want to talk to post-ops in Southern NJ

I want to know what doctors were used in Southern NJ and what is your opinion of your doctor. What was the hardest thing you've dealt with through this whole process? Do you openly share that you've had the surgery? just curious......:>)

Hi Fanita: Although I live in South Jersey, I chose to have my surgery with Dr. Gritsus in Lincoln Park (about 2 hours north of me). I wanted to have the surgery done laproscopically, and I couldn't find anyone in the area that I was comfortable with. I think you should see lots of surgeons, and choose whoever you are most comfortable with. I think the hardest part of the process was the first 2 weeks. The surgery was more difficult than I had anticipated. Obviously, I got through it, but I had more pain and difficulties doing things for myself (like going to the restroom in the hospital - I'd have to get a nurse to help me). Being dependant on others for help was hard for me. I have been open about my surgery with my friends and coworkers, but not with family. I am 8 months out, and there are still members of my family that I have not told. I just don't want the hassle of explaining, and listening to negativity. Hope all goes well in your journey!!

Hi! I had my surgery 15 months ago. So far I've lost 156 pounds, it has changed my life! I live in Vineland, NJ. Dr. Pasupathy did my surgery. He was amazing. I had a modified open proceedure. He does not do laperscoptic due to the increased risk for complications. (especially if you are over 300 pounds) His insision is only 4-5 inches long and he uses laperscoptic tools. I had it done at the South Jersey Regional Medical Center. They were awesome. They deal a lot with bariatric patients. There are three area surgeons that do the proceedure. There are also a lot of hospital staff that have had the proceedure. I thought that was pretty neat? I had a pain free recovery. Mild discomfort was the most I felt. It really is like learning to eat all over again. I did openly share my surgery with anyone who would listen. Not so much before hand, I did not want to listen to the nay sayers. But post op...I have screamed it from the roof tops...If I can give one obese, unhappy person hope, or direction...I owe it to the second chance at life that God and Dr. Pasupathy have given me. There is a support group meeting the fourth Wednesday of every month. It is held at the fitness connection, right across from the Medical Center. @ 7pm upstairs. The phone number for the fitness connection is 856-696-3924. You should stop by sometime and you can meet the doctors, and hear a lot of pre/post op feedback. Well I hope this will help you and I wish you all the success and good luck in the world. Shaun

Fanita~ I am the closest to post op you can be! My surgery is tomorrow. I am having LAP RNY with Dr. Trivedi, he is in Hackensack. I am traveling almost 2 hours also, I think you may find a lot of people travel to use a doctor they love. I can't really talk about results yet, but I can tell you that I tell everyone who will sit still for 2 minutes that I am having gastric bypass on August 31. Everyone EXCEPT my mother in law that is. After surgery I will tell her, I just couldn't take the negativity before surgery. Her and I don't see "eye to eye" on many issues, and this might be one of them, a chance I wasn't willing to take. She might see this as the "easy way out" of weight loss, and I beg to differ that this is the EASY way out, surgery, I think not!! Good luck in your journey and peace be with you Michelle Brennan Brick NJ

i am also in lindenwold -- my husband had surgery 5/22/06 with Dr. Matt Kirkland and i will be having mine on 10/6/06 with Dr. Kirkland -- he is in Philly at U Penn right over the Ben Franklin Bridge -- easy ride 215-829-3697 -- kirklands office will also tell you exactly what you need to get an approval and they will not schedule a date until they get an approval the hardest thing that ross has gone thru post-op is relearning how to eat -- small SLOW bites -- pre op the hardest thing i think is waiting for that approval call to come in have you talked to your PCP?? i would NOT recommend Dr. Manigat in Voorhees Good luck Roberta

Hey, Fanita I'm in Bellmawr (used to live in Lindenwold!), but I chose Dr. Michael Nusbaum in West Orange. I did quite a bit of research, and I just felt very comfortable with him. It is a 2 hour drive, which seems like a lot, but I only had to go once before surgery (all of my pre-op testing, I did down here), then I had my surgery at St. Barnabas Hospital in Livingston, but once I was up there, only my hubby had to make the daily drive (but I went in on Tuesday and home on Thursday, so not a lot of driving there either). I had a one week post op with Dr. Nusbaum, and then a one month, and now I go three months until I see him again. I think you have to just be really comfortable with your doctor. I knew I wanted to do laproscopic if I could, and Dr. Nusbaum felt comfortable with my chances of that happening. Everyone in his office is really friendly too. The person you choose is going to change your life, so you have to feel in your heart that you can rely on this person. That's why I chose Dr. Nusbaum. Good luck! Anna

I had my surgery Jan.23rd, and so far I have lost 113 pounds! My surgeon was Dr. Iqbal(who is a partner of Dr.Pasapathy) and I absolutly love him! Kind,caring,blunt(which we all need every now and then),and gifted! He is in Bridgeton,which is about an hour and 15 minutes away from me,but I would drive even farther if I had to. This surgery has changed my life. It is the best tool AND THE ONLY ONE THAT WORKED FOR ME! The hardest thing for me has been to remember to eat slowly. Sometimes,I try to wolf down my food,and believe me,I remember real quick! I have been telling anyone that asks about my weight loss, all about my surgery. If you have any questions about it,please email me through my profile.I would be happy to help in any way (or try to anyway!).

I had my surgery done 3 years ago by Dr. Gregory Mukalian in Lumberton....I don't believe he is still doing the procedure, but his former partner, Dr. Christopher Boyton is excellent. Nearly everyone in my after-care program, New Beginnings had their surgery done by Dr. Boynton or Dr. Mulkalian....I have heard rave reviews about Dr. Boynton, and I have seen him myself for a complication. He has an excellent bedside manner, he does many of these procedures a week...And best of all, he is strongly committed to the aftercare program. Call Virtua Hospital and ask for the new Beginnings program...They will talk to you about all the details. I have also met Dr. David Greenbaum in Willingboro. I did not like his group meetings for initial appointments....I did not like his Dr. thin Liscence plates....His attitude bothered me... I was also not confident that Lourdes in Willingboro was the right hospital to have major surgery in...They have nursing labor issues, they have been on strike for years....

THIS IS MY SECOND TIME GOING THRU THIS ..I WAS APPROVED IN 2004 TO HAVE THE BYPASS DONE BUT I HAD LOT GOING ON IN MY LIFE ..BUT I AM GOING TO START IN OCTOBER .. I KNOW OF THIS.. DR GUS SLOTMAN ..I HAD A FRIEND SHE HAD IT DONE WITH HIM HE IS RIGHT IN STRATFORD..HERE IS THE NUMBER 566-6428..HOPE THAT CAN HELP U!!Roxannei am from lindenwold also!!!!!

october 6th i will be 2 years out and i have lost aprox 120lbs. and still losing. i live as far south jersey as you can get, in cape may county. i had my surgery done by dr. onopechenko at atlantic city medical center city division. i love dr. o. he was the best choice that i could have made. i had laproscopic surgery and was back to work in 12 days. with no complications. (i drive school bus). good luck to you!