Gary Harrington Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

What was your 1st impression of the Dr:

My first impression of Dr. Harrington was..wow he's cute! Also that he really looked like he knew what he was doing. I had the utmost trust from the beginning.


How did your impression change over time:

After speaking with Dr. Harrington, over time my impression changed. He was so much BETTER then I first thought! He is a really sweet man!

How would you describe his office staff:

Dr. Harringtons staff at the time (I say this because he has now moved to Washington DC *tear*)were more then willing to help and make me as comfortable as possible. Plus I LOVE Barbara the nurse pract. in the office...she is the bomb diggity! Plus the ladies that work in the front office are just as nice as can be!


What did you like least about him:

There was NOTHING that I did not like about Dr. Harrington


What should future patients know about him:

That he is not longer in Richmond, VA he has moved to CD, but if you call the office they can give you his new address and phone #


How much does he emphasize after care:

A LOT!!! He really made us aware that we need to come back to see him just to keep us on track. Yet, since he moved, we just go see Barbara, but shes the best (besides him)


Does he have a structured aftercare program:

YES! They have to many months that they want you to come bck till eventually uou are coming back once a year.


How did he address the risks of surgery?

He actally had a meeting in his office with about 25 other people interested in getting the surgery and he went over EVERYTHING with a fine tooth comb. Including the dangers of the surgery...I must admt he made me think twice, but im glad that he did make me aware of the risks. I am also glad that I had the surgery!


How would you rate him overall:

WONDERFUL EXCELLENT GREAT SAVED MY LIFE, need I say more?


Which is better surgical competence, bedside manner or both:

Let me tell you a story. I was scheduled to leave the hospital Saturday around 12. Dr. Harrington wasn't even supposed to be working that day. Some other Dr. that was put in charge of my dis-charging. That Dr was coming around to all the rooms to release us and my room was next. Well, he descided that he needed to go home for a few hours and just leave me there. The lovely nurse sheepishly told me this and I just wanted to cry. Then who walks in 1/2 hour later but Dr. Harrington to release me. I was thrilled! He is the best Dr. that I know!

P.S. Did I say that he was a really good Dr? and I have not had any complications what-so-ever? Yup thats right! Praise God 1st then him!

Dr. Harrington is VERY professional! His knowledge and experience made a huge difference in my surgery and in my after care. I'm glad that Dr. Harrington performed my surgery!

My first impression of Dr. Harrington was great. I took along a friend that had had the same surgery done 7 yrs before, he allowed her to go back with me. He answered all of our questions, she had some that I wouldn't have thought of! Dr. Harrington has also moved to the DC/MD area and is working from Providence Hospital and Washington Adventist. My surgery is scheduled for the 23rd of March as long as the results are back in! But as well is everything else has gone this shouldn't be a problem. Being 60+ miles from his office and the hospital, Dr. Harrington has allowed me to have all pre-op testing done here locally in Fredericksburg was has taken away at lot of the stress of having to drive to so many different appointments so far away. Dr. harrington is very informative and gave me very structured aftercare information and nutrition infomation. The staff is great and very helpful and on top of everything. So far so good. wish me luck!

From the very beginning I felt that Dr. Harrington was a likable person.
Now that I have gotten the surgery I feel even better about him than the first time I met him.
His office staff are just great a special thanks to *jeanine* you are the best.
There was nothing that I disliked about Dr. Harrington. he was straight up and to the point he did not beat around the bush he gave me the god with the bad and he is a good Doctor.
For future patients you are dealing with a good honest and truthful surgeon. He deserves 2 thumbs up.
He emphasizes on the aftercare from the first time you see him in the classes thru the end.
On a scale of 1-10 I would rate him a +10.
Both are great surgical competence and bedside manner.

Dr Harrington and his staff are great! He is very personable. My first impression of him was that he's very professional, a good dresser and frank/straight forward. He addressed all risks of surgery and benefits. He openly provide information on his surgical background and experiences both positive and negative.

I met Dr. Harrington during an informal information meeting. My consultation is scheduled for Aug. 22nd. My first impression is that he is competent and sensitive towards the needs of his patients.

8/22/03- I had my first individual meeting with Dr. Harrington today. After a 1 1/2 hour wait, I was finally called for my turn. An employee (don't know if she is a nurse, or not) weighed me and measured my height. (seems like I am already getting shorter and rounder...hehe). Then I had about a ten minute conversation with the Dr.
He asked me questions about family history, symptoms that I suffer from, and addressed my understanding of the procedure itself. Looks like I am now gonna play the waiting game and see what my insurance has to say.

9/5/03- Let me tell you guys something! Dr. Harrington and Hilarie have their act together. I am so so impressed with the professionalism and response time to my inquiries. I received a letter in the mail yesterday with all of my pre-op appointments and my surgery date. This appears to be a very well structured program and this comforts me a great deal. I am so pleased thus far.

I've met with Dr. Harrington once, but he was very easy to talk to, professional, sensitive, and informative. He asked very specific questions in order for him to give his best feedback to my health care needs. I tend to go with my first impression and perception....I feel very comfortable and confident in him. I would recommend him to others interested in this surgery! Overall, the office staff is very friendly, especially Hillarie and Barbara. 7/7/03 - I can not say enough positive things about Dr. Harrington. Prior to my surgery and during my hospital stay, Dr. Harrington was very sensitive and patient. He took the time to be sure I understood the procedure and eating expectations after the surgery. He's one of a few doctors (I know anyway) that actually sits down to talk to you when he comes by to visit. My first followup visit was the same, he was patient while I went through my list of questions and very supportive. I feel blessed to have Dr. Harrington as my WLS doctor. You could not ask for a better doctor. As a doctor, his personality is consistently supportive!

03-25-03
I met Dr. Harrington for the first time today! He was so nice. He assured me of the procedure, asked questions about my weight and medical history and basically said that I should qualify with no problem. He put me at ease about having the surgery even though I have diabetes. I have been doing a lot of research and in the research they are always talking about diabetes. The staff was great. It was at the end of the day and everyone was very nice and helpful. I look forward to seeing them again soon (I hope).

06-30-03
I am five days post-op and I feel great! My surgeon was absolutely wonderful and did a fantastic job. I would recommend him to anyone. I can't believe how well I feel and how much Dr. Harrington has improved my health for the future. He has an amazing bedside manner and is very handsome also! Just a little bonus!

4/11/03 my first appointment with dr. harrington, i really like him, he made me feel that i was worth somethng and he made me feel very comfortable talking to him. he asked me questions and he answer each of my questions. it is very important to me to have a good feeling about a doctor that will be operating on you. you close your eyes and know that he will do you right and that you are important and to do his best to make sure things will be ok.

Dr. Harrington is a very gentle articulate man. Have only met with him twice but impression has been positive.

Program seems to be very structered. Has a information meeting prior to scheduling any appointments. Meeting covered all aspects of the surgery, risks, surgeon background, and aftercare.

Only negative note was the time between the consultation and the submission of paperwork for insurance approval - was well over one month. I asked if we could meet a certain deadline and he indicated that we could meet that date. However, when I followed up with his Coordinator one month later he had not yet provided the dictated information to her yet. She indicated that this was the norm for him. So take his timing answers with a grain of salt.