NEW SURGEONS at BARIX in LANGHORNE, PA

Hi there fellow WLS friends....

I'm so upset.... I've heard nothing but excellent things about Dr. Pupkova at Barix in Langhorne, PA and in the short few months I've had to work with her I've really become fond of her.  I was very disappointed to hear after speaking to her the other day that she will be leaving Barix as of Dec. 17th and will not be able to perform my surgery next year.  I'm told my choices (should I choose to stay with Barix) will be either Dr. Neil Marymor (who will be returning), and Dr. Lisa Medvetz.  I've already decided against Dr. Marymor simply because of his OPEN to LAPROSCOPIC procedure ratio, and as for Dr. Medvetz, I just don't know much about her or her bariatric history. 

I'm so confused now... does anyone have any advice or suggestions?   Any input (good or bad) will be appreciated.

Thank you,
Kelly

Kelly,

   I myself was a patient of Dr. Pupkova's but I have had many good friends have surgery with Dr. Marymor and he is a fine surgeon. Personally I would not rule him out of the picture at all. He will be my doctor of choice with Dr.Pupkova leaving.

   I am sure once Dr. Marymor's patients see this they will weigh in with glowing reviews of his fne work.
Best of luck along your journey....

I have to second Beth's comments.   I was a patient of Dr. Brader's at Barix and he too has since left.  However, Dr. Marymor was there when I was being seen by Dr. Brader and he is an excellent surgeon and really nice person.    He did surgery on one of our biggest stars, Nanette, "Happy to be in Wonderland" (look further down the thread and contact her) and he has kept in contact with her throughout her journey.  Yes, her surgery was open but he was in training back then for Lap and that would be easily five years ago so he's got plenty of experience under his belt.   Afterall, LAP is considerably less complicated than open surgery.   If a LAP goes bad you want a doc well-versed in open to handle the situation.  Considering how RNY is popping up all over the place now, few surgeons have as much BARIATRIC experience as Dr. Marymor and the nursing staff at Barix can't be beat.  Many hospitals have converted their general surgeons to do LAPs to bring in the $$$.  Not the same as a BARIATRIC surgeon.  I have personally gone to several other program orientations and pre/post support groups to compare what is being "sold" now vs. what I know from being six years on this board and a Barix post op and no support groups even comes close in comparison to information given and experience shared.

I was an open RNY patient of Dr. Marymor's and he is top notch.  I don't personally know anyone who had him for Laproscopic, however, if he didn't feel comfortable doing it, he wouldn't. 

I too had Dr Marymor for open RNY almost 5 years ago. He is a FANTASTIC doctor! I love him to pieces and am thrilled that he's coming back to Barix! Like Nan, I don't know anyone who has had him for laproscopic, but he definitely wouldn't do it if he was not comfortable with it. I hope you reconsider, there's no place like Barix!

We all become attached to our surgeons no matter where the surgery is performed - I attend many support group meetings for Crozer Hospital where Dr Katz is their top bariatric surgeon and everyone who has had him as their surgeon loves him as well.

I think the testament should go to Barix in general for hiring the cream of the crop. Admittedly I am also upset that my surgeon, Dr Boe, is also leaving Barix, but I'm also confident that Barix will fill that position with a surgeon just as skilled and caring as Dr Boe and Dr P.

I know for myself I just 'happened' on to Barix from research and Dr Boe happened to be the surgeon giving the seminar that day, so he was almost chosen for me because I had no knowledge of other surgeons there at the time.

I honestly don't think you can go wrong by sticking with Barix - people change jobs, their lives change, and they move on - but Barix continues to be an excellent facility with caring doctors, nurses and staff. I wish both doctors the best and think we should welcome the new surgeons into Barix with open arms.

Kathy

I had Dr. Marymor for Open RNY four years ago.  He is the kindest, most wonderful doctor I have met.  He calls me to check on me about my other health issues, not related to my surgery.  He listens and takes the time to make sure I understood what he would be doing.  Do not rule him out.  He is top notch and genuinely cares about each and everyone of his patients.  I went to him at this private office for my follow-up appointments.

Trish

I am also saddened that my surgeon, Dr. Boe, is leaving Barix.  It is amazing how attached we get to our surgeons.  I am going to follow up with Dr. Marymore, I know he had already started performing laproscopic surgeries 5 years ago when I started this journey so I am confident that he has had plenty of time to master the technique.  I haven't had any interactions with Dr. Medvetz and don't know much about her history, but it seems that Barix has a history of bringing in top notch surgeons.  Talk to both of them, research their history, Barix is a wonderful facility I would definitely stick with them!  
Good luck!
Holly

I am a patient of Dr. Pupkova and will be requesting Dr. Marymor for my follow ups. Given the experience others here have had with him, I would have no qualms about "adopting" him as my surgeon.

Most of all, I am impressed with his willingness to follow up and stay in the loop when other health issues may arise. This was exactly the type of commitment that Dr. P. has had with her patients, and what I appreciate greatly in this journey!

I'm leaving Barix for good. I was orginally going to have Dr. Brader and he left right after I got approved and then it took them 3 months to even give me a date because of the mess and then only met Dr. Boe the day of my PATs and he didn't have the time for me... but because of my insurance couldn't switch to a different place. 

And then add in that for the last year and half I haven't been able to get them to return my phone calls.  And they won't work at all with my PCP... such as sharing test results etc.  So, I'm done.  I have to wait for my new health insurance to kick in Jan to see who is covered and I will be seeing a new WLS doc.  I have had a ton of issues since having my daughter last year and needed help and they left me in the cold.  And I just see this happening more and more to us that have used barix...

Barix needs to learn what good patient care and customer service is because they are failing big time.