Advanced Laparoscopic Associates Bariatric Center

I had Lap-Band surgery and i thought Dr. Trivedi was a great doctor he was very attentive answering any question that i may have . The seminar was very good being a biology major i usually have a 1000 questions but i really found my self lacking any questions any thing i felt i needed answered was. Surgery it's self was quick i was out in 45 minutes the scars aren't that noticable. Im a few weeks out of surgery and the smaller insicions can barly been seen i couldn't ask for more in a surgeon he really was very helpful caring and informative. The staff at the office was excellant and took care of all of my needs i had my approval back (after all the paper work was in ) was within a month if that.But you have to make sure you are ontop of the paper work and appointments Dr. Trivedi was there before and after surgery for any question i may have had i was up and walking that day. The staff at hackensack was very good all the nurses were great i felt very comfortable on the bariatric floor one of the nurses had bariatric surgery and it made me feel so much more comfortable the staff the room the hospital was all good. I luckly ended up with a private room where my sister stayed the night with me. As far as healing the first few days i was sore but after i was great . i feel that the surgery and surgeon were by far the best choices i could have ever made for myself. I am very pleased

'After attending the HUMC seminar for the different bariatric surgery procedures as presented by Advanced Laparoscopic Associates

I had my Lap Band “installed” on March 17, 2006 by Dr. Ewing.

Height: 5”3.5”. Weight: 241. My experience(s) with the entire process is still being developed. Thoughts so far….

My first impression of Dr. Ewing was during the Obesity Seminar at HUMC. By this time I had already made the decision that I would have my operation through Advanced Laparoscopic Asscs. I took my husband with me to the seminar and at the end I asked him which doctor he thought would be best. He said to me that he would choose Dr. Ewing because he appeared to be the calmest and you want a calm (and intelligent) surgeon in the OR. My husband is a physician and I trust his opinion.

Over time my impression has not changed. He is still calm, intelligent and interested in his patients. But I have known him for a short time.

Regarding his office staff, I dealt mostly with Dawn and I did a lot of calls myself. Since I got a surgery date in two weeks, Dawn had to use Herculean strength to deal with the “trained monkeys” at my insurance in order to get approval. (Their initial denial had nothing to do with medical reasons).

Future patients should know that this is going to be a close relationship (with Dr. Ewing and his staff) for a while. I am the type of person who does not mind this. If patients are looking for a quick fix surgery, magic, then you should look for a less involved surgeon/group. You will be monitored for success however, we are adults – handholding is for children.

Aftercare is greatly emphasized beginning at the seminar. Like I said above this is not a quick fix. If you understand what the LapBand does, you will understand that it is tool and the aftercare is required in order for the patient to achieve success. This being said – every patient is different and we could all follow the exact aftercare direction and not achieve the same success.

I am well educated on the risks of general surgeries. The particular risks of LapBand surgery were explained to me both at the seminar and at Dr. Ewing’s office. In addition, I believe that we are responsible for our own health and we should do as much outside research as possible.

I would rate Dr. Ewing 10/10 so far. It was important for me not to feel judge or that I was taking the easy way out - the way some of my other doctors made me feel.

Surgical competence and bedside manner are both important. However if I had to choose, I would say that I would want an extremely competent surgeon. Beside manner is secondary. I believe that Dr. Ewing is competent and the added benefit is that he has a good beside manner.

What I did not like was waiting more than 10 minutes in the reception area. Also, HUMC is a gigantic hospital – I would have preferred a smaller place or one where you did not feel like you were in an assembly line. My favorite area hospital is Valley.

my first impresseion of Dr. Schmidt was that he is a confident individual and that image remains the same so far. His staff was very obliging though quite harried. Please keep in mind that I am only 3 days post op ok!

3/2006 Well it has been over a year since my surgery and I still have nothing but praise for Dr. Schmidt and staff. I alway look forward to a consult. He is never in a rush and is willing to discuss anything that concerns me. Thank you so much!

At first my surprise was how young he was.

He is very professional, yet easy to talk to.
He has great hands. I had very, very little pain, only small disconfort.

Mr Trevidy is the best. I rate him a 10+

Hi , My name is Patti Thompson. I am a 44 years young female, and I am morbidly obese!
I decided to do something aboutit.
I met Dr. Ewing for a consultation on October 27, 2004. The nurse took my height & weight measurements. Then my sister-in-law,Nancy, went in to meet the Doctor.
I have to say I was very impressed with Dr. Ewing- He presented himself with under-standing and compassion- Never made me feel uncomfortable about my weight. We Discussed the BMI(Body Mass Index) ,past diets that I had tried, my activity level, history of obesity in my family and reveiwed my medical history.
Dr. Ewing answered all our questions about the surgery, pro's and cons were made very clear to me..
Everything now went to Karen, his surgical coordinator. We set up December 17, 2004 for the surgery date at Hackensack University Medical Center, NJ...Pending approval from my Ins. Co.

Yes- the risks for surgery were discussed..I was informed that there was a mortality risk.
I also knew my life was in danger if I did not have the surgery!..I was ready for the surgery

I had my surgery on 12-17-04 & was released on 12-20-04. I have officially joined "The Losing Side"..Thank You Dr. Ewing!!

Dr Ewing is a very caring and smart doctor. Dr Ewing was very informative and explained all of the risks along with the long term benefits of the surgeory. Dr Ewing took his time and answered all of my questions. Dr Ewing's staff was very helpful when ever i called and returned all of my messages promtly. Dr Ewing is a very serious doctor and really seems to like what he does. Overall I am very happy I picked Dr Ewing as my sergeon. I recommed him to anyone who is thinking about having the surgeory.

Dr. Trivedi is awesome. Couldn't ask for a better surgeon. He has great bedside manners and lots of patience. He takes his time and explains everything to you. Overall my experience with Dr. Trivedi was great! I definately refer him to anyone who is searching for a WLS surgeon.

My consult with Dr. Trivedi was very easy going. He explained everything thoroughly and without making me nervous. So far, I think he is a very well mannered person and made me feel very comfortable about asking questions and the surgery itself. His staff was also very good to me.

I was delayed in getting into surgery. Dr. Trivedi was "helping" other Drs and my 9:45 am start time turned into 2:30 pm surgery. My family members and I were annoyed with that. Then, there were NO rooms so I was stuck in recovery for over a day. I did not get the comforts of the bariatric floor after surgery, which was explained in all the seminars with Dr. Trivedi’s practice. My family and I feel I was released too soon. I came out of surgery on Thursday 6:30 pm. Brought to the bariatric floor on Friday at 3:30 pm. I was released Saturday around lunchtime while still on morphine. I ended up back in the ER on Sunday for severe pain and chills. A week later, after SEVERAL complaints of pain it was discovered by Dr. Ewing that I had a wound infection. I WAS NOT put on antibiotics at the time. A week later, still complaining of pain, I was finally put on antibiotics. I am 3 weeks out and still take percucet daily. I do not have the feeling of others that Dr. Trivedi is friendly. My family and I find him to be short with his answers and the feeling that he does not want anything to do with me. In fact, for the follow up infection visit, he wanted the nurse to see me. I told the receptionist, I am here to see Dr. Trivedi. I can honestly say thank goodness I only need to do follow-ups once a year.