Dr. Garber/ Dr. Vithiananthan

Hi All, I was wondering if there are any other Long Islanders out there who might help out. I have met with Dr. Garber and liked him very much. He doesn't participate in Empire Blue Cross/Blue Sheild, so a big part would have to be out of pocket. I now have an appointment to meet with Dr. Vithiananthan. He is in my plan but I cannot find much feedback/info on him I would appreciate it anyone has experience with either Dr. Garber or Dr. Vithiananthan. Thanks! -Karen/Long Island NY/pre-Pre-op!

Hi Karen, If you go to the left side of the pages you will see Dr. Garber's Patient Forum. It contains very good feed back from patients. I'm one of his patients as well. He's one of the best if not the best laparoscopic WL surgeons. You can't go wrong but do your homework and whatever else that makes you feel as comfortable as possible. You have to make the final decision so lots of investigation is a must. Best of luck and keep posting. LindaM

Hi Karen. I had my RNY on May 22, 2006. I used Dr. Brathwaite who came highly recommended by my primary MD as well as patients of his. His office is on the grounds of St. Catherines Hospital in Smithtown but also has another office in Patchogue. I also have BC/BS and he accepts it. My only out of pocket expense was the $500 deductible for my hospital stay. Good Luck to you!!--Suzette--

I also went to Dr. Brathwaite and I have to tell you that his support team sucks!! I completed all my pre-op work and after that I tried to get Mrs. Brathwaite to hook me up with a post-op patient with similar cir****tances AND I WAS COMPLETELY IGNORED AND FORGOTTEN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would not go around recommending Dr. B to anyone!! As a matter of fact, I am tempted to stand outside his seminars handing out literature on other doctors to pursuade them not to go to Dr. B's office. They are so unsupportive and it's complete disorganization and chaos when you even go to their seminars/meetings. They don't have a clue how to run the show on this journey.

Karen, Please PLEASE!!! DO NOT GO TO DR. BRATHWAITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unless you want to feel like you are just another animal on the butcher block to be slaughtered. I have to tell you that his office is overwhelmed with patients and his support meetings are not very good. I have been to 4 surgeons on Long Island and since your profile says you live in Coram, have you considered Dr. Ahmad at John Mather Memorial right in Port Jefferson Station???? He is the doctor I have decided to start this process over with and he accepts Empire BCBS!! As that is the insurance I have PPO. I would be more than willing to email you about my journey with Dr. Brathwaite and why I passionately feel that he is not the surgeon for you!! He wanted to remove my stomach COMPLETELY over some benign stomach polyps and I had went to 3 other surgeons, a gastrenterologist who ALL said that approach was too aggressive and not necessary. I have tried to get communication from Dr. B's office and after all my pre-op work was completed, I was left un-aided by his office!!! Is that the type of people you want to care for you in the long run???? NOT!! So please please consider Dr. Ahmad and since he is so close to you, you will have no problem having a long term relationship with this doctor post-op. Dr. Ahmad does both Lapband and Roux-en-Y bypass lap or open....so please consider him. Go to his next seminar, what do you have to lose??? Trish

In response to the plea not to use Dr. Brathwaite. Sorry you have had a bad experience with him and his staff but they have always been more than helpful and available when I needed them. Luckily, there are many qualified surgeons out there and not everyone is suited to a particular surgeon. Dr. Brathwaite is an excellent surgeon which is why there are so many people wanting him to perform their bypasses. I hope you have much success with your operation as I have had with mine. --Suzette--

HEY KAREN..... I am LONG ISLAND... and i had EMPIRE BLUE SHIELD BLUE CROSS PPO... i didnt experience any out of pocket expenses except my co pays. I used Dr. AHMAD and love the man to death. GOOD LUCK but maybe you should see if he takes ur INSURANCE he was the actual surgeon that taught all the other bariatric surgeons on LONG ISLAND how to do LAP surgery! SO he is a winner for me and very careing, kind and wonderful bed side manner. ALL the best just a suggestion lisa

Hi Karen - I am one of Dr Garber's patients and having my first surgiversary next month. I researched several LI doctors before I chose Dr Garber. I went to these other surgeons surpport groups and listened to their patients post op, for several meetings.. I didn't like hearing about strictures and complications post op. It was more than one surgeon I researched. I also recommend you consult with Dr Holover, Dr Garber's partner- he accepts insurance. #2- even if you went with Dr Garber- Dr Holover does all the endoscopies- so you would be consulting with him ANYWAY. #3- You also see Dr Holover when you are post op in the hospital. They both take very good care of you. #4 If you are intent on changing anyway- please come to the WLS support meeting at Good Sam Hospital - this Saturday- in West Islip. We meet every 2 weeks and have like 10+ preops at every meeting. This is by far the BEST support group and is open to everyone - whether its Lap Band or Open/Lap RNY surgery, and open to any patients of any surgeon. Most of the group has had surgery by Dr Adaniel. I don't hear complications, and very good things in group. You need to come and talk with his patients. The meeting is at Good Sam Hospital in West Islip. Montauk Hwy, Main Entrance. Time is 9am-10:30 am, Guild Conference Hall. You can take Rte 231 South to Montauk, turn left and the hospital is about a mile on your right hand side. Keep looking until you are happy and comfortable with your surgeon. Your life is in his hands, for the rest of your life- not just the 2 surgical hours. I hope to see you at our meeting. Email me with any questons. Hugs, Donna Hugs,

Please speak to Dr. Garber's office, because he accepted me out of network and accepted what my insurance paid. Don't assume that it won't work out! Good luck to you! Erin