Need recommendations for surgeons (South/Central NJ/Philly)

I am considering the RNY and was hoping I could get some recommendations for surgeons in the South Jersey/ Philly or Central Jersey. I would appreciate knowing why you recommend them, and any info you might have on complication rates.

Thanks, Kahlua

hi kahlua  my husband and myself both used Dr. Matt Kirkland -- 700 Spruce St -- Philly -- across the street from Penn Hosp - 215-829-3697

team approach - cardiology and pulmonary right in the same bldg - psych exam in that same bldg - nutritional in that same bldg - parking next door for a Max of $15  he is a gastro-intestinal surgeon - so if any other problem ever arises he can fix it -- such as hernia, gallbladder, any gastro/intest problems  informative office - they handle everything - you never call the insurance company - you never call to make appts - they do it all for you  the only appt's you will have before your approval is Psych eval (ins purposes) - every thing else is after your approval - you will not get a surgery date until after your approval (so your not worrying about if you get your approval in time) - and you are not wasting money on testing that you may not need or that you may get to early for a surgery date you will have to attend 2 support group meetings before surgery - one of them being at Penn Hosp -- and they are free and you can attend for the rest of your life  you get a booklet with all the information you need -- what to take to the hospital - what to leave home - what to expect leading up to surgery - what to expect on surgery day - what to expect post-op -- what to eat and drink and at what times - how to count your protein intake - what vitamins to take and how to take them - what to take the 1st month and then how you can change your vitamin regimine - different recipes - what your insurance company requires of you for the approval  your nutritionist (Jim) is on-call 24/7 either by phone/person/e-mail and he will answer every single question you have  dr. kirkland is honest about the surgery  years of experience and he is listed here on OH  he follows you for 2 years - every six months - bloodwork on all your vitamins and minerals every 6 months - gallbladder ultrasound every six months  most impressive for me was that i had my surgery the day before thanksgiving -- and he was in my room on thanksgiving morning to see how i was and the day after thanksgiving too!!  you will know about drains and the foot pumps and all the tubes and bells and whistles -- and you will know WHY they do what they do -- we had disolving stitches with steri strips - we had Open RNY - we didn't have a drain at all - we had good nurses and tech's at the hospital  he also did my husbands hernia surgery a year after his RNY  we started with a different surgeon -- i didn't like how the office staff ran things  go to different consults and see who you are comfortable with :)  if you have any questions please feel free to contact me :)  take care and good luck in your search - you are putting your life in this persons hands Roberta

Hi Kahlua, I had my surgery on April 4th - almost 4 months ago.  My choice was to go to a hospital that only did bariatric surgery - Barix Clinics in Langhorne, PA.  I've never regretted it for one moment.  The surgeons there are all incredibly experienced and the treatment I received both pre and post op was exemplary.  My surgeon has since left Barix, but there are equally qualified and experienced surgeons there waiting to help you.  Dr. Boe is currently my surgeon and I would recommend him to all.  He came from another Barix Clinics and it's obvious from reading the posts about him, he had a huge following.  He's certainly earning that reputation at our Barix, as are the other outstanding surgeons. My suggestion to you is to do your homework regarding every aspect of the surgery - the surgeon, the facility, the risks, etc.  Once you've answered all your questions and concerns, you can then move forward knowing you've left nothing to chance. Best wishes with your search.  Keep us posted. Barb

Hi, Kahlua :-)  I'm right down the road from you in Bellmawr, right on the Haddon Heights border.  I had my surgery done in West Orange at St. Barnabas by Dr. Michael Nusbaum.  I researched doctors all over the area, and met with him after reading some great reviews.  I loved him.  He was very thorough in explaining the various procedures to me, discussed complications, did a few things differently than a couple of the other docs I spoke with, and was beyond compassionate the day of my surgery and in the days following.  Even though he was on vacation after my surgery, he phoned me at the hospital to check on me - I thought that was really nice.  He had another doctor looking in on me, but it was nice to have him call and check in anyway. Since my surgery (which was done August 1st of last year), I have had another unrelated procedure that was done at West Jersey Voorhees as an emergency.  It was for a bowel obstruction.  The surgeon here who did it told me he phoned Dr. Nusbaum before the procedure and they agreed it needed to be done here immediately.  I found out afterwards that Dr. Nusbaum was never called.  He ended up giving me his personal cell phone number and told me if I ever have anything like that happen again, I can call him directly and he will send an ambulance down here to get me so he could do the surgery.  I so appreciate the fact that he is available like that. If you want to give me a call or get together and talk about things, let me know.  I also belong to an awesome support group that meets every other week in Pitman - this is an off week, but next Friday there is a meeting. Oh - and my aunt is having surgery on Monday with Dr. Greenbaum in Rancocas.  I don't know much about the practice, but she's very fond of him so far.

Hi Kahula, I used "The Center for Advanced Weight Loss" at St. Frances Medical Center in Trenton.  I highly recommend them.  The surgeon, Dr. Fares, is wonderful and the entire program is well coordinated.  There is a Nutritionist in his office and a well attended support group once a month.  We, the patients, also have a support group online at Yahoo. I'm away at camp (staff not camper, HAHA) now and my internet access is spotty at best but I do recommend you check them out.   RobinNJ 318/280/165/150?

Kahlua I agree with Roberta, my friend, go with Dr Kirkland, you will not be sorry!!!!!!!  He is the best of the best!! Good luck and feel free to contact me anytime:  [email protected]

DR. David Greenbaum  go to his web site Drthin.com he is in Willingboro  NJ his Phone # is 609-877-1737 ask for Tina she will answer all of your questions.

Hi there, I'm local to you too. I live in Woodbury.  I spent years wanting WLS but did not have the support of my husband.  I spent most of 2006 searching for a doctor and told my husband, support me or else!!!  I was about to give up my search when I decided to look in PA - - I found Dr. Ramsey Dallal of Einstein Bariatrics, Elkins Park PA.   You have to do the footwork and be happy with your decision, but I am sooo happy with Dr. Dallal, his staff, everyone at the hospital, and the Weight Loss buddies I have found through their office and the OH site.  It was the best present I could ever give myself. God bless you and keep you in His peace, let Him do the guiding!! briggie  [email protected]  and www.jehovahroi.wordpress.com 

hi  i used dr. earl noyan, he is in Hamilton NJ and works out of robert wood johnson hosp. in hamilton. i lovedddddddddddddddd him good luck, jacki

IN VOORHEES THEIR IS A SENIMAR  THAT THEY HAVE ONCE A MONTH  WHERE THEY EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE LAPBAND AND THE GASTRO.   BOTH SURGEONS ARE THEIR THAT DO BOTH, SO THAT YOU CAN MEET THEM AND SEE IF YOU LIKE THEM. THE ONE THAT DOES THE GASTRO.  HIS NAME IS " DR.  BOUTIN"   SP??? ANY WAY THE OTHER DR. GOLDSTEIN DOES LAPBAND.   YOU CAN CONTACT "FITSMART" IN VOORHEES,  NEXT TO WEST JERSEY HOSPITAL.   TELL THEM YOU NEED TO SIGN UP FOR THE MEETING.   NOW BOTH DR. USE THE SUPPORT SYSTEM CALLED "NEW BEGINNINGS" THEY HAVE SUPPORT 3 TIMES A MONTH.   BUT THEY HAVE CLASSES,  YOU HAVE A NURSE YOU CAN CONTACT ANYTIME WITH PROBLEMS.   THEY HAVE A NUT/ THAT WILL SPEND ALONE TIME WITH YOU.   SHE WILL ALSO RUN 6 NUT/CLASSES.    THE NEW BEGINNINGS WE JOINED AND HE COST LIKE $1700.00.   HOWEVER, YOU CAN PAY IT OVER 6 MONTHS.   LET ME TELL YOU THEY HAVE BEEN MORE FUN THAN EVER.   I ALWAYS HAVE HELP NEAR BUY.   YOU PAY ONCE AND IT IS FOR LIFE.,  BECAUSE THIS IS A LIFE CHANGE.  YOU NEED IT. JUST CALL INFOR.  FOR  "FITSMART IN VOORHEES"   EVEN IF YOU CALLED WEST JERSEY HOSP.  THEY WOULD GIVE THE NUMBER OR PUT YOU THROUGH. BEST OF LUCK TO YOU BRIDGET K.