Shawn Garber Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS, FASMBS

Dr. Shawn Garber was informative, professional and reassuring. He was very open re. positives AND negatives. He performed my lap RuenY and removed my gall bladder full of gallstones all at the same time. He requires you to see cardio, gastro, endocrinologist, psyche, nutritionist, pulmanary and get an Xray of your gall bladder, then get full clearance from your primary care. The list of specialists require you to have other tests(lung capacity, bloodwork, thallium stress test, etc.) but I was off over the summer, and was able to complete it all in less than 2 months. I felt confident going in to surgery that I was in good health and that there would be no nasty surprises.

Office staff are helpful and courteous. He emphasizes aftercare and regular bloodwork, but I've switched to my PCP for aftercare on a regular basis due to traveling and Dr. Garber's limited office hours.

Surgical competence and bedside manner are both excellent.

My only suggestion for him or his office staff would be to recommend sites such as this for support and info by those who have "been there." I have found this site very helpful. I feel surgeons, such as Dr. Garber should post a listing of sites such as this, as well as the dates of their monthly support group. I was having trouble with vomiting when I started solid food, but Dr. G's answer is "Did you eat slowly? Chew thoroughly?" On this site I see many people are still having trouble with meat and chicken at 4-5 mo. post-op, so I stopped it and now just do cheeses---protein, calcium, AND easy to digest! Works for me.

My first impression of Dr. Garber was of a person who cared about the patients who came to see him. My next was one of someone I could trust. When we discussed my weight I felt comfortable telling him which I hadn' with any other health care provider. He was very honest answered all my qusetions and provided me with information before I ever asked. While the wait in the office was long it was well spent because of the sharing between the patients. Dr. Garber's staff are very helpful. I did not have to handle any of the insurance company contacts . They did that and I had my original surgery date within a week. My only frustration has been the postponement of my surgery twice. I have complete confidence in Dr Garber and feel he has a great bedside manner and these are both important to me. I feel I am well prepared for the surgery and this is due to the preop preparation and the post operative instructions I have already received

July 19, 2002
I had my surgery by dr garber and was very impressed he actually answered all the questions I had written down. I did not have to wait to see him more than 20 minutes(Iguess that's because there was a lot of traffic that day and accident actually up the street) so most of appointmnts were late.
Dr. Garber is very informative, and very personable, and caring. I would recommend him to all my friends.

I am very confident about my surgeon. He is highly recomended. His office staff is very nice. He seems to be very caring and concerned about his patients. He has support group meetings once a month that are fantastic. He has a web site that you can contact him on at any time and he will ALWAYS get back to you with -in a day or two. So far I am very happy with him. I will let you know more after the actual operation.
The only complaint I have is that you are not kept informed by the staff about anything unless you call there and ask questions.

My first impression of Dr.Garber, was a good one. I asked him a million and one questions. He answered them all. He also told me if I found that I had any questions I could E-Mail him at any time.(I have several times.)Or I could call his office.
My first appointment was in June. I saw all 7 specialists.A thousand tests later, I had a second appoint with Dr. Garber, on 8/23/02. He told me I was good to go. I should hear from him (his office) in 1-2 weeks. I was 5 1/2 weeks later. I got my tentative date of 11/04/02. (Yippee).
What did I like the least? All the waiting in his office for the first visit. About 2 1/2 hrs worth.
He suggested strongly about support groups. He is 1000% right. It is awsome to know that there are others that are going through or have already been through what I'm going through. Dr. Garber also said this is permenant. AS IN FOREVER. He streesed the possible complications.( scarey) He said It would be like him sitting with me for meals forever. this will be MY new life. He might be "fixing my belly" I still need to work with my head. Exercise is a must. I personally think he's great. I'll add mor when I actually have my sugery. It will be at Huntington Hospital.

Well I made the 21/2 hour hike to the support group on Oct 24th. The LIE(495) was a nightmare. I prayed for safety all the way.

The meeting was informative. Questions were answered and suggestions given. All the post ops were doing well and losing weight. They had nothing but good things to say about the surgery and the doctor.

Dr Garber's mission in helping the obese is obvious. He works long hours and is looking for diffrent ways of meeting the needs of all his patients.
He listened, answered, and encouraged all present. He has a warm caring personality.
I came away feeling good about the doctor and the surgery

Well everyone was right...I waited almost two hours to see Dr Garber. But I would say the wait was worth it. He spent more than an hour with me answering my questions. I had over 80 questions!! He actually took the list from me and answered every one of them. Surgery is all that he does, and I can tell that he prides himself in being the best he can in his field(laproscopic surgery). The office staff was friendly, especially Jennifer. What I liked least about him was the wait in his office, but I think you gain several benefits by waiting(if you can look at it this way)..You are able to read the packet of information that his staff gives you when you sign in, and you get the chance to talk to post op patients of his in the waiting room. He explained the entire procedure..in detail. I would say thus far I like Dr. Garber. I'll keep this updated as I move through the process..

2/22/02
Whew!! all of the doctors have cleared me for the surgery and yesterday I had my second visit with Dr Garber. He was wonderful!! Even Stacey(his wife and assistant was excited for me). I was told that I will have the surgery in Early July 2002. Can't wait for a solid date!!
The only concern I have at this point is keeping my weight down/stable until sugery...I have gained 20lbs since I first saw Dr Garber in Nov 2001....I have to stop gaining!!!
the good thing is there is a light at the end of that LONG DARK tunnel for the first time in my life!! I can't wait to be active again..I would especially like to play volleyball again ( I used to be very good!!), Oh and gardening, the thoughts about the many things I will be able to do are endless!!!

I see Dr Garber monthly, every other month I get a full blood test to make sure everything is ok..Dr Garber has been great.Its diffcult to get to him on the phone, but if you e-mail him he usually answers that night..

I like Dr. Garber very much, he did a great job and I very happy

My first impression of Dr. Garber was good and it has not changed. He met with me answered my questions and encouraged me to ask any questions I wanted and then gave me an e=mail address to send him any further questions. He does not sugar coat the surgery he just tells you like it is. There is a rather long wait in his office so bring a good book. His after care is strongly emphasized and has monthly support groups all are encouraged to go to. I like his office staff they have been professional and kind. I did have to wait a while for a date after I was all approved but that is because Dr. Garber left the hospital I was originally supposed to have my surgery in. The hospital he went to in my opinion is much better.

My first impression of Dr Shawn Garber was a good one !
He had been recommended to me by a friend and I made an appointment - it was certainly well worth the wait.
He spent a good deal of time with me at our first meeting - explaining everything - and gave me a list of other physicians to see before our second meeting.
I got all of those appointments out of the way and met with him a second time - he said he'd get back to me with a surgery date and he did so in a few weeks.
I had only a couple of weeks to be nervous - glad it's all over and done with - my surgery was September 5th at Huntington Hospital on Long Island.
Dr Garber explained everything to me - before and after the surgery - he was very kind and patient - had a great bedside manner - and in detail he told me how to take care of myself once I was home. He stressed the importance of the food program or rather your diet once you're post op - and certainly said it was important to follw it so as to heal properly.
Overall I'd give him a big "A" Plus in terms of competence and bedside manner - both are important - he has made me feel good.
:)