Newbie lookinf for some encouragement

Dr Bertha and Advanced Laporascopic Surgeons - you saw their presentation at the Progrram for Life seminar at St Peters. They've done THOUSANDS of these operations and provide a very good support system from start to post-op. Don't know the latest stats but their complication rate was half the national average when I had my WLS last year.

This is true... All of the Dr.'s at St. Clare's carry an average of less than half the complication rate of the national average :)
They are very good at their weight loss center!

I had my surgery at St. Peter's by Dr. Bertha, the hopsital was great. I was scared at first since my surgery was right around the time when they had Legionnaires at the hopsital, but it was fine. I loved the nurses (minus the nasty night nurse I had the first night who got angry that I had to go to the bathroom so often and she had to unhook the leg things for me) and the other people who came and went while I was there. While I was there I also met Dr. Abkin, he was my roomates Dr. and he was very nice too. I would recomend either one of them to just about anyone ( I have too ).

I wish you luck and please feel free to send me a PM if you have any questions about the hospital or the Dr.

Good luck,

Stella

Hi :)
I'm preop in the 6 month insurance wait.  I've been to 2 bariatricians for eval and I believe that I will be using Nusbaum.  I went to the 2cd doctor on the advice of an acquaintance who is very happy w/ her RNY experience, however, I also know someone who was abandoned  by the same doctor that was recommended after her  RNY several years ago due to complications.  To be fair, I don't know if she did anything to contribute to the complications (eating solids when she was supposed to be on liquids, etc).   I would be interested to know if it is the same doctor, and wouldn't mind if you privately emailed me the info. 

Best Wishes :)

Hello,

I'm not sure who the doc was it was a co-worker of mines daughter. I didn't want to ask too many questions you know how that goes. Anyways I did find out her daughter did not follow through with recommendations or aftercare as directed. So how did you hear about Nusbuam

If your coworker is a nurse, then there is a good chance we know the same person who had the bad complications.

I found Dr. Nusbaum on OH several years ago, and finally went for my first seminar w/ him and a consult a week later. 

I had been to a seminar in Mahwah 2 yrs before, and was very turned off by the receptionist skipping around the room announcing everyone's insurance covereage.  The doctor  doing the seminar also scared the hell out of me, and I decided to try harder at dieting. 

Well, here I am 2 yrs later...on my way.

Hi,
I live in Somerset, and also went to the seminar at St. Peter's in July, for Advanced Laproscopic Surgeons.  (I had insurance issues with another dr. I had already been to in Princeton, so I needed to find someone in-network).    By the time I went to see Dr. Abkin, I had already satisfied a lot of my pre-op stuff (psychological eval, letter from primary Dr., etc.)   So I quickly got approved, and my RNY bypass was scheduled on August 10, 2009.    Even though I see him at his Florham Pk office, I liked the fact that I could have the surgery closeby - at St. Peter's.   Let me just say, if you are looking for a highly skilled surgeon, consider Dr. Abkin.  I hear the other surgeons in his group are also great.  
I had a LOT of fear of this surgery - but I felt like there was no choice for me.  My arthritic knees wouldnt hold up much longer.   And the orthopedic doctors cant stand treating the obese, much less giving one a knee replacement!    
Anyway, the surgery far exceeded my expections.   I have no side effects, and I feel great - already down about 20 pounds in the first 2 weeks.   No regrets !!   
Good luck..  Kathy

Hello Kathy,

I hear some many good things about Dr. Abkin. I liked him from the start he seemed straight forward and he knew his stuff. I didn't get a chance to meet him because i was pooped the seminar lasted for 2 hours. So you had the RNY, was that your choice or was that recommended by the medical staff. I have Aetna insurance and it's going to be a 6 month procedure, but it's cool I'm up for it. Oh boy i got so many questions but I know you just had surgery and need your rest but if you get bored post and I'll reply. I'm new so I check this thang everyday even at work

Dr. Abkin is an AMAZING surgeon!!! You guys have made a wonderful choice by chosing him and the whole ALS team is wonderful!!!!

Good luck on your journeys!!!