JFK Medical Center Hospital
I THINK DR.ABKIN AND HIS ASSOCIATES ARE THE BEST. I HAVE RESEARCED THIS SURGERY FOR 2 YEARS.AND THIS GROUP REALLY KNOWA THIS SURGERY INSIDE AND OUT. WILL ANSWER ANY OF YOUR QUESTIONS NO MATTER WHAT IS IS.YOU WILL NOT GO INTO SURGERY IF THY THINK THERE IS THE SLIGHTEST PROBLEM.THE RATING OF THIS SURGERY IN GENERAL IS 1 IN 200 THERE RATING IS 1 IN 400 FOR COPLICATIONS AND POSSIBLE DEATH.THAT IS WHAT I LOOKED FOR WHEN LOOKING FOR A SURGEON I WANTED THE BEST THIS WAS MY LIFE WE ARE DEALING WITH AND I WOULDN'T OF PUT IT IN ANY ELSES HANDS BUT DR. ABKIN BECAUSE I KNEW EVEN IF THERE WAS A COPLICATION HE WOULD KNOW WHAT TO DO.THERE PROGRAM FOR THIS SURGERY IS INTENSE THEY REALLY TELL YOU HOW IT IS. THERE OFFICE STAFF IS GREAT!!!!!!!!! AFTER SURGERY I HAD QUESTIONS THEY CALLED ME BACK RIGHT AWAY TO ANSWER THEM. I THINK THE ONLY THING I WOULD COMPLAIN ABOUT IS I WOULD OF LIKED TO SEE MY SURGEION BEFORE I WENT INTO SURGERY AND I DIDN'T I ONLY SAW HIM WHEN I WAS BEING PUT ON THE OR TABLE.HIS BEDSIDE MANNER WAS GREAT!!! OVERALL FROM A SCORE 1 TO 10 THEY ARE A 11.IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT SURGERY CHOOSE THEM YOU COULDN'T GET ANY BETTER IN MY OPINION.THANKS GINA :))
Dr Abkin is terrific!!!! He is a caring doctor who takes the time to talk to you and explains everything. The office staff is terrific, esp Josephine. Thanks for everything. Dr Abkin is the best, he goes out of his way to make sure you are doing good. He stresses that this is a tool to lose weight, you still need to work within the program and stresses the importance of eating right and healthy. My ONLY complaint was I didn't know I couldn't have any coffee in the hospital and had a very bad caffine headache. I might have been told but there is so much imformation exchange.
I went to the new patient orientation on July 29, 2004 and found it to be very informative and helpfull. The Advanced Laporascopic Associates practice requires that everyone considering WLS, attend this seminar. Dr. Alexander D. Abkin, Dr. Bertha and Dr. Pupkova, the entire team were in attendance and all were very knowledgeable in the field of WLS.
Dr. Abkin won me over before he opened his mouth... with his warm sparkling eyes and beautiful smile. When he spoke he was very candid and honest. It was very evident that he is a knowledgable, skillful and experienced surgeon, who understands how the obese person is affected both psychcologically and physically. I love his witt, which I find to be an ice breaker and to have a very calming effect on his audience.
During the Q & A session the surgeons took the time to answer all questions, in a professional and yet down to earth manner. I feel that no one was rushed and no questions that were asked were unanswered.
At the orientation, we were informed of the "Program for Life" and aftercare was very much stressed. I was able make my appointments for the surgical consultation, psych eval, and nutritional eval at this time... one after the other for the following Thursday. I left this seminar feeling like someone really cared, was compassionate and wanted to help me to live instead of just exist as I had been doing for the last 2 years.
On the day of my surgical consultation, Dr. Abkin just confirmed that that I had made the right choice of whom I would entrust with my life. I worked in the medical field and I was very satisfied and impressed with his being blatantly honest but also very respectful and compassionate. I was a very high surgical risk and he advised me of this, which was very responsible on his part. He was also very perceptive and calming while still being frank. He listened to what I had to say and took time to answer any questions that my husband and I asked him. We felt as if we had known him for years. He spoke about the surgery being a tool and the commitment I would need to make for the surgery to work. My husband and I left his office feeling comfortable with my decision, both to have surgery and in selecting Dr. Abkin as my surgeon.
I was very impressed with Josephine who handles the insurance. she is very knowledgeable in reference to insurance companies and how to handle them. She is also very friendly and has a calming effect. Sid and Linda were also very nice and very helpful. I have nothing but praise for everyone in this practice.
My husband and I attended the pre-op class. I feel they gave me all the information I needed for pre op and post op. Very thorough nutritional information was provided by the nutritionist and a booklet was given to us. Dr. Abkin also attended this class and again answered all questions and gave us more information on pre and post op.
My first impression of Dr Abkin was that he seemed to genuinely care about his patients and that he was willing to answer questions I might have.
When I had my surgery, my first impression was confirmed. He was very caring and comforting both before and after the surgery was complete.
His office staff was great about getting my ins approval very quickly. They were on top of making sure that I had everything I needed in my chart before surgery. They were always courteous and friendly.
I can't think of anything not to like about Dr Abkin. He is truly a wonderful doctor.
He places a very strict emphasis on proper nutrition and exercise habits, both before and after surgery.
His office offers monthly support groups for post-ops. I attended one before my surgery, to get a feel for what it would be like. One of his partners was in attendance to answer questions from the group members. There was also a moderator present to keep the meeting moving along smoothly.
Dr Abkin was very clear about the risks of surgery. They were discussed at the new patient seminar, privately in his office, and also given to us in writing.
Overall, I would say he's an excellent surgeon, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to anyone interested in wls.
He is extremely well versed in wls and has an excellent bedside manner. I honestly can't say enough good things about him.
From the first day that I met Dr. Abkin I was completly impressed. (his pretty eyes and accent didn't hurt him either) He is extremly professional and explains everything that you need to know before you make the decision to have this surgery. Since I had the surgery he has been excellent with helping me to understand my new "tool". I highly recommend him.
My first impression was that he knew his stuff and was very personable. I have found that he does have a good sense of humor and answers all questions. My first visit after surgery I was having trouble eating anything. I had no appetite at all and anything I ate or drank tasted horrible. Dr. Abkin assured me that this would all change of course he was right. The office itself is a bit cramped but the staff seems to have things in control. I would recommend Dr. Abkin highly.
Dr. Abkin is the kindest man you can ever meet, when he talks you can hear the concern and love he has for his patients. He's like your Dad you don't ever want him to see you fail or let him down. His office staff is the best they are very very busy all of the time and never get frustrated with patients because they are overwhelmed. The staff is very personable never forgetting a face, and that says alot when you have over 100 patients and you know each individual person on a first name basis. I just love Dr. Abkin and his entire staff there was never a bad experience. I did not have any complications with my surgery but I am having extreme difficulty with eating and drinking and Dr. Abkin went into full force ordering tests, sending me to specialist's and don't forget the talk like Dad used to/does give, " your an adult now not a little girl you know what you need to do to make yourself healthy" now you just have to do it, well I'm trying. I will overcome all my obstacles with the help from GOD and the best and yes I said it THE BEST surgeon in the world DR. ABKIN!!! Try him you will see!!!
I met Dr. Abkin recently, and just loved him! I thought he was down-to-earth, polite, and friendly. He spoke very matter of factly, and he definetely puts your mind at ease. So far the office staff have been just as pleasant. The wait wasnt long either, from the time I called for an appointment, to getting one, it was only a week(also didnt have to do seminar). The wait in the office wasnt bad either. Looking forward to dealing with him.
I first saw Dr. Abkin at one of his monthly seminars. While I didn't have an opportunity to meet with him that evening, I found him to be direct with his responses and show true concern to the people there. Recently I had the pleasure of meeting him face to face. He was an absolute pleasure. I didn't feel him rushing me out and he made sure I asked him anything that was on my mind. I chose the lap band and he reiterated for me the difference between the two methods. But still made me feel comfortable about my choice. Which is the least I can say about the pychiatrist I met with there. He made me feel like I was choosing the wrong surgery even though he kept saying he wasn't trying to change my mind. But it didn't stop him from telling me that I would lose more weight and quicker with the gastric vs the lap band. But I am sticking with my choice!!! I definitely recommend Dr. Abkin to anyone who is considering this surgery. Just find another pychiatrist!