Mount Sinai Weight Loss Surgery Program Bariatric Center

I met with Dr. Herron for my first consultation about 3 weeks ago. He was absolutely wonderful! He IMMEDIATELY made me and my husband feel comfortable and most importantly, informed. He explained the advantages and disadvantages along with the risks to both the RNY and the Lap band. I went to his office with a notebook in my hand filled with questions that I had been writing down for several weeks. Not only did he answer each and every one of my questions thoroughly, he answered all of my husbands as well. (It's important to me that my husband feel comfortable with him as well.)

His office staff has been great! I saw his nutritionist the day of my initial visit. I liked her too. Like Dr. Herron she was also very informative and didn't make us feel rushed. I have only dealt with Stephanie from his office staff who has been great too! So far, I would ONLY recommend this group to future people and I can only hope that it stays that way!

The first time I met Dr. Herron he spent about a 45 minutes to an hour with me going over a pretty extensive questionaire that I had filled out about my medical and dieting history. We talked about why I was interested in weight loss surgery and what results I was looking for. I liked that he took time to listen to me, and though I had waited almost 6 months for my initial appointment, it was worth it! His staff was helpful answering questions, and gave very clear instructions about what I had to do so that Dr. Herron could get the necessary insurance approvals. I liked that his office did all that work, as opposed to me. Dr. Herron required that I have a battery of tests so that he could put the package together for the approvals. He wrote a preliminary letter to Oxford that he had seen me. When one of the tests came back with some unusual results, he contacted me immediately, and we discussed it a bit over the phone, but he wanted to talk to me about the different new options that I had in front of me. He asked me to make a new appointment to see him ASAP, and told me he would be sure that his front office staff knew that he didnt want me to have to wait again for any length of time. The follow up appointment was made within the next week or so. We discussed the results of the particular test (Upper endoscopy) and why he thought it more prudent not to do a traditional RNY. We spent a lot of time talking about the risks of the various options I had before me. He drew many pictures for me. He suggested that I either have a band placed or a sub-total gastrectomy. I chose the later. The surgery was scheduled for about 2 months later, and went off without a hitch. He was great when I came out of the anesthesia in recover (I was scared and crying) and he calmed me right down. I was one of his last patients to have the surgery at Mt. Sinai before he moved out to Long Island. He actually moved the following week! I didnt like that I found out about the move from a phone call asking for my records to be sent to his new office, about a week before my surgery. The woman that placed the call didnt even know that I had a scheduled date. Before the surgery one of his requirements was that I meet with his nutritionist to go over the post surgery plan. I havent felt that there was a lot of post op support unless I have a problem. If there is a problem, Dr. Herron got right back to me. He is an excellent surgeon that has a terrific bedside manner as well. My scars are minimal. My suggestion for improvement would be somehow to follow up that the patients are actually involved in exercise and eating well, as well as attending a support group. I followed Dr. Herron the post op care. I am surprised that he doesnt want to draw labs every 3 months, but now says even though my iron is low (am on prescription iron) and my Vit K is borderline, I can wait for another 6 months for new labs. I saw him one month post op, and 3 months post op. I have decided on my own to see my PCP at 6 months post op, and have her draw blood. At a local support group that I attend, I cant get over how much more support I get from Dr. Herron and his office, then many of the others get from their doctors. Listening to them, I feel and they express, that they often feel like their surgeons were just doing another surgery, next in line so to speak. I am very lucky to have Dr. Herron!

Mimi at the front desk was my first impression of the office and she could not have been nicer. They appeared to be very organized even though they had not sent me some informational material and forms to fill out ahead of time. Mimi was aplogetic and gladly answered all of my questions. The office was neat, comfortable and relatively quiet.

Next I met with Rodelyn who is Dr, Inabnet's medical assistant. She was very pleasant and had a natural warmth to her. Although I was horrified to step on the scale she made me feel very comfortable. Afterwards she had me sit in a small office and talked to me for a few minutes - she then told me that someone else would be in to speak with me in a few minutes.

The next woman that came in was not even close to being warm, friendly or anything like the other people I had come in contact with until this point. She was filling in for Dr. Inabnet's regular assistant who was out of the office that day. This woman was responsible for reviewing some very personal information that is embarrasing to talk about and her attitude seemed very judgemental, cold and rushed. It was such a disappointment after having read so much about how wonderful Robyn (Dr. Inabnet's regualr assistant)was. If this woman was a regualar with Dr. Inabnet I would have seriously considered changing sugeons... my understanding from other WLS candidates is that you have a great deal of contact with the Dr.'s Assistant both pre and post op. This is not a woman I would ever want to speak with again.

On the other hand, Dr. Inabnet was soft spoken and like Rodelyn natuarally warm. He exuded confidence and made me feel very comfortable from the minute he walked in to the room. He was very detailed in his overview of the Roux-en-Y procedure that I was interested in, however he was also careful to describe all of the other procedures available to me. He described both the positive as well as the negative aspects of surgery. I had prepared a very long list of questions (most of which he answered before I had to ask them) and he did not rush me at all while I asked the remaining few questions that he had not already covered.

Overall, I think Dr. Inabnet was a great choice and I couldn't be happier with my decision. They are a very professional and thorough practice that truly make you feel as thought you are in good hands.

I have met twice with Dr. Herron, and he ended our meeting yesterday by saying "The next time I see you will be at the hospital!" -- he knows how long I have been worked towards the surgery and he seems to understand how excited I am that I am finally coming to the end of this road (and the beginning of the rest of my life).

I find Dr. Herron to be warm and caring, and I like that he takes time to make sure I understand what he's told me. He also has a sense of humor, which, to me, is essential in getting through medical issues. I would recommend him highly.

My first impression of Dr. Inabanet was that he was a caring, soft spoken doctor who put every doubt of mine to rest with his confidence. He has so much confidence in what he does, you just know that your surgery will not only be ok but it will be a success. His office staff is the most caring staff I have ever come across in my life, nothing gets by them, and they make you feel like you are their only patient. I also had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Inabanet's associate Dr. Pomp during my stay at Mt. Sanai, and he too is the most charming caring gentle man I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. I would rate both these Dr.'s an 11 on a scale of 1-10.

I had my first of two consult with Dr. Herron. I liked him right form the start. He made me feel comfortable. I found my consult to be quit infromative.I was not rushed he sat there and explain everything in great detail.
We discussed both the RNY and the DS surgery.
He told me the good and bad points of both types as well as the risked related to surgery.
I found his staff to very nice and professional.
One a scale of 1-5. I would rate him a 5.
He won my Husband over which is not easy.
A surgeon competence is very important, but I also think you should have a good relationship with your Doctor. Good comunication and being comfortable is also important.

My first impression of Dr. Inabnet was that he was very calm and pleasant. He wasn't overly friendly nor did he give me the impression that he was unapprochable. I liked his style and manner right away. I wasn't looking for my hand to be held. I wanted a surgeon who told me what I needed to know, did not beat around the bush and gave it to me straight. His staff is extremely busy but helpful. I worked primarily with Rodelyn Zanpata who is an absolute angel...she made the preop process run smoothly and was extremely sweet by answering my many questions I left on her voicemail as my surgery date approached. I had no insurance drama, no preop testing scheduling drama. Dr. Inabnet, his team and as well as my PCP, Dr. Messana, stressed the importance of aftercare for success and support. I would recommend anyone with my insurance, Oxford Freedom, who is thinking about having gastric surgery to consider having it done at Mt. Sinai with Dr. Inabnet or at least go to one of their informational seminars. You definately have to be proactive in your journey, but you will find that this team is there to help you all the way. FOUR DAYS AND COUNTING!!!!!!!!!!

I had my first consultation on May 28th with Dr. Herron. I was quite impressed with him and his knowledge and ability to explain the LAP RNY. He was very thorough in his explanation about the surgery and all the risks. He even explained the lap banding procedure to me for comparison. I feel I have made the right choice even though this means traveling from Southern New Jersey(near Philly) to Long Island, NY.

Well, I have not met Dr. Herron yet but I have a consultation date for May 9th. I can't wait!!
What I do have to say though, is that I e-mailed him a question on Sunday morning and now at 8am Monday I already have a response! I thought that was pretty cool.

I had to reschedule my May 02 appointment because I found out I was pregnant!! But now it is March 03, and my beautiful new daughter and I met Dr. Herron a few weeks ago. He is great. I felt like he wished I would choose the bypass over the lap-band, but he convinced me that it was just that the bypass has a higher success rate (I still want the lap-band). He was very informative, very patient, and kind. I have no hesitation continuing with him as my surgeon.

April 10, 03
I called the hospital today to schedule my surgery and confirm that all of my preop stuff had been received. Bummer-- the PA Diana told me that Dr. Herron is no longer with Mt. Sinai. I was really angry. He accepted me as a patient in mid February and never mentioned that he would not be there a few months later. Diana gave me his new number (now he is with a Practice in Long Island). When I called they told me that they were not scheduling surgerys for him yet. He would not be in the office until May19. They said I might need another appointment with him before they gave me a surgery date. The earliest appointment is June 9th. This means waiting til the end of summer before having my surgery. I am fuming mad. I think the whole thing was handeled poorly.
Well, I decided not to sit around and sulk. I have heard a lot about Dr. Pomp at Mt. Sinai. My dad even knows someone who used him and loved him. Diana said she would give me an appointment to see him asap once they receive my preop stuff (they never got it because the fax number changed but somehow nobody ever told me). Surgery will still be farther away then I hopped but at least I dont have to wait til the fall!

He was great and very informative very nice as well
over time it was the same just hopong that he good enough for me to survive this.
the staff was grest as well.. especially ALINE
ROBYN KEESLER AND RODALYN.
there wasn't anything at all that made me not like him like I said he was excellent all around
My surgery is 3-28-03 I have faith is Dr. Inabnet