Choosing A Surgeon - A Journey

Hello! I'm in the process of interviewing and consulting with surgeons, either by appointment or at an info session or support group. I am looking at doctors from recommendations. A friend raved about Dr. Bertha but I think his practice has gotten too large. Someone told me about Dr. Nussbaum but he does not accept my insurance. A married couple used Dr. Goyal and I liked him but am concerned that he didn't seem as thorough on the pre-op approval tests. Today I met with Dr. Jean Baptiste and he gave me more than an hour of his time, answered all of my questions and didn't rush me at all! He has excellent credentials. Another doctor that has been given to me are Dr. Hans Schmidt but he is in Hackensack and I think it's too far. I don't know how to choose except to go with my gut feeling. I definitely want a doctor *****ally knows and cares about his patients and is involved in every aspect of their pre and post op experiences. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

My doctor recommended Dr. Bertha and when I told him they did not take my insurance, he was so high on them he was reluctant to recommend anyone else. I was able to work it out with my insurance and went to the new patients orientation given by Dr. Bertha's office. If you have not done so already, I recommend that you attend the new patient seminar given by his office. It was very impressive. You are not obligated to anything. One of the things I had read on some of the posts about his office were very evident during the seminar. Many people had written that the doctors take their time to answer your questions and do not rush you. Dr. Adkin from the practice happened to be at the seminar I attended and I was very impressed at how he took the time to answer each question asked. The fact that is practice is large can work to your advantage. There is a staff of 7-8 people they have just to fight with insurance companies. All your appointments can be made at the new patient meeting if you want to. I am sure your friend has told you all of this but maybe hearing it from someone who is at about the same place in the procedure as you are would help.

I was at Dr. Bertha's new patient seminar in June and Dr. Bertha was not there! I was disappointed since I did not know anyone who had surgery with the other doctor. I didn't like the fact that there were just so many people there, and although I registered, no one even followed up with me afterwards. A friend of mine had surgery with Dr. Bertha almost 2 years ago but since he was not there I could not get a feel for his personality or bedside manner. I do not want a practice that makes you wait even though you have a scheduled appointment since my time is valuable too! I'm not discounting Dr. Bertha but I just don't get the warm and fuzzy feeling about his practice - however, I did feel the weight losses of some of the patients there were amazing!

Hi...I just wanted to let you know that I had Dr. Abkin as my surgeon. I researched and researched and I had to go with what I thought was right for me. I know it really hard to find someone you literally have to trust your life with. I can tell you I have had a complication free surgery. I am 7 months out now and have lost 102 pounds. So, I'm not pushing my surgeon on you, just letting you know they have a good practice and Dr. Abkin is awesome. I went with my best friend a year before I had surgery to Dr. Ibrahim in Englewood nj. She loved him and I didn't like his personality. So, eventhough she swore up and down their was noone better than him I trusted my own feelings and kept looking. I suggest you keep looking and you'll know when you've found the surgeon you were meant to have...Good Luck, any questions just let me know. Take Care, Shannon

Im having surgery on 8/28 with Dr. Morris Washington in Freehold. When I first met him I liked and trusted him, but what sealed the deal was my pre-op appt on 8/18. I was terrified and going to back out. One of my biggest fears was staying overnight in the hospital. (i'm having lap-band). He offered to do the procedure as outpatient. He was very reassuring and actually made me MORE excited to have the surgery. He is having a free seminar on 8/29 at 6pm. The phone number is on their website, or his office number is 732-761-1740. I don't know how far Freehold is to you, but its pretty much Central NJ. My neighbor went to Lennox Hill Hospital in NY, and a lot of others I know have gone out of state, mostly due to insurance coverage. I have Horizon Direct Access, and I believe he takes mostly all of Horizon BC/BS's products. Hopefully you will be able to find a doctor that says the right thing and makes you feel at ease. Best of Luck, Lisa

I had Dr. Nusbaum on August 1st, and I love him. He was so kind and so sweet - he even phoned me after he left for vacation to see how I was. At our first meeting, I didn't get the impression that he was the touchy feely type, but he certainly has a wonderful bedside manner, and was all about comfort and consideration for his patient. His office also did not participate with my insurance, however, I spoke to his office manager who told me they would accept the insurance payment for the surgery and hospital stay, and I would just have to pay what wasn't covered for office visits. The insurance pays me directly for office visits, and they've paid about 2/3rds of the visits, so I don't have a lot out of pocket to pay so far.

Ideally I'd like to use Dr. Nusbaum because the doctor I just consulted with, Dr. Jean-Baptiste, told me he'd send a family member there and I know he trained with Dr. Nusbaum so that in itself is a great recommendation, however, I cannot pay any out of pocket fees so I need to have my insurance cover the entire cost. I am not sure why Dr. Nusbaum does not accept my insurance but I guess it's because the office visit charges that it pays are too small. HOpe you are doing well now that you are one month out!

Dr. Bertha was not at the seminar I attended either. However I did get the feeling the entire practice was very professional and that Dr. Adkin displayed some of the qualities and good things I had heard about Dr. Bertha from this board. I trust my GP with my life and I felt that if he was so high on the practice and Dr. Bertha then that was it. You do have to go with your gut feelings though. You have to be comfortable with your choice. I am sure they did not follow up with you because their experience tells them that if you were that interested in the surgery and/or their practice you would call them back. I am comfortable with them - you are not. You need to find the right fit for you. Good luck.

Is it possible for you to finance the surgery? Some surgeons have arrangements set up with lenders like Capital One for those who want/need the surgery and cannot or do not have insurance coverage.

If my insurance will cover the surgery in full then I don't want to go into a payment plan if I don't have to. I know the two doctors I am considering are both excellent.