Anyone here have Dr. Abkin as your surgeon??

Hi everybody Just wanted to talk with someone who has had Dr. Abkin as their surgeon. I went to one of his seminars about 3 months ago and got to talk to him for about 5 minutes. He seemed really nice and I felt comfortable with him. I was just was wondering how his aftercare is with his patients. Also, I am wondering how the woman is that handles the insurance companies. I have Cigna and I am so worried that they will turn me down. Please let me know your experiences with the practice if you can...Thanks!! Shannon

Hi Shannon - WELCOME! Dr. Abkin was both my(1/31/05) and my husband's(8/2/04) surgeon. HE IS THE BEST!! He saved my husband's life twice - once for the initial surgery - he is now healthier than he has ever been in his life- and once exactly 1 yr later, with emergency hernia surgery, while we were on vacation in South Carolina. Please take a peak at my profile for the full story. Both Phil and I HIGHLY recommed Dr. Abkin. He is a kind, caring, compassionate, highly skilled and knowlegable Dr. Both Phil and I have United Health Care, and did not have any insurance issues(very lucky.) so I can't answer specifically about that. I will have to say - don't give up = they are a very busy office, and sometimes you may have to call a few times, or be very(nicely) insistant with your needs. Dr. Popkova is wonderful too! Their pre-op classes are very informative, and all in all I really don't have anything bad to say about the staff - they are always very friendly. But even if they were the rudest, obnoxious people on earth(which they are not!) I would still deal with it, so that Dr. Abkin was my surgeon! ALL THE BEST TO YOU as you start your journey! Sherri

Hey Shannon - feel free to email me directly if you have any other questions, or with your phone # if you'd like to talk - I'd be more than happy to speak with you! Good luck, Sherri

OOPS - I almost forgot - looks like we are from the same town! "Northern" NJ -- LOL!!! Maybe we are next door neighbors and don't even know it! LOL - Sherri

Shannon, I had surgery on May 17, 2005 and Dr. Abkin is my surgeon. I cannot say enough about this man. I met him at my orientation meeting in July 2004 and he won me over when he presented and answered questions in reference weight loss surgery. I was an extremely high risk patient and my surgery and recovery could not have been easier and thank God with no complications. Being in the helping profession myself, I did extensive research about the surgery and also on the surgeons who perform this surgery. Dr. Abkin won me over immediately at the orientation meeting however, I still looked at all aspects. He is the most skilled, confident, compassionate and honest Dr. that I have ever met. Both in the hospital and at my post-op office visits, I have never rushed, he has given me all the time that I needed and has answered any questions that I had. I wish that he could take care of all my health needs I would recomend him in a heart beat. Fran

I just have to say I love that man. I had my surgery on Monday and he was so sweet and comforting. He knew I was nervous going into OR and he took my hand and reassured me that I would be wll taken care of himself and the rest of the staff. After surgery, when he came up to see me, he was willing to answer my questions, and he made sure I had everything I needed. I know for myself, that I definitely made th right choice. This thursday will be my first post-op app't. From what my friend, who had surgery with him 2 years ago has told me, he's just as great afterwards. Good luck on your path to wls. Carol

Hi! I had my surgery 10/3/05 w/ Dr. Abkin! I just love this man! not only is he a great surgeon, he is very down-to-earth, and very easy to talk to! My whole ordeal went very smoothly! I originally had Cigna, but dropped them and chose BCBS, Cigna does approve, but with a little threatening, and they do require a 6 month supervised diet w/PCP. Other-wise, since I am still pretty new post-op, my care has been great so far! I had to call him on a saturday night after my sugery, and I recieved a phone call, no lie, within 5 minutes. He did not rush me, he truly was empathetic, and told me to call him tomorrow to let him know how I was doing! Great MD!!