Mark Pleatman Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

When I first learned of the VSG about 15 months ago, I was researching the lap-band. I came across VSG on the OH message board. I started researching this option. I came across Dr. Pleatman's name very early in my research and found out that he had a self-pay discount price for people whose insurance wouldn't cover weight-loss surgery.rnrnI contacted Dr. Pleatman and gave him my basic information, including my weight, BMI, current health issues and asked if I would be a candidate for this surgery. He immediately responded and told me I was a perfect candidate. Well, after many months and several let downs with money, things have finally started to come together.rnrnAs far as POH, I have read the reviews of the hospital and they have been mixed. I have discussed my concerns with Dr. Pleatman. He put my fears to rest. He said he would order a morpheine pump post-op if I wanted one. He said that Monday and Tuesday surgeries have a good chance of getting private rooms, but if I did have a room-mate and it was a bad experience, that he would have me moved. Everytime I have had a concern, he has addressed it. I feel very confident that I am in good hands.rnrnI am traveling from south GA, so it is right at a thousand miles for me. My PCP has agreed to support me in my decision, although he was a little reluctant at first. I will be staying in MI almost a week after surgery to be sure that I have no complications before returning home.rnrnIf you have any other questions, please just ask!rn

My first impression was by email and I was impressed that he would answer me back so quickly since I was 3 hours behind him on the west coast and it was well into the evening. My phone call with him went very well. I was suppose to have surgery in January, but due to circumstances I had to postpone till May and the whole office staff was great. His nurse coordinator, Jo, has been a gem! I have interacted with Dr. Pleatman numerous times by email and have been greatly pleased with him.

Dr. Pleatmas was wonderful, I highly recommend him. Not only was he a great surgeon, he has been terrific post op as well.

HI,rn My experince was just great. He reasured me about everything. And i was very impressed about the POH hospital. I had a room with a view. Hardly no pain and doing quite well now.

Dr. Pleatman and his staff were very accomodating to me as an out of town patient. I saw him partly because he wasn't just a bariatric surgeon, but also had experience in other minimally invasive surgery. He also provided a price that was a reasonable alternative to going abroad for a self-pay. rnrnDr. Pleatman is a surgeon trained to do minimally invasive surgery, not a bariatric specialist. He does provide pre-surgical instruction and post-surgical support programs for his weight loss patients. However, since I did not want to be in an out of town bariatric program afterward, I was only interested in having him do the surgery. The surgery went fine with no complications. rnrnI would say he is a good person to go to once you decide you want weight loss surgery.

I met Dr. Pleatman the day before my VSG surgery. He was very to the point with facts and information. Dr. Pleatman has a dry humor about him. Dr. Pleatman's office staff was very attentive. The information given by the nutritionist was great--ideas on different brands and protein content. Dr. Pleatman stressed after care, eating and what to eat when. Before surgery Dr. Pleatman came to the pre op area and answered my questions and gave me and my family reassurance. I had a 2-hour surgery with very little pain. I had a morphine pump to address the pain I had. The incisions were very small and healed very quickly. On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the best, I would rate Dr. Pleatman as a 10+, very excellent surgeon. rnThank you to Dr. Pleatman and his staff for making a positive change in my life!rn

My first impression of Dr. Pleatman was from over the phone and his voice sounded very gentle and kind. When I met him I wasnt dissappointed he carries himself with confidence and has a light touch. My impression of him has not changed at all I'm very happy I chose him. Ofcourse this is my opinion and my experience with Dr. Pleatman.rnHis office staff was in a temporary mode one of his staff members had to be out for an unexpected emergency but his temporary staff did just fine.rnDr. Pleatman addressed the risks of surgery as well as the need for aftercare and proper nutrition.rnI am an out of town patient of Dr.Pleatman's and I will be five weeks post-op this Friday the 8th of June 2007 and I keep in touch with Dr. Pleatman via the phone and internet and feel just fine. My surgery was uncomplicated and I really did'nt need pain meds, Dr. Pleatman has a gentle confidence in his bedside manner and I would choose him all over again. This is my experience with Dr. Pleatman and my opinion.

The following information is my personal impressions of my own personal experience and I am making no statements about what other people may experience.rnrnPre-op:rnrnI drove 5 hours to Michigan to go to Dr. Pleatman's seminar. I really wanted to meet him. He was very nice and accomodating with all of my questions. I met a few of his patients and am very pleased to see their results. After his seminar, I feel very confident in him to do the surgery well. I'm excited that he's so skilled at laparoscopic surgeries.rnrnI met Jo in his office. She took my stats and other information. She gave me plenty of papers to read and fill out. She was so sweet! I have such a good feeling about all of this, a peace about my decisions. It feels so right! My official consultation with Dr. Pleatman is April 4th and the surgery is scheduled for April 5th! I finally have a date, a goal to look forward to and it feels so great! I'm so glad that I did not have to settle with RNY as insurances only seem to cover that operation. Since I have no coverage anyway, I'm happy to pay for the VSG and so glad I will pay half as much as what I was quoted in Ohio. Now just to lose the 15 lbs. before surgery. I'm totally pumped about finally starting this next leg of the journey!rnrnUpdate 5/1/07 (one month post-op):rnThe surgery went smoothly with no complications. Dr. Pleatman's self-pay package includes all follow-up visits. I had dehydration issues and I only dealt with my PCP and things turned out fine. Dr. Pleatman requests that you keep in contact with him. I've received many e-mails, and some phone calls, for follow-up in a very timely manner. Dr. Pleatman is very thorough and to the point. He does have a monthly meeting for his patients, but I live too far away to participate on any regular basis. Dr. Pleatman is surgically competent, his bedside manner is moderate. If I were to have this surgery again, I would definately consider Dr. Pleatman.

Dr. Pleatman was very professional and informative. I was happy with the decision I made. He talked to me regarding risk and post -op. He never made me feel rushed or that he was to busy to talk. I live in KY so after care was not an issue for me. I will follow up with my PCP. I would rate him a 10 out of 10.

I think Dr Pleatman was great. He kinda has a dry since of humor but not that bad. He does seemed to be rushed at times , perhaps because he is getting really alot of referral!!! He is always quick to respond to e mails or phone calls. I would recommend him and if I had to do it over again HE IS THE MAN!!