Alex Gandsas Bariatric Surgeon MD, MBA, FACS

Dr. Gandsas is a great surgeon with a wonderful bedside manner. At all times he has been honest and warm. It's obvious that he cares very much for his patients, enjoys giving them a better quality of life, and goes out of his way to make sure the surgery is a success.

Dr. Gandsas's staff is good. They are responsive and friendly.

Aftercare is one of the main points that first drew me to Dr. Gandsas. He and his office are addiment about follow up care and using the surgery to best benefit your healthly future. Dr. Gandsas makes sure patients are well educated on the procedure through pre-op meetings and online educational materials. Post-op meetings are also available to assist patients with each new phase of life after surgery.

The only negative thing I can think to write is that during the 6 months I had to wait to collect documentation for health insurance, I didn't understand how important it was to keep my weight down/or leve. I also ended up completing some of the pre-op testing twice.

Over all, I highly recommend Dr. Gandsas!

I was and very pleased with my surgeon. His staff is simply wonferful and very encouraging, they are helpful and will do whatever they can to make you feel more comfortable. He stresses the pro's and con's about the surgery, but he also stresses that if you just listen to him and do what he tells you to do eveything will be fine. On a scale of 1-10 I would give my surgeon a 9 1/2, the only reason why I did not give a full 10 was because I hate the long wait in the waiting room:( that is my only negative remark. When I have my appointments I would like to go back to work, but by the time I am seen it doesn't make sense to go back. But as far as surgical competence I think Dr. G is the best! I would definetly refer him to other people considering the surgery. I am truly satisfied and I am truly seeing the results. I had my surgery November 26, 2004 and as of February 22, 2005 I have lost a total of 43 pounds. My pre-op weight was 291, now I am 248. At first I was a little discouraged because I thought by now I should have lost a lot more, but after talking to Dr. G and my PCP they are both pleased with the amount of weight I am loosing and the rate in which I am loosing it. Actually my weight loss is looking very natural which is good to me because it is not drastic, after calming down I realized this is what I want, a slow non-drastic approach. I look and feel very healthy, my skin is vibrant and I am happy. I do not have any regrets about the surgery or my surgeon. The only regret is that I wished I did it earlier on. But it's okay I am just thankful that I am progressing really well.

I love Dr. Gandsas and his staff. They are so friendly and Dr. Gandsas shows a genuine concern for his patients. It is true, you have to be married to your doctor after a surgery such as this. I am very pleased with the outcome. Before the surgery, my weight was 413 and I am now 6 months out and my current weight is 320. After doing some research on this procedure, I chose Dr. Gandsas because of his procedure. He does what they call a double layer which reinforces the procedure. It gives a greater sense of security. I am very happy. The staff is wonderful. They are very dedicated to the patients. It meant a lot to me when Dr. Gandsas came to visit me the day after my surgery and he brought his son in the stroller as well. This type of gesture shows his dedication to his patients. He is committed to his patient's success and demands nothing but the best from both his patients and staff. Sinai hospital is very lucky to have him.

I am a 56 year old woman who has had a problem with being over weight since I was a child. My chief complaints were high blood pressure, high cholesterol, gastric reflux, sleep apena. I went to Dr. Gandsas as my last resource because going on diets just did not work. My entire family is very heavy and I knew in my heart my weight would only get worst. My husband went with me to the office because if I was going to change my life he had to be included in making the decision. I went to the support groups given by Dr. Gandsas. I was given all the information as to what was involved in the surgery, that this was a very serious surgery not to be taken likely, post-op complicatins, and changes in my life style after surgery. I had my surgery in November of 2004. Knowing that the surgery was very dangerous I attempted to make sure that my husband would have support should the worst event happen to me. Dr.Gandsas ended up having to do an open surery because of all my previous 3 operations. I ended up with a mid line incision, a nasogastric tube, foley, and hemovac for wound draingage. I never had any post-operative complication. This surgey was so easy compared to my previous operations. I was up walking the hall within the first day of surgery. I never had any side effects from the surgery such as vomiting or diarrhea. I am now three months post-op and still not having any problems. This was the best decision that I have ever made. I will never be able to thank Dr. Gandsas enough for all he has done for me. I really feel that he has given me a second chance in life. My weight is coming down my blood pressure medicine had been reduced by 1/2 its strength and I will most likely come off of it next month completely. My cholesterol had been up to over 300 and is now 170 so I am hoping that I can come off this medication too. No more gastric reflex, or sleep apnea. My energy level is so much higher. When I go home from work I now feel that I have energy to do other things. Some things such as to tie my shoe strings, cutting your toes nails are easy now as compared to before surgery. People who have never been heavy can not understand that such small things are not small when you are heavy. Things that we take for granted can become so much easier. All I can say is that if someone asked me would you go through this surgery knowing what you know I would say yes. This surgery and I have to give Dr. Gandsas the credit has only done good things for me. Dr. Gandsas has the best program that anyone could find. You will get all the information that you need, have the best surgeon available, best care that anyone could ask to receive. The people who work with him are so nice and are all working in your best interest. There is a nurse and dietician in the ofice that can help you with any problems that may occur. The only suggestion that I can make is that if you decide to have this surgery that you will need to make changes in your life. The changes are easy and believe me it is nothing compared to how you may be living now. Again, thank you Dr. Gandsas I will never be able to thank you for giving me this second chance in life.

I'm sorry that I didn't mention about my surgeon earlier, I was caught up in the moment of our sucess, his and mine! Dr.Gandsas is the greatest. He is patient,kind and understanding, yet you know that he has high expectations. Expectations coming from you the patient and himself. You feel that this is a team effort. His team consist of his total staff, which they are also great. Education is of key importance and follow-up to him and his staff. I haven't
found anything that I don't like about my surgeon and I am a "picky/concern" person!
Don't try to miss or cancell your appointment, He wants you in his office so that he can check on you!!. Appointments are made, right there before you leave that office!! As I stated before Education is the key. Besides written information, He expects that you attend support classes, he has videos in his office for you to watch and his staff constantly make themselves available to address any and all questions, plus they along with Dr. Gandsas also ask you
questions about was going on. Surgically, I
did not have any complications and his bedside manners are also great!!!

Dr. Gandsas is very professional and he answered all of my questions.
I know that Dr. Gandsas was the right choice for my surgery.
His office staff is very professional and great people and funny.
To be honest their is nothing bad for me to say about Dr. Gandsas.
Dr. Gandsas will not pressure people into having surgery and he will answer all of his questions.
He used to come by everyday to see me and answer any of my questions.
Yes I have to see him next week and he has a certain procedures that he has for post-op surgery.
Yes, but Dr. Gandsas told me of all his patients who had complications and he had a low percentage of complications.
On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the best I would rate him a 12.
Overall he is great from the first time I meet him I felt at ease and knew I would be able to trust him.

Dr. Alex Gandsas and his staff (Eileen, Secretary, Karen, Nurse, Nancy Dietitician) are all wonderful. I first met Dr. Gandsas and his staff at the support group meeting. Each patient is required to attend 3 support group meetings before they meet with Dr. Gandsas for their personal assessment. The meetings gave me an opportunity to learn everything I needed to know in a relaxed, informative setting. There was always at 50 people or more present and a different presentation each month with extensive Q&A. By the time I met Dr. Gandsas, all my questions about GBS were answered. Dr. Gandsas is very friendly, frank and honest with you. He carefully explained the entire procedure to both me and my husband. Carefully explaining the risks of surgery was an important part for me and my husband. My husband asked many questions and Dr. Gandsas responded patiently provided needed answers and explanations. From my first appointment until today, 9 months post-op, I have been taken care of by an extremely professional and competent team. Every step of way, I was encouraged, supported and coached by Dr. Gandsas and his team. Eileen, the secetary, provides constant encouragement, support and makes sure you know where to go for what test, etc. (yes, Dr. Gandsas requires you to have a multiude of pre-op testing and it worth it). Karen, the nurse, carefully explains every procedure or issue you have. Nancy, the dietitician, helps you to re-design your diet. It is so important that you understand what you can eat pre and post-op and why. Having Nancy available to call or email to answer the many, "can I eat..?" questions, makes life a little easier. The care I received following my surgery was as precise and professional as the care I received pre-op. I can not explain how good it felt to see the smiling faces of Karen and Eileen just before my eyes closed in the operating room, they came only to wish me well. Dr. Gandsas jokes with his patients that we are all his forever. I thought it strange when I first heard him say that almost a year ago, but now I am so glad that Dr. Gandsas performed my surgery and he will be watching over me "forever". I have lost 80 pounds since my surgery and am no longer on the many medications I used to take for diabetes, arthritis and hypertension. I feel and look great. Gastric By-Pass Surgery changed my life, but I think Dr. Gandsas and his entire staff were also responsible by helping me understand the commitment I was making. Fortunately for me, I don't have to answer the question which is better surgical competence or bedside manner. Dr. Gandsas and his staff did an excellent job with both. I have met others who have had the same surgery with other surgeons. I think it sad that I have to explain to them things their surgeon should have, but didn't. I am know there are many doctors now performing this procedure. If you are lucky enough to live in Baltimore, be smart enough to choose Dr. Alex Gandsas at Sinai Medical Center.

My story is relatively typical. I was awful at dieting and always discouraged at my lack of weight loss success. A friend had gastric by pass surgery last March at Sinai and was feeling terrific. She hounded me to “just listen” to what they had to say at this pre-op monthly support group meeting about bariatric surgery. I was dead set against “such an extreme method” of losing weight.
My husband and I attended our first support group meeting at Sinai in July 04. In my heart I knew that evening that gastric by pass was for me, but as we left the meeting I told my husband that I needed to think intently, pray deeply, and that only I could make the decision as to when and if I was ready for surgery.
I immediately made an appt to visit my Primary Care because I knew my insurance would require referrals. I had some blood work done in preparation for my appt. At the appt with my Primary Care I learned I was diabetic. I already suffered from hypertension and with a family history of heart disease and diabetes, I got full support from my PC.
When I attended my second pre-op support group meeting at Sinai, I turned in my completed paperwork to Paula. My appt.with Nancy (the nutritionist) followed shortly after, as well, as my first meeting with Dr. Gandsas.
Things had been moving along so smoothly that I thought I would sit down with Dr. Gandsas and immediately get a surgery date. I was dead wrong! He examined me, looked over my records and told me that I needed to lose weight before he would consider me for surgery. He further explained that my abdominal wall was too thick for him to successfully perform the surgery laproscopically. Needless to say, I was discouraged, actually I was ANGRY, thinking, I have to lose weight to get weight loss surgery... ! After a short “pity me” period, I picked my self up and decided that I wanted to do this, I needed to do this, I wanted my life back, I wanted good health. I was determined to succeed. With the help of Nancy and a pre-surgical diet, I lost 18 pounds over the next 7 weeks. During that time, I completed the necessary psychological and physiological testing required by Dr. Gandsas for bariatric surgery.
On November 1, 2004 frightened and excited, Dr. Gandsas assisted by Dr. Li, performed (roux en y) gastric by pass surgery. My personal experience was incredible. The staff at Sinai hospital was as wonderful as Dr. Gandsas and his staff. The accommodations were very comfortable and family friendly. I was in the hospital for 2 days (not drinking any fluids the first day was very difficult) but beyond that, the healing was routine. Dr. Gandsas has a tendency to push you to your fullest potential but he gives 200% and expects it in return! I can’t find enough positive adjectives to describe Dr. Gandsas, Dr. Li, and the staff. Nancy, Eileen, Karen, and Paula are awesome! They are ALWAYS pleasant and understanding. They have never been impatient or unwilling to help during my pre-op or post-op adventures. There are no stupid questions and they always return calls or emails ASAP.
It hasn’t been a walk in the park. I have willingly made a MAJOR lifestyle change. I eat less and exercise more, what’s really great is, I enjoy it. I still cook for my family, go out to eat, and yes, at times I miss not eating all of my favorite foods. I search for other ways to find the comfort food used to give me. I attend a monthly post-op support group with Dr. Gandsas and his staff to keep myself grounded. I no longer have high blood pressure and my blood sugar is normal. To date, I have lost over 70 pounds, although I am not even half way there, I am so encouraged.
I am so glad I decided to have gastric by pass surgery and I think Dr. Gandsas and his staff are the Best!

i found that meeting Dr. Gandsas just made my decision eaiser. His staff at the clinic, especially Karen and Ilene have been soooooooooo supportive and are with you every step of the way. dr. Gandsas himself is so kind and thoughtful and ful of insight and so gentle. I am so happy that i decided to do the surgery and i feel great. He does emphasize aftercare because you are not going to go through all this work and then mess it up. He wants you to be as healthy as you can be. He is etremely thourogh with every pre test you have to do and the tests after. Would I do it all over again, in a heartbeat. Dr. Gandsas is wonderful.

1. Very young looking for his age.
I found him to be very informative about the surgery(the whole process).He is organized. concerned, and patient.
His staff is very polite courteous, and well organized. They seem to always go that extra mile to get things done, so that you are comfortable. He has a excellant dietician on staff she provides around the clock assistance as so everyone in the office. she has researched
the diet for the surgery very well.She puts you
on point to where you need to be. He whole process from beginning to end was 10+. I have told so many of my overweight friends about Dr. Gandsas and his whole staff I feel that compared to other surgeons some of my friends have been to he is the best.