Stephen Merola Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

Dr. Merola is great. He is very popular with all his patients. Many of his female patients describe him as "cute."
My first impression of him was very positive. He requires all his prospective patients to attend a lecture he gives every two weeks. He started by saying "Hi, I'm Steve Merola." When was the last time you had a doctor introduce himself by his first name? That lecture and slide show lasted about two hours and was very informative.
I saw him for a consultation a few weeks following the lecture. I think I spent another two hours speaking with him (my wife and son came along). He is more than patient. He is very knowledegable and well-spoken.
His office staff is also great. I've had no problems with any of them. The New York Hospital - Queens Center has a team devoted to gastric bypass surgery, including nutritionists, social workers, a psychiatrist, a pulmonologist and others.
They also sponsor a support group that meets once a month. Patients who are both pre-op and post-op attend. I have found the support group to be incredibly useful. Everyone has a different experience and it comes out in the meetings.
Yes, he has a structured aftercare program. In general, Dr. Merola sees his patients a week after surgery, a month, three months, six months, a year after surgery and I don't know how often after that. The support group is also very useful for aftercare advice.
Dr. Merola's initial lecture-presentation goes over the risks. Then, at the private consultation, he goes over the risks again.
I think very highly of Dr. Merola. I have the utmost trust in him.
He has demonstrated both surgical competence and a good bedside manner. Both are important. In other situtions I have rejected surgeons that I felt that my family could not get along with (this was not involving weight loss surgery). You may have to relate to your surgeon for the rest of your life. You don't want someone who is abrasive to you.

My first vist extremely helpfulI happened to get very lucky since my younger brother happens to be a Dr. in the same hospital Dr. Merola is a kind, sensitive and friendly man.
His office staff is also extremely friendly as well as extremely professional
My Dr, as far as I am concerned is tops at what he does. I had no complications at all and to date I am 7 months post and have dropped 103 lbs with about 20-30 to go. I would recommend Dr. Merola to anyone interested in surgery.

Thanks,

Joe Palumbo

Had surgery done by Steven Merola at NY Hospital of Queens on 1/27/03. Great doctor, explained every detail and did a great job. He not only addressed the risks of the surgery, but explained the measures he takes to make sure they are minimal and any post-op complications can be identified and treated before they became major. His surgiacal compeetence and bedside manor are both great. After surgery, both the pain management and nursing staff were great. I know it says below did you have anything negative to say, but to date I can't find anything negative about him, both as a surgeon and on a personal level. I heartily recommend him.

Great surgeon. Office Staff is very friendly. The first time I met Dr. Merola I knew that he would be the one to perform my surgery. He is very knowledgeable and addressed my concerns about having a laproscopic surgery over open.

I was sent to Dr. Merola, by my Uncle, who is Dr. Bruce Lowell. ALso , affiliated with NY Hospital in Queens.
Dr.Merola, let me make him crazy without once getting annoyed at all of my questions that I had. And I had PLENTY...I obviously had read too many books, and had much to say. He is a very tall, handsome Dr. with a very nice way about him. Nevermind that, I have heard that he is very well versed in his field, and has written various articles on Minimally Invasive techniques.
He has made it clear that aftercare is extremely important. I have a feeling that not only is he extremely surgically competant, but that his bedside manner is just as wonderful...I will let you know!
I am sure I will be happy...Can't wait to post POST OP...I am one nervous person!
If anyone has any advice to offer me as far as calming down,and not being so scared, do not hesistate to e-mail me..I am worried about my breathing ...AND REALLY HOPE THEY LET ME FALL ASLEEP SITTING UP...I get really paranoid about THAT..WHAT FATTY EVER HAD GREAT BREATHING LAYING FLAT!

Dr. Merola is head of Minimally Invasive Surgery at New York Hospital, Queens..If anyone cares to visit me, come on down...
I would love to see someone POST OP...HAPPY AND HEALTHY PLEASE.............

I went to Dr. Merola this week. The staff is excelent. He seemed so kind. He spenttwo hours with me explaining every detail of the surgery. What to expect before,during and after surgery. He was very easy to talk to and put me at ease. very informative explaining all the complication of the surgery in detail and what he does to help prevent any situation hat may occur. I feel ready and confident and I cant wait. I go back on July 11th and then we set a surgery date. He gives you booklet that explains in detail everything you need to know about this procedure. He even tells you about himself. Aftercare i extremely important to him.