DHMR Clinics Organization

My first visit to Dr. Halmi's office...The office staff is wonderful. Shannon is bright and bubbly and a fount of information. She makes you feel like everything will work out. You have to fill out a rather extensive form detailing your weight loss efforts (including dates, weight lost/regained, etc.) and current weight-related health problems. This goes to the insurance company. Dr. Halmi was informative and highly competent. Since I had already done my research, I didn't need a lot from him--which was good, because he is not really the hand-holding type. Don't get me wrong--he's exactly what I needed and did an amazing job! But if you go into his office undecided or without a lot of information, you're probably not going to come out with all of your questions answered.

As for the surgery...I had an open RNY. Dr. Halmi visited me briefly right before the surgery, the day after, and the day I was released (day 4). Again, not the hand-holding type, he was a bit dismissive of my concerns (particularly about the distended nature of my stomach!)--but he reassured me sufficiently. Since my recovery has been so swift, I know he did a great job. My incision in wonderful (or as wonderful as any incision can be!)--it is healing beautifully and is definitely shorter than I would have thought.

Aftercare? He stresses appointments with the nutritionist affiliated with his office. She gives you a notebook that has just about everything you need to know. Plus, she meets with you once in a group and once individually before the surgery, and twice individually after the surgery. The one thing his office does not stress is mental health care. There is very little talk about seeing a counselor, etc. (the nutritionist mentions it briefly). There is a staple club affiliated with the office, however, that meets once a month--I attend my first meeting next week, so I can't say how good the support is.

Overall impression? Dr. Halmi is the Man! He did a great job and I'm forever endebted to him.

Dr. Halmi is a very professional surgeon who is focused 100% on his patients well being. He first seemed a little "stiff", but became more friendly as he saw my knowledge and enthusiasm (& commitment!)grow. Whatever he pays "Shannon" in his office is not enough..there are not enough kind words to describe her compassion and genuine "concern" for the patients.
Aftercare is a huge thing with both Dr Halmi and his partner (Dr. Anez). Vitamins and regular visits to him are paramount he says. I think the risks of what I am facing were a little understated, and I think that may be becasue I came in very prepared and knowlegable on this procedure and was so enthusiastic that maybe he didn't see the need. But I know the risks and made that clear. Overall, I would rate him "excellent" so far..but I haven't been operated on yet!
11/01: Dr. Halmi continues to be wonderful and totally supportive. I have maintained a very positive outlook and have been very successful with my recovery and he even asked me to speak at the local support group meeting! I would highly recommend this kind, skilled and gentle surgeon to anyone.

Dr. Halmi is very professional and very personable. He is very soft spoken and makes you feel his interest in your well being. He is very honest and hides nothing.

My impression has not changed. I just found out that my daughter who lives in Dale City, VA had Dr. Halmi as her surgeon 10 years ago. She had nothing but praise for him and his work.

I like him and anyone who is shy or quiet would like him. Actually everyone likes him.

He was very thorough about the before preparation and the after care. There is a structured aftercare program with the RD who works out of his office.

He was very honest and upfront about the risks in my perticular case.

I would rate Dr. Halmi a 10+++.

Of course surgical competence but you are more likely to go with a Dr. who has both surgical competence and a good bedside manner.

I was very impressed with Dr. Halmi he was so nice and very informative and i think he is pretty great just from our first meeting. and the office staff was so friendly i didn't feel bad about being so fat. I hope that they continue that way.

Dr. Halmi is wonderful. I feel very confident in his ability to perform my surgery. I met with him and he was great, he was very informative and made sure I understood everything Dr. Halmi was very honest and upfront with every question I asked.
I even asked to see the staple gun - he laughed cause he said he had one sitting on his desk for the long time but they told him to put it away so as not to scare the patients - then I walk in and ask to see it. But I want to know everything about my surgery before I embark on this new life-long journey. The staff there in the Woodbridge Office is marvelous - they seem happy to see you and they remember you by name. Shannon is a definite
blessing to that office. This is my opinion but I think the Woodbridge staff is great.

I was extremely impressed with Dr. Halmi's manner the very first time I met with him. He went over everything that was to be involved in the procedure and took his time with me. He was a man of a few words, but very caring. His demeanor did not change from my first appointment to my surgery date. I would rate his bedside manner as well as his surgical competence as superior, I couldn't have asked for a more supportive doctor. He really made me feel special. His office staff is nice and accomadating, especially Shannon (Woodbridge office). There was a mix-up with my pre-op testing and it looked as though I was going to be unable to get one of my tests done before my surgery, then Shannon took over and got me scheduled for the test. He does insist on following up with your after care, nutrition and exercise, and his nutritionist, Laura, is a real sweetheart. She even dropped by to see me while I was in the hospital. I found all the information I was receiving on post-op nutrition a little confusing, but Laura makes it really easy for you to understand. I also like the fact that she makes herself available to you as needed. I would also like to rate the staff at Potomac Hospital. I have been in hospitals before on several occasions and have never had the excellent care like I received at Potomac Hospital. These nurses were cheerful, supportive and very caring. You can tell that they LOVE their work and care about their patients. I was very apprehensive about having this surgery, but the efforts made by Dr. Halmi, his staff, and the staff at Potomac Hospital made my fears virtually disappear. I will always highly recommend Dr. Halmi. He saved my life.

I liked Dr. Halmi. He went over the procedure thoroughly. I really liked the receptinist/nurse. She really seemed to care. Oh by the way if anyone is seeing Dr. Anez, they assist each other. He said my lifestyle will change 100 % I'm ready.

I was scheduled for a ppointment with Dr Anez but due to my own stupidness I missed my appt. and the nurses filled me in that day but with Dr. Halmi. He was a very nice doctor. He took the time to explain things to me and seemed impressed that I had a list of question already for him. He even is going to do the procedure in a hospital closer for me. His staff is SUPERIOR. They were considerate to the fact that I came on the wrong day and still fit me in for an appointment. Dr. Halmi explained the procedure to me, plus telling me everything that I woould have to do before and after the operation. I would recommend his office to anyone who is getting this procedure. And I only met with him one time so far. Oh I have another list of questions prepared for him again but I don't think I will have any problem. I am waiting for a date now.

My first impression of him was that he was very busy but friendly, he seen to care about the patient he was seeing at that time.I have only seen him twice. Once was the the first visit then after i was approved by the insurnce company. The office staff was soooooo nice. He emphasize aftercare a lot. Yes he does have a aftercare program. yes he did address the risks of surgery. He seen to be okay.I feel that both bedside manner and surgical competence is great, but if i had to choose it would be surgical competence.