Looking for new lapband doctor in NJ. Please help!!

I agree that things happen and it pushes everythind off schedule.  After having many emergency visits with our pediatrician with our daughter, we know all too well and when you are the patient at an emergency visit, you certainly don't want to be rushed because there is an office full of people waiting, either.  That being said, there are some offices that continually overbook with no regard for the patient's time.  I am hoping this office isn't like that.   Dr. Bertha is wonderful - there is no question.  No one wants to be treated like a number, either.  When you call for an appointment, you want to feel like your situation matters, too - even if its not an emergency.  That's all.  I kind of got the run-around the other day when checking to see if my lab-work results were in and was placed on hold for more than 5 minutes, which doesn't sound long (but it was), but then to finally have them return and say they cannot find my file and will have to get back to me, was kind of irritating.   When I went for my consult, another woman had walked out because she was waiting for over an hour and was tired of it.  She had claimed this always happens and she was fed up. There are always complainers and there are always people who never ever have an issue.  Then, there is the middle ground which I am hoping this office proves itself to be.  What I have learned is to call ahead to see if they are on schedule, which ****** off the office staff (in every office - have not done that here yet) but also allows me to have a bit more control of my time.   That is what ****** me off the most - that doctor's offices have no regard for your time.

I try to get my appointments first thing so if they are behind I am one of the first ones in.  I think a lot of surgeons have this problem.  When I had my gall bladder out 4 years ago I had to wait a very long time to even get a consultation and was sent home at my first visit because of an emergency or something. It is irritating to wait but for me the wait is worth it. 

I agree with you that Dr. Bertha is a fantastic doctor with a great bedside manner but part of having him as your doctor includes adopting an office that constantly overbooks, puts you on hold for 5 minutes or more at a time, always behind in schedule and overall unorganized.  I've been going to him for almost three years and that's the way it has always been.  The doctors are great but the organization of the office gets a big fat "F".

My feelings exactly.  The office constantly takes on new people but forgets about the maintenance needed by the veteran patients.  I'm continue my search for a new physician but so far, it hasn't been looking good.  Either they don't accept my insurance or they don't accept patients that were banded by other doctors.  The search continues.

Hi Solo,  I had my lap band done by Dr. Bertha too.  Let me try to put what you are feeling into perspective.....Many other doctors out there do not do their adjustments under fluoro which is xray guided.  It helps tell if the band will be too tight.  Not ALWAYS 100% accurate but a good tell tale sign.  Many doctors out there son't use this method and adjust patients in say .5cc increments.  Thats great but who has the time to go back every 2-3 weeks for .5cc adjustment?  Not to mention the chance of puncturing the tubing and have a complete disaster on your hands.  Also by using the fluoro Dr. Bertha can tell the positioning of the band and the tubing along with the port.  Also, many other offices have the nurse practioner or the PA do the adjustments.  As far as I am concerned, he put my band in and he or Dr. Abkin are the only ones that are going to try and poke around for it. As far as the wait in the office goes....I feel you pain!!  But, like you I am sure that you fell when he finally gets into the exam room you feel like you are the only patient there.  He doesn't rush you out because there are other waiting.  I feel like that is more important to me than not answering all my questions or not answering them fully.  I kind of think of it like this....how often do I go to him? at the most 3 times a year?  If I have to wait 90 minutes 3 times a year for the doctor who knows most about me and my band then so be it.  A quick analogy....i would rather wait 90 minutes for excellent food that 30 minutes for food that is going to maybe make me sick.  I know I should have thought of another analogy instead of food being that we had WLS but what hte heck. I hope that this puts your concerns into perspective.  They are GREAT doctors and I wouldn't trade them if I had too.   Carroll

I never doubted their expertise as physicians.  Perhaps you misunderstood me.  My issues with the office are mainly administrative.  IMHO, they should not continue taking on new patients if they are not able to be available to already banded patients for maintenance.  The band is a tool that needs constant maintenance until you find your sweet spot.  Although I was close at one time, I am no longer and I am gaining back my weight despite diet and exercise.  I am hungry often and find myself binging after trying to satisfy myself on band size meals in a pouch with no restriction. 

Again, I agree that the doctors are very good at what they do.  It is my hope that they will soon meet with their office staff about how they can more effectively serve both their pre and post op patients in a timely manner.

Solo,  I understand your concerns perhaps this is something that you need to discuss with the office manager.  Maybe its it brought to her attention then things can be rectified.  Good luck in you WLS journey.

Hi Solo Dancer. My dr is Dr Ward.  He has offices in Morristown and in Somerset Medical Center.  He is awesome!!!  I have never had a problem getting an appointment with him.   Good luck!  I hope you feel better soon! Cindy

I got my band in April....and can eat without any discomfort of stuck"ness".  I used him after many of my friends used him over a long period of time.  His name is Dr. JeanBaptiste in Plainfield and he is the head of Bariatric Surgery at Muhlenburg Hospital.  I loved him from the minute I met him.  I have needed to see him 3 times so far and each time I get in within 48 hrs. NONE of these appts. were due to unfills being needed.  I am not sure his policy regarding patients of other surgeons - but - he's fabulous and caring.    Good luck~

ok, I've got a good one to share.  I have to admit I am still quite shaken.  Those Dr.'s are definitely over something!!! I went for my first post op on Friday, 5/30.  After the staples were out he asked what I wanted to do from here.  I was like, Huh?  I didn' t know what he was talking about so I asked him about the hernia he had to repair while he was in there and the other 2 or 3 that would have to be taken care of.  All of a sudden he said, while fixing the other hernia's it would give him a good chance to see what are next course of action would be, lap band or something else.!!! WOW,  I thought I had had a roux n y gastric bypass.  I must have turned all shades of pale and he just stood there dumbfounded.  After minute of silence he went over to my file and read through it and verified that I had indeed had a bypass and apologized saying he had another patient same day that he could not do the procedure. I am still very shaken from this.  I haven't been feeling well and have had diahrea since Wed.  No energy either.  Don't know if I should call Dr. and which one.  Primary or Surgeon. I love Dr. Garrison but this really shook my confidence.