Dr. Reich/Dr. Strom at SOCH

I;m sorry your expierence was not a good one. You are the ONLY person I have heard not care for this group. I am going to be banded on Fri. the 24th and I have been working with them since October!!!!! The recipionest Tina has always called me back if needed, has scheduled six months of Nutrition classes for for without a problem.....Kim the Insurance Coordinator is a Fairy Godmother about insurance..They told me right upfront what my ibsurance would need fro me to do in order to be covered, what test I would need to have and what doctors I would need to see. They gave me a list with their phone numbers and I also had choices..They gave me a Psych. recomendation and even though I used my own their was not a problem....I was in touch with them every time I went to a doctor or had an appointment...They kept track of who I saw and the date and then got that docs. recomendation letter to put in my file for insurance submission when I had everything done. Ginger the Nutritionist, has given me their paperwork on all the different stages of the post and pre-op diet so I could read it and bring questions..She has had sample protein mixes for us to try so we didn't have to put out big bucks on something we didn't like. She is available to return your calls and questions during the day, I have never had a problen reaching anyone or them getting back to me if she was in a nutrition class. There is a support meeting at the hospital once a month and Dr Strom and Dr. Reich have made visits to ans. questions also the office staff ,Kathy, the nurse and Ginger and Kim have been at every meeting . I really do not understand what happened to you. My Neighbor across the srett had the surgery on April 2nd and has no complaints at all.We love this group.........

Im sorry. I think I forgot to mention I used strom in his Mountainside hospital office.So the office staff is completely different. But I, like you had heard good things about them. I'm sad to say I was not one of the lucky ones to experience that. I had problem after problem. I am so sure they are great surgeons but sometimes when a practice gets too big, things suffer. Good luck to you all. Im sure they will be a great fit for you.

I am new to this site also I was wondering if there any recents post .I had my surgery July7,2009 by Dr. Strom. Ilike him alot. I also see Dr. Reich at SOCH and what has previpusly been said the whole group is real great. I would really like to talk to others that have had it done locally.

HI,

Im also interested in feedback about the group at SOCH.  Ive heard good anectdotal evidence.  Is anyone aware if they accept Horizon bcbs insurance?

thanks!

I am also looking for info on this group..I was told due to my insurance I would have to use Dr. Joe Barbilinardo at this group and also that one other Dr would be with  him.  I am looking into the lap band..any info would be appreciated..ty

Hi all  :)

I will be using this group as well - my "hopeful" surgery date is January 18, 2011 and Gia, just like you, Dr Barbalinardo has to do the surgery because of my insurance.  Luckily, I was very impressed by him and how thorough he was.   I've heard great things about these doctors and have two friends that have gone to them. 

My BMI is under 40 but I have non insulin dependent diabetes, gerd, hypo-thyroidism, high triglicerides (over 450) and I'm not sure about sleep apnea although I don't think I do.  My BMI's for 2008 & 2009 were only 35 so I'm not sure what the insurance company is going to do with me.  I'm so afraid of not getting approved - and it scares the hell outta me to think of it.

Anyway - i loved reading all of your positive comments SandyToes --- because I also fell in love with the office staff upon meeting them.  Tina is a trip!  Really liked her!!!  

Hi Renee,

I already had my surgery on July 6, 2010 and I have nothing but wonderful things to say about Dr. Barbalinardo and the entire staff.  Dr. Barbalinardo performed my surgery along with Dr. Reich and I went home the next day after an overnight hospital stay.  I was slightly sore but other than that the entire hospital and staff were wonderful.  I am 3 months out and I feel great...I am not at full restriction yet, they say that takes quite a few adjustments.  I am down over 40 lbs and feel the best I have ever felt...my only issue is that I have to eat slower and smaller bites...but that is my fault...I should have practiced before surgery...If you have any questions Renee feel free to contact me! Good Luck!!!!!

CONGRATS GIA!!!!   40 pounds since July - just awesome!!!!
Can you tell me about the pre op and post op diets...? how long you were on liquids?  I'm expecting to lose 10-15 pounds just from THAT!!!  
I'm still so afraid that my thyroid is going to prevent a steady weight loss but there are very few other choices - it's come down to this.

When you don't eat slowly and take slower bites do you get "sick"?   how much can you eat per meal now?  about 1/2 - 1 cup of food...?  I have a MILLION questions - can you tell?  lol

My friend had her surgery there in July too - she's doing wonderfully and looks amazing.

I'm just praying to GOD i get approved
did you have any problems w/ insurance?

Renee, You can ask me anything and everything...I do not mind at all! I had a million questions also and came here for the same things...don't worry!!!! The preop diet was not bad, the first 3 days was hard because you are going thru withdrawals...I ate so much salad and raw veggies and yogurt and sugar free pudding that really got me through it...We are lucky that  the Dr's at Soch give us the salad and the raw veggies because I needed to chew!!! LOL...anyway, after I found a protein shake I liked I was fine...they do fill you up...I went to Hardcore in Manahawkin and they let me sample them till I found one I liked which was great because they are costly and I had ordered a whole case of some online and ended up shipping them back..they were gross! I like the Dymatize ISO 100 gourmet chocolate...taste like yoohoo! If you go to Hardcore you get a discount  also if you tell them your from SOCH...The post op diet was not too bad, it was a week of liquids and than I moved to pureed...I lived on eggdrop soup and Miso soup from the Japanese restaurant...you will get through it...I lost 17lbs preop as I had to do the diet for 2 weeks...My BMI was 50! I can't even begin to tell you how this has changed my life...I was miserable...I had been on every diet! I would lose 40 gain 60...I am not fully restricted yet, I have only had 2 fills but I do find I get fuller faster...hopefully when I go for my 3rd adjustment I will finally feel restricted! I do eat about 1/2 - 1 cup of food at a time...I don't get sick from eating fast, sometimes I will throw up because I will keep eating...my head wants more than the stomach can hold now...but that only happened a few times since I am out of surgery...I am basically watching what I eat, I eat fast and than it stays there and it hurts and I get pain in my chest like something is stuck, it eventually passes but it is because I eat way to fast and to big bites.  I had no problem with my insurance..thank god...I did have to see all the specialist and also wait a 3 month waiting period...They did request a history of my weight for the last 5 years from my primary care...Kim in the office took care of everything for me.  I also wrote a letter that they hung up in the office in the waiting room at the wonderful care I received...Do not hesitate to ask me anything...Where do you live? I live in Toms River and I go to a support group at Community Hospital the first Friday of every month...It is a lot of gastric bypass but the people are great and so knowledgable...Heres my  private email if you ever want to talk or go...it is a great [email protected].

 Great people