Shawn Garber Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS, FASMBS

I just had my first visit (consultation) with Dr. Garber. He seemed nice enough and pretty informative, but seemed to be a little rushed. His office staff was very friendly and efficient. We didn't get into to deep of a discussion about the particulars because he requires that I see 8 specialists and we'll have more to talk about when he gets their reports back

I thought that Dr. Garber was definately the one for me. He answered all my questions, my boyfriends questions too. The staff is okay. Future patients should know that he is very busy and you will wait to see him, but so worth it. Aftercare is strictly provided. There is post op and pre op therapy sessions too. I am familiar with the risks as I did my homework before scheduling such a major surgery. I would rate him, so far, an 8.

My first impression of Dr. Garber was that he has concern for his patients but is extremely busy. At my second appointment I felt more comfortable with him. I asked many questions. He was honest but vague. The office staff was friendly and efficient. I have called the office several times and was treated very nicely. He puts a lot of enfasis on aftercare and really wants the patient to understand that the operation is only a tool to help with the obesity. The true sucess relies on the patients eating and exercising habits. He has monthly support meeting for pre and post operative patients. The meeting are an hour long and usually include a guest speaker and a question and answer session. It was very important to Dr. garber that I understood the risks of surgery. He even gave me a true/false quiz. I feel 100% comfortable with him performing the surgery on me. I would definetly recommend Dr. Garber. If anyone has any questions or would just like to talk please feel free to e-mail me.

I believe I made the right choice for me. After my first meeting with Dr. Garber, I came away feeling like he really cares about his patients. He talks rapidly, but will take all the time you need with him. He really wants to make sure you understand the proceedure and what you will experience post op. He makes you see a lot of Doctors and get medically cleared for the proceedure, but while this is time consuming, it just shows he wants to make sure you 1)are medically able to have the proceedure and 2) that when you do, you will have the most optimal results.

His staff is wonderful. They have been caring and have tried to assist me whenever they can.

I cannot wait to get my date for the surgery and feel I have the best team to assist me with this.

Before I decided to make an appointment with this surgeon I did a lot of research on the Internet and heavily credit this website for excellent resources and support. The one thing that helped me greatly is the consistent remarks "to expect a long wait" to see Dr. Garber. I am another that reinforces this theory. Once you are mentally prepared for the wait, the rest is easy. I had a 9:15am appointment on Christmas Eve, arrived at 9:05am and was actually called at 10:30am. I was his first pre-operative appointment for the day as the office does all post-opt appointments first. Initially knowing this did help me to be less anxious about time restraints and while there, I just read magazines and relaxed. I even dosed off at one point. His office is beautiful, clean and very professional. At this point, I've interacted with both Lisa, his receptionist and Jennifer, his office assistant via telephone and in person. They are both very professional and helpful.
Once I did see Dr. Garber it made me forget all about the long wait as he immediately made me feel very comfortable. Although I realized that he had a waiting room full of patients, he made me feel like I was his priority while I sat before him and he actually "listened" to my concerns about being previously declined for the surgery with a different surgeon (and "now former" insurance company, Cigna PPO citing "not medically necessary" although I meet the criteria) the spiraling depression that sent me into among other things. He reassured me that my thoughts and concerns ARE valid and then took the time to explain everything to me. He shared that his office offers a support group for pre & post opt. patients, once a month and mentioned that I would be sent information about that. He talked fast however, I caught it all. (Poor man probably does that spiel one thousand times a day) He asked me several times did I have any questions or concerns, took the time to address those and then gave me a list of seven specialists that I would need to see for surgical clearance. I've since booked all of these appointments within 2-3 weeks and I will go for my second appointment with Dr. Garber a month after the first. Lisa (the receptionist) explained to me the process as follows: The first visit was an initial consultation. After I see all of the specialists and have them fax forward their reports to Dr. Garber's office, I see him again for a second visit at which time he will examine me and discuss the results of the various tests. If all is well, I will get a surgery date approx. a week after my second visit with Dr. Garber. The wait for the actual surgery is approx. 3-6 months out depending on which hospital you choose to have it done at. Dr. Garber's office will pre-cert the insurance company (mine is now United Healthcare POS) about a month before my surgery date and they said that they usually get a response within a week.
Overall, I was very pleased. I thought his office had a comfortable atmosphere. His staff was helpful, friendly and courteous and the Dr. himself had a bedside manner that was impeccable. I felt he was approachable and confident (citing that he has done this laparoscopic procedure over 200 times and the open procedure over 100 times before that. He's lost one patient approx three weeks after surgery due to complications/health issues.)
I see him again on the 25th of January and I'll keep you all posted. Feel free to e-mail for additional information if needed.
I cannot begin to express the depression and hopelessness I suffered at the first decline by Cigna PPO. Circumstances of a job change allowed me to start over again with a new surgeon, a renewed hope and "Thank God" a new insurance company (I went through pure HELL with Cigna PPO, as it took them six weeks just to deliver the dreaded "DECLINED" decision - I think they are crap!!!) Dr. Garber says he typically doesn’t get declined because the insurance companies he chooses to participate in don't give him a hard time. He said I meet the requirements therefore, there should be no problem. It being Christmas Eve, I told him this was definitely the best news I could get for the holiday season and what a way to start the New Year. :)

Well from reading about Dr. Garber I was prepared to wait before seeing him. On the first visit I only had to wait 30 mins, which I did not think was bad.

Once I got to meet him he went over the procedure. He answered all the questions I could think of. He then told me that I could email him or visit his website. He responds quickly to emails.

His office manager is on top of things.

Dr. Garber hosts a great support group(which is free) that is open to pre-op post-op and anyone just interested in learning.

HES THE BEST

NOT AT ALL

THEY ARE GREAT

NOTHING

HES GREAT

ALOT

YES

VERY WELL

A 10

BOTH

My first impresion of Dr Garber was that he was to fast in speaking. I work with doctors and know what patients really want from their doctors. On the other hand, we are not the only patients that they have. I know that he is a busy man and I felt that hedid explain the surgery well. Kept asking me and my husband if we had any questions, we asked a few. Dr Garber said we could email him any time if we needed to ask questions, which I have done so very well !! He is very prompt in responding. I know that I have picked a good surgeon to do this for me. His entire office staff were very nice. I did have to wait in the office, but I use this time to soak up what post ops and pre ops have to say!! Especially the post ops, you learn many things in a waiting room!! I will post more after surgery!!!

Dr Garber is a very caring surgeon. I had to contact him numerous times after surgery. He returned my calls immediatly or took my call.His office staff are always helpful. Im looking forward to the support group meetings that he has once a month. I cannot say any more wonderful things about him.

I first went to see Dr Garber in Feb of 2001. My first impression was that he was really concerened with my questions, and that he would spend whatever time necessary to answer any of my questions. I was totally thrilled with him. I had my surgery on June 16, 2001, and I have to say this is one of the best things I have ever done. The first two weeks after the surgery I was very sore, but never was regretinng making this decision. Dr Garber and the staff of St Francis Hospital were wonderful. As to date right now, 01-20-02, I have lost 95 lbs and counting. This was the best decision I have ever made and chosing Dr Garber was worth my five hour drive to go to his office.