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

Dr. Afram and his stasff have been very supportive, I am in the first stage's of this jorney.

I love Dr. A. The first time that I met him, I felt totatlly at ease. As time goes on and I keep losing the weight, the visits seem shorter, yet he asks all the questions that a good doctor should. Some patients say that they feel rushed...but I'm rather grateful that he gets to the point because I'm a pretty busy person and I don't have all day to sit in his office and wait around. I love his aftercare group sessions, which are informative and helpful....but if there is one thing that I've learned about bariatric surgery, it's that there's never really one answer to anyone's question. Everyone progresses differently and at various paces. My main goal was to change my eating habits while my pouch was still small so that when I was eventually able to eat more, I chose the right things to eat instead of what I had been eating before the surgery.

My doctor is Dr. Joseph Afram of Washington DC. He has been doing this surgery for 18 years. According to the testimonials of patients who have gone through his gentle care, I beleive I am in good hands. It took me two years to make up my mind and I attended almost all the seminars he has conducted. He also has a friendly and considerate staff. My surgery is on January 31st and I am certain that everyting will go on right by the grace of God. I like Dr. Afram because he shows concern for his patients, very courteous and respectful too. He sits you down and explains to you everything you need to know about the surgery and what to expect afterward. He emphasizes after care very, very much and he has a structured aftercare program - seventh day visit after the surgery, once a month for a year and once every three months after that. He says the surgery is not a magic bullet. One must be dedicated to exercising and following the nutrition plan offered by his office. The risks of the surgery were also spelled out but in his case, it is very minimal because they, as a team, have procedures to address those risks.

DR. AFRAM IS A GREAT SURGEON. MY FIRST IMPRESSION WAS ONE OF A MAN WHO KNOWS HIS STUFF.....THIS HAS NOT CHANGED. HE IS DEFINITELY VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE ON THE SUBJECTS OF BARIATRICS. HE IS ALSO QUITE PERSONABLE. HIS OFFICE STAFF ARE VERY FRIENDLY AND PATIENT. WHENEVER I GO TO THE OFFICE THEY ALWAYS MAKE YOU FEEL AS IF YOU ARE THERE TO VISIT A PERSONAL FRIEND. FUTURE PATIENTS SHOULD KNOW THAT DR. A IS REALLY GOOD AND WILL WORK WITH YOU. YOU SHOULD NOT BE AFRAID TO SPEAK WHAT IS ON YOUR MIND. HE ALWAYS MAKES YOU FEEL AT EASE. DR. A DOES EMPHASIZE AFTERCARE AND DOES A GREAT JOB PROVIDING IT. NEVER HAVE I FELT LEFT OUT OR ALONE. I WOULD RATE DR. A 10+ ON A SCALE THAT RUNS FROM 1-10.

Dr. Afram is very personable, however, I was somewhat disappointed in his response to me regarding a post-op problem. Approximately, two weeks after my surgery, I experienced unexplainable vomiting for a week and could not keep anything down and finally went to him for assistance. Without asking me any questions, he proceeded to tell me that I was doing one of three things wrong, which were all related to dumping. I felt his response was incorrect and that he should have asked me questions such as when did the vomiting occur? (In my case it was usually 2-5 hours after I ate). In any event, I was later diagnosed by a hospital to have had gallstones.

Overall, I would rate him a 5 on a scale of 1-10. His bedside manner was great and his explanation of the surgery was great. His staff performs all of the insurance related duties and the pre-op lab tests.

My first impression of him was one who cared about his patients. However, after surgery I felt as though I was just a number and he was finished with me. His staffing was polite and friendly. What I liked the least about Dr. Afram was the way he talked to me in a patronizing way. Aftercare, is , at least how I felt, not emphasized. It was like, he has already gotten paid for the job and where is the nest patient. The surgery went well- if i had to rate which was better for him it would definitly be his surgical competance!!

I have my first consultation with doctor Afram on June 28,2002**********************************************************


06/28/02 - I met with Dr. Afram today, and he was absolutely great! He explained everything very well. I am excited about him doing my surgery. I know the Lord has sent me to the right surgeon. Of course because God knows what he is doing. Anyway now I'm just waiting on Approval. By the way, the staff is great as well. There was nothing I did not like about him. He is very particular about do's and don'ts, the ins and outs also. He really insists on follow-ups and also going to support groups. He tells you there is a risk in any surgery, however I'm really comfortable about this. On a scale of 1-10, I would give him a 10 already. Like I said before, I am very pleased.

Dr. Afram did my sister and moms surgery. he seems very nice. his staff and him did a great job with them.

My first impression was that Dr. Afram is serious, but so willing to try to answer any questions that I may have had and yet, he wasn't pushie. He appears to be a very kind and caring person.

I believe Dr. Aframs office may be in some transition....they were kind and helpful, but very, very busy.

I chose to go with Dr. Afram for my surgery because he has a good follow up program. Some other surgeons little or no follow up program.

Dr. Afram explains the risks of the surgery well...he wants his patients to understand all of them, but he trys to be comforting and not to frighten you.

When it is something as serious as this type of surgery, I prefer surgical competence over a great bedside manner.

He is just the best. The day I met with him, he was ready to set a date and I told him I didn't think I was ready. He closed my file and said "You have to make this decision." The fact that he didn't push me into it made me choose him. Every time I see him (once a month) he is always friendly and warm. He genuinely cares about his patients and what goes on with them. He's always asking about my life and my family. He is a true gem and I wouldn't have been as successful at this without his support.

The only thing that bothers me is sometimes he is too fast with my appointments and I don't think that I can ask him all the questions I really have.