HELP I NEED A NEW SURGEON!!!

Hi fellow NJians,

 I was just told by my surgeon's office that my insurance would not cover my surgery with my current surgeon  (even after they said they would with my out-of-network benefits.)  I have been following up with my current surgeons for 2 months now.  Can anyone reccommend a great surgeron in the north Jersey or manhattan area ????  I also would like some information on the hospital where they perform.  Any reccommendations would be greatly appreciated. 

Thank you ! 

Well everyone will basically rave about their surgeons!  But I will tell you my experience... I had Dr. Iannace and Dr. Capella and for various reasons....would not recommend them.  I had a terrible experience there thus I had to go search for a new surgeon.  After much research and asking around I chose Dr. Hans Schmidt in Hackensack.  He performs surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center which is one of the top hospitals in the entire New England Area...and ranked with one of the lowest complication rates for WLS in the entire US.

My experiences through it all, however I am only 10 days post op, have been outstanding.  I love him , I love him, I love him!!!!!!

Good luck in your search for a surgeon and good luck with getting yourself all approved and on your way to a happier, healthier you!!!

Danielle

Thanks Danielle!  Its good to know about the bad surgeons as well.  Good luck with new journey!

I really liked Dr. Pucci, he has an office in Denville and does surgery in Dover at St. Clares Hospital.  I had a very good experience.
Laura

I have to add...I had trouble with my insurance as it changed two weeks before my scheduled surgery and his office was great about working with me and new horrible insurance to make sure it was covered.  We went down to the wire but they got it approved.

As you can see, we're all biased to our Doctors .. so here's my 2 ¢ ..

Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeons (Dr Abkin, Dr Bertha, Dr Garrison) are fantastic. They know how to 'deal' with insurance companies - and will tell you right away if your insurance company "will be a problem".

Here is their website

http://www.advancedlaparoscopicsurgeons.com/

Good luck on whomever you choose !!

I used Dr. Bertha in Florham Park and he is wonderful!  He operates out of Morristown, St. Clares in Dover and St. Peters.  Dr. Bertha, his partner Dr. Adkin and Dr. Garrison of his office all have stellar reputations and the office staff is very good. 

Well, after reading these posts about Dr. Bertha, Dr. Abkin and Dr. Garrison.....
Even though my surgeon was not one of them.....
I will add this:

I asked my surgeon early on about his opinion about a few other surgeons that I had considered.  He was quick to dismiss most of them...but did mention that if his own mother didn't want him to do the surgery - that he would be perfectly comfortable referring her to Dr. Bertha or Dr. Abkin.

Coming from a surgeon....that says a lot! 
It says that my surgeon truly is a wonderful human being and that Dr. Bertha and Dr. Abkin are on the same level as Dr. Schmidt.

I think you can't lose either way!!!!
Good Luck

Just have to say... it's kinda strange that he wouldn't refer his mother to his own partners!  Dr. Trivedi and Dr. Ewing... but perhaps that's because you didn't ask about them?

From what I have been told by the Bariatric Nurse Coordinator for Hackensack University Hospital - ALL of the surgeons that operate out of Hackensack are top notch... that includes Dr. Schmidt and his group, as well as Dr. Ballantyne (who was my surgeon).

I think choice of surgeon comes down to what you're looking for:  skill, personality or a combination of both.

~wendy

Dr. Gritsus out of Ridgewood or Lincoln Park is fantastic ....both with surgery and aftercare!  Aftercare is so important and to have a surgeon and his staff support with meetings and help is what you should shop for as well