Alexander Abkin Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS, FASMBS

Great Doctor, very professional practice and friendly and helpful staff.

Dr. Abkin is compassionate, respectful, and encouraging. He is professional, yet not cold....he exudes confidence and is well liked by the hospital staff. That is a good sign when the nurses think a doctor is a good guy too.

There is tremendous emphasis on after care for nutrition and exercise...all provided by the Bariatric Center at Morristown Memorial Hospital in NJ.

Dr. Abkin answered EVERY single question I had. I asked a ton in the orientation session and again in my consultation. He did not rush me, made eye contact, and was honest and upfront.

He has the perfect combination of competence and compassion. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Dr. Abkin.

My first impression of Dr Abkin was he is very confident and knows what he's talking about and doing.The office staff is wonderful and helpful with all the things they have going on they take time for you individually. I had no questions going into neither did my husband all our questions were answered at orientation and everything fell into place one by one from that night until I had my surgery on the 29th of June. I had my first week post op visit and can't believe I'm down 20 lbs in one week!

From the moment I meant Dr. Abkin I felt very at ease and comfortable with him and his office staff. They were understanding and very informative. His office assistant, Mary Meola was also very geniune and caring and she also went throught the procedure so she was also an inspiration. I can't imagine anyone who is looking to find a good doctor to proform this procedure not liking this doctor or his staff. I only wish I that I more knowledge of the after affects of the surgery and follow up visits.
I felt wonderful for the first year after surgery and not being able to eat really wasn't affecting my life because I was so wrapped up in the weight loss and being able to shop and contour myself to look completely different. It wasn't until about a year and a half that I notices that I was not able to eat any significant food that was beneficial to my body. Multi-vitamins could only go so far. I ended up with severe malnutrition and dropped from 365lbs to 121 lbs in 2 year span. I'm 6'3 and at 121lbs a 26 inch waist, I actually looked very withdrawn and sick. I am basically able to eat soup and most junk food. Anything with meat will make me sick. I have lost body mass, complications with my eye sight and loss of some teeth due to my dificiencies.

Dr. Abkin was great. He was very kind and thoughtful. I was surprised when I came to him after a pre-surgery class and he had told me that my gastro doctor had call and Dr. Abkin told me the same thing that he told my gastro doctor. In addition, I told him that I was concerned with some pain in my legs and the next day he had me in for a vascular scan of my leg veins. He truly is committed to being the best and looking out for the well being of his patients.

His office was kinda hectic, however, Julie pulled me through with the insurance. The administrative staff was great.

My only qurp was the office. It is very busy and overwhelming. It is hard not to be intimidated by the surroundings.

I really liked him. He seemed like he knew what he was talking about.

when I finally met with him for pre-op I knew my feelings were right. He was very personable and answered all the questions I had for him. He also came across as a surgeon who was doing these surguries for the right reasons and not to just make money. I asked a few personal questions and he was very willing to answer them. He seems to care.

I was not too happy with the wait. I sat there for an hour and a half before being taken care of and that wasn't until I stood up and asked if they were running behind schedule. The one receptionist rushed to get me processed and when I told Dr Abkin he took care of it right away and apologized and said it should have never happened.

There was nothing I least liked about him.

Make sure the receptionists know you are there and are waiting.

They are all into after care and making sure you have enough support.

most definitely they have a structured after care program.

Any and all questions I had pertaing to any problems or concerns were addressed completely.

On a scale from 1 to 10 I would give him a 12.

Surgical competence is definitely better. I'd rather have a surgeon who was best at the surgery part than the bed side manner part. If he can't do the surgery part well who cares how well he trwats you at bed side, you could be dead. I feel doubly lucky to have a surgeon with both. That's the ultimate.

My first impression of Dr. Abkin was one of a confidence, experience, and competence. I have now had a consultation and pre-op preparation class with him. Each was short and sweet. He seemed to answer all my questions before I had a chance to ask them. The time spent with him seemed short for someones hands in which I'm placing my life. But I continue to have faith in Dr Abkin. I looked at three other surgeons and for one reason or another I wasn't satisfied with something I saw. I feel lucky to have stumbled upon Abkin. As he discussed the risks involved in surgery he was sure to discuss his techniques for avoiding and minimalizing the risks. I felt much better knowing he has learned from he and his partners' 2000 surgeries. His office staff is friendly and seems to be on top of things even though the office has a lot of traffic. I wouldn't think twice about referring Dr. Abkin to anyone. If you're looking for a great surgeron, you must check him out! Remember, his life is in his hands, go for surgical competence above all things.

Sure wish this part of the input pages accepted carriage returns..............


Strangely enough, my first impression after my face-to-face meeting with Dr. Abkin and his colleagues was a positive one. I say strangely, because my initial contacts with him and his staff was a bit surreal.

<CR>

The orientation seminar was opened by the practice's Marketing Director. I was amused at the thought of a medical practice needing a marketing person. She was affable, obviously had some stage or presentation experience and she acted as the emcee for the evening. Initially I wanted some solid information regarding the journey ahead, I got the sense I was being set up for a pitch not unlike that from an Amway distributor.

Once the doctors themselves began to speak, they were very clinical, seemingly objective and straightforward. Their demeanors ran from shredded-wheat-dry to animated to somewhat jocular.

Dr. Abkin and his colleagues spoke mainly of the very serious comorbidities that result from morbid obesity. They also told that many of these collateral problems disappear with significant, sustained weight loss. They told the story of how bariatric surgery is the most appropriate modailty for many people and they spoke of their scientific method approach to it.

The doctors spoke about the different surgical approaches they apply for their patients, the pros, the cons, the bases each individual needs to make for themselves when selecting the procedure that's best for them.

They clearly and dramatically enumerated the potential dangers and complications stemming from this particular kind of abdominal surgery. He did not candy-coat the facts, neither he nor any of his colleagues attempt to "sell" the surgery and follow-up regimen to anyone in the crowd of 120 or so people.

The insurance company relations guru spoke briefly about which companies are best to work with and described some of the hoops patients and doctors are forced to jump through. She also mentioned that financing was available for those who might not qualify.

I felt like I was at a Bridal Show--- the first step onto the assembly line of overpriced goods and services for the masses, cleverly packaged under the guise of "very personalized attention." As the group fired questions at the doctors, the queues began for making appointments for initial conversations with the surgeons, consultations with the psychiatrists and nutritionists.

Nonetheless, I got on the line and awaited my turn. My appointment was for three weeks later, June 17th.

The day I got to Dr. Abkin's office, it was very busy. I checked in with one of two hard working receptionists, had my vitals taken by an assistant and waited to see the doc.

Dr. Abkin pored over my history, asked pointed questions as we discussed the details of what I had written down. He gave me a cursory examination and asked for some supporting test results from my primary physician and a liver specialist I was referred to check up on elevated enzyme levels. e suggested an exercise stress test and said if all that went well (along with positive psych consult results), he thought me to be an excellent candidate for the surgery.

We talked for some time, he answered all of the questions I had about the surgery, post-op practices, long term follow-up. He was very open, very approachable and I didn't see a hint of the "unapproachable" or "stilted" demeanor others on this site had referred to.

There was a part of the discussion that spoke to the aforementioned "assembly line" mentality. He took that head on. He noted there is necessarily that aspect to what he and his staff do. Such an approach lends itself not only to efficiency and higher productivity levels, it also helps to further the skill level and success rate of the practice. He also candidly said it helps add to profitability as well (as a businessman myself, I don't begrudge that as being part of his motivation, either).

His candor, humility, pride in his record of achievement and statistical performance and his ability to allow a sense of humor to come through in such a dire situation, clearly and solidly proved I had come to the right place. It was an easy decision and choice to make.

He asked if I was ready to move on, I said "Sooner rather than later." He sent in one of the staffers who deals with the insurance companies. We discussed my coverage (I assumed little problems, as I saw a number of his patients who posted here with the same exact carrier/coverage as me who had no problems) and set a date for the procedure.

The rest of the day had me talking with the psychiatrist, taking a personality assessment test and getting lots of input from the nutritionist about my upcoming new lifestyle.

Overall, it was one of the most comforting, and satisfying experiences as both a consumer and patient I've had in years.

I was immediately impressed with Dr. Abkin. He obviously knew his stuff, but was not at all condescending and was, in fact, urging us to ask questions. At my first consult, he even remembered me from the huge WLS seminar that had been held the week before. We spoke briefly about a special concern I had and he remembered! The staff definitely know their stuff too! No problems communicating at all. You should expect to wait about an hour -- the office is very busy. I wasn't annoyed, because I was warned in advance. It didn't matter -- this is who I wanted to do my surgery! I feel that the doctor and staff were very forthcoming with information about risks involved and continue to be supportive when I have questions now. I would warn future patients that you may not see much of Dr. Abkin in the hospital after surgery because he is extremely busy. BUT, the other Dr.s on his staff were fantastic themselves, and although I was a little disappointed I didn't see him every day, I was quite satisfied overall. I am very pleased with this experience overall. I listened to my gut and went with Dr. Abkin and I am glad I did!

I had my appointment with Dr.Abkins on June 3,2004 after of course going to his very informative seminar,and I was very impressed with Dr.Abkins. He remembered my question from his seminar which was 1 1/2 months prior,and he also remembered the patient who referred me to him. She had the surgery almost 3 years ago and I mean he REALLY DID REMEMBER HER! Knew where she lived and her circumstances,I was quite impressed,that made me feel real at ease knowing that he takes the time to remember everyone! I have my surgery date for July 12,2004 and I have the utmost confidence in this man,to give me the life I never had!!!
I'll let everyone know how life is post op!!