Weight Loss and Surgery Center Bariatric Center

Dr. Lee was wonderful, she explained everything in a 2 hour consultation and a video. She answered all my questions, explained the procedure in detail.
Her assistant Onjelic returned all my phone calls. And to make it even better right befors my surgery, I went back to see her and I was able to asked any questions regarding things I wan unclear about.
I ask about fatalities, and she was honest and open with me. She is an excellent doctor... I have no complaints as of yet. If there were things I needed faxed I got them, letters, doctor's notes, whatever they were available to me.
As for the risk all the surgery she explained them all... if I have any right before the surgery she told me to ask... I have pretty comfortable about life in Dr. Lee's hands. On a scale of 1-10, she's a 20.
All the above makes an excellent doctor, Surgical competence, and bedside manner.

I liked Dr. Lin. His staff is great too. They covered all the bases from the get go with videos, handouts, and honest answers to my questions.
He's obviously a busy guy since it took me 5 months to get an appointment, but once I got in the door, things moved as quickly as I wanted them to.
Denise, his PA, is very nice, well informed, and honest. His staff person, Kathy, who handles insurance, etc. is also great, knowledgeable, and sympathetic.
All in all, a good experience so far. Surgery is 8/5, so I'll update this after that.

I was quite pleased with Dr. Afram. Because I live quite far from D.C. ( over five hours) I had to pay the extra money that covers monthly visits without having the advantage of making them. I used my local physician after the first four months. He was very caring, but I did not like George Washington Hospital at all. It was awful. That is the only hospital that he operates from. He is caring and knowledgeable and a very fine surgeon. His staff is a delight to work with. There is a highly structured after care program that I wasn't able to use because of the distance. I chose to go with him because of his superb record - which overrode the distance factor.

Dr. Afram was very kind and friendly when I went to the seminar. At first I felt sort of embarrased to be there because I never really admitted to myself or to anyone that I had had a problem. He presented me with a tool that will help me. He explained everything so clearly so that everyone would be able to understand. One of his office staff members Mandy is so nice. She answered every question that I had. Whe she called to tell me I was approve I could have died.

Dr. Lin and his staff are great! The only complaint I have is that it sometimes takes a day or two to get a phone call back after leaving a message. I can live with that. They are very supportive and I felt comfortable with Denise his PA and with the interns working under him. Everyone is wonderful. If you have a question you can ask and you will get a very educated, straight forward and quick answer.

The only suggestion I have is this: Dr. Lin see's you for a consult then you are sent out to gather the paperwork he wants from you. None of the paper work is hard to get but after you have complete all of this...then and only then do they try to get approval for surgery from your insurance company. This was a problem for me because I spent two months running around getting tests, meeting shrinks and having my hopes built up only to find out my policy has some special wording it that I guess you wouldn't catch unless you speacialize in dealing with insurnace companies. I think they should talk to your insurance company before allowing your to begin your quest to gather paperwork.

My first impression of Dr. Afram and his office staff was that everyone in the office was geniunely concerned about my future health. Dr. Afram was very honest about what my options would be and how we could go about getting to my goal. His staff members, Sally, Mandy, and Penny are all very kind. Dr. Afram's associate, Dr. Buras handled my case with compassion. Both doctors have excellent bedside mannerism and were responsive to my needs. Dr. Buras was there for my post op leak test and check ups in the hospital. The surgeons also have a Physicians Assistant by the name of Casey. She handled my NG tube and pain managment post-op. Casey took time to talk to me about my post-op needs, making sure that I was free from pain and mobile.

Weight For Life has a structured before and aftercare program. They have their own psychological evalution program available through Dr. Cohn. After surgery, the patient is able to go to weekly aftercare programs with the psychologist and the nutritionist for a nominal fee.

On a scale of 1 - 10 , Dr's Afram and Buras get a 10. George Washington University Hospital Center gets a 7 because they didn't have many wheel chairs for obese patients and I had to ask several times before nursing staff responded to my requests.

On my first visit to Dr. Lin's office, I was alittle apprehensive thinking that I would probably be treated like cattle... move them in... move them out. But this was not so, his office staff were very attentive, actually talking to me.. and not down to me. Very nice change. I first met Dr. Lin's practicing intern - very understanding... he will make a good family doctor some day. Dr. Lin was very nice, truly seems to care about obese people. He took the time to listen and also explained the procedure in detail with me. As with all surgery's you go in quit scared - Dr. Lin explained the risks - but I really feel I am in capable hands - lessening the scared feelings.

I had my first consultation with Dr. Afram on June 10, 2003. He seems to be very knowledgable and very sympathetic. I was a little nervous because I am only 18 and my mom thought I may be too young for this type of surgery. But, Dr. Afram assured me that I was not too young, I was, in fact, the ideal age. Apparently, Dr. Afram has performed this surgery over 2500 times, so that is very reassuring. He even does his own tummy tucks to help his patients deal with the "sagginess" problem. His office staff was extremely nice. One of his nurses, Mandy, has had the surgery herself, along with her sister and her mom. All three had their surgery with Dr. Afram prior to Mandy working for him. So, if that doesn't say something good, then I don't know what does. At first, Dr. Afram threw me a little offguard because he had an accent. I'm not sure where he is from, but his accent isn't too bad. After talking to him, I was able to understand him better and I really feel that he is sincere to his patients and likes to see them succeed in their WLS endeavor. Dr. Afram places a tremendous emphasis on aftercare. It is mandatory that you attend some support group meetings, see a nutritionist, and speak to a psychologist before and after WLS. Overall, I would rate him a 15 out of 10!! That's how perfect he seems....

Dr. Afram is the BEST! He is supportive and most of all he CARES! He takes the time to listen to your progress and your concerns. He hears what you have to say.

The office staff is wonderful.

I give Dr. Afram and his Associate Dr. Buras a 10. Both doctors have a great bedside manner.

Dr. Lin seems very patient centered - he took time to talk to me about the risks and differences in proceedures.