New to Cherry Hill

I just moved to Cherry Hill from Long Island. I am 7 months post-op and down 123 lbs. Having just moved here, I have no doctor and would like to speak with people in the area about their Surgeon and Primary Care Physicians. I need to find at least a new PCP soon. Thanks, Stephen

Go to Dr Matthew Kirkland in Pennsylvania Hospital - just over Ben Franklin Bridge. Great hospital and support group meetings are free (as opposed to other doctors in our area - you have to pay a fee up front!). This dr. is top notch and the support group meetings are the last Tuesday of every month. I think they also have separate support group meetings for post-ops 6 mos and out, and higher. My surgery is this October. Dr. Maria Pellecchia is my primary care physician who has several wls patients. 215-673-7070

Michelle what date in october is your surgery?????? Roberta

Welcome to wonderful New Jersey Congrats on your weight loss! I live in Vineland it is about 30 minutes from Cherry Hill. My doctor is Dr. Pasupathy, he is wonderful. His office is at South Jersey Regional Medical Center. He did my surgery May 2005, I love him He also has a support group that is free the fourth Wednesday of every month. There are a wide variety of people pre and post op that attend, it is a great meeting! Good luck! Shaun

i don't know about a PCP -- mine is great, but it takes forever in the waiting room!! and he talks to you like you are human -- but the huge problem is the waiting room --like an hour or more!!! he also supports WLS and thinks it's great -- he doesn't pull any punches and he takes time to talk to you -- he DOES NOT throw you out of the room -- but you may get aggravated in the waiting room he has 3 offices -- glassboro, clementon and swedesboro -- his name is Dr. Arthur Schultes -- good luck if you want to call him as for a surgeon -- we use Dr. Matt Kirkland at the University of Penn Hospital in Phila -- awesome doc -- they have 2 support groups (FREE and open to all!!) 1 support group is at Penn Hosp and the other is at Hahnamen Hospital good Luck!!! Roberta my husband is 3 weeks post op today -- on his 2 week visit he was down 34 lbs!! my surgery is 10/9/06

Hi, Stephen, and welcome to the area! I live in Bellmawr, but my kids go to school in Cherry Hill and Pennsauken, so I get around the area quite often. I haven't had surgery yet - scheduled for August 1st with Dr. Nusbaum in West Orange (far, I know, but I really like him). As for a primary care doc - I LOVE my doctors. I see Drs. Gary Heck and Ronald Schiavone. They have an office in Collinsgwood and in Clementon. They have been in practice together for years, and they are as different as different could be. Dr. Schiavone is quiet and serious, where Dr. Heck is a total crack up. They are both really caring and quite dedicated. I will say, though, Dr. Heck is not a fan of gastric bypass surgery, but when I told him I wanted it done, he said he would do whatever I needed him to do in order to support me. I hope you are enjoying the area! Anna

Hi Stephen My doctor is Dr. Asimenios, with a partner Dr John Z (I dont know the last name.. but it starts with a Z) Both are excellent, Dr Asimenios is a tall Greek woman, but very patient friendly and really really makes you feel welcome. Dr John (his first name) is a new doctor to the practice, I believe he is taking patients, I have seen him several times and like him alot. Both are very good, very patient friendly, and I like Dr John because he is a man and some things a guy just prefers a guy doctor yaknow?? GRIN. They practice off of highway 440 ( I think its called the Staten Island Expressway?) anyway its on the NJ end of Staten Island... I can get there from here (thats all I know).. we live about an hour away in Jackson (ocean county NJ) and my wife swears by Dr Asimenios. I was dubious at first but she quickly made me feel very comfortable she is VERY patient friendly and helpful, very professional. Dr John is new to the practice but he is the same way. Both have several RNY post surgery patients, and are very familar and supportive of the whole bariatric surgery process. I recommend both highly Good luck on your doctor search. Godspeed : ) Timmy Ray

My Sur name is Gregory Mulkalian and his partner Christopher Boynton. The are excellent surgeons; we also have a comprehesive aftercare program at the Rorher Health and Fitness Center at Virtua Memorial Voorhees. (Located in Mount Holly) My Primary is Giacomo Mangeracina in Mercerville, NJ. ( that's about 45 minutes up 295 from Cherry Hill. I have seen him since 1995 and he has been support of every weight-loss effort I have made. He is the kind of doctor that really takes time with each patient, as a matter of fact, my only complaint is that he always runs behind...But I try to get the first appointment of the day. (609-890-6100) Good luck with finding medical care, its so important to find the right doctors.... Kelly