Ruary O'Connell Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

The doctor and everyone on the Renew staff was great.They emphasize aftercare alot. And they have great support meetings. The only thing negative, if anything, would be the fact that they are so busy. After waiting for the insurance company for so long you have no patience left, then you have to wait for a appointment. But they are so busy because they are so good and everyone wants to go there.

He's an Irish gentleman, great humor, completely brilliant. His staff has answered every question and helped in every way. He has rushed all the people that are covered by the State of La. and Ochsner HMO because they will no longer cover obesity surgery after July 1, 2001. This is our last and best chance and he is making sure we get it. I have 10 days until I have the surgery. He emphasizes the aftercare so much that he makes you put up $300 which is returned in increments as you attend aftercare. I have no other surgeon to compare him to, but I would think that he would rate on a scale from one to ten, on the high end. I will let you know when I go for my all day program of orientation on Monday the 18th of June.

Dr. R. O.Connell is my surgeon, I was very impressed with Dr. O'Connell. He answered all my questions and made me fell at home. His office staff was great too. Now I am just waiting and praying that my insurance aproves my case. My appt. was on wed. May 30.

I was really nervous the first time I saw Dr. O'Connell but he did put me at ease after a while. I was a little put off that he kept saying how much I weighed..because at that time I really did not want to face the music. However, Once I was honest with myself I found that he was doing the best thing by telling me the truth and not trying to 'sugar coat' it.

Dr.O`Connell is very knowledgeable about obesity and the different surgerys for obesity.His bedside manner is wonderfull.He and his staff let you know what they can do to help you and what you must do to make this surgery work for you.If he has a bad side I have`nt seen it yet.Now, my hospital is a different story!I had minor problem with my heart and had to be put on the cardiac floor.It so happened that the air conditioner did`nt work.Still over 230lbs.sweating like a pig.The floor was under staffed[as usual]My husband and daughter-in-law tell me that they had words with a nurse that was handeling me so rough that I was screaming![and I have a very high pain tolerance!]I have no memory of this!Thank you morphine!!!!!!! My hospital stay was at Methodist Pennelton,New Orleans.

My first impression of Dr. O'Connell was that he was very experiened in performing this surgery and had a wealth of knowledge about it and was prepared to share that with me. He was very easy to talk to and ask questions and sat down and listened to my very long list of questions answering them very honestly. My impression has not changed of him over time and now 18 months later I still can go to him and talk about conerns, even about things unrelated to the surgery. He is one of a few doctors that actually care about his patients. There is nothing that I do not like about him, he is a great doctor that I wish I could use for everything I need. Future patients should feel confident in his experience and knowledge of the surgery and if they have questions they should ask him. Aftercare is one of the largest parts of the procedure and I still attend monthly meetings and will continue to as long as they are available. The 3 ladies that you will work with the most are Yvette (the nutritionist), Wendy (the social worker) and Heather (the nurse) who are also very knowledgable and caring. Sometimes it is difficult to get in touch with the office staff but never Dr. O'Connell as he has a private line that he personally answers himself. Dr. O'Connell addressed the risks of surgery very seriously and frank, which is the way it should be addressed. I rate him as having both a great competence with a dynomite bed side manner...just ask him to sing for you sometimes. Thumbs up for Dr. O.

I liked Dr. O'Connell the first time I met him. My impression has not changed. His staff is wonderful and very professional. I had trouble finding the right pain control for me. It got worked out, but I advise you talk with him on day one about it if you know your tolerence. I did not. Dr. O'Connell is an extremly skilled surgeon and has a wondeful bed side manner. I enjoy going to his office, he really pushes after care. They have a wonderfully structured program with both on-line and in person support programs. The on line one was actually established by a patient of his and we all share our experiences. He is the man for the job!!!Thank you Dr.O

Everything from the Doctor to the entire staff is first rate. They hold monthly support group meetings which is a wonderful way to meet fellow patients. Dr. O'Connell is a quiet man who I believe truly cares about his patients. I've only met with him twice, but from what I've read about him on fellow patients web sites, he is wonderful. I will update this as I have more info to share.

I was impressed the second he walked in. He just came in with a smile and asked how I was doing. He could tell I was very scared and worried he started making jokes!! His staff was equally nice. I was impressed with the time he spent answering ALL my questions.I have attened a support group meeting even before i was approved. It was amasing to see how they all seemed to just connect. All were egar to help with your questions also. I strongly recommend to attend a meeting before hand. I had not even seen the Dr. to speak with him yet my appt. was not until the next day. Dr. O'Connell Is a human just like us and has concerns as we do.

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