Alexander Abkin Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS, FASMBS

Thank you so much for helping me to get on the right track to get my health back. Dr. Abkin is an awesome doctor and really cares about his patients. The team in the office made it seem effortless to get all my paperwork in order. Now I'm post op and loosing weight.

It will be a great summer! Thanks again!

I would like to thank Dr. Abkin and his staff for helping me through my weight loss journey. I first met Dr. Abkin at a new patient seminar at Saint Peter's University Hospital in New Brunswick. The seminar was very informative and discussed the risks and benefits of different weight loss procedures in great detail. After learning of my options, I knew Gastric Bypass Surgery was the right procedure for me. After the seminar, I was able to schedule my behavioral, nutritional, and initial consultations. It was very convenient, and they practically held my hand from the very start!

My initial consultation with Dr. Abkin was on 1/14/2010. I am so happy I found him. He is very knowledgeable and answered all of my questions without making me feel rushed. His surgical competence was very impressive! He genuinely cares about my concerns and my health. After discussing my options, he was very honest with what to expect after surgery. He did not seem to try and "sell me" with one procedure or the other, instead he really wanted me to make an informed decision so I can be successful after surgery. We both agreed that Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass surgery was the best choice for me.

I met with the insurance specialist after my consult, who was also very knowledgeable and knew exactly what was needed to get pre authorization for my surgery from my insurance company. They told me that I didn't have to do anything, and they would obtain all of the necessary information from my primary care physician. Like I said before, they held my hand the whole way and made this process very easy for me. I was approved and scheduled for surgery within one month of meeting him. I can't believe how efficient his staff is! This was one of the best practices that I have been to.

I am finally scheduled for my surgery on 03/15/2010 at Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck. I am very excited about having my procedure on 3/15/2010. Dr. Abkin and his medical staff are top notch. They were compassionate and sensitive with a smile. I was blessed to have found him!

Thank you Dr. Abkin and everyone in your staff for helping me through my journey so far. I would highly recommend Dr. Abkin to anyone considering weight loss surgery, as his practice is hands down the best in New Jersey!

I would like to thank Dr. Abkin and his staff for helping me through my weight loss journey. I first met Dr. Abkin at a new patient seminar in Budd Lake. The seminar was very informative and discussed the risks and benefits of different weight loss procedures in great detail. After learning of my options, I knew Gastric Bypass was the right procedure for me. After the seminar, I was able to schedule my behavioral, nutritional, and initial consultations. It was very convenient, and they practically held my hand from the very start!

I used to be very active and even though I was aging had still been able to participates in organized sports. Last summer my health prevented my from playing softball, which is something I had enjoyed for so many years. I knew something needed to be done to get my health under control.

My initial consultation with Dr. Abkin was on 12/9/09. I am so happy I found him. He is very knowledgeable and answered all of my questions without making me feel rushed. His surgical competence was very impressive! He genuinely cares about my concerns and my health. After discussing my options, he was very honest with what to expect after surgery. He did not seem to try and "sell me" with one procedure or the other, instead he really wanted me to make an informed decision so I can be successful after surgery. We both agreed that Bypass surgery was the best choice for me.

I met with the insurance specialist after my consult, who was also very knowledgeable and knew exactly what was needed to get pre authorization for my surgery from my insurance company. I was fortunate with my insurance that I did not have to wait the 6 months that many companies require. I was approved and scheduled for surgery within 2 months of meeting him. I can't believe how efficient his staff is!

I finally had my surgery on 2/1/10 at St Clare’s Hospital. Dr. Abkin has a great bedside manner, and was friendly, caring, and confident on the day of my surgery. After surgery, he let me know everything went well, and asked if I had any questions or concerns for him. After answering my questions, he told me to follow up in his office in 2 week(s) for a checkup.

I am now 3 weeks out from surgery and I am feeling great! I had my post op appointment and I am down 30 lbs. My recovery was very fast, and the pain was minimal. Nothing like I expected. At this rate I should be back on the softball field this spring!

Thank you Dr. Abkin and everyone in your staff for helping me through my journey so far. I would highly recommend Dr. Abkin to anyone considering weight loss surgery as his practice is hands down the best in New Jersey!

I recently had weight loss surgery and wish I had it done sooner. Dr. Abkin at Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeons (ALS) performed my surgery and I could not have been more pleased. Over the 6 month journey in preparation of my surgery date, the staff at ALS was very helpful and always very pleasant. They truly made sure I was prepared for the surgery and the life style changes necessary for post surgery to be successful. I have not had any complications thus far and do not anticipate any in the future. I would recommend Dr. Abkin to anyone looking into Bariatric Surgery.

I started my journey in bariatric surgery one year after a close relalative had gastric bypass and I witnessed her success. During that year I started to realize many of the life experiences and joys obesity was keeping from me. I had a consultation with my relative's surgeon and started the process when I found out that he was not in my network. I asked him, if he were me, who would he choose as his surgeon. That surgeon recommended Dr Abkin. When I met Dr Abkin at a seminar, I found him to be very sensitive to my needs and concerns. He also wanted to be sure of my committment to follow through with the choice I was making regarding not only the surgery, but the changes I had to make before, during the period after the surgery, and for the long term. He thoroughly explained all the risks and benefits of bariatric surgery to me in a very basic and understandable manner. I chose to have the gastric bypass surgery and it was clear to me that Dr Abkin and his staff were going to be part of this journey for the long run. They made every effort to support me in this effort from day one until today. Dr Abkin and his staff really care about the success of their patients and I don't mean they just are happy for us. You can see in Dr Abkins eyes and expression that he gets personal satisfaction out of his patients' success. This effort is collaborative. The surgery is a tool and success depends on the effort of the team. That includes real patient participation. Dr Abkin and his staff, as well as the support system associated with the practice, gives us all the support and knowledge that we need to succeed, but its up to the patient to make the most of it. I wont say its a magic bullet or that its easy. But all the extra difficulty, the psychological, emotional and physiological baggage is minimized giving us a real fighting chance to make the goal. rnAs far as the surgery goes, it was the easiest part. Dr Abkin did an excellent job in that I had no complications and a speedy recovery. I had some pain for about three days. By day four I was walking in the mall with my wife, taking it easy but trying to get mobile as soon as I could. Pain was now minimal and I was able to function relatively well. By three to four weeks, I was almost 100%. I had no food cravings and got through the initial dietary process (first liquids, then very soft food, then soft food etc) without issue. The bariatric unit at St Clare's Hospital was excellent and Dr Iannacci, Dr Bertha and Dr Abkin all were excellent with me post op. I was back to work in 2 weeks (please understand, I do not do strenuous work and your experience may be different). I had some post op spitting up (not vomiting) from eating too fast. Maybe 5 episodes in a year. But, it part of the learning curve and retraining yourself to eat slowly. A price well worth paying for the cahnges I have gone through. Now, one year later, I have lost 135 lbs. I practice martial arts. I have completed combat fitness programs and I am lean and mean but most importantly, I am healthy, I am no longer diabetic and I feel great! I am probably an exceptional case, maybe I was lucky. I had relatively no problems with the surgery, recovery and progress up to now. I really believe that success is possible for anyone willing to stay with the program.

I had the gastric bypass surgery on Nov 23rd of last year. Let's just say I couldn't have picked a better surgeon. It toke me YEARS to finally decide to go thru with the surgery. I researched and attended seminars with Dr. Abkin. I always knew if I decided to have the surgery that he would be the one to preform it hands down! Dr. Abkin performed the gastric bypass differently. I only had 1 incision that was about 2 inches long right about my belly button oppose to 5 incisions. He called this new procedure Single Incision Laparoccopic Surgery. Dr. Abkin is the first surgeon to perform this new way of gastric bypass surgery on the East coast. And I was his 3rd patient using this new procedure. Thru my research, I anticipated on being in a lot of pain after the surgery. I was in paid during my 2 day stay at the hosptial and the nursing staff at Morristown Memorial Hospital was EXCELLENT in helping me to manage my pain. I was sent home with pain meds and only had to take 1 pill the first day home just to prevent the onset of pain. I didn't have to take the pain meds again! My second day home, I felt GREAT. I wasn't in ANY pain, just a little gas (which is to be expected). I wasn't tired or weak. I even got up and did VERY light household chores. I had people waiting on me hand and foot for no reason because I could take care of my personal needs myself. I'm almost 2 months post op with no complications! This new procedure allows you to heal quicker to return back to your normal life in a shorter period of time. All thanks goes to Dr. Abkin!

Dr Abkin and his staff are wonderful!. They are very caring and patient. They take the time to make you feel like a friend, rather than just a name on the patient list.rnI had my gastric bypass surgery at St.Peters University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ. The staff there are wonderful. They were very caring and attentive.rnI would also like to add that the surgeon was able to do the rny procedure in just three incisions. I have one incision above my navel, and one on each side below my ribs. It is a new technique where the doctor makes the incision above the navel and if there is enough room in the body, he can do the procedure from the one incision. It results in quicker healing and less chance of complications.rnI would highly reccomand Dr. Abkin and his staff if anyone is considering this surgery!

My first impression of Dr. Abkin was that he was nice, relaxed, patient, very informative and knowledgeable. He explained everything about the risks and benefits from beginning to end in detail. He has been encouraging with me, before and after my surgery. Knowing that he was one of the first surgeons to perform all the different weightloss surgeries, made me feel relaxed and confident that I chose the right doctor. I can't praise him enough for doing such a wonderful job.rnrnDr. Abkin's office staff have been great since my first visit with them. They take time to answer all your questions, help you out if anything is needed and work hard to get everything processed quickly. They are all very personable.rnrnI do now and will always continue to recommend and praise Dr. Abkin. I trust him 100% and I am so happy that I did this surgery with Dr. Abkin. I honestly can't find one negative thing to say about Dr. Abkin, his staff or the surgery itself.

I just wanted to take this opportunity to say Thank You to Dr. Abkin for being great at what he does, He was supportive and very heartwarming, at my 1 week appointment he noticed how excited I was for my new journey and he was truly happy for me. Dr. Abkin gave me hope when I felt there was none. His office staff is fantastic. Stephanie took the time and worked with me and my insurance to get everything together for my approval and my approval came through pretty quickly. She was just as excited for me as I was for the new adventure I was about to take on. The surgical procedure was a couple of hours and I was in recovery and the staff at Morristown Hospital made me feel like I was truly their only patient. I had the best experience with Dr. Abkin and his entire team and I really want him to know from the bottom of my heart how thankful I am. Thank you very much, Dr. Abkin.
Diane Castle

I guess divine intervention led me to Dr. Abkin. I way on my way with another surgeon when I found out that insurance would cover 0% because he was out of network.

I did my research on ObesityHelp and other forums and found Advanced Laporoscopic Surgeon's. Reading one review made me choose Dr. Abkin - a reader said she saw god in his eyes. That had a profound affect on me.

After seeing Dr's Bertha and Iannace for follow-ups in the hospital I now know that any of them would be an excellent choice for a surgeon. These doctors work as a team during the operation and it works out great.

Dr. Abkin is very professional and very smart. He has a very nice disposition and listens well to you. He's concerned about your needs and addresses all of them.

He explained all the risks / benefits of the surgery to me. His surgical competence and bedside manner are both great.

I would rate him a 10 out of 10.

If I had to do all this over again I would and I would choose Dr. Abkin again.

I am almost 2 month post op now and have had only 1 glitch, which was a small leak from one incision about 2 weeks post op. That was quickly addressed and just a faded memory already. I have lost 53 lbs since surgery in 56 days. What can be better than that!

I am now walking daily 45-60 minutes or more and am starting strength training tonight.

God bless Dr. Abkin along with doctors Bertha and Iannance.