Weight Loss and Surgery Center Bariatric Center

At first, I wasn't thrilled with Dr. Afram. He's not very personable. He is, however, an excellent surgeon, and caring. He visited me in the hospital every morning by 9 am, and when I had a problem and paged him, he called me back within 10 minutes! His office handled all the insurance info (although they took almost 6 weeks to get my info to BCBS!!!), and I'm really happy I went with him now. Also, he's done more of these than anyone else in DC, so in terms of experience, no one can even touch him.

I met Dr. Afram for the first time last week. I was drawn to his program because it was the most comprehensive with particular emphasis on the aftercare. I had done a lot of research prior to the visit so I didn't have many questions. The few questions I asked were easily answered. Everything was done very efficiently, although in a way that was offputting because it had a "assembly line" feel to it. However, I saw a second surgeon today who does the procedure laproscopically (to get a comparison) and now appreciate the efficiency of Dr. Afram's program. Dr. Afram now operates at GW so that's a plus too.

Dr. Afram and his staff are very knowledgeable about the Open RNY Procedure and have completed over 2000 surgeries in the past. I was very pleased with him at my initial consultation. His staff at Weight For Life take care of all the insurance information and the approval process. It is driving me crazy to take the 'hands-off' approach, but reviews from other patients tend to be very positive about their ability to 'handle it'.

SO far, my first visit was prelimiary. Dr. Afram was thorough and knows his stuff. I am not worried that he won't take care of me.

His staff is great and on my first visit, I met a post-op person whose life has totally changed. She was so happy and not ashame to tell anyone who would listen.

My date is set. Wish it were sooner, but I can wait, I think

Very professional. He's kinda methodical. I mean, not real personable. He's a general surgeon, not specializing in WLS. I like him, but I wouldn't say (at this point, PRE-op!) that he's real warm. He's VERY professional and very informative. That's all I can say about how he addressed the risks, etc. He was VERY informative. That should be enough said! He seems to be very concerned with after care. He insisits on follow-ups. I had to postpone my surgery date because about a week after my surgery, he was going to be out of town and he said he'd rather postpone than have someone else be there for me if there were to be a problem. I like a doctor who prefers to take care of his/her own patients rather than pawning them off to other doctors.

He told me he could try Lap if I wanted, but it's not something he regularly does. He prefers open because there are generally fewer complications. I wanted to try lap. He agreed with the stipulation that if it's not working as well as he'd like, he'll open me. I had no problem with that. He made it clear that he was not in a numbers game of how many laps he can do like many other surgeons are. He also made it clear that he's not an aggressive RNY surgeon, meaning he attaches higher than many surgeons, meaning slower weight loss, but more nutrition over all. I like that. I'm not in any hurry! I've been overweight for ages as it is!

As for his staff, his surgical coordinator is a bit "cold" but she warms up after a while. Just stick with her.

I prefer surgical competence over bedside manner and he at least has that. I don't know about bedside manner yet.

04/22/02 Well Dr. Lin and his entire staff are nothing less than wonderful. I am very pleased with everyone of them. But as for the general hospital staff and nursing staff they are rude undertrained and I would have to say the the very worst the medical profession has to offer. I am writting a letter to the hospital administration to let them know just how bad. If I ever have another procedure done it will be in a different hospital. 04/14/02 Well there is very little time now before my surgery. I am thankful to everyone who has encouraged me through this website. I feel much better and less nervous now after reading Psalms 91 and praying to God and giving my worries over to him. It is all in God's hands now and He will take care of me and be my Protector. And in the end His will shall be done. 03/28/02 Ok I feel much better about Dr. Lin today after I spoke with Denise Hough and several of Dr. Lin's past patients. Denise was very straight forward in letting me know about the two fatalities that Dr. Lin has had. But he performs this surgery 3-5 times per week and has done so for the last 6-7 years. The student Dr. who answered my question had no right to discuss this issue with me and I wish they would have not answered instead of giving me a wrong answer. Denise is making sure this does not happen in the future. I feel much better. Dr Lin is going to call me tomorrow and speak to me to make sure everything is ok personally. Thanks to all of those of you who responded with information when I emailed you.
03/27/02 I am now seriously considering getting another surgeon and cancelling my appointment with Dr. Lin. I just found out via this websites memorial page that contrary to what I was told in the office Dr. Lin lost a patient last year due to complications from this surgery. Her name was Dee Mitchell and is in no way related to me. OLD STUFF: My first impression was if your not famliar with D.C. this place is hard to find! The directions I was given were invalid because L street was closed the day I went, so of course I got lost. The office people seemed nice but not extremely friendly. I had to watch a video and review a handout regarding the procedure. I was then interviewed and given a physical by one of the student doctors. Dr. Lin came in and discussed the surgery with me and answered my questions regarding the procedure. He makes the risks very clear up front. He found me to be a valid candidate for surgery and allowed me to schedule for April 16th 2002. They informed of meetings and support groups of which I really had no interest in. He explained the aftercare program and what all is expected of me. I would rate him high so far but then again he has not done my surgery yet and that's what really counts. I could careless about bedside manner as long as he is a Top notched surgeon.I was impressed that he attended Harvard and did his residency at Johns Hopkins. He also explained that typically he works with cancer patients more than the morbidly obese folks. There was much miscommunication between my PCP and his office regarding my medical records eventually I changed my PCP and went and got my records and faxed them myself.

He was very nice and easy to talk to. Full of knowledge and has done over 2000 surgeries. The office staff wer really nice and very laid back, that made the first appointment less stressfull!

I have begun the "approval" process with the assistance of Velma Spriggs from Weight For Life. Velma is an insurance advocate that works for Dr. Afram in assisting his prospective patients get though the jungle of approval demands made by most insurance companies.

I have not met Dr. Afram personally but am looking forward to doing so when the time comes.

The reasons for which I chose Dr. Afram are quite simple. 1) His staff works with you to get your insurance approval, even to the "appeals" level. 2) Dr. Afram has performed countless GB surgeries and has a very low complication/mortality rate. 3) Dr. Afram's after-care program and structured support group both in person and on the internet are second to none. 4) All the risks and benefits are laid out in simple terms so you can make a well informed decision about your health care. 5) Dr. Afram's surgical abilities and bedside manner are 110% equal and his post-operative patients are very pleased with their over-all care received.

MY FIRST IMPRESSION WAS WONDERFUL,PASS AND PRESENT HX

My first meeting with Dr. A was on Nov. 16th. His staff members were very warm and friendly toward to me and everyone else in the waiting area. My impression of Dr. A was WOW, he is really laid back! He took his time to explain the procedure and what is expected of me before and after the surgery. His demenor made me feel really comfortable and at ease.

3/06/02- I had my final consult with Dr. Afram today, it went well. I had only a few questions for him but per usual he made me fell really relaxed. I had expressed to him that I hadnt received any info back from my sleep study and he got started to handle that issue with great urgency, which was good to see.