book!

I cannot express how lucky I am to have Dr. Cooperstone as my doctor. He was the best, and his staff are absolutely wonderful. Also North Shore University Hospital was the best place on the planet to have the surgery. He was thorough, told me everything and I rate him to be the best there is. The aftercare is wonderful and he has made the whole experience very bearable.

I wish i could think of one negative experience or thing, but i honestly cannot. I was told of all risks and based on his results, i had no hesitation

I WAS REFERRED TO HIM BY TWO OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAD THE SURGERY ...HE HAS AN EXCELLENT RECORD AND MANY MANY SUCCESS STORIES. I LIKED HIM THE MINUTE I MET HIM. HE IS EXTREMELY KNOWLEDGEABLE AND COMPETENT AND HIS STAFF ARE WONDERFUL..I WAS AMAZED AT HOW ORGANIZED HIS OFFICE IS AND HOW SENSITIVE THEY ARE IN TREATING THE OBESE PERSON...THEY HAVE COMFORTABLE AND ACCOMODATING CHAIRS FOR LARGER PEOPLE AND AN ALL OVER SENSITIVITY TO THE OBESE INDIVIDUAL. THEY HAVE SUPPORT GROUPS ..PRE AND POST OPERATIVE, CLOTHING EXCHANGE AND ANNUAL PARTIES...AND AS FERN HIS OFFICE MANAGER SAYS..YOU ARE HIS PATIENT FOR LIFE...THAT REALLY SOLD ME...I WENT OUT OF NETWORK BECAUSE I WANT THE BEST AND I FEEL DR COOPERSTONE IS THE BEST!

Dr. Cooperstone, Fern and Dorothy...what can I say about a team that truly works together to help their patients.

My first interaction with Dr. Cooperstone's office was with Dorothy - what a breath of fresh air! We chatted for awhile and she had nothing but encouraging things to say about Dr. C. and the hospital. I got my first appointment within 1 week, and from there it was a whirlwind of activity. Fortunately for me, my psych evaluation and sleep apnea study was scheduled within the next week. My PCP, sleep study clinic and the psychiatrist all had their evaluations in to Dr. C. in record time. And then it was just a hop, skip and jump away from a surgical date. Fern, Dr. C's office manager, was fantastic. I initially knew that I could possibly have a scheduling problem due to vacation schedules at work, but Fern worked with me and before you know it, I was on my way to the OR on 8/30.

Dr. C has both pre-op and post-op support group meetings. The people that I have met at the pre-op meetings have been incredible. Dr. C never censors anything anyone has to say. He comes to every meeting and is available if anyone has any questions and to lend support. The meetings are facilitated by Fern, who has had the surgery herself. She is funny and as straight forward as Dr. C. and never hesitates to answer questions and lend advice. I have learned so much from the post-op attendees who are so willing to share their stories, answer any questions candidly, and to lend suggestions to those attending in a myriad of ways. Anything from what info is needed to help the approval process, to what foods their pouches like to where to shop for anything and everything! And, if you ask, someone is always eager to show you their incision line with pride. And the hugs of encouragement are amazing.

I was blessed with an "angel" who was assigned to me by Dr. C's office. Joanne has been my saving grace. She is intelligent, funny and has answered EVERY question that I have had with candor and honesty. She was even sitting there when I woke up from surgery! She has become a true friend in every sense of the word. Her suggestions are invaluable and she is always looking out for me. She is very protective and I couldn't have asked for a more loving, encouraging "Angel". Joanne facilitates a post-op support group meeting once a month.
I will be attending this coming week. Can't wait to share my story with my new bari-buddies and get tips for the future. Also, I am planning to attend Dr. C's post-op meeting on 10/6 - I hear that they are just as great as the pre-op meetings.

But the most important player in this journey has been Dr. Cooperstone. I had prepared an extensive list of questions for my first meeting with Dr. C. After he explained the whole process, from his pre-op expectations of me (testing and such) to the risks, what would happen the day of surgery, the few days I would be in the hospital and what was expected post-op, I had only one question left. He actually covered everything else during his interview with me. He showed me pictures of the procedure, explained the risks in detail and what I would need to address after the surgery. He went over his "rules" and I walked out of his office totally confident that he was the surgeon for me. Every time I have been in his office, I have left with pages of information to help me along my journey.

Dr. Cooperstone is a very straight forward physician. He tells it like it is and doesn't pull any punches, and does it all with an incredible sense of humor. Would I recommend him - without a doubt. Do I trust his surgical skills - unequivocally. Knowing what I now know, do I have any regrets - absolutely none.

My journey has just begun, and I am so excited about the future. And I have Dr. Cooperstone to thank for his knowledge, incredible skills and continuing guidance and support. Here's to a healthier me!

I was recommended to Dr Cooperstone by several individuals who had surgery with him. I knew he had performed 100s of the proceedure and that his complication rate was low. He is a quiet, to the point kind of person with a dry sense of humor. He explains everything completely and doesn't sugar coat anything which can be hard for some people but I appreciated that fact about him. His office staff is wonderful. Fern has actually had the surgery herself so she is very supportive and gets those proceedures through the insurance companies with speed and effiency.
I'm just 7 days post op and have an appt with him this week
Overall my care has been great so far.
I'm a RN and appreciate someone with a combo of both

I just want to let u know that he is the best I love him and his staff both are great I would recommend him to anyone!

He is very personable. Dr Voora refused to treat me after all the testing, I also have Hep C. Dr Cooperstone was willing to treat me with the operation I wanted. Dr Cooperstone deals with you directly,not thru an add like others. Dr Cooperstone has only two women in his office staff, that know exactly what is going on and what they are doing. Not like others who couldn't even find you chart, in other Drs offices. I liked everything about the treatment in Dr Cooperstone office and staff and my treatment was comfortable relaxing and reassuring. "HE IS GREAT" Aftercare is very important, you are only getting a tool, you have to work with it. There are groups at LIJ Syosset for pre & post operative. There is also literature all over the office covering many topics free for you to take. I already knew One in 500 can die, You are also given a Quiz to see how much you know, and what you have to learn. I would rate Dr Cooperstone as excellent, I'll answer the last question after my surgery. Compared to Dr Voora-- Dr Cooperstone is top shelf.

Extremely knowledgeable. As I got to know him, Dr. Cooperstone reall puts his patients well being first. Dr. Cooperstone's staff and office manager, Fern, are top notch. Dr. Cooperstone needs to develop and better bedside manner.

Future patients should know that Dr. Cooperstone really know's his stuff. He strongly emphasizes exercise, and support groups. He openly addresses all the risks regarding WLS.

Dr. Cooperstone gets an A++++ in my book.

To me, of most importance is surgical competence.