Albany Medical Center Bariatrics and Nutrition Bariatric Center

Upon meeting with Dr Singh for the first time, I was impressed with the fact that he didn't rush through our "appointment". He was backed-up because of emergency surgery, but we weren't just to be pushed aside either. He made me feel comfortable and explain my feelings in my own words. We talked until he felt I understood what I was getting into, I was given a packet of information, and they made an appointment with the nutricitionisit. Their requirements for the surgery are to lose 10% of your body weight,to stop smoking for 6 weeks prior to surgery, attend at least one support group meeting and talk to 3 people who have already had the surgery done. Then you would go for a surgery date. Some of the others in the support group didn't have the surgeons in my group, and didn't have the knowledge prior to the surgery, but feel that the support group is great and are still coming after the fact. The office staff is great, and I haven't missed one group meeting since I started this on 5/24/00. I feel between the support group, the information the Dr. gave me and the research I did on my own, that I have a pretty good understanding of how my life is going to change and that it is going to be permanant. I will update this after the surgery. I have also had other abdominal surgeries, so I more or less know what to expect as far as post-op. I was also told that he does laparascopic surgery but I am not interested, I am also not a candidate for it.

I found Dr Singh very gentle and kind. He didnt talk down to me, and he made me feel as though I was important. He sat down, was unrushed, even though his office was full and he had a meeting he was going to. He took the time to explain all details of the surgery,the preop plan and postop recovery.
He recommended that I see the nutrition Dr and gave me 2 choices, explaining that the surgery would be done when I was ready, and that couldnt be given a date or specific # of lbs. but that even if I lost no weight, that would be ok, although if I lost some it would be better. He also explained that I would not be able to have the laporascopic surgery due to past abdominal surgery.

6-20-00 My first impression of Dr. Singh was that he was very nice. He seemed genuinely concerned that I know exactly what I was getting myself into. There was a mix up with my nutritional consult (see comments on my profile page) and it was very upsetting. I'm trying not to let that color my perspective.<p>

My husband was with me, and he said he felt Dr. Singh was very compassionate and cautious.<p>

Albany Medical Center (the hospital) and Dr. Singh have a very structured pre-op and post-op program. You MUST lose 10% of your weight before they will operate. "To separate the sheeps from the goats" the exact quote from the nutrition doctor. I guess they want to see how badly you want this. You also need to attend at least one of their support groups pre-op, and speak with at least 3 post-op patients of theirs.<p>

Overall, Dr. Singh - very good Program itself - very good Nutrition Doctor - OK, could be more compassionate.<p>

7-28-00 I am now post-op, I can say that Dr. Singh is a very kind, compassionate man. He is an excellent surgeon, and I was very happy with my care.

I've only met Dr. Paul Singh once at his office in Albany Medical Center in NY. He seems like a great guy, telling me the good and the bad and giving me plenty of time to ask questions. My only complaint is that when I made the appointment, his office staff should have told me that I need to see the hospital nutritionist first. It took months to see him and then another two months to see the nutritionist!