JFK Medical Center Hospital

I found Dr Abkins to be very kind and someone who was sensitive to the obese patient. Dr Abkins staff was very helpful an very sweet, I never felt self concious about talking about my weight. I had a long wait (almost 2 hours) but it actually gave me alot of time to talk to patients at different phases of surgery. Aftercare is really emphisized and you must meet with a nutritionist before surgery to talk about what to eat before, during and after the surgery process. The risk of surgery is emphisized at the first support group you go to, which is mandatory to become a candidate for surgery.

My frist imperession of Doctor Abkin, he was cute..lol..really. Looks at you eye to eye the whole time. I was very nervous at frist because he is my 2nd surgeon, so I was a little intiminated. But all & all he answered all of many questions my husband & I had for him.
Joanna was wonderful, she took all the info that she needed that day to get things rolling.
Really nothing to know the office is private, very clean & well organizied, oh and I was late do to the traffic so right away I thought I would be asked to leave not,,,,,,They apoligize to me so whats that tell ya?
I would rate Dr. Abkin a 10 why because he tickled me during the exam..lol..I feel bedside manner is important to me I lOVE THE WHOLE STAFF
Dawn
Johnson
[email protected]

I think this doctor is terrific. I had brought my husband and my dughter in the office visit with me. I was scared and I feel it involves them too, and the doctor and his nurse(Joanne) was great, neither minded that we all came in together. He took his time with me answere ALL my questions and was very personable. Calmed me right down. For this type of surgery you really need a doctor you can trust and feel comfortable with and I highly recommend him. His office manager Mary is also great in helping me deal with my referals and what I'm suppose to do next. You can contact me if you need anymore info. [email protected]
my surgery date is set for 10/3/01

8/2/01 I just met with Dr. Abkin and he answered all my questions with all the right answers. He only does laproscopic surgery and if I want an open, I need to see another physician. My concern about lap surgery is that I would have to return to work to soon before I got used to my new eating habits. He assured me that he wouldn't send me back to work to soon. I also asked about NG tubes and drains, he doesn't routinely use them. He does routinely order PCA pumps. Everything I wanted to hear. He was a nice man with a great sense of humor that took the time to make my husband and I very comfortable.

The first time I met Dr. Abkin was when I really decided that the surgary was for me. I immediatley felt totally at ease with him. He is a very nice guy with a great personality who treats us like people and not the overweight outcast that some Drs. like to treat us like. The office staff is very good. Mary Meolla is great and tells it like it is. The only thing negative I have to say is that the wait for surgary was long and getting longer from what I hear. She is only one person in the office and it takes a while to recieve phone calls back and the wait when you go into and office visit is more than an hour sometimes. Well worth the wait though. The aftercare program is good with a monthly support group meeting and regular visits with the Dr. They tell you what to expect and what is normal for before and after surgary from physical to mental problems we all might face. Overall I would have to say that Dr. Abkin and all the people in the Obesity Center in Morristown Hospital are my heros. They helped to make me confident that this would be a positive experience that I would not regret and in the past 2 months since my surgary I have found just that to be true. Dr. Abkin is the best and I owe him alot. He is a great Doctor and a even greater person. I would recommend anyone to him.

Very nice guy. Great sense of humor. Made me feel very comfortable. He knew my MD well and spoke with him on the phone.

His staff is very nice. Mary Meola is the RN in charge of everything. She is great.



Must follow aftercare religiously. This is stressed.

my first impression of him was that he was a very compassionate and caring person. I still think that...but even more so. The office staff was helpful and efficient. The after care has been great. I am 5 weeks post op. I have only praise for the people that I have delt with. The surgeon's staff and the medical professionals I delt with at Morristown Memorial Hospital were top notch.

I attended the seminar at Morristown Memorial. There must have been 150 people there! I asked the post op people and Dr. Abkin's name came up a lot. All I heard was wonderful things about him. I have a an appt with him on June 14th. I can't wait...

Dr. Abkin and his team were great! I couldn't have asked for anything better. They made me comfortable from the get-go. After my initial visit with him, I was diagnosed with diabetes, and thought that my opportunity to finally be healthy was gone. But I was encouraged and told not to give up. During my hospital stay, I saw the doctor and his nurse several times. And the nurses on the floor respected him and always had nice things to say. The hospital (Morristown Memorial) has an extremely thorough program both prior to and following surgery. Support meetings are hold once a month, and a presentation is given about the surgery at the beginning of each meeting. Both the pros and cons are discussed, so you're going into the surgery knowing everything. Like I said, I felt very lucky!

Dr. Abkin is the best. He is very nice and takes the time to explain everything.

Mary Meola, RN is also a god send.