Hi all, central NJ Matawan representing! LOL

I'm originally born and bred in Point Pleasant and moved up here due to my (now ex husband) living up here. I hope to move back to my seashore soon.

ANywhoo..

I am looking for a REALLY GOOD surgeon that takes Medicare. Also looking for who to STAY AWAY from and who you know is really good.

I am researching two Dr.s around here. One named Dr. Chau in North Brunswick and the other Dr. Mehta in Princeton.

ANyone here anything about them?

Hey there Eileen, glad your here :confused:

I don't know those to doc's sorry. My doc was from Hackensack Medical University... He's the head of bariatric surgery there. Dr. Garth Ballantyne. So far so good and I like him very much. I don't know if he takes Medicare....you'd have to call their office. Here's the link to his website and the phone # is there some where.

http://www.lapsurgery.com/index.htm

GOOD LUCK !!!

Point Pleasant is the only beach I go to in the summer.... Love Jenkins !!!

Ah yes! Jenkinson's. Point has changed so much in the past 15 years I hardly recognize my own hometown.

I called Dr. ABkin in Morristown area and booked an appointment. However, I found out the nutritionist and the psych eval would be around $700!

I can't aford that, I'm on disability

Leener, any doctor is going to require that you meet with a nutritionist and have a psychological evaluation. You don't have to use the professionals they refer you to; you can use your own as long as Dr. Abkin & Co. are comfortable with their credentials. Maybe they can refer you to someone closer to your home, for example, or you can find someone who takes your insurance.

Hi Alex!

I know that is part of the whole deal we must go through, but I find it odd that the center in Princeton had it all included for me and the out of pocket expense for me is much lower. I wonder why?

I really want to use the more experienced surgeons, but I have no income right now. :-(

Hey, every practice is different. The professionals that Abkin/Bertha refer you to are not part of their practice so their fees are separate. Perhaps the Princeton outfit has a nutritionist and psychologist on their payroll? Who knows. I do know that Abkin/Bertha's office will work with anyone who needs help with payment plans, etc. Money shouldn't be the primary factor in this crucial decision.

Really???

Then perhaps I should keep my appointment with him and see what happens??

Anyone know any fill doctors that will do a fill on me? I got my surgery done in Mexico and my regular fill doctor is out - any suggestions?

Where do you live Carrie ?

I called Dr. ABkin in Morristown area and booked an appointment. However, I found out the nutritionist and the psych eval would be around $700!

I can't aford that, I'm on disability

Let me tell you about the Psychologist that Dr Abkin suggests you use-(down the hall from his office). He was soooo clueless.:eek: A waste of money. You are going to have to get a psych eval with whomever doctor you go to, so if you have to pay for it, you might as well go to a psych who is knowledgable, has a clue and does not charge you an arm and a leg...

the nutritionists in Dr. Abkin's building are very good, though. I was very pleased with them. I paid $325.00 for 3 visits. The psych was $175. and that was in August 2005. My insurance reimbursed me for the psych. Still waiting on reimbursement for the nutritionist....

Check out Dr. Gritsus. He trained with Berta/Abkin. Works out of Chilton Hospital in Pompton Plains, NJ (can't say enough good stuff about this hospital). His office is in Lincoln Park, NJ and he has one in Ridgewood, NJ (Valley Hospital is also an excellent hospital).

I had Dr. Abkin do my surgery, as he took my insurance. I really like him. Didn't care for his partner, though... no bedside manner... he made me feel like i was bothering him. so i would NOT recommend Dr. Bertha.

Good luck on your search...

I am so happy to hear such postive things about Dr Abkin.That is the doctor I am going to be using.I had my 1st consultation with him and he made me feel very comfortable,and happy with my choice.But my family doctor is questioning why am I going to north jersey instead of using a doctor here in south jersey.WHY? Because I heard Dr Abkin is the best!

Nice to see more Abkin patients here! I'm a very satisfied customer of Advanced Laparoscopic. The doctors are EXTREMELY experienced, and there's enough support staff for everybody to find someone they like. People's personalities are different and we can't all "click" with everyone. I personally really like Dr. Bertha's manner; he doesn't sugarcoat anything (not that Abkin does, either) and is very realistic about situations. I've seen both doctors in lots of contexts and I think they complement one another very well. It's a great team!

I had my surgery done by Dr Bertha and yes his bedside manner is not the greatest but now that I have gotten to know him a bit better over the year since surgery, I really like him. He just tells it like it is.

Dr. Abkin is genial, but direct. I like him.

I read somewhere that their surgeon (from out of state) called the night before and told her he had been on vacation and wasn't sure if he remembered how to do the surgery. LOL!

Question for Abkin people. I have Medicare and am having trouble getting reimbursed for the pschy and nutrionist. They gave me some forms and told me to send it in, but Medicare is not accepting it like that. They say the office has to send in the form.

I don't know what to do.

Dr. Chau is a highly skilled surgeon with a lot of lap band experience. He is with NJ Bariatrics which is a Center of Excellence. I'm going to have him do my surgery and have only heard wonderful things about him. I had my consultation with him several months ago and was really impressed with him. He's young, but experienced, caring and thorough.