Alex Gandsas Bariatric Surgeon MD, MBA, FACS

Dr. Gandsas is a very honest straight forward surgeon. He provides you with a lot of information and statistics that is helpful in making an informed decision about weight loss surgery.His support team is attentive to your needs and questions. The pre-op support groups are packed full of detailed information on a wide variety of subjects related to WLS. He support continues beyond the WLS and months after surgery. But the greatest thing about Dr. Gandsas is he is always encouraging throughout the entire process, and never makes you feel like you are bothering him.

Dr Gandsas was very imformative and always, always asked if you had any questions. He was also very forthcoming with all of his answers. He also stressed the risks involved with the surgery as well as the benifits. The support groups are a must to go to. What better way to inform yourself than to talk to people who have been where your headed. The office staff couldn't be any better. Great, great people to work with. The program that they have seems very structured,pre-op, post-op, nutritionist, all around good system. I work for a Dr.'s office and know how hard it is to deal with all different types of personalities. These people are like a well oiled machine! If you live in the Baltimore or surrounding areas this is definitly who I'd recommend. My hospital stay at Sinai was also a very pleasant one, considering I had major surgery,nurses,techs, all of them took very good care of me. I know people are leary if everything is good, but my experience was an extremely positive and there really isn't anything for me to complain about.

First i want to say thankyou to Dr.Gandsas and his very professional and caring staff at Sinai hosp. of Baltimore. I live in a small town on the eastern shore and knew if I wanted the best care I had to travel, so I did, 107 miles each way! Yes it was worth it Dr.Gandas was wonderful! I had the surgery on 3/14/05 and have lost over 20lbs. in 29 days. Dr.Gandsas told me there was a complication and that 9 out of 10 doctors would have done a abdomnial insision . I'm very thankful that,Dr.Gandsas did not take that route. With his vast experience in minimal invasive surgery I have only 6 tiny scars, which should lessen in time. I can't say enough of how wonderful Dr.Gandsas and his staff are! I'm glad I drove all the miles and with the price of gas my surgery was priceless! I would recomend Dr.Gandsas to anyone and everyone!

Sandy D.

I AM VERY PLEASED WITH THE BARIATRIC PROGRAM AND DR. GANDSAS. I APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT GROUPS OFFERED BY THE OFFICE. AND I AM ESPECIALLY PLEASED WITH MY SURGEON AND HIS STAFF WHO ARE WONDERFUL. EVERYONE WAS PERSONABLE AND VERY NICE. I HAVE AND WILL CONTINUE TO TELL MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS HOW WONDERFUL MY EXPERIENCE WAS FROM DAY ONE. I AM VERY THANKFUL TO GOD FOR DR. GANDSAS HE IS A BLESSING TO ME. OVERALL ON A SCALE FROM ONE TO TEN I RATE DR. GANDSAS A PERFECT TEN. ON A SCALE FROM ONE TO TEN I RATE DR. GANDSAS STAFF KAREN, PAULA, EILEEN AND NANCY EACH GET A PERFECT TEN THEY ARE WONDERFUL PEOPLE WHO MEAN A LOT TO ME. I RECOMMEND ANYONE CONSIDERING BARIATRIC SURGERY TO HAVE DR. GANDSAS AS THEIR SURGEON.

My first impression of Dr. Gandsas was that he was very professional and caring. He takes great strides to make sure that anyone that is interested in WLS has a complete education of what to expect. He put together a program of classes that includes teaching of all aspects of WLS. Including, the surgery it's self, complications, pro's, & con's. Some classes include their wonderful nutritionist, Nancy Lum. You will be completely able to understand everything that you will need to know to make the best decision for you. After all it is the most personal decision that you'll ever make. I can say for my self it was the best thing that I have ever done for my self. I'm one year post-op and have lost 115lbs. I feel great!!!!!. Dr. Gandsas makes sure that you are well screened for surgery. You'll have to go through EKG's, stress tests, Sleep study's, blood work, EGD's etc...only when you are cleared will he do the surgery. I felt very safe knowing he was looking out for my health. I had the potential for not being able to have my surgery laproscopically. I have had 3 C-sections, gall bladder surgery, and a tubal ligation. I knew that I would have a lot of scarring. Even with all that, Dr. Gandsas was able to preform the surgery laproscopically. My pain post operatively was minimal. I would say on a scale of 1-10, 10 being my worst pain ever, I was about a 2-3. I didn't need any pain meds once I went home. I have been absolutely complication free. I would trust and recommend Dr. Gandsas to anyone wanting to have the safest most thorough surgeon I've ever experienced. And I should know, I'm a nurse on a surgical unit! Many Thanks to Dr. Gandsas.

I wa very aware of what to expect before during and after the surgery because Dr. Gandsas had explained everthing in great detail both the postive and the negative in terme that I could understand.
Because of scar tissue from past sugrery it was strong posiblity that I would not be able to have the laposcopic procedure. My surgery was longer then expected, but DR. Gandas was able to perform the lapscopic procedure.

There is cosident aftercare program that is both supportive and provides need information.

The team is respontive to questions weather received by phone email or in person.

His Patients should know he is frank, upfront and very very through when he is preparing them for surgery.

Ther is no rating I could othen A for him and his medical team.

I am a new person.

First Impression - nice guy, knows his stuff, cares about me and my situation.

Over time, found no reason to change that, except to add that he is ultra-careful, not only in the OR but in terms of pre- and post-op support, spearheading group formation, and supplying ongoing topics and professionals of interest.

His office is staffed with good people that are busy and enthusiastic about the program.

The only thing I disliked at all about either the surgeon or his staff was that he didn't want to hear excuses for deviations from the diet and exercise regimen - and this in no way harmed me, it just helped educate me.

He is very serious about aftercare, which has its own support group, and there is available web forum space for all patients to interact with each other and with staff members.

He was scrupulously honest about surgical risks, and took great pains (including a movie of a procedure) to show everyone just what was involved, how the location of the Roux limb anastomosis was, and how it was determined. He sugarcoated nothing, and made certain that postop patients had a forum whether their experience was ideal or not nice at all.

I would rate him the best possible choice for me. There are many surgeons who will work laporoscopically, but few so personable, and few whose numbers approach his. If I need another procedure in the GI area, he would be my first choice as a surgeon.

As to which is better, I would rate surgical competence the more important - obviously nobody needs surgery by a really nice guy with thumbs for fingers. Dr. Gandsas is the exception to many rules in that his technique is, I have to believe, the best available, his caring manner and obvious concern for patients may from time to time cost him a procedure that someone else will perform - I tried very hard to do things the way I wanted, and he kept bringing me gently back to the right was to drop the weight and how to eat, and did so very nicely. He was also very careful to answer questions completely.

He's not just a surgeon, he's a real all-around doctor - and I am really glad that he was willing to be mine for this surgery.

Dr. Gandsas is truly a caring, understanding and dedicated surgeon. He will encourage, support and reinforce you when you feel like you need additional strength to go on. When I had a low grade temperature 5 days after my surgery, Dr. Gandsas would not take my word for it that I was "just fine". He made me go to the ER and have tests done that he personally advised the ER doctor to do. After all tests came out, he was then satisfied that I was okay to go back home. Really, I did feel mentally better when everything did prove out to be fine too. You do have concerns and worries but Dr. Gandsas will stay by your side to the end with his medical staff. Karen,the nurse, is very helpful when you need assistance with your medical files, vitamins, suppiments and any concerns. Ilene Shellenberger, Administrative Assistance, is an extremely hard worker and determined to get your insurance approved. She will not stop until these results are achieved. Nancy Lum, nutritionist, is a lady that has done extensive research on the diet before and after the surgery that you will follow. She emails you with encouraging remarks and continually reinforces,in a very sweet way, the things that we seems to forget and need to continue to do. Paula is the lady that schedules your appointments and answers the telephone is extemely kind and keeps the patients flowing smoothly while in the office. There is not one negative comment that I can make on this entire staff. They have been with me prior to surgery and now I am post 2.5 months after surgery and their support and assistance has been very dedicated and supportive to me as well as others that I have spoken with. I would like to encourage anyone that is really serious after this surgery to please contact Dr. Alex Gandsas and his staff and I promise that you will be very happy with satisfied with them.

Alex Gandsas is very friendly easy to talk to. He is very young. He told me the pros and cons,& difference He is ok with me.
I have discontinued all medications for my diabetes and hypertension. I feel great and am 3 months ahead of schedule with my weight loss. ( so far I have lost 56% of my projected weight loss since 1/10/05).
YOU CAN DO IT TOO !!!!!

I could have searched the entire country and not found a better surgeon. My only problem was I forgot and took an aspirin product before surgery which caused some bleeding but my surgeon handled it well and kept me from having an open procedrue.
Support groups are helpful.
I have done very well since surgern and it's the best thing I've ever done for myself.