Anyone a patient of Dr. Bilof?

I've read all the feedback on this site on the surgeon info page from the people who have commented about Dr. Bilof...but I'm wondering if there is any other feedback I can get before heading into surgery with him.   I'm scheduled for RNY on Nov. 7th and just want to be sure I'm as informed as I can be about him.  Unfortunately, he is a couple hours away from my house so I want to be double sure I REALLY want to use him as my surgeon.   There is another surgeon closer to home (only about 45 minutes) who I also like but I'll be waiting at least a few more months to be able to use him.  Dr. Bilof made a great impression on me so far and I really love his office staff...they have been so helpful!  But, just wanting to be sure I've found out everything I can before heading in for surgery. Thanks! Heather

Heather, If you have chosen Dr Bilof...You have chosen the best !!!  He did my RNY on 7-11-07 and I can assure you that you won't find any better surgeon anywhere!  He's my lifesavor. IF I had to travel 500 miles, heck 1000 miles, I'd do it for Dr Bilof !!

I had Dr. Bilof for my rny surgery July 06 and I can't say enough abouthim, his staff, the hospital. All went well for me, I would reccomend anybody to him.You have picked the best.

Dr. Bilof is a former associate of my surgeon - Dr. Michael Nusbaum (aka "GOD")  :D  They both have excellent reputations...you are in good hands. CitS

Thanks everyone for your input...hopefully I'll hear from more people even...with every response comes a bigger slice of PEACE!   I think the reason I suddenly got a bit nervous is because I read a post somewhere that said to NOT use Dr. Bilof because he runs the business like an assembly line and doesn't care about his patients...that it's all about getting them in for the surgery and collecting the money.   That just kept nagging at the back of my mind...  Other than my initial consultation, there is no meeting with him before my surgery.  Since I'm so far away I probably won't use any of his "after-care program" so we didn't even discuss it really... I just got to wondering if maybe he wasn't making an exception for me and the distance I'm driving...trusting me that I find it essential to be involved with an after-care program and that I'm paying for one here...but that maybe he just didn't care...   Plus, I asked about his mortality rate...and even though it's lower than the nat'l average it's still not zero...so that scared me! Oh, the demons we face when we go to make such big decisions! Thanks everyone. Heather

Hi there! I'm going to see Dr Bilof next week. I made the appt with him because a coworker of mine absolutely raved about him. She was so impressed with him. I can't say how I feel yet but so far, just in the dealings of working with his staff getting my paperwork in order, they have been wonderful. Let me know how your visit goes.....I wish you all the best of luck !!!!!!!!!!

Heather, I had my RNY with Dr. Bilof 7/18/06 and have nothing but good to say about him and his staff. I have always felt relaxed and very confortable with him  and feel like he really cares everytime I have seen him. I also live about 1 1/2 hour from his office but am so glad he was recommend to me as I would have traveled many more miles to have him do my surgery. The care he gave and the hospital staff at St Barnabas were wonderful after surgery.. I also do not go to the after care of any of the doctors by his office as I find that it is very hard to get to. The only exception is his office visits. I make everyone. I wish you luck in your journey. Thanks Beverly

Hi Heather, Dr. Bilof did my surgery on 04/12/06 and I'm very pleased with him and his staff.  You're in good hands.  He's very laid back and knows his stuff.  I'm glad to be his patient. Carla

A friend of mine just had her RNY with Dr. Biloff at St. Barnabas this past Wednesday.  I was waiting with her husband throughout the surgery, and Dr. Biloff came out and spoke with us.  He seemed very caring, wanting her husband to be very informed about every aspect of the surgical procedure, and even came out with a colored photo of her before and after stomach, and the before/after dye test!  She is having post-op difficulty due to a very large hernia that is causing her alot of pain; the hernia has been there for years and she and the Dr. agreed to let it be for now, until she lost more weight and maybe decided on plastics. But, seems the lap procedure has irritated it and she'll have another surgery on Monday.  She has said that she is very happy with the pre-op and, so far, the post-op care she is receiving. I looked through her post-op instructions and they seem very thorough, regarding dietary guidelines etc.   St. Barnabas also has a dedicated Bariatric Wing in the hospital, but she is in a room with non-bariatric post-ops....guess it's been a slow week in the wls world!  Good luck to you!  Julie