Alex Gandsas Bariatric Surgeon MD, MBA, FACS

I was impressed with the orderliness of the process from the time I became interested in the surgery 2 yrs ago until I had the surgery 1 month ago. Each staff member was efficient, courteous, answered all questions, in fact, they anticipated questions and had the answers already for me. The information and education sessions by the nutritionist were superb. I learned sooooo much from the education/support group sessions held monthly before surgery. When I had my surgery, I knew exactly what to expect - there were no surprises. rn The other neat thing - Dr. Gandsas and Sinai Hospital use a robot for Dr. visits and medical issues. I thought I was having a reactio to the pain medication - suddenly a robot with Dr. Gandsas in virtual reality was in my room asking questions and assessing me right on the spot. Dr. Gandsas nor I had to rely on the nurse to accurately relay my information to him. He was right there at 11:30 pm in my room (probably from his study at home) making necessary decisions and up-to-the-minute assessments.rn After-care has been a breeze. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS and all will be well. This surgery has saved my life. I no longer take insulin, blood pressure medications. I take something oral for diabetes, but that won't be for long either. Allelujia!!! rn God bless all of the surgeons and patients going through this process. Jeannette

I found Dr. Gandsas very helpful when I was making my decision to go through with the surgery. He seemed very competent.rnHis office stafff was also very knowledgablernand helpful. They made me feel very rnconfident that I made the right choice in surgeons. The nutrtionist in his office,rnNancy, was very helpful. I liked that Dr. Gandsas was a cautious type of doctor. I had rnto lose some weight before the surgery, on his insistance, and I am quite sure this helped my surgery go as well as it did. I was out of surgery in 2 hours and home the next day.rnHis robot came to see me in the hospitalrn(it was actually Dr. Gandsas seeing me through the robot) several times. I never felt so carefully watched while in the hospital.rnHis bedside manner was very good. I think that he deserved an A+ overall! I cannot think of one bad thing to say about my doctor, believe it or not.rn

My first impressions of Dr. Gandsas was oh, my god what have I done! (But in all fairness I was looking for the great person that was going to help me change me life and to make me feel like ...me again). I thought he was cold and very \"to the point\", hurried almost. But now after a number of visits I found him yo be very caring and easy to talk to. I don't feel rushed (hurried) anymore and yes he does have a good sense of humor (which is somewhat important to me as well as being a great Dr.) I would tell anyone to see him but I would warn them about that first couple of meetings. Also all of the testing you have to do is unreal, it like having a full time job and that this is truly a commitment but after all is said and done I realized that Dr.Gandsas was laying the ground work for a good surgical outcome. His staff, this is hard! Nancy is very good at her job, very smart and very easy to talk to. Alway available to talk and to ask questions. I love her. Karen the nurse.... always seems to have 100 irons in the fire at any given time but she seems good at her job All the rest of the staff seem to be fine and friendly. The least liked thing is if he's in a bad mood you know it !!!!!!!!! Future pt. should know his \"bark is much worse then his bite\" he really is a nice guy!!! oh, and he has the coolest \"robo doc\" I thought it would feel impersonal but it wasn't it was really quite comforting to think he could see you anytime if you were to \"run into trouble\" (post-op) and you wouldn't have to wait for him to get to the hospital I really feel that this was money well spent and trust me I was very shocked I would feel like this . I am just getting started with the after care part of thisjourney sornI dont have alot to compare to but by the time I had my pre-op meeting (which all the risks of surg was explaned for the 100th time) it was made very clear what I was going to have to do to ensure a good outcome. Overall I would rate Dr.Gandsas' his program and his staff an 8 because there is always room to improve.rnrnIn my opinion I don't know that great is the word I would use but it is very important to have both competence and a good bedside because without the bedside there just isn't the comfort level and if you don't think your surg. has surgical competence all the bedside manners doesn't mean a hill of beans. rn

Undergoing Bariatric surgery involves more than just picking a great surgeon. As this is a life changing event that takes from 6 months to a year to prepare for, you have to consider the entire program.rnrnDr. Gandsas along with Nancy, Karen and Paula are all top notch professionals in their fields.rnrnCollectively, they have put together a bariatric program that is second to none.rnrnBy the time the \"team\" is finished preparing you for this life changing event, you will have selected the appropriate procedure best suited for your needs, become aware of the details of that procedure along with it's risks and benefits, practiced the diet that you will adhere to after surgery, and actually witness the different type of procedures being preformed via medical film.rnrnIn short, this program is very, very comprehensive with no surprises, well, except one.rnrnA quick story:rnThe day of my surgery after being moved to my hospital room, I remember the nurse saying \"Dr. Gandsas will check in on me about midnight\". I felt really bad for him as I know that he has been in surgery since the crack of dawn and wondered when he gets to sleep. rnrnWas I surprised when, at midnight, a nurse arrives and announces that \"Dr. Gandsas' robot is here to check me out\". rnrnIn rolls a robot with a live image of Dr Gandsas (from home) on its monitor. The robot moves about the room, looking at the medical instruments and gauges, give instructions to the nurse, ask me questions and check out my overall condition. rnrnVery, very cool technology!rnrnI guess I should have expected something like this from these fine folks. After all, they managed to perform this complex medical procedure from five small incisions, have you up and walking within a few short hours after returning you to your hospital room and out the door and heading home the next day.rnrnGreat Job, Great Staff, and a Bariatric Program that is second to none!rnrnThanks again for a new lease on life,rnRich Ackermanrn

I was first evaluated by a surgeon in South Dakota. He attempted the gastric bypass laproscopically and open and said that my liver was too large and he would not be able to perform the surgery. Needless to say I left South Dakota with lap and open surgery stitches but without gastric bypass. I was heartbroken thinking that I would never lose the weight and get off diabetic medication and insulin. After 2 1/2 years I decided I wanted a second opinion. I felt as though someone could help me. A good friend of mine is a surgical nurse at Anne Arundel Medical Center and she referred me to Dr. Gandsas and said he was highly recommended. I met with Dr. Gandsas and his nurse Karen in March 2006. I provided him with my medical records from South Dakota. Dr. Gandsas felt very confident that he would be able to perform the surgery on me laproscopically. I knew from that moment that I really liked his confidence. He required me to lose 25-30 lbs which would lighten my liver and shrink the size somewhat. He required me to go through many different medical tests prior to surgery such as psychological, stress test and cardiac evaluation, liver scan, sleep study, chest xray and bloodwork. Over the next 4 months I completed all the tests and lost 25 lbs. I was given a surgery date of August 2, 2006. I met with Nancy the nutritionist and completed the nutritional classes. Dr. Gandsas is very strict and structured in his requirements of the patient to understand all the risks of surgery, the aftercare and nutritional requirements. Dr. Gandsas staff was very helpfull through this process and Nancy Lum is an exceptional nutritionist and very easy to talk to. My surgery lasted 5 1/2 hours (normally 3 1/2) due to the massive scar tissue from the previous attempted surgery and my very large liver. Dr. Gandsas said my surgery was the most challenging he has ever performed. This doctor is incredible! He hung in there and performed the surgery laproscopically. I am so greatful to him. He is a wonderful and caring dotor and addresses all of your concerns and needs. His bedside manner is very good, however, his surgical competence is by far the best. I would highly recommend him to anyone. As busy as he is, he manages to see you often and when he cannot, Dr. Kennedy and \"Bari\" the robot visits you. Dr. Gandsas sees and hears you through the screen on the robot and you see him and talk to him through the robot. Dr. Kennedy assists Dr. Gandsas in surgery and patient visits, he too is very caring, takes the time with you and assists with any of your medical needs. The Sinai Hospital staff were all very nice and caring people, taking the time to make you as comfortable as possible. My wife was extremely comforted with the four updates she received via telephone from one of the operating room nurses throughout my surgery. If anyone is considering surgery please consult with Dr. Gandsas I am very confident he will make you as happy as I am.

Very professional and a little removed. An emotional time for patient. Over time I noticed a friendlier but still profressional demeanor. Very informative through the whole process. A thorough event of pre-op tests and evaluation for the benefit of the patient. A complete awareness of the committment and the possible complications that might arise in the future. I would recommend Dr. Gandsas very highly for anyone considering this procedure. Of course I consider surgical competence the more important but a bedside manner has a lot to do with the patient's recovery for the positive attitude to come across.

Hi my name is Mildred and I currently reside in Baltimore, Md rnWhen I first saw Dr. Gandsas my heart started beating fast because it made all my thoughts of having this surgery a reality. I thought that he was a quiet strict man rnBut after seeing him and talking with him my worries were quickly resolved. He was very patient with me as well as professional. I soon learned that he was very strict only when it came to my health and he did not budge or give in. at first I was angry when he told me to lose 15 pounds before my next visit, but he explained to me that it was for my health and I understood his sternness. rn Dr. Gandsas and his staff were very professional, caring and understanding of all my needs and concerns. They were very informative about everything it was as if they wrote a tailored program designed just for me. All test were given to me in order I had no surprises. I was told in great detail what to expect before the surgery, during and after rnThe surgery. I was informed about every meeting in advance with directions to the meetings no stone was unturned or forgotten when it came to Dr. Gandsas and his staff.rn Dr. Gandsas was there for me and with me the whole way. Even after the surgery he was there almost every day to check on me and make sure that I was comfortable. My hospital stay was amazing due to Dr. Gandsas use of robotics. I felt as if he was a breath away because every need could be addressed by him because of the robot he used to substitute his presents when he could not be there physically. It was amazing because he could see me and I could see him. And that made a great difference then having a resident doctor who knows nothing about me or my history making recovery changes for me. When there were concerns or changes in my state of health he was right there. I can still see his smiling face rolling in my room as the head of the robot saying Hi Mildred how are you today? and then he would address every need and concern that I had. And all orders were immediately uploaded into the computer so the nurses knew what I needed to make me more comfortable. It made me feel safe knowing that if something major happened to me that I did not have to wait for the nurses to page him then further wait for him to arrive at the hospital after seeing patients at the clinic. He could just turn on his computer from anywhere and send the Robot from down the hall it was just like he was there in front of me. I really like that. rn Nancy the nutritionist is a major part of the group she made sure that I had everything I needed. When I wanted to try something but was not sure how I would like it she would get samples to try before I would buy it. Whenever I felt concerned about my after care and diet she would make herself available through Email, phone, fax and office visits.rn(That are very easy to get) she had pamphlets and guides to everything. Before my surgery I knew about every vitamin, every diet plan, all foods that were good for me and every food that was not good for me and at what stage I should start liquid diet, puree food diet and when I could try food for the first time and what to expect when I did. I knew everything. rn The nurses Karen and Phyllis where always encouraging and sometimes just that gave me the hope that I needed to have courage. The receptionist Paula is very nice and helpful when it comes to making appointments I am grateful to her for working with me rn The whole structure of Dr Gandsas and his staff to me is an A+ I would recommend him to anyone that is considering having Gastric Bypass Surgery. rn I have no regrets about my decision because I was informed in great detail about the risk of the surgery including the chances of death. Dr.Gandsas even sat down with me and told me how many patients he has performed the surgery on and the out come. rn

Dr. Gandsas- When I first met Dr. Gandsas, I knew I was in good hands. I read some articles on Dr. Gandsas and I talked to some of his other patients. Dr. Gandsas explains everything about the surgery, and I mean, everything. I am very happy with his care. No one else can touch me. He's great. His patients' are his family and he's a darn good surgeon. I had had a hysterectomy early on and when Dr. Gandsas did my bypass, I had quiet a few adhesions. Eventhough it took a while longer. Dr. Gandsas, did my surgery laporscopicly and I am healing well. He is fantastic and he knows what he is doing. I must join his other patients in saying \"I love You, Dr. Gandsas.rnKaren, Dr. Gandsas nurse- Karen is a wonderful person. Karen has so much to keep up with and she does just that. Amazing. Karen called me at home and that made me feel special.rnEileen and Paula are the greatest. Eileen has a voice and personally that screams out with excitement. rnNancy- Nancy is the nutritionist and I must say, I have learned alot from her. Nancy, I want to thank you for showing me how to eat. I could not have gotten this far without Nancy. Nancy never stops learning either. I was quite impressed when Nancy told me about her travels to abtain more information on bariatric nutrition and preventing complications from happening.rnDr. Gandsas has a magnificent staff and I am so happy to be his patient. Everyone is knowledgeable, confident and careing. In my opinion, they are Number 1 when it comes to bedside manner and surgical competence.rnI learned that the patient has be sure of what he or she is getting into. Gastric bypass is not a joke. It took me two years to learn about it and I don't reqret it

'My first impression of Dr. Gandsas was that he looked like a little boy.rnrnMy impression changed immediately once he strted speaking. This man knows his stuff!rnrnDr. Gandsas' office staff is warm

'My experience as a gastric bypass patient at the Sinai Hospital Division of Bariatric Surgery with Dr. Gandsas was extremely successful. This is solely due to Dr. Gandsas and his staff. Initially I had many concerns about the surgery but my number one concern was I am in a wheelchair. rnrnThe first time I met Dr. Gandsas was on March 8