"My first impression of Dr. Abkin was he was all business. However, as time went on, I found him to be most personable and caring. It is important to know, if one is looking for the BEST surgeon there is available in New Jersey, Dr. Abkin is the surgeon for you. I also must add, that I did have occasion to meet with doctor Bertha while I was in the hospital after my surgery. I must say, I never expected such a kind and caring doctor, especially, since we had never met me before that moment.rnrnI have very much hesitated to write this review because I want absolutely no one to be discourage about seeing doctor's Abkin and Bertha. I will stress once again there are NO better surgeons for this type of surgery you will find in the state of New Jersey. Do your homework.........check out their stats for yourself. I would highly recommend them and trust them with my own children. rnrn However, I must be truthful. The office staff I found to be young and many very inexperienced and extremely unprofessional with handling people. The office manager, I do not want to name, however her name begins with the letter (J), was so rude to me I almost ended up not having my surgery . She was not only rude, insensitive, she absolutely lacked even the least bit of caring or concern..... she was cold and downright mean and nasty. ( At one point she told me if I didn't like her answers I should go elsewhere). I didn't want to make any waves, I just wanted my surgery and she most surely made it an uphill battle. It was a true nightmare and all I wanted was to get well. It's difficult or let me reword that..........nearly impossible to beat me down, but this office staff just about did. rnrnI did get to a point where I stopped \"pushing\" to get my case going and so did they...since I never got a call. It was exhausting, you had to keep calling and calling and begging and pleading...... I was done......finished.....It wasn't until my husband picked up the pieces and help me get back on the right track to get my surgery off the ground. Which meant to call and call and call and push and push and pull. OMG! I don't think I would do it again.rnrnAt this point I also need to let people understand that I, for 6 years worked in a hospital and for most of that time I was a patient advocate. So, please, understand, that I know of what I speak.rnrnrnThe insurance hassles....... and ONLY because of the office......I was in close contact with my insurance company the entire time (which the doctor's staff was unaware of), and they were extremely supportive of the surgery. I was by told by the office that my claim was submitted and it was not. I was told it was declined and requested more information and it was not. I kept the recording from the insurance company on my phone.....they called me the DAY they finally REALLY rec'd my submission and approved it and left the approval number on my machine.The office staff just continued.....(even though I already rec'd the approval which they were unaware I knew about), tossed me around and around and AROUND with respect to getting my approval by this young inexperienced staff. And, while I'm aware everyone likes to blame the insurance companies..... in this case I KNOW it was not so. I really never wanted to ever go back to that office after the surgery because of the way they treated me. My PCP encouraged me not blame the doctors and that to continue my post op follow ups which I have done.rnrnHowever, all is NOT lost.....if you are lucky enough to have Nino as your nurse, he is the saving grace of that entire staff. The other nurses I found to harsh, uncaring and highly insensitive. I found the nursing staff other than Nino, where not only NOT helpful but never fully address any of my concerns.......I had to get most of my answers from obestity.com..certainly NOT from any of the nursing staff..(unless I was fortunate enough to get Nino on the phone). rnrnI also found little to NO aftercare programs via the office, ABSOLUTELY NO........ support system.......absolutely nothing available to me. And if I called I seemed like a bother.rn ...............I don't call anymore. I would rate the office staff -10. That is MINUS 10.rnrnWould I have the surgery again. YES......but would I go through what this office staff but me through.........I think not.rnrnIt's only when I actually have an appointment and physcially see the doctor that I get any sence of well being or \"aftercare\". The doctor's are patient and wonderful. I have only had those terrible experiences with the office staff and NEVER EVER with the doctors. The doctors i would rate +10. that is a PLUS 10.rnrnI am also very fortunate because my insurance company calls me monthly to check up and see how I'm doing and if I have any questions....re: diet or any general concerns. They are and have been the ONLY ones other than face to face with the doctor's themselves that have shown any concern or caring. rnrnrn"
"they did not clean the bathrooms. when i asked they would not change my dressings and i was leaking all over my gown. i asked for some water and soap so i could wash but no one would help me. any time i asked a nurse for help they would say wait for your doctor and would not lift a finger.
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