Valeriu E. Andrei MD Bariatric Associates Bariatric Center

My experience with Dr. Andrei has been a great one from the start. I had lap-band previously by another doctor and it had to be taken out. My old doctor I felt left me in a bad position after the removal and then someone recommened Dr. Andrei to me. I wish I know of him the first time. This time I had gastric bypass and the surgery was a great success. I am 4 weeks post op and feel great.. The staff at Dr. Andrei's office is very welcoming and helps you so much along the way.. Dr. Andrei will listen to all your concerns and make u feel at ease..

Dr. Andrei is a caring and compassionate person. When you 1st meet him you gain a sense that he cares about you and will take what ever time and energy to explain all information in detail. He has performed gastric bypass on my spouse, sister- in- law and will be performing surgery in the future on my brother in law. My family has full confidence that he is the best choice in this field. We recommend him full heartedly to anyone. He is committed to his patients. Aftercare is handled by his office staff and they regular check on how you are doing after surgery. Vitamins after bypass is critical as well as drinking water and will become part of your routine schedule. In 2004, I had lap band surgery and lost 50 lbs by October 2010 the band prolapse due to weight gain. In March 2011 I had gastric bypass surgery as the band was no longer working for me. I had some difficulty the 1st two weeks after bypass surgery due to having a cold and my asthma being aggravated. I also had a problem with the drain and with all these problems came a 2nd hospitalization due to having an infection and becoming dehydrated. In the end it is all worth it as I have an extensive medical history (stroke, asthma, diabetes, hypertension, underactive thyroid, etc) that was worsening with the weight gain. In looking back at it I would have the gastric bypass originally but I was afraid of the permanency of it. Since my 3-31 surgery I have lost 20 lbs. The decision to have either procedure is a commitment and a life change.

Having this surgery was the best thing I ever done. I'm so happy that I can wear normal size clothes and able to wear heels again also the most important thing I am healther and happy.

Wow! This is truly a life changing experience. Dr. Andrei and his staff are true professionals. I would certainly recommend him over and over again. Since the Gastric Bypass procedure last March 28, 2011 I feel better than ever! Despite the restricted diet, the energy has remain high. At each step of the weight loss process Dr. Andrei and his staff have remain in constant contact with me. Routine appointments were made to fit my schedule. Prior to the surgery I was very concerned and often imagined the worse but it was a lot easier than I thought. Pain was moderate and the care was amazing. I'm so happy to have found such dedicated staff, where I'm not just a number, I'm a patient with a name often remembered. I'm truly grateful to everyone's dedication.

Thanks DR. ANDREI!!!!

For a very long time I've been struggling, with my weight, in 2008 I started having severe lower back and leg pain, I was diagnosis with 3 herniated disc, and that I need back surgery. I was very upset by that, I did not want to have back surgery. It was suggested by my orthopedic surgeon, Dr Cuomo, maybe to think about Bariatric Surgery. So I stop in one day at St Barnabas Ambulatory Care Center, and pick up a pamphlet regarding bariatric surgery. I gave it some though, and days later I gave Dr Andrei office a call. One months later after, I've had the surgery, I'm feeling great so far I've lost 33 pounds, and more important less back pain. I will be returning to work in 2 weeks, and I will return back and tell you more. Dr Andrei's office staff is great, they are kind, warm heart and generous people.

I Been
strugling with weigt since I was8yrsold.After I had my last baby I felt even worst. I decided to make a change I heard about Dr.ANDREI and his team from 99.1 and coming to work seminars here and I decided to call from the first time I felt welcome and at home .I since had my surgery and feel so much better I thank Dr.Andrei and his staff for all their help.God BLESS all of you and I will continue my new change of life with all your help and know that because of your knowledge and caring I Will always carry you in my heart as I Got my life back to spend with my family and friends and share this joyous and wonderful occassion that has made me a new person . Thanks a million.

MY sergon Dr Andrei was the best him and his staff is wounderful they get to know each person on a first name basis ,and after my sergery I never felt alone the staff and Dr Andrei called me to check on the progress every day post sergery twice a day Dr Andrei has the best bed side manner I have nothing but praises for him and his staff.

I loved the experience I had here. The whole staff from the day I walked through the door, and the continued customer care this office shows is exceptional. Dr. Andrei is such a sweet and kind person. Everyone is very friendly and genuinely caring. I had gone and seen many other doctors before picking Dr. Andrei. The moment I met him I knew this was the doctor I wanted to go preform my surgery. I thank Dr. Andrei and the entire staff for all the incredible dedication to helping me become the healthier and happier me.

I found Dr. Andrei on the internet. I was very unsure if this was something I was ready to do. However from the first phone call I made to the office, I couldn't have felt more at ease and comfortable. Immediately the person on the other end of the phone began to reassure me and tell me of her own personal experience wit Dr. Andrei and gastric bypass surgery. My first appointment with Dr. Andrei was one that I will never forget. I have worked for doctors for many many years and in my entire life I don't think I have ever met someone who cares more for his patients. My husband and I were so at ease and we knew we found a well qualified and experienced doctor that we could trust. After my visit with Dr. Andrei I had no worries just something wonderful to look forward to. I really honestly feel that the day I became a patient at this practice was one of the luckiest days if my life. I feel like I have another family here. Absolutely ALL of his staff is wonderful. I have never had a problem with anything. Everyone takes care of you. It is the most easy going stress free environment that I have ever been in. When you call there is no long time holding, a loveing person picks up the phone and immediately you are being helped. There is no rediculous wait for an appointment. You get all your appointments and questions answered in a timely manner. I love coming for my appointments because everyone makes you feel so welcomed and if nobody else in your life can relate to what your going through, these people really can. You will truely feel like you are part of something there. And even though people say nothing in life is guarenteed I can pretty much guarentee that you will never leave this office disappointed. Dr. Andrei is a lucky lucky man to have such a pleasant, qualified and caring staff and they are extremely lucky to work for such a gracious man. He truely is the BEST. I have met a lot of people that call themselves "doctors" that don't even come close. After my surgery, he followed my care so very closely. And once I was discharged from the hospital I had gotten an infection in my arm where whre the iv was. Not only did the doctor give me his personal cell phone numbre that weekend, he even called me Sunday morning at 9am to see how I was. AND HE WASN'T EVEN ON CALL. Who does that! No doctor that I've ever come across. As a matter of fact that Sunday I had to go back to the hospital because the infection had gotten so bad I needed iv antibiotics and guess what...he told me to take his cell phone number with me and give it to the doctor there and have them call him. Again, who does that. He wasn't even on call. Seriously I work for "doctors" and I can tell you from experience I have never in my life seen a doctor care so deeply for his patients. Dr. Andrei and his office staff really have something special.

I had surgery on 12/16/10 at St. Barnabas Hospital. This was a revision. Dr. Andrei had done my original surgery. Because I totally believe in Dr. Andrei and his crackerjack staff I was willing to return and have him do my revision. Dr. Andrei demands perfection from himself , his staff, and it shows in how he deals with his patients. He is very serious about his work and his patients' well being. This does not always translate to the best bed side manner. There is a sense of humor there but you sometimes have to dig for it. Overall I will take competence over manner any day of the week. Dr. Andrei absolutely will not allow a patient to have surgery until he is confident that the patient is physically and mentally able to do so. Surgery is on his timetable, not yours.
Several Days after my surgery I had to be hospitalized for dehydration. That was the only negative experience I encountered. Dr. Andrei turned my care over to another physician and I had to go to RWJ in New Brunswick. I did not like RWJ at all. St. Barnabas is like being at a 4 star hotel and RWJ was like being at Motel 6. I had to change my own bandage and daily empty my own drain. I measured my own urine and marked it on the board. I had to clean the toilet each time I used it because my suite mate had a potty chair. I should send RWJ a bill for my stay there.
Post surgery is critical and Dr. Andrei and his staff continue to provide excellent support in that area. It is a very structured approach. The only real complaint that I have is that you see Dr. Andrei before and after your surgery, but you don't really see him again. He speaks to you through his staff and you will receive an occassional phone call if needed. Overall I am pleased with my experience and my continued weight loss. I do caution anyone planning to have this surgery...The surgery is a tool. If you are trying to beat the odds and eat whatever you want and not follow the plan laid out for you, you will not be successful.