Harvey Sugerman Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.
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Dr. Sugerman is a wonderful doctor. I'm very comforted that he will take excellent care for me. His office staff will answer any questions and will assist you with any and all your problems. They are very helpful. Going to a support group meeting before hand so not to sure about that. Dr. Sugerman addressed and made me aware of all the risk involved with this surgery (even shown a video).
On first impression, Dr. Sugerman put me immediately at ease. He was very polite and very NOT patronizing, as I have found other MDs to be about my weight. His approach was professional, but not distant. He took as much time as I needed to fully inform me about the procedure and to answer all the questions I could come up with. Since my surgery, my respect for him has grown because of his demonstrated concern for my continued good health and for my weight loss success. He doesn't make you feel as if he's cutting you loose after he's cut you up!
Dr. Sugerman's office staff, led by his wife Betsy, a nurse, are very friendly and professional. The nutritionists who work with him are knowledgeable and helpful, and are an invaluable asset to the MCV program and its patients.
I guess if I had to choose something I "liked least" about him, it would be the distance I had to travel to get to him!
Those considering weight loss surgery should know that Dr. Sugerman has been doing this procedure for many years, has published extensively on this topic, and is considered by other surgeons to be an expert in his field. He was referred to me by surgeons at the hospital where I work, and I am traveling from the Baltimore area to Richmond because of the confidence I have in him.
He and his staff emphasize heavily the aftercare aspects of WLS. MCV Hospital has a Gastric Bypass Club which I plan to take advantage of by e-mail after my surgery.
Dr. Sugerman and his staff are very frank about the risks of surgery as well as its benefits. Prospective patients are given comprehensive information by video presentation and in their personal consultation with the doctor and his staff. Ample opportunity is given to ask questions.
Overall, I would rate Dr. Sugerman a 9 on a 10 scale. Remarkably, my surgery experience was a comfortable one - I think that's the best thing anyone can say about having had an operation!
Dr. Sugerman has a cordial but professional bedside manner which, as a medical professional myself, I appreciate. As far as which I feel is better, given a choice between bedside manner or surgical competence, I'll go with surgical competence every time. You can live without bedside manner; the same cannot be said for good surgical technique!
Dr. Sugerman is the top of the field when it comes to bypass surgery. I was very impressed with him on my initial visit...he answered all my questions and spent a great deal of time evaluating me. The only negative was that Dr.Sugerman does not have a great bedside manner. He is very matter of fact and straight to the point. I chose him for his excellent surgery skills and can overlook the lack of a bedside manner. His office staff is wonderful and extremely helpful. I have had to make several phone calls to them over the last 6 months and they have been very helpful and friendly each time I have called. Dr. Sugerman's office sent me a newsletter that strongly encourages prospective bypass surgery patients to attend a support group. I found this group to be an excellent form of support and highly recommend that anyone looking into this surgery attend these meetings. Dr. Sugerman's practice seems to be very hands on and supportive through the entire process. I highly recommend them!!
7/16/01-I have not seen Dr Sugerman yet, but I have researched him. I am interested in hearing from anyone who has seen him or his partners. So far I have found only the highest praise for the man. Looking forward to seeing him in Sept. I am planning to go to his support group in August, but don't know exactly what to expect.
9/27/01-My DH and I had my appt on 9/24/01. We both liked Dr Sugerman (and his wife). I felt a kind of reassurance that I don't need to worry about the procedure, that is his job. The rest is up to me, and I can do it. He will be worth the wait. So far I give him the highest marks!
I had an appointment scheduled with a different doctor. However, my gastroenterologist insisted that I see Dr. Sugerman instead. My first impression was that Dr. S was very professional and experienced.
My initial impression did not change. Because my situation was complex, Dr. Sugerman insisted that I be scheduled only when he would be in town for 2-3 weeks post op. This is his standard procedure.
His staff is super, particularly his wife Betsy.
What did I like least? Hmmm...hard question. I think he lacks sensitivity in regard to emotional issues that can arise when recovery is long and or complicated. He too easily attributes these to "depression."
Future patient should know that he is a spectacular surgeon and that he relies heavily on his staff, which is equally as professional. However, patients should also know that Dr. S is "old school," in that you are referred to by your first name, and he is ever and always DR. Sugerman. If you can't deal with that, better look elsewhere.
High emphasis on structured aftercare, with one ridiculously low price to cover a lifetime of aftercare visits: at post op one week, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months and yearly after that.
Risks of surgery were well addressed.
With the few limitations mentioned, I would rate him highly.
Certainly his surgical competence far exceeds his bedside manner.
8/25/01 - The staff was courteous and polite. Jill, one of the nurses, was extremely helpful and answered many of my questions. I had done quite a bit of research on the various surgeries and surgeons and found Dr. Sugerman to be experienced and very well respected in the field of bariatric surgery. There were 23 other patients waiting for a consult w/ him and after reading so much information about him, it was an honor.
The meeting w/ Dr. Sugerman was brief, but he and his wife Betsy (who is also a nurse) made my husband and I feel comfortable and at ease. For a man with such a great reputation, he is very down to earth.
Dr. Sugerman has a long running reputation as an excellent Bariatric surgeon. He comes across as a father figure, concerned that the pt. is making the appropriate choice. His wife works closely with him and is very warm and understanding. His office staff is incrediable. They are very responsive and understanding, always attempting to be helpful and timely. I personally have trouble communicating with Dr. Sugerman. It is a bit upsetting to me because I am also a Registered Nurse and this should not be a problem. I know he is a superb surgeon and has many years of experience in the field of obesity so I just try to overcome my nervousness around him. My surgery will be a revision from a VBG and also the removal of an ovarian mass (with ovary). The complications of my case is another reason I chose Dr. Sugerman.
FIRST IMPRESSION: VERY LIKEABLE,FRIENDLY,STRAT TO THE POINT.
IMPRESSION HAS NOT CHANGED
OFFICE STAFF IS VERY SUPORTIVE
LIKED EVERYTHING ABOUT HIM
FUTURE PATIENTS SHOULD KNOW HE IS ALWAYS VERY BUSY, SO SOMETIMES THE WAIT IS LONG
ALOT
YES
STRAT FORWARD
A VERY GOOD AND CARING DOCTOR
BOTH
I met Dr. Sugerman April 16, 2000. He is a very pleasant doctor and he cares about all his patients. He showed me a video tape and gave me all risks and benefits. I do not think I could have picked a better doctor.