Joseph Afram Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

My first impression of Dr. Afram was that he was a very compassionate person. He did not rush my time with him nor did he pull any punches. He was very thorough during the consultation process and was upfront about the use of surgery as a tool, not a magic pill. He also makes sure you understand the risks of such surgery also.

My thoughts of him just got better over time. He was very professional and caring when it came to time for surgery. His post op care is very good also. It helps that he has done over 3000 of these procedures. He and his staff (both hospital and office) know what they are doing and things move very smoothly.

As to date I have not had any negative experiences with this surgeon or his staff. He was very helpful with my husband who was very concerned about me and this procedure.

Aftercare is essential to making the program work. Monthly aftercare is a must along with check-ups. The support group is very helpful in answering questions anyone has about foods, or emotions, or just for the comraderie. The online list group is also extremely helpful for those who are farther away from the regular support group meetings. Dr. Afram's aftercare program has been in place for quite a few years and the program reflects that. He has a very good success rate both with low surgical complications and high post-op success.

Overall I would rate Dr. Afram very highly. As a R.N. I am familiar with many medical aspects of the surgery and necessary post-op course. The hospital staff and Columbia Hospital for Women was wonderful also. They are familiar with wls patients and from beginning to end of my stay everyone was very kind and professional. If I had to do this again, I would not change a thing. It was worth my travel from PA to DC to see a physician who is tops in his field. Dr. Afram is both professional and personable. I could not have asked for a better experience.

I WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH DR.AFRAM HE WAS VERY HONEST WITH ME FROM THE VERY START. I RESPECT HIM AS A SURGEON. HE
ANSWERED ALL OF MY QUESTIONS IN HIS PRESENTATION. THERE WERE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS THAT I DID NOT ASK (IN REFERENCE TO PREGNANCY AND HIS RESPONSE WAS YOU FORGOT TO ASK ME ABOUT CAN YOU GET PREGNANT AFTER THIS SURGERY.

MY IMPRESSION HAS NOT CHANGED YET.

DR. AFRAM HAS A WONDERFUL STAFF I KNOW I GOT ON EVERY ONE'S NERVES BECAUSE I KEPT CALLING AND CALLING.




FUTURE PATIENTS SHOULD KNOW THAT DR. AFRAM IS VERY HONEST AND FRANK WITH YOU ABOUT THE SURGERY AND HE WILL LET YOU KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT OUT OF THIS SURGERY.

DR. AFRAM REALLY EMPHASIZES AFTERCARE, ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT BEEN I UNDERSTAND THAT HIS AFTERCARE PROGRAM IS VERY HELPFUL AND I LOOD FORWARD TO ATTENDING

YES

DR. AFRAM ADDRESSES THE RISKS OF SURGERY VERY BLUNTLY ALTHOUGH HE STRESSES THAT ANY SURGERY THAT YOU PUT AN OVERWEIGHT INDIVIDUAL THROUGH IT IS RISKY HE WILL TELL YOU ALL OF THE RISKS IN DETAIL FORM.

I WOULD RATE DR. AFRAM AS ONE OF THE TOP DOCTORS IN HIS FIELD HE SHOWS EXCELLENCE AS A SURGEON AND HE ALSO CARES DEEPLY ABOUT HIS PATIENTS

IN MY OPINION, I THINK THEY BOTH GO HAND IN HAND, I AM A BIG BABY WHEN IT COMES TO PAIN SO I WOULD LIKE FOR MY PHYISICIAN TO HAVE BEDSIDE MANNER, ON THE OTHER HAND IF YOU CAN GET ME THROUGH THIS SURGERY WITHOUT ANY COMPLICATIONS(WITH HTE LORD'S ASSISTANCE OF COURSE) I WILL NOT COMPLAIN

DR.AFRAM IS A GOOD MAN I REALLY LIKE HIM. HIS STAFF IS WONDERFUL AND CHEERFUL

Dr. Afram is great! His staff is wonderful! He\'s very down to earth and seems to genuinely care about his patients. He has the best aftercare program and support groups! He\'s a 10!

Dr. Afram was so self-assured and confident that I was more assured that this was the right thing to do. He was, however, a surgeon so I didn't warm right away to him. Over time, his kindness and encouragement helped me get more enthusiastic about my progress. He is an elegant man who is the best in his field and I have so much respect for him.

There is nothing I liked least about him. His care was superior - he never, ever let me be in pain or fear during and after the surgery and he treats me as if I am the only patient of the day.

You should know that he is highly respected by other doctors in the DC area.

He does have a structured after care but I chose to go to a food therapist on my own and attend as frequently as I could in his office...location and group size (too many people) made it a little hard for me to attend. I needed more one on one support than the large group sessions offer.

His staff was very clear about the risks of surgery but they did so very early in the process. Later, the hospital reminded me of the risks so I felt I knew all I needed to know.

I'd rate Dr. Afram as superior. Both his surgical competence and bedside manner are excellent.

My first impression of Dr. Afram was that he was a kind and sympathetic man. He really struck me as being on top of his game and he was very knowledgeble of his field of work. His office staff is very nice and helpful. Nothing but pleasant people. Also, there is a strong emphasis on aftercare and group support which is a plus. I also appreciated the fact that Dr. Afram did not sugar coat the surgery. He told me point blank all the risks involved.

My first impression was a very kind an gentle person. The office staff seemed very nice. I have just got my date so I will be seeing a lot more of them in the next few months....

Well as I had guessed I have seen my surgeon on many occassions. The best occasion was on August 6th 2001...the day he did my RNY gastric bypass.

He is wonderful he will stop an answer any question you have. His secretary (Sally) is wonderful and always pleasent on the phone.

DrA really stresses aftercare and I just heard about a program they have with a nearby gym. He is always full of encourage ment and a smile. The only problem with the aftercare program is that the weekly support group meetings are held at noon on wednesdays. An evening group is held one thursday a month. I would like to see more evening meetings.

He has wonderful bedside manner and came to visit me often while I was in the hospital.

I really thought that Dr. Afram was very knowledgable. I attended a seminar he did last April 2001 and just felt a warm feeling from everyone. He explained everything I wanted to know so I could understand. I love is office staff. Great bunch to work with. Dr. Afram offers such a great support system. He and his staff make all the arrangements for everything you need to do before surgery. I was impressed on how well organized everything was. I trust that he has your well being in mind before and after surgery. I rate Dr. Afram a 10.

I think Dr. Afram is a very intelligent and confident doctor. I understood everything that I asked and all the questions I needed answered, he had it! I would highly recommend him to anyone. He to anyone in the Washington Area. His office staff was very helpfull also. I bugged everyone so much that I know I got on someones nerves from calling the office so much. No one acted as though they were fustrated with me. On a scale of 1 to 10, he would get a 10 from me.

Dr. Afram seems very concerned about his patients. I have been to some Doctors that really seem like the could care less about the patient and more about fame and fortune. Dr. Afram has an entire support team set in place for every patient from the insurance approval to support years after the surgery. Dr. Afram has explained very well what I will be experiencing, risks, and benefits of the surgery. He also is very frank with what he feels whether it be a good idea to have surgery or not. I feel very comfortable with Dr. Afram, my life is in his hands.

I live 7 hours away from Dr. Aframs office and he has worked with me and my local doctors to save me the time and expense of travelling to D.C. for tests that I could have done at home. Also support on line is a great help to me.