Medical Center Obesity Surgery Bariatric Center

My first impression of Dr. Harberg was that he was very professional and straightforward. I have 2 friends at church that used him for their surgery, so I had the benefit of their experience and knowledge. He showed me a video that told all about the surgery. Then he spent a lot of time going over my medical history and answering any questions that I had. He explained very well the risks involved. He does have a sense of humor, which is dry at times. His staff was very friendly and helpful. they handled all the paperwork and dealt with the insurance co. I didnt have to do anything. They told me it would take approx 4 -6 weeks for approval, but to my surprise it only took 2 weeks. I think aftercare is pretty much up to the individual patient. You just have to do what he says. Overall he seems very knowledgeable and competent. I'm excited about my surgery on April 30,2001. Just a week and a half from now.

I think Dr. Harberg is fabulous! I know several people who have had this surgery with him as their surgeon, and all are doing great and none have had any problems! His office staff is very pleasant and caring. Dr. Harberg has a wonderful sense of humor and treats his patients with the upmost respect.

I like Dr. Harberg. He told all the facts and answered all my questions. He knows his stuff. The staff is very nice. I would rate the Dr. very good.

Dr. Harberg is great! He is no-nonsense, straight-forward, which some might find off-putting. I did not. He is also adamant that this surgery is a tool he can provide, but that the rest is up to the patient. I found him willing to answer questions of any kind. A couple of nurses in the hospital were very complimentary about him as well. He has done over a thousand of these prodecures (VBG) and one nurse described him as "having it down to an art." Another ICU nurse who was filling in on my floor said that, in the three years he had been an ICU nurse, he had never seen one of Dr. Harberg's patients in ICU for complications from the surgery. (Dr. Harberg does apparently routinely send sleep apnea patients to ICU overnight for observation as a precaution, according to this nurse.)
His office staff has been helpful and informative.
Dr. Harberg refers patients to a support group that meets once each month, but he does not "sponsor" it. It is a small, but very active group that also is active online through Yahoo-groups.
Dr. Harberg does suggest a meal plan for at least 5 weeks after surgery.
I would highly rate Dr. Harberg and would eagerly refer him to others.

All i have to say about Dr.Harberg and his is staff is that they are all wonderful. I never had a problem with any of his staff they where always very helpful and very nice, as for the Dr. he was a very nice and funny man was very easy for me to get along with and very informative. He explained the procedure in words i could understand and answered every question i had. The Dr. and his office staff did all the foot work for me i didnt even have to lift a finger where my insurence was concerned they did all the footwork for me. After about a week in a half they called and told me i was approved and gave me a date for my pre-op (4-2-2001), and surgery. (4-11-2001) So far i dont have a bad word to say about the Dr. and his Staff, but of course will give an update as soon as i can after the surgery.As far as being totally informative about the surgery and all the complacations that could happen and aftercare he was great. I would recommend anyone in the Texas area that is looking into this surgery to go talk to this Dr. I liked him very much.

He was nice and made sure that I knew that if I over eat after the surgery I will VOMIT VOMIT VOMIT!! He laid down the law and said that it would be forever. I tlked with Vicki. She called me twice last Friday. Very nice lady. My first appointment I watched a short video about the surgery. Very interesting. Dr Harberg didn't try to sugar coat anything he said. Everything that was on the video he repeated and let me ask all the questions that I needed to.

My first impression of Dr. Harberg was that he seemed VERY friendly. After Reading some of the comments that other people wrote on here I was a little worried. I brought my 11 year old daughter with me and he joked and talked to her just like her own Grandfather would have. The only thing I could say about his since of humor was that he had a great one, he just went from joking to being very serious fast. So that kinda had you a little off guard.. He was very nice and did not talk "Down" to me at all. His speech on the surgery basicly told me everything I need to know. You could tell he had given this Speech a hundred times!! I would rate him from a 1-10 a 10!! I could not at this time find anything I didn't like about him. I am sure tho when or If I have the surgery if I am doing things wrong he will not hesitate to tell me about it.. Like a Grandfather!! Stern, but I truly believe he in his own way cares.. He did not mention atercare. I believe that overall surgicial competence is the most important part of a surgen, but if you can get a doctor that has good bedside manners that will help you and your family deal with the surgery much better, afterall you want a doctor who you can talk to who does not scare you or your family.. I would so far refer him to even my own Mother..

Have only made the first visit. He seemed to be extremely knowledgeable and was very upfront about the life style changes I would have to make.

The girls in his office were very nice and helpful.
He was overly abrupt.

Same as above

The aftercare was very important

I don't know yet

Most definitely

scale of 1 to 10-an 8

Both

When I first met Dr. Harberg in 1999, I was very impressed. He is very informative and truthful in what to expect from bariatric surgery. He has a very dry sense humor, and sometimes your not sure if he is joking or not. My sister used him for her procedure, as well as three other people I know, so he comes highly recommended.

He is a very strict man but he's only doing it for your own good. He wants you to be sure you will be able to adapt to this new way of life.
No

His office staff are very helpful and extremely friendly.
I really didn't know how to take his sarcasm. Here I was scared to death and he's half joking around.
He knows his stuff.

Very much

He tells you everything you need to know, has it on a video, and also gives it on paper.
There is a possibility you can die during surgery.

I'm trusting him with my life. Aren't I?

Both great