Dr Andrew Averbach - St. Agnes Hospital

Hello all, I was wondering if anyone has used Dr. Averbach as their surgeon? I attended the seminar and I've seen the nut, and I'm waiting (and waiting) for my appt with the psychologist (I made the appt. in late March for May 15th, seems like a long time out). Also, I guess my mind (and fears) are playing tricks on me. I can't imagine this surgery would really wor****ep feeling like I'm the one person in the world it wouldn't work on. Did anyone else who is post-op have the same fears? Hope to hear from someone.

I can relate to all you say.Unfortunatly I am exhausted and must get to sleep. I will send you a message so you can reach me. I am not always online. Dr Averbach is  my surgeon and he saved my life and gave me a life beyond my wildest dreams. Laurie

I have met people that went to Dr. Averbach. They all rave about him.

Hey There, Dr. A did my surgery and he is awesome!  You will not be disaapointed at all!. He can be a bit dry at first because he wants you to know this is a serious decision you are about to make, but otherwise very personable and a good guy! Good luck on your journery, I know you will not regret using Dr A Jen

Aren't you allowed to get your psych eval by anyone?  We can probably all give you names of someone who could see you sooner.  I actually went to a friend of a friend who is a social worker but now works in counseling - she was lovely!   I never imagined in my wildest dreams I would fail at this to tell you the truth.  I mean, I was doing the most radical thing I could do - have surgery....of course I'd be successful.  I didn't go through all this to fail.

I had Dr. Averbach as my surgeon (2/28/08) and he's great and so is his staff.  I was able to choose my own psych, so i didn't have to pay out of pocket.  I actually have my 2 mo appointment on wed of this week and am excited to go ( i am close to 50 lbs gone...wooo hooooo)....anyway, you will be really happy with him as your surgeon.  He did seem a little dry at first like the other person posted but once you get to know him and he gets to know you, its easy to put a smile on his face.  He has a GREAT bedside manor also.  Right there at the hospital to check on you every day you are there.   

Dr. Averbach did my VSG (vertical sleeve gastrectomy) on 3/21/08.   I think he is great and so is his staff. He wrote a letter for me to my insurance (federal BC/CS) exlaining why i needed this particular type of WLS and they paid for everything.  He and his staff (all of them) are very responsive to all your needs, questions, concerns.  He is right on top of things at all times.  I was kept in he hospital for an extra day because i was not able to ingest enough fluids to go home on the third day.  I was not happy about this but Dr. Averbach was right in his decision.  The only negative i have about the whole experience is that i didn't like St. Agnes Hospital.  However, this may be because i was feeling so lousy.  I had/have all kinds of fears but they lessen as time goes by.  Your fears are normal and again, his staff and he are there to answer all your questions...at any time.  That is very comforting to me.

If you don't mind me being nosy...what were the reasons you had to have the sleeve. I really want VSG but am concerned about insurance. I'm BMI 41, no co mormids at all.

Dr. Averbach is one of the leading bariatric surgeons in Maryland. He is very skilled and he is easy to get a hold of after surgery. He cares about his patients and Arlene the nutritionist is really great as well. As far as the psych. exam you can go to whoever you want. I went to Marsha D. Somers, Ph.D., she is located in Glen Burnie. I had my surgery Feb. 7 2008 and I am down 90 lbs so far. I follow the nutritionists guidlines and I work out every day.  From what I have seen and from what I have been told the following doctors are the leading bariatric surgeons in Maryland (in no particular order) DAVID VON RUEDEN ALEX GANDSAS ANDREW AVERBACH KULDEEP SINGHE MICHAEL SCHWEITZER                         

Dr. Singh was my surgeon (same office), but I hear both of them are top doctors! I really loved Dr. Singh, he came highly recommended.  It sounds like the other people on this bulletin have really loved Dr. A, though.  Sounds like you're going to do just fine!!  They're very experienced there.   Oh, and about the fears of it not working... I was a yo-yo dieter before surgery. I would only ever lose 20 lbs and gain it all back and then some.  I'm 19 weeks out and I've lost 71 lbs.  So what does that tell you???  It will work!!!  You  just have to be patient through the NORMAL weight loss stalls that come along with it.  Sometimes they can last up to 2 or 3 weeks.  But then you're over it and back  to losing again! Good luck!!