Joel Goldberg, M.D. Bariatrics Bariatric Center

Dr, Joel Goldberg actually did my surgery. He has since left the military. He was part of a team of surgeons to include Dr. Bowers who is still at WHMC. Both of them are very good, caring and supportive. My impression never changed. Although Dr. Goldberg left the military, I'd still recommend him to anyone considering having GBS.

My first impression of Dr. Goldberg was that he is a very busy man. He took the time, however, to see me though I was assigned to another hospital. He was very sympathetic to the problems I was experiencing.
As time has gone by, I find him to be a man of high values who cares about his patients. Very easy to talk with.
Aftercare is stressed very strongly in his program and is quite structured.
I give him and his staff a very high rating,
Mrs Keyes and the techs are very caring, helpful and informed.
I have had no negative experiences with them at all and that is such a wonderful change from my previous experience.
I will post more after my surgery.

My case is somewhat different than most. I had a surgery date scheduled for 6/10/03 and was called on 4/24/03 to see if I wanted to come in for surgery the next morning. (there had been a cancelation) I had about 3 hours to get there and get started with pre op.

I accidently got to meet Dr Goldberg as we passed in the hallway, and spent all of 1 1/2 minutes talking -- he seemed nice enough and I had heard his praises sang by many.

I had a 2, 4, 7 week check up and a 3 month check up with him. The first 3 were mainly dealing with the infection in my incision- HORRIBLE-- and the last one he scolded me for not walking 2 miles every day-- as if he forgot that I had a hole in my gut for the ladt several weeks that had to be packed 3 times a day and was almost deep enough to put your hand inside me.

I think that maybe this would have turned out differently had we been able to actually meet and get to know each other before the surgery. Most people that have had him as their surgeon have had nothing but positive things to say about him.

The techs, nurses, residents etc that did the follow up during my stay were absolutely the BEST-- very kind, supportive, helpful and just all around great people.

Dr. Goldberg is wonderful. He has a whole team of about 7 doctors working with him. Every morning after my surgery I was greeted by someone on his team (usually, Dr. Charles Davis, then an hour later, Dr. Bowman) Then a couple of hours later the whole enchilada! Dr. Tripti Agarwol was his partner during my surgery and when she spoke the others stayed in the background to show respect. Man, You feel kinda special with all this treatment. They always came by during the day and once before leaving for the night. After my incident with the pca meds, pain services came by quite often to make sure I was well taken care of... I guess 5 hours without is a big deal to them! They never let my epidural bag get empty after that. I stayed in the hospital 3 nights and 4 days. I met some of the other patients and got them to walk around too. Walking is the key to recovery, remember that! I was out and in a chair the first night, the bed was really uncomfortable, and walking every night since! If you are new to this, remember whatever you do, walk, that stops blood clots and pneumonia. Remember to breath in the spirometer and do it at least 10 times like they show you to. My suggestion, if your pca epidural is working (sometimes it's not put in right), push that button, make it your best friend, while your body's numb, get out and walk, breathe, get the blood circulating! You are the key to your OWN Success. Don't be afraid to just stroll, barely move, etc... you're not in a marathon, but as long as you are moving, hey you are moving! I was walking laps around the ward 2-4 times a day. It helps! My doctor and his team has a standardized way of doing things, it's all set up, including a pre-op gastric bypass briefing. There, they go over everything you need to do. After care is premium, before my surgery, I had my follow up appts already scheduled. Bedside manners are supreme! Surgical competence is excellent, Dr. Goldberg and his team are marvelous, a rating of 10 is nothing compared to the care I received! These are my personal experiences, I cannot guarantee the same for others, please feel free to contact me for questions or comments!

hes only had one death out of hundreds of surgerys!hes sweet and very upfront.

I was originally supposed to have
Dr. Jenkins as my surgeon, however
Dr. Goldberg will be doing my surgery instead. I have not yet met Dr. Goldberg because I am overseas. I have heard many wonderful things about him and his sense of humor and am very anxious to meet him. I will post more about him and his staff after my return from surgery.

Dr. Goldberg is the most wonderful surgeon in the world!!! Am I partial, Of course I am!He believes in this procedure and cares immensly about his patients on an individual basis. He continues to keep updated on the procedure and it's advancements. He is an instructor for others. Dr. Goldberg believes strongly in the excellent after care program which is in place there at Wilford Hall. He does indeed have a wonderful bedside manner. His sense of humor is uplifting. Ms. Keyes is his assistant. You would not want a better nurse mananger to see you through this procedure. She is an invaluable asset to Wilford Hall and the General Surgery Clinic. I can't say enough good things about Dr. Goldberg, Ms. Keyes and his staff at Wilford Hall. If you are to be one of his future patients, I can tell you to please rest assured that you are in the perfect hands for this procedure. It doesn't get any better!!! :)

I have only met my surgeon twice. I liked him personally very much. He seems to be a very caring person and wants his patients to educated in this procedure. Dr. Goldberg addressed the risks of surgery but also discussed the risks of not having this surgery. I felt that he had been honest and straight forward with both myself and my husband. I think that he has a delightful sense of humor but, he has claimed that he will be a real bugger after surgery, making sure that I am up and walking around, and actively participating in my recovery. I am not sure of what kind of after care is required, but I know that it is. It is also required that bypass patients attend the monthly support group meetings. I am sure that his surgical competence is quite high and his bedside manner is yet unknown, but based on my initial meeting with him, I have no doubt that he has a wonderful bedside manner as well.

I am now two months post surgery and have had several meetings with Dr. Goldberg. He is very involved in the Bypass Buddies group that is affiliated with Wilford Hall General Surgery. I continue to be impressed with Dr. Goldberg's dedication to this surgery. I am of the opinion that he really cares about this procedure because it can save our lives. I have never gotten the feeling that this was just another job.

My first meeting with DR Goldberg was a good one. He seemed to be very personable and kind.

All comments below are strictly my personel opinion of my surgeon. All people react different to this surgery, therefore this information should be considered a personel opinion, not a recommendation.
I truly love Dr Goldberg. My first impression was that he really believes in what he is doing for "us."
I like him more and more each time I talk to him. His interest doesn't end after the surgery. He personally follows his patients through the post-op problems also.
His staff is superb -- very supportive and full of information. They would do anything to help me.
After care is a HUGE part of this surgery. Dr Goldberg and his staff have a Gastric By-Bass Buddy meeting once a month -- the entire staff shows up, including Dr Goldberg. There is a nutritionist at the meetings, a representative health fitness, and different specialists each month.
We have schedueld visits after surgery, 1-2-3-6 months and then a 1 year visit.
All risks and options were thoroughly explained in great detail. Dr Goldberg and his staff answered all questions. He is available for questions via email or by phone. I think he is the GREATEST!!!!!

Dr. Goldberg is a wonderful man. He did a great job and I was so fortunate to have him as a surgeon. He was very sweet to my family and myself, He is a very good man.