Hi my name is Michelle and I'm fairly new. I'm interested in Lap Band but looking for the right doctor and / or program. I live in Bergen County. I've heard things about Morristown and Hackensack. Any feedback you guys can provide would be greatly appreciated.

I just wanted to say welcome to bandland and have a great dr for you. I was banded on 10/17/06 about 2 weeks ago by dr. abkin. He is located in florham park, nj and he is absolutely wonderful. I took about 15 months to research the band, the dr i choose and the surgery itself. He has a sense of humor, easy on the eyes, and is a damn great surgeon. You will love him. He works out of Morristown Hospital and Saint Clares Hospital in Dover. Good Luck

Tigger33

Banded 10/17/06

Dr. Abkin

Saint Clares Hospital, Dover

HI Michkor,

I'm another happy Abkin patient. His practice is Advanced Laparoscopic Associates, and with his partner Nicholas Bertha they do both banding and RNY. Come to a pre-op seminar or visit the lapband support group; neither costs anything and will give you loads of great information.

Check out their website at advancedlaparoscopicsurgeons.com. See you at a meeting! :biggrin1:

Thank you both so much for your replies. I live in Bergen County and have heard that Hackensack hospital is good and I've heard good things about Capella. However, I've heard so many good things about Abkin and Bertha. Also, the bariatric program at Morristown seems pretty good. I'm interested in finding out more about what either the surgeon's office offers or what the hospital offers in terms of long term support. I'd like to see a therapist and a nutrionist for the long haul. Can you make suggestions on where I can find this info? Thanks again for your help.

Advanced Laparascopic has nutritionists on their staff, and behavioral specialists in the same office complex. There are separate support groups for RNY patients and bandsters, something I find absolutely crucial for support-group success. There are TWO bandster support groups each month; the second one was added due to patients' requests.

This practice is nothing if not invested in your success. If you need any sort of support, medical advice, therapy, even consults with nurse practitioners and insurance specialists, they can provide it. They've been in business for more than five years specializing in bariatric surgery and really really really know their stuff.

I had my surgery at Hackensack and Dr. Ballantyne is the head of surgery there. He was WONDERFUL!!!!!! I'm very please with it all.

I had a great experience with Dr. Davis at Valley hospital. He normally practices in NY Columbia University. 201-634-5500. He was recomended to me by several other bariatric surgeons as the best guy in NJ. He and his entire staff were fantastic and he was able to see me and schedule surgery in a timely maner. I liked him much better than Abkin and Bertha who do 20-25 surgeries a week. Too much like a factory for me. I want my surgeon to know who I am. His nurse practitioner gave me his cell phone so I could reach him 24-7. The best.

mrythern - Where is Valley hospital located - is that Pascack Valley? Where do you go for fills?

Thanks for your info.

Michelle

HOLLA! All my Dr. Abkin patients. He is the best )

mrythern - Where is Valley hospital located - is that Pascack Valley? Where do you go for fills?

Thanks for your info.

Michelle

Valley is in Ridgewood NJ

Pascack Valley is in Westwood NJ

I would assume you would go to the surgeon's office for a fill (thats where I go in Hackensack) or they might have you go to the hospital.. not sure, you'd have to call the surgeon.

Located in Bergen Cty. Paskack. Dr. Davis's office is on the campus. (Luckow Pavillion). They are the best!

I am also a very, very happy Ballantyne person. Dr Capella only does the bypass. He feels the lap-band is not effective and will not do it. I would suggest you go to one of his seminars. He does a great seminar and is very convincing.