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

My initial impression was very favorable. My PCP had spoken to him on the phone to jump-start my process as I have a large hiatal hernia that needs to be repaired at the same time before I have more internal bleeding episodes. My personal physician had told me that Dr. Vierra was very caring and highly qualified. He's been a pioneer of laproscopic techniques in Ca. and taught at Stanford.

Office staff first rate. Chris is his assiatant and the one you communicate with the most.

There was nothing I disliked about him at all.

Aftercare is highly stressed. He was frank in his talk to me about risks vs. benefits and one thing he said really struck me. He said that after my surgery I would be an ambassador for all people who are considering wls and that I had a responsibility to give back, in terms of support AND inspiration. In other words, do it right, set an example!

I think he's great based on only one visit thus far. I'll wee him again for last minute check-up and Q&A the day before surgery. I believe that competence is more important than bedside manner in a surgeon - though attitude and caring are vital too. So far, Doc Vierra gets a 10+!

What can I say here. I had the opportunity to work along side Dr. Vierra as a RN in the hospital setting first before ever deciding on ByPass surgery. I was the first employee at my hospital to do it. In the office, Dr. Vierra at first seems stand offish, perhaps shy at first...couldn't put my finger on it but it didn't matter to me becuase I've seen how he is about is patients in the hospital and how he talks and addresses the nursing staff who take care of this patients. After my surgery and understanding more from him and running the Support Group with him,,he most definitely has our BEST Insterest in mind. I've seen him take other doctors patients and fix them too! The office staff is very helpful. You'll have to wait months sometimes for even your first appointment..but that's ok..work on yourself...get invloved in a support group, come to this website and get your homework done and really learn everything there is about this new life! Wish I had..I was done soon after he came to the Peninsula. I'd give Dr. Vierra a "10", not because I'm a RN either.:)

My first impression is that he was very serious, intense and not very warm. Within a few minutes I felt fine and comfortable. He has the best office staff, so supportive. Dr. Vierra was very thorough and was sincere in his desire to help me and not judge me or make me feel like a failure because I have been unsuccessful in my struggle to loose weight. He gave me hope! To future patients, be prepared prior to your consultation. He is strict and very specific of what he expects from you pre & post surgery. Aftercare is what he emphasizes the most. He has a number of references for aftercare program for you to do in order to help you succeed. As well as a great support group at CHOMP. He addresses all aspects of the surgery. So far I rate him a 10+. I could not have asked for a more professional and supportive surgeon. Both are important, but surgical competence is more important to me.

I found Dr. Vierra to be very charming and professional. He's very concerned about the patients life after the surgery. I've heard of other surgeons that seem ready to do this procedure to anyone that walks into the door. Dr. Vierra is not like that at all. His assistant/nurse Chris is very nice as well. She let me know that I can call her any time with questions and called me personally to give me my surgery date.

Dr Vierra is quiet and very professional. He answered all questions that I had and explained the process thoroughly.

After the surgery, he came to see me each day and was very, very solitious and concerned.

His staff is very helpful; Christine and Kyle answered my questions in a timely manner.

I would suggest that future patients have a list of questions for him and to be prepared to do whatever it takes to get this surgery done.

I rate Dr Vierra a 9

Surgical competence; one of the things that I noticed was that everyone, EVERYONE at the hospital mentioned what a good doctor he was. Everyone from the nurse who put my iv in a the short stay unit to the anesthesiologist to the pre-op holding area nurse. Dr Vierra is highly thought of and I am glad to have had him be my surgeon.

I cannot say enough wonderful things about dr. vierra to even come close to doing him justice. I have never felt so comfortable with a dr. before. He was honest, to the point, kind, and non-judgemental. His staff was great too, friendly and courteous. His waiting room even has seating to accomodate even the largest patients comfortably. I would drive across the country to see him, But fortunately, i am only 30 miles away from his office. I havent had my surgery yet, i am 3 weeks away, but i am completely confident he will take good care of me. If I had to rate him on a scale of one to ten.....definately a 20!! I came out of my appointment with him smiling, until i got into my car and start sobbing, i was so happy, i finally found a dr. who listens to how i feel and what i think. The only negative thing i can say is it took me over 6 months to get an appointment with him, hes a very busy dr., and its plain to see why. Hes worth the wait.

Dr. Vierra was very patient with me, for I had many questions at our first meeting. He answered each in turn completely. Before accepting me as a good canidate, he evalutated my health.I felt he took this very seriously and when he anounced my canidatcy to be good, I was sure it was to my best interest health wise.When Dr. V had made his decision, his whole manner changed. He moved closer to my side of the room and his guard seem to drop.He spoke and listened with a more casual manner. The office staff was very helpful and discussed the steps of medical tests throughly.

The surgeon who actually performed the
surgery was Wesley G. Clark in San Diego, CA,
however, I had to change my follow-up care
when Dr. Clark's office failed misserably in
their follow-up amid very serious complications.

Dr. Vierra has been a god-send! I wish I had
gone to him in the first place.

IMPORTANT - I didn't realize the problems
that could arise from chosing a surgeon out
of my area. Had I not had any complications
it would not have been a problem. But I needed
significant medical help for three months
following the surgery and I couldn't very
well stay in San Diego for that duration.
Furthermore, doctors near my home were very
reluctant to treat me because I was another
doctor's patient and because they were not
familiar with the surgery or any specifics
about any special issues during my surgery.

So, I strongly urge people to use a good
surgeon near their home.

I liked my doctor right from the start. He was very patient with me and my husband and mom who were also in the room. He answered all our questions, although he was so to the point about all the risks that it kind of scared me. I know they need to keep you informed about all that. His office staff has been very nice about helping me get all my tests done and they answer any questions I call them with. My doctor is also highly Qualified in this field. I would rate him an 8 out of 10. I don't know about his bedside manner yet but I will let you know after surgery.
Well Iv'e had my surgery and I like my doctor even more now. He is the only doctor I have ever had that I beleive really cares about his patients and their progress. He gets an 11 in my book.

When I first met Dr. Vierra, I thought he was a little arrogant. But, I have since changed my mind in that he is very knowledgable and concerned about his patients. He leads a support group at Community Hospital in Monterey every second Thursday and actually showed a presentation of the surgery. He was one of the pioneers for laproscopic surgery in California. After surgery, I will keep you posted.