Valeriu E. Andrei MD Bariatric Associates Bariatric Center

absolutely loved dr. andrei and his entire staff immediately. extremely professional, helpful and knowledgeable. before care and after care are extremely important to this staff. dr andrei took one hour, on a saturday, with me prior to my surgery to explain everything and answer all of my questions.
my rating for dr andrei and his staff is A+.

Dr. Andrei was very kind and gentle throughout the entire process. I never felt pressured or stressed about my decision to have gastric bypass. He answered all my questions at all hours of the day, and was on call at all hours of the night post-op when I had problems. His staff is A-#1, top-notch. Always friendly and polite--how they remember all the patients' names, I'll never know! He is concerned about all his patients and wants to follow up with them often to make sure they are doing OK. Unfortunately, he moved his practice to Northern NJ and I can't see him anymore :( I hope he moves back down soon, or he changes his hours so I can get up there. His bedside manner and his surgical competence are beyond great--they are PHENOMENAL--considering all the surgeries he does and patients he has to see. I'd recommend him to anyone any day of the week.

Dr. Andrei is a true expert and has been very professional. Both he and his office staff are supportive and know how to treat patients with dignity and respect. This is how medicine should be practiced, in any field, not just bariatrics.

I first met Dr. Andrei when I attended his support group 10 months ago when I was considering WLS. I had my consultation with him on March 9, 2003, and found him to be a quiet person who was very supportive of my decision to have the surgery, and also very thorough in pointins out the potential risks of major surgery.
His staff was friendly Overall I rate Dr. Andre a 8. Understand that it takes a while to get to the initial consultation due to overwhelming demand, but he is well worth the wait! I really hope my insurance approves this surgery
*****UPDATE*** My insurance company approved my surgery in three days! I have completed all my tests and am waiting to be scheduled for surgery
*****UPDATE**** As of July 18, 2003 I still had no surgery date and have decided to switch surgeons. I need to have the surgery done before this year is over, since my coverage will be changing and I was never really able to get a solid date for my WLS. Therefore, I decided to switch surgeons and have an excellent surgeon, Dr. Robert Brolin, and an August surgery date!
******UPDATE 7/19/03***** I just got the call today from Dr. Robert Brolin's office!! Today being my 39th Birthday, I have received the most wonderful gift! My surgery has been scheduled for August 18, 2003. Dr. Brolin's staff have been wonderful and very supportive of my need to have the surgery before the end of the summer! Since my wife is going to be giving birth to our second son within the next week or so, it looks like August will have 2 "births" in our family!!!!
******UPDATE 8/4/03******* Because My wife surpassed her expected due date and my surgery was changed to an even earlier date of August 11th, I had no choice but to postpone my surgery til mid September. Although I was very excited about having my surgery in August, I am even more excited about my new son Joshua Mitchell Ramos who was born on August 1st!!! I will update my new surgery date as soon as it is set!
*******UPDATE 9/9/03******* Well....I'm almost there! My surgery is approved with Dr. Brolin and scheduled for September 22, 2003 at Princeton University Medical Center. I am both very excited an a little nervous. I go for my PAT's on September 11th (of all days!) I look forward to my surgery and the new opportunities it will help to give me with my two wonderful boys (Noah and Joshua) and my beautiful wife (Meg)!!
*******UPDATE 10/10/03******* OK...here I am now 3 weeks postop! My surgery went wonderfully with no complications. Dr. Brolin was OUTSTANDING and came to see me everyday as well as his associate Dr. Tichanski. I have lost 45 lbs since my surgery on Sept 22nd and feel wonderful! I still have some minor discomfort from the incision below my left breast however, it is getting bettter every day. Best of all...I am seeing real results in weight loss and I never feel hungry, and ave to force myself to eat protein. I am still on the modified diet and will begin regular food in another week or so! WOULD DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN IN A HEARTBEAT!!!
**********UPDATE 11/ 11/03******* I am now 7 weeks postop and have lost 97 lbs since my surgery. I am full of energy and am going through clothing that I have not worn in years! I am totally pain free from my lower back pain, and am completely cured of my sleep apnea. Most importantly it is getting easier to keep up with my 2 year old son! I have added protein shakes to my regemin since it is impossible for me to get in all the protein I need by just eating food (my stomach can't hold that much food). Dr. Brolin has been wonderful during my office visits. he feels I am right on tatget and has been very encouraging throughout my weight loss journey.
***********UPDATE 01/22/04*********** Today marks exactly 4 months since my RNY Gastric Bypass surgery with Dr. Brolin. What a four months it's been!!!! I have now lost 152lbs (gone FOREVER) and have never felt more energetic and wonderful in years! My Lower back pain GONE! My sleep apnea GONE! My high cholesterol GONE! Life is so much easier without all the extra weight I was carrying around. I have gone from 500 lbs to 348 lbs. I used to wear size 74 pants; I now wear a size 58! I am still on my journey and know I will get to my long term goal of 190 lbs!
The best part is I can now play with my son and not get tired or winded after 5 minutes. I urge you to GO FOR IT if you are considering this surgery. There are some risks, but for me the benefits are much greater. Best of Luck and God Bless!

********** UPDATE 06/21/04************* It has been a while snce my surgery (9 months)! I am happy to report that I have to date lost a total of 207 lbs...and life is WONDERFUL! I have gone from a size 74 Pants to a size 48! I've gone from wearing size 6X shirts.....to wearing XL! I have never felt better or more proud of myself. Dr. Brolin was been wonderful throughout (as well as his staff!) I can not remember myself when I was 520lbs and not able to do muchg of anything...I have such a quality of life that really makes it all worthwile. The weight is now coming off much slower...and I have to work much harder than I did during the "honeymoon phase" but I am determined to make my goal of 190 Lbs! Keep the faith!

I would highly recommend Dr. Andrei

My first impression of Dr. Andrei was thathe was quiet but serious and really seemed to know his stuff. I had done quit a bit of research on WLS and he touched base on just about everything including all the risks involved. I brought my nervous mom with me to the consult and he understood her concern and answered all her questions. Dr. Andrei stress aftercare and attending his support group. I liked the fact that he was straight froward about the importance of both. Made me feel like he really cares for his patience not just trying to make a buck. I've waited a long time until I was completely ready to do this surgery. I have been told and read lots a rave reviews about Dr. Andrei and he's considered the best in the biz so I was more than willing to wait for him.

Office staff is very nice and thorough. I've called to ask a few questions they help me quickly and called me back promtly with an answer. Cora, Alison, Antoinette & Mary are all very helpful.

I would rate the Dr. and his office staff a 10!

I am very, very upset.
Dr. Andre's office has been lying to all of us. I thought that I had a date for surgery but I just found out that Dr. Andre is leaving and going to St. Barnabas. Dr. Andre should have told us. I can't begin to tell you how angy I am and how disappointed that I am. I wasn't sure about Dr. Andre in the first place- now I have a reason to go somewhere else! I tried to go to St. Barnabas in the fist place but couldn't get an appointment with Dr. Nusbaum for several months. When I got the appointment and was scheudled with DR. Andre I thought that I made the right decision. I'll just have to get back on Dr. N's list. If you have a date for surgery with Dr. Andre- don't believe it! Dr. N's office refused to say anything about Dr. Andre- but I know that they know something about him.

His staff was my first impression. They were simply lovely people.

Dr. Andrei was a kind man, willing to discuss questions I had (which were not ordinary ones lol) and was willing to take all the time I needed. I think the poor man has no life LOL He's so involved w/his patients.

I just got a date so I'm verypleased. They bent over backwards to accomodate me becuase my husband is being relocated to PA and Iwas concerned about postoperative care and moving at the same time.

Out of 10 I would rate this office,at this time a 10. (being the highest)

I have met w/ both Dr. Andre of St. Peters in NJ and Dr. Inabnet of NYU. I found them both to be pleasent, direct and informative. I think I would be comfortable having either on do my surgery. Both assured me that I was an excellent candidate for either the by-pass or the lap-band, but both seemed to be more comfortable with the by-pass. I am really looking for someone who prefers the lap-band to talk to so I cam make an informed unbiased decision.

1/21/02: I have decided to have the by-pass procedure done, because of the beter track record of this procedure. I have decided on Dr. Andre mostly because his NJ office and hospital is much more convient than NYC. Actually, he is no longer at St. Peters, but has moved to Robert Wood Johnson, also in New Brunswick. I believe that I will be having the operation in the begining of March.

4/16/02: Iam extemely frustrated today because my appeal for insurance coverage was rejected. The reason I'm posting on this page, is that I found the response by Dr. Andre's office appalling. When I asked for assistance in fighting this rejection I was told that she was very busy today, and would TRY to locate my file tommorrow. She asked what I intended to do, and when I told her that I intended to fight the rejection she chuckled and said that I was a "scream". I am desperate for this surgery, and certainly do not find my decision to persist something to laugh at. I am extremely dissapointed by the insensitivity of this staff person.

5/3/02: Dr. Andre did apoligize for the seeming insensitivity of his staff person. He said that she was trying to calm me down by being a little light hearted. Whatever. He still seems very committed and concerned and I guess that's what matters. He definetly is trying to help me with my appeal.

1/03: I finally had my surgery on 1/3/03. Dr. Andre did a great job, and I did not have any problems.

6/30/03: Six months post-op. Dr. Andre's staff has been wonderful. Each time I've called with a question or concern they have responded knowledgeably. Seeing his nutritionest is an important part of his program, and I feel it has really helped. I am down 83 lbs.

I saw Dr. Andrei at a support meeting. I was impressed. I spoke to his staff many times already. They are all so wonderful. Very supportive. My appointment is July 30. I pray I am approved. The time I spent with Dr. Andrei made me feel at ease. He has a way about him; a calming effect, if you will. Since he had his own personal medical circumstances, my surgery was postponed. I heard many people being angry about this - what I can say is that he is not God. He is a human being with a God-given talent to help...cure...save people. I wish him good health so he can continue to save people's lives.