Diego Velarde's Online Review Report Card

Did a surgery this week with Dr Verlarde very impressed. I am feeling great. Thank you so much for your services. Blessings to all.

Doctor Diego did an amazing job on my umbilical hernia surgery. Excellent team. Thanks Doc!

**AVOID THIS DOCTOR** Velarde told me for several days after I was admitted to the hospital that he would do the surgery that I already had been referred to schedule with a doctor outpatient. I was admitted because I felt worse and couldn't control it at home. After 6-7 days in the hospital of tests and him saying he would do the surgery as long as I understood the risks, he requested yet another scan. I told him regardless of the scan results, I want the surgery done, as I have a team of doctors, including multiple at Mayo Clinic, who have told me to move forward with the surgery. At that point he told me he was "too busy" and didnt "have the time to do the surgery," and that I could see him in his office or "sit in the hospital until whenever" he could find the time. I requested another surgeon and he denied it, refusing to give my case to another surgeon in the same hospital. Now, at the advice of several doctors (including the attending physician at that hospital and the nurse who was in the room), I have to go to a completely different hospital. I could have had the surgery days ago but now I have to start completely over because Velarde is too arrogant and doesn't care what the patient wants or needs. Do not let this person be responsible for your care/surgery/etc because he will take advantage of it...dragging it out and charging the insurance company for tests that are unnecessary. He lied to my face for nearly a week about doing the surgery just to turn around and refuse it because I didn't want anymore scans, I wanted the surgery over with, and that's when he suddenly "was too busy" but wouldn't give my case to another surgeon in that hospital.

Dr. Velarde is Awesome! Highly recommend him and his staff. I have been suffering from GERD. He performed a Toupe Fundoplication on me and so far so good. I feel like a new person!

You saved my wife Ysabel's life. What more is there to say. Deepest thanks, respect and gratitude

This doctor saved my life,without his kindness I would have never been able to have my surgery. Thank you !

Just over a year ago I was seriously ill. I was in melbourne hospital where fortunately Dr Velardi was the surgeon on duty. He operated on me and saved my life. I see him still. Absolutely worth 5 stars and more.

Highly recommend. Dr Velarde and staff from start to finish was awesome. Very punctual comming to the hospital daily. Could not have had a better experience. Thank you Dr Velarde and Staff.

I was at my girlfriend's first appointment. When we got into the exam room he started asking her questions. My girlfriend has serious arthritis and needs knee and shoulder replacements and has had 2 back surgeries. He degraded her with any kind of answer to her questions. He told her she wasn't ready the pain didn't matter because everyone has pain. Thar wasn't even the end of it. She had a gastric sleeve and because she didn't lose enough weight he belittled her and said she had a chance and blew it. He took whatever small bit of hope away from her and made her believe that there was no hope for her and no reason to go on or even try. We went to the waiting area she was so upset she couldn't even form words. Afterwards she gave up for awhile n gained 30 pounds back of the 60 she lost. Isn't the Dr's job to first do no harm. At the end of the visit he said lose 25 pounds in a month and he would think about further surgery. But the damage was done. Did he think if he fat shamed her enough that she would lose wieght? Even when she called to cancel any further appointments the nurse that was in the room only said the first appointment can be rough. Months later she is struggling once again to lose the weight gained because the doctor stripped away all hope. I would warn anyone and everyone to stay away from him. He is a doctor that does harm and tears you down to nothing. Beware!

This amazing soul have me my life back!