Gary Harrington Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

He is great and so is his whole staff ( Jackie and Alfreeda). He is very knowledgeable and confident in his work.

Also he is located in Silverspring, Marylan not richmond anymore.

My fist impression was he was a very quiet laid back person. I did have to wait 3 hours for the initial consult visit. He was in emergency surgery and was running behind. However, his staff did call me and informed me of the situation and let me know I could come later on so I would not have to wait so long. We really did not go over a whole lot about the surgery. You are supposed to attend a seminar conducted once a month in which he goes over the whole procedure. I did not attend it yet. I pretty much dominated the conversation. He did go over all the risks but it still does not deter me. There is nothing he could have said or done to talk me out of it. I am obesity with a family history of heart problems. We did address the risk of surgery. He is very competent. Can't tell you about his bedside manner yet. Overall he seems very knowledgable.

I have nothing but the best to say about Dr. Harrington! No one could ever find a better, well educated, or caring doctor!!
He is encouraging and nonjudgemental.He addressed all issues and emphasied the importance of aftercare, explained thourghly all the risks, and was always availible to answer any questions. He even returned a phone call at 10 pm on a Sunday!!!
As for the last question.... I don't think I would have surgery fron a surgeon who has no bedside manner, no matter how compentent they are. Have to feel comfortable with the surgeon.

I had an excellent experience and an excellent outcome. I've lost a total of 165 lbs. and I am very happy with my weight loss. I would like to have a breast lift and also a tummy tuck.

My initial impression of Dr. Harrington was that he should be very competent, and he is. He has performed gazillions of these surgeries. He uses his professional experience and does not rely on the "normal" text book answers. His office staff, Alfreda and Jackie, are SO SO helpful and experienced. There is nothing that I didn't like about Dr. Harrington or his staff. However, his office could use additional phone lines. Future patients should remember to exercise patience. He has an extensive aftercare program. I would rate him a 9 out of 10. He has an excellent bedside manner and is more than surgically competent. By the way, his practice has moved to Silver Spring, Maryland.

My first impression of him was that he was very professional.
My impression still stands.
The office staff is very helpful and pleasent.
Future patients should know that Dr. Harrington really loves his work and making people healthy.
Dr. Harrington is most sure that the road to weight loss is in the path of your aftercare.
Yes.
Yes.
I would rate Dr.Harrington on a scale of one to ten (ten being the best) a 10.
Both.

Dr. Harrington seemed really knowledgeable in his field of medicine. He has a great staff that work together and with him to make a team. They all have there own special areas of expertise. His office is in Silver Springs and is very small, but the people in the office make it cozy. They are on the ball and on top of things I would recommend Dr. Harrington and his staff to anyone!!

First impression-very nice, and highly knowledgeable. Also friendly and approachable. I had a few more questions after his seminar and he was more than happy to answer them.

How did your impression change over time?
-No

What did you like least about him/her?
His staff is the BEST!! Alfreda, Jackie and Elizabeth are fabulous. VERY friendly while still professional.

What should future patients know about him/her? Attend his seminar. They are every second Tuesday of the month at Washington Adventist Hospital. Very informative. He is accesible. I had no problems talking to him or making my appointments. He answered all of my questions and my husbands.


What did you like least about him/her?
Nothing I least like about him.

As for aftercare, he emphasizes we will have to visit with a support group, dietician, always take our vitamins.

How did he/she address the risks of surgery?
Yes he does, he is the surgeon for the Washington Adventist Hospital Bariatric Program. They have everything you need for the surgery: Physchiatrist, Nutritionist, Lab, Xray, Operation facility, Support Group.

He didnt minimize the risk of surgery rather explained the risks of remaining obese.

How would you rate him/her overall? Id give him a 10! So far a great doctor.

Which is better, surgical competence, bedside
manner, or both great? Surgical competence means more to me. Although both are great. I met a former patient of his and she raved about him as well. Bedside manner is always a plus but not as important as his competence. Both were outstanding.

GREAT GREAT GREAT.. THATS ALL I CAN SAY
HE DID LEAVE THE RICHMOND AREA WHICH IS A BUMMER...
STAFF = VERY HELPFUL GREAT.

I considered Dr. Sweitzer but he didn't take my insurance, started with Dr. Fullum but he closed his Maryland office, now with Dr. Harrington.

I picked Dr H for several reasons. First he is in Maryland now not Virginia. Many post ops were telling me he was very available to them not to busy for them. He has a MD office and since I live and work in MD I will be less stressed during the next year with all of the after care and every thing.