"What was your first impression of him/her?
Dr Harberg was a no-BS up front person. He did have some comical moments (such at the number of times the word vomit was used in his introductory video)
He struck me at our first meeting as being very direct and honest about the surgery being a tool, not a quick fix.
I felt that he might not have the best bed-side manor, but that he would give me the unvarnished truth, which to me is more important then the polite frills.
How did your impression change over time?
In the short term, my impression was accurate. My family complained about his bed-side manor, but that was probably more due to their concerns for me.
I was somewhat upset in retrospect, at the limited amount of follow-up care (which may have been as much my insurance companies limit,) and a lack of referral to support groups or post-op support beyond a few pages of diet instructions and the recommendation of a good source for vitamins.
My major change in impression came much later, I was initially interested in the RNY surgery, and Dr. Harberg at the time was not performing this surgery. He convinced me that the VBG was a better option, I am finding out - a number of years later - that it was probably not. I also found out, 2 years later, that he is now performing RNY, and that many of the things he said against the procedure are now not mentioned as prominently on his web page.
How would you describe his/her office staff?
Excellent, Professional and totally helpful.
What did you like least about him/her?
A lack of post-operative involvement. It did feel almost as if he was there to do the deed and then move on to the next person in line.
What should future patients know about him/her?
He was, when doing my VBG, an excellent surgeon. I have not had any issues with the actual surgery, or complications as a result.
How much does he/she emphasize aftercare?
At the time of my surgery, a 5 page diet hand out, and 3 visits, to remove the stitches, to check on me at the end of the Liquid only period, and to check on me as i moved from soft food to solid foods.
Does he/she have a structured aftercare program?
Not when I was a patient.
How did he/she address the risks of surgery?
Very clinically and thoroughly. I was well prepared for the possibility that I may not come out of the experience, but I was also well assured of his proficiency, and the number of patients he had seen & worked on with out incident. I was well informed about the restrictions on diet, and the importance of taking steps to prevent post-op pneumonia (walking, compression, etc...)
How would you rate him/her overall?
I would have said in the first 2 years that he was an 8 out of 10... I now would scale that back to a 6.5 because I feel that many of the long term issues I am experiencing would not be present if I had gone the rout of a RNY bypass.
Which is better, surgical competence, bedside manner, or are both great?
Both are great, but with out competence - you may not make it to the bedside... I would rather have 100% faith in my surgeons competence and the bedside manner of a rock then 80% faith in his competence and the bed-side manor of a saint."
