Beryl Harberg Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

I met Dr. Harberg and the first thing he did was make a joke. He was brutally honest and that is always a good thing with me. His staff was wonderful and they helped me by telling me how to deal with the insurance and they gave me moral support.
I did get upset with him during my initial visit because he made me explain to him why I needed the surgery instead of telling me why I needed it. I didn't think that he was very friendly at first but now that I am able to look back on it I had to be able to be mentally ready for what is to come.
He was very persistent on what will happen after surgery. He is strict with you but he made a lasting first impression on his care of his patients.
He let me know the risks of this surgery aren't any greater than any other major surgery. I have had several so I was not overly concerned about them.
I can only give a first impression and what I saw I liked. I have heard about his manner on the afterwards and they say it doesn't change. He is a wonderful doctor.

I thought my surgeon, had an attitude and just grumpy. But over time I can see he is upfront and honest tells you how it is and how its going to be, but still grumpy. His office staff was very nice and helpful. He's rough and direct, be ready. He relly emphasized that it was up to you that you are in control. This has been my first month he has given me a menu of what i can and can not eat. He addressed the risks of surgery over and over again until he pissed me off, but I know he just wanted to make sure I was ready.
Over all GREAT on Surgical competence.
Bedside manner needs some work.

Dr.Harberg is great. For the consultation my husband and I watched a video of the doc explaining the procedure and the risks involved. Next was a sit down with doc. Very quick wit,charming even in a sarcastic, dry gruff kind of way. It was also clear this man is about business, knows what he's talking about and wants to be sure you understand what having this surgery means. I believe if I had given the impression that I did not understand or was unsure that I could follow his aftercare instructions he would not have performed the surgery. Aftercare is clearly all important to Dr. Harberg. I took comfort in knowing he is also a heart doc. As far as bedside manner he was pretty much the same, very business but chok full of funny quips. Again this man knows what he is doing. My surgery went fine. No complications. I was up and walking in no time. I am nearly two weeks post op and I can do just about anything I could before, my incision is as beautiful as a scar like that can be. His office was friendly, but what impressed me was their speed in getting all my loa and std papers in order and to the appropriate office. I would and will recommend Dr.Harberg to friends and family. Rating=10

My first impression of Dr. Harberg was slightly different from other doctors I've seen in the past. Dr. Harberg was right to the point. He explained the procedure, the hospital stay, and what to expect after you leave. He was straight forward and right to the point. I was twenty-one at the time, and he made sure that I knew what the risks were and that this was a life decision. Dr. Harberg told me, that he could go in a help me, but I would have to work with the surgery in order for it to work for me. He was right. I trust him very much. I highly recommend to anyone who has a weight problem. I met with him one time before my surgery was scheduled, but I trusted him, and felt that I was in good hands. I had my surgery on January 8, 2002, and I follow up with him, on a monthly basis. I've lost over eighty-five pounds and I'm still losing. He has a wonderful staff. I call his office on a regular basis with questions about my stomach or little problems I think I might have. They are never rude, and always take the time to help me with my questions and concerns. When I go into his office they are always pleasant and professional. I think Dr. Harberg is wonderful doctor and he was truly a blessing from above.

Lynde Mayeux

He is very to the point. Went into detailed description about the surgery and the risks, which I liked. He had a very dry sense of humor and I felt very comfortable with him.He made sure to emphasize that if I was not willing to change my habits even after the surgery that I would not be sucessful. I really like his to the point attuide and he didnt sugar coat anything.

I absolutely love Dr. Harberg. I had heard he could be gruff - had a dry sense of humor. I didn't find him gruff and I loved his sense of humor. I appreciated how real he was in discussing the surgery with me. I also appreciated how concerned he was with my true and honest feelings regarding the surgery. He was very open to my questions and provided great answers and information. His office staff has been great.

He was very abrupt

The next visit

OK, so I have waited until I felt like I was clear to really give folks a non-bias review of my events. I am 3.5 months post op and grow smaller day by day. I was very sceptical of several doctors as I had a real run in with one. So many of us are so eager to lose our weight that we often go in blinded and assume a doctor is legit if he or she can get us authorized. If it seems too good to be true....it may be. One Texas doctor approved me for surgery and typed letters of medical neccesity on my behalf without ever meeting me. He offered to fly me to Lubbock with my wife and pay for it. How the heck does that work? Trust your gut....while you still have it!!!!! Now, on to DR. Harberg.

I love this little grouchy man! I own a surgical company and know the ins and outs of the surgical business. I personally did not need an after care plan, nor did I need my hand held. Dr. H is the man. He is very dirrect.....brutally dirrect. He has done thousands of these and has strong credentials. He is the quint essential crotchety old man, and if he likes you he will admitt it. He tries to intimidate you with his rough exterior, but he is a pussycat under the shell. Do not let his age scare you. He is gifted in the O.R.

I had VBG on April 15th of 2002. I weighed 410 and had a waist of 62" around!!!! I am 3.5 months post op and my waist is now a 42". Do the math...that's 20" off my waist. I have not gotten on the scale. It is not important to me. What is? I am walking pain free again....my knees were so sore before surgery that I could not get up or walk. I have energy and I am buying clothes in the regular stores! I was a 6X in the shirt and now I am a 2X. Just 3.5 months out!

See my page for the skinny, but know this...if you want a no bs kind of guy. A doctor who is very well quallified with skill and results...go see Dr. H. If you are sensative....go elsewhere. I give him an 8 out of 10 only because his bedside manner is rough, and his staff can be as testy as him, but they get the job done and you get a private room to recover in. Nice bonus!

Dr.Harberg is an older gentleman. He is personalble but very business. I immediately fest secure that he was very knowledgeable and concerned that I was fully aware that the surgery was only a tool and that I had an onus responsibility for the rest of my life if the surgery was going to work for me. It was quite obvious that he would have denied doing the surgery had he not fet that I was mentally ready to comply with the po-op requirements as it reales to eating and making food choices. He's very thorugh in explaing surgical risks in general as well as explainging what he does and how the surgery works to assist in weight loss. He welcomes any questions you may have. His staff is very personable and willing to assist you with your insurance and any questions you may hvae. The only thing I can say about Dr Harberg is that he CAN come across a bit short and it may give the impression that he's impatient, but it soon becomes clear that it is just his personality and not him being impatient with you. Future patients should know that they MUST be mentally dedicated to a lifetime of change or he will not feel you are a good candidate for the surgry. He seees his patients4 times for f-u visits and recommends a support group that was set up by his patients. Overall I woould give him a very positive rating. His surgical competence is bar far greatest, and the erception of his bedside manner will depend greatly on the patient and what they expect. I found it to be fine for me, but I can see where many people may not be as comfortable.

My impression of Dr. Harberg was a confident and gentle man. I must admit that I had first hand knowledge because my sister had this surgery about five years ago.