"Dr Gagner is the Chief of Laparascopic Surgery at Mt. Sinai Hospital. At first meeting he struck me as quiet, reserved, and calm. Although I knew scads about the BPD/DS before we met, I still had some questions,mostly relating to laparoscopic techniques and pain management, which he readily answered. He took his time and made sure I was well aware of the risk factors. We first met on Sept. 15th, and my insurance approval came on Dec. 1. In the interim, I learned a lot about him, all of it reassuring me that I had chosen well, and I would be quite safe in his hands. There is simply not a more skilled surgeon on the east coast. He's not as warm as some physicians, but I feel his outstanding surgical skills and quiet confidence are far more important to my success.
His office staff can be a trial at times, but they aren't performing the operation, and they did the job, which in the end is what matters most. Bernadette, his clinical coordinator, is very accessible and helpful.
At 4 months post-op, I'm still exceedingly glad I chose Dr. Gagner for my DS. When my 3-month bloodwork (drawn locally) showed that my iron, calcium and protein levels were low, his Nutritionist, Nicole Siegel, called me and spent 45 minutes going over suggestions to improve those results. Dr. Gagner has worked very well with my local Internist, faxing all information to her promptly and discussing my treatment with her via phone and fax. If you've got to travel for surgery, NYC and Dr. Gagner are a very viable option. Down 98 pounds, over halfway to goal. "
