Dr. Goyal...

sooo... i went to go see dr. goyal today..  this was at the hoboken office..  it was very.. well, it felt like one of the first come first serve walk in care centers..  the staff was nice... but it doesn't compare to the service and welcome i received from  dr. andrei... i liked him so much if i could pay for it myself i would...  but anywho... dr. goyal.. was nice... business like..  very very young looking.. even with that little white patch of hair in the front lol  soooo i'm on my way... i have tests to schedule... a nutritionist to see and a psychologist to meet..  also have to set up some type of exercise rehab thing...  any other dr. goyal patients in the house? 

You have come to the right place to talk.  My Lap RNY was 4/30/08.  I am an RN and probably know too much so I ask lots of questions and was always given logical, well thought out answers.  Dr. Goyal is a gifted, talented surgeon with VAST knowledge and expertise in WLS.  He is highly credentialed and well respected amoung fellow MDs and surgeons alike.  Yes, there were times I felt like a number but I always felt I made the right decision by going with Dr. G and his staff.  Robyn is a wonder, tell her I said so!  Write back if you want to talk.  Karen Kelly is the nutritionist I chose, very good.  Dante Mercurio is the psychologist I went to, odd guy but gentleman, asks all the questions that anyone else will.    I know I am not the average patient, I am highly critical of all health care because I work in it and it is my life.  Certainly, if I was displeased, I would have found a different surgeon (and staff).  Let me know how you are doing. Andrea

 I am a patient of Dr. Goyal, I had Lap-band on 01/02/08, my best friend had RNY on 01/09/08 with Dr. Goyal as well. We both love him and think very highly of his office staff. Give the girls a chance to get to know you they are all great. I had gone to other informational sessions at three different doctors before choosing Dr. Goyal.  Dr. Goyal as stated previously is well respected and highly recommended. I chose lap band after a year of confusion and backing out the previous year. Only to have gained 40 pounds and getting WLS anyway. So good luck to you and know that you are getting the best medical care  available.

thanks for the replies guys..  i went for my chest xray today.. $40 freakin co pay!! yikes! i have blood work this week.. and i will be doing the ivy rehab this week too.. i'm curious... how was the ivy rehab session..how many did you all do? 

Hello again.  Yeah, chest xrays are needed and keep doing the pre-op stuff. It gives the doc a better idea of your present physical shape.  Better for you, better for him.  I never went to Ivy.  It was never recommended to me to do so.  I have a small gym in my basement, OK, it's only a  stationery bike and treadmill.  But I use the treadmill and I walk outdoors.  Forget the bike, hurts to sit too long!  In the summer I work 6 days a week for many hours each day (my own business, very hands on) so in early September I will join the local Y.  At that point I will be 4 months post-op.  I will continue walking throughout the summer.  If your insurance covers Ivy, do it.  Why not.  Which Goyal office do you go to?  I'm at Union, will be there Tuesday for my 1 month.  Am down 19.5 lbs as of this morning.  Keep asking questions, will help you to feel better and more enthusiastic about your journey.  We are all with you!!!  Andrea

you didn't have to do the ivy? wow.. i wonder if it's due to insurance? i have aetna.. and they have a 6 mth doctor supervised requirement  or a 3mth pre op surgical disciplinary requirement.  i am doing the 3 mth.. it consists of nut/psych/exercise program and surgeon follow up.. (something like that lol)  anyway i went to ivy.. i mean the guy working with me was cute and all..  he taught me some stretching moves.. and then showed me where my heart rate should be when im working out..  but i don't believe he was a true trainer nor a physical therapist...  he kept trying to go over numbers (this plus this.. oh wait let me start over.. ) lol  and he was just reading the packet to me.. i could do that on my own...  anywho all in all it was too bad of a waste of time.. it helps with the insurance so i am happy about that...  now i have a physical on monday.. and follow up with dr. goyal the next week.. this is moving right along.. yay...  so, are there any other dr. goyal patients out there?? how are yall doing??  andrea are u going to the next support group meeting in union?  i see him in hoboken but ill be going to union for the next mtg. 

Hi Jenn, I have Cigna insurance which stinks but its through my husband's employer and its better than nothing.  I'm happy you are following protocol, it's all in place to make this a better, more productive experience for you, the patient.  If this guy at Ivy was teaching, I would ask his credentials.  Sometimes it upsets the person to have to prove who they are and why they are 'allowed' to teach something but it also proves that you, the patient, mean business.   OK, now your chance to help me, when and where is the support group meeting in Union.  At Overlook, his office, I know nothing about it and would like to go to a support group.  It might be a "look-see" meeting for folks interested and needing info while they consider having the surgery and which surgeon to use.  If it is a true support group, that would be great. Please keep me posted, I'd love to meet you there. Andrea

i think this may be more of a Q&A for pre ops..