Wanda Kaniewski Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

I really liked Dr. Kaniewski. She spent a lot of time with me pre-op. She visited post-op and made sure that I was doing well. At my one week visit, she spent time with me answering questions and you could tell that she really cared how I was feeling. She wanted to make very sure that I knew what to do post-op and to call her if I had any questions.

I had my first visit Jan 20, 2003. I liked Dr. Kaniewski. She is very knowledgeable about the challenges the morbidly obese face. She is easy to understand and outlines the process very well. She makes sure you understand before she moves on. She emphasizes both before care and after care. She goes over patient medical history at length and discusses items which need more clarification. I did research about her before I went to her office, and I have nothing negative to say. When I left, I felt even more confident that I am making the right decision for me.

3/31/2003 She is a good Dr. but be sure to stay on top of your paperwork process with her office. Don't expect them to closely manage your case. If this Dr or other Dr's tell you they faxed something to each other or the insurer - follow up with a phone call to make sure.

I met Dr. Sabharwal first -- he and Dr. Kaniewski are married to each other. He currently isn't operating since he doesn't have privileges at Fairfax Hospital and doesn't want them. They are trying to set up their own freestanding clinic.

They are both friendly, as is their office manager, but none of them are good about returning calls. I have called, faxed, and sent emails -- all three to get ONE question answered, taking several days.

Their office manager, while friendly, does not seem well-organized and gives out incorrect or misleading information -- unintentionally, I'm sure, but he should either know his facts or ensure the doctors call with the correct answer.

I have enjoyed the seminars, but they should divide the "intro to WLS" from the ongoing support group and ensure that ALL the post-op patients get a chance to talk to both newcomers AND to each other and the docs.

My first impression of Wanda Kaniewski was the morning of my surgery, 11/15/02. I had previously met with her partner, Sabharwal, Paramjeet. I was given a complete explaination of the procedure and what to expect. I was also made very well aware of complication that may arise. The staff took care of ALL the insurance issues. I never had to deal with them at all. With my first meeting with Wanda, on the operating table I know I was in good hands. They are always a call away. If I have any questions I know I can contact them and they will help me right away. I don't dread going to my monthly appointment and getting on that scale.
Overall - I believe that I had one of the best surgeons out there. I was lucky NOT to have any complications and the only complain I have, is that I didn't do this years ago. Both surgical competence and bedside manner are important, and I recieved both.

DR. KANIEWSKI WAS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL. HE HUSBAND DR. SABAWAHL WHO WORKS ALONG SIDE OF DR. KANIEWSKI IS EQUALLY WONDERFUL. WILLIAM WHO IS THE OFFICE MANAGER IS TOP OF THE LINE ALSO. I CANNOT BEGIN TO TELL YOU HOW GOOD THEY WERE TO ME. THEY HAVE CHANGED MY LIFE FOREVER.. FOR THE GOOD. I HAD TERRIBLE TERRIBLE INSURANCE PROBLEMS WITH ALLIANCE MAMSI, BUT BOTH DOCTORS AND THE HOSPITAL WERE ABLE TO WORK WITH ME. THIS WAS THE BEST DECISION I HAVE EVER MADE IN MY LIKE AND I THANK GOD THAT I FOUND SUCH WONDERFUL DOCTORS TO HELP ME. I WOULD RECOMMEND THEM TO ANYONE. MY BEST FRIEND HAD THE SURGERY IN NOVEMBER 2002 AND SAILED THROUGH JUST AS EASY AS I DID. ON A SCALE OF 1 TO 10 I WOULD RATE MY SURGEONS AND STAFF AN 11. I WISH I HAD NOT SINCE MOVED OUT OF THE AREA BECAUSE I MISS SEEING THEM MONTHLY FOR AFTERCARE. I HAVE TO ADMIT ANYTIME I DRIVE TO VIRGINIA (10 HOURS) I ALWAYS MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE THEM. THEY ARE TRUELY WONDERFUL. THE INSURANCE COMPANY - ALLIANCE "THE PITTS". IM STILL FIGHTING TO RECOVER MY MONEY SPENT. MY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS INSURANCE COMPANY WAS AND STILL IS TERRIBLE.

I found my surgeon through an internet search for Bariatric Surgeons. My first impression of her office was NOT good. The office needs to be updated, the exam rooms are small and the waiting room furniture is definitely NOT meant for large people. There appears to be only one staff member who runs the very small office by himself. My husband and I met with Dr. Kaniewski for over one hour. We were very impressed with her knowledge and she answered every question we had in a very forthright manner. She is articulate and does instill confidence. That was a very pleasant surprise since my husband and I were very close to walking out on the appointment after seeing the shabby waiting room and disorganized office. I am trusting the feedback other patients are posting about this surgeon. That is more important than the appearance of her office! I am moving ahead with my pre-op testing.
2/3/03:Update - I understand that Dr. Kaniewski and her partner/husband have moved into their new office in Alexandria. I now understand why they did not put their money into spiffing up their old office in Arlington. I just thought this note was important for those reading about these surgeons since my initial impression of their office was so negative. The old saying is true: Do not judge a book by its cover!!

My surgeon is Dr. Wanda Kaniewski. My first impression of her was that she is a very caring person and a confident surgeon. I was not so impressed with the office (which she and Dr. Sabharwal have now moved from), but I was expecting that since I had already read up on her on the net. Initially, when I started looking for a surgeon I was actually more impressed with the number of surgeries another surgeon in the area has done. I had a preference for laprascopic bypass surgery (only Dr. Kaniewski & Dr. Sabarwal do this in NVA area), but was willing to consider open once I saw the difference in years of experience with WLS. Now, I am so glad that the surgeon I was considering who does open, simply does not work with my insurance company. I believe that this is no coincidence, since my PCP also recommended the open surgeon and I requested that he refer me to Dr. Kaniewski because the lap method just sounded so much better for the patient. Dr. Kaniewski was very good at explaining how performing the surgery laprascopically actually allows the surgeons to see what they are doing better and because it is all done internally, the risk of wound infection is substantially reduced. She is very realistic about explaining that the WLS is merely a tool that I will have available to me to help me meet my goals. I will still need to change my lifestyle and relationship with food in order to be successful at reaching my goal weight. She and Dr. Sabarwal run a monthly support group together for patients and those people thinking about WLS. I was surprised that the meeting I recently went to included far more prospective patients and family members than post-op patients. Their very 1st patient was there, however, and I think that speaks highly of their dedication to aftercare. Also, I was very impressed with the fact that at not time did I feel that they were trying to rush through the info or brush anyone off. They answered every question asked and stayed for 2 hours to meet everyone's request for more info! This of course is only my opinion based on my experience, but I would give both docs a 9 at this point.

My first meeting with my surgeon was on 12/4/02. I like her, but I'm a little worried about the small amount of experience she has with this surgery. She said she's done about 100-150 surgeries. Never had any complications. She's the only lap rny surgeon in the Northern Virginia area which is why I chose her. She is a general lap surgeon that specializes in lap bariatric surgery. She has 10 years of experience performing surgeries using laproscopic technology, which makes me feel more comfortable. She was very knowledgeable of the procedure. She went through it in great detail and answered all of my questions thoroughly. They have a great afer-care program. I will see her once a month for the first year and then at least every 6 months thereafter. She seems to have a good bedside manner. She was serious but almost excited for me at the same time.

If anyone read my profile before, I take back what I said about the office staff. Right now there is only one person who runs the office, William. After speaking with him yesterday I think he definitely has the process down. I'm looking forward to working with him on my insurance approval. Hopefully this process will be taking place very shortly.

My first impression of Dr. Kaniewski was very good. I went to another Dr. but was not comfortable doing his type of surgery. I wanted to have the surgery done laparoscopically not the open version. She told me the pro and con's of both surgeries that she does. I would recommend her to any one choosing this type of surgery. I would rate her a 10.

She was knowledgeable about the way the various procedures worked. She seemed friendly and concerned.
I just had surgery 9/12/02 .
Hee office staff consists mainly of 2 people. The gentleman there, does seem to be on top of most things.
After care is stressed. If I have a concern I get a call back very promtly, from the doctor, not an office staff person.
I recently started eating regular food and had some problems. The doctor took time to explain physically what was causing my problem and how to resolve my issue.
All the risks of surger were explained to me and I felt very well educated and informed.
I rate my doctor excellent in patient care, and bedside manner. I had no surgical complications at all and am feeling great.