I don't know which surgeon to choose!

[Annah 3]

I'm stuck and need to pick 1 surgeon! I'm between Dr. Schmidt from advanced laproscopic (paramus, nj) or Dr Biloff Garden State bariatrics (milburn, nj) ! Please help! I'm a bit overwhelmed and I don't know whom to go with.

[LumpySpacePrincess 594]

This is a very personal decision. I looked into both of those surgeons and eventually went with Dr. Bagloo at Valley Hospital in Ridgewood. I'm so glad I did!! The experience has been nothing short of amazing. She is a wonderful surgeon and the nutritionist at Valley is also outstanding. Wonderful program.

I converted one other patient to Valley a few months back who went to Dr. Schmidt and thought they were a little pushy. She's also glad she went to Valley. I kind of think of surgeons as a "you'll know when you find them" kind of deal. If you're unsure, keep looking.

[Annah 3]

Dr. Bagglo is she part of coe? So they also have a nut in house? Yea I know! It's been hard.. I hear nothing but good things about both doctors but 1 of the doctors is so popular I'm afraid I won't have real 1 on 1. So what exactly made you go with dr Bagloo?

[Annah 3]

W h at made you choose Dr Bagloo instea?

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

I was a revision from Band to Sleeve. When I had the band I had an internationally known surgeon do it, I am sure it was technically perfect, but I had crappy follow up. When I had the sleeve, I picked a well known practice that was built around patient success. The surgeons are wonderful, but in the end, I feel it was the NUT and others that made a huge difference. My vote would be for the one you feel the most confident about follow up (assuming they both have good surgical reputations).

My sleeve surgical practice has a mandatory 2 year follow up. when I hit that milestone they told me I had graduated, but was always welcome to be checked or to come back for support, follow up, reassurance.. or whatever. I feel part of that family in a way.

[Annah 3]

Thanks ladies! Cowgirl Jane are you from nj? What surgeon did you use?

[LumpySpacePrincess 594]

Dr. Bagglo is she part of coe? So they also have a nut in house? Yea I know! It's been hard.. I hear nothing but good things about both doctors but 1 of the doctors is so popular I'm afraid I won't have real 1 on 1. So what exactly made you go with dr Bagloo?

Yes, Valley Hospital is a CoE and they have a NUT in house. All the surgeons there are wonderful. I chose Dr. Bagloo after researching her career and education for awhile, and she sounded very competent. She also took the time to answer my questions during the initial visits and didn't rush me. Very caring person and really takes the time to spend with her patients. Dr. Schrope, the director, is also a very good surgeon.

[NJVSTuser 32]

I went with Dr Schrope at Valley who is in the same group as Dr Bagloo but I have never met her as I think they work different days. Dr Schrope is very good too and happy with my small entry holes which are almost invisible now if that is of interest. They are performing mainly VSG now and they have a NUT on staff. Take care and sure whomever you choose it will go well.

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

No... I am all the way on the left coast...WA state. Just suggesting a way to evaluate your options. I am not kidding. .. my NUT was amazing and alot of them Strike me otherwise. .

[Annah 3]

Nj vs .. so there's a difference on sleeve and vsg? Confused!

[NJVSTuser 32]

Annah, sorry if I confused you, no they are the same thing, VSG stands for Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy but usually people shorten it to say they have been sleeve'd or they have had 80% of their stomach removed to create a small sleeve. Let me know if there are any other questions you have, it has been an amazing experience for me as I was lucky and had no complications and lost 100% of my excess weight which is above average but seems to be a common experience for people on this site.

[Annah 3]

Thank you NJVSTuser. But you mentioned something about small incisions? What is the name of the office or hospital they are a part ?

[NJVSTuser 32]

Dr Schrope and Bagloo are based at Valley Hospital in Ridgewood and in Manhattan too at Columbia. I had the operation at Valley with four very small incisions for the tools and one longer one that the stomach is removed through. Some surgeons are using a technique with one hole through the belly button but didn't have that myself.

[wormiesdad 0]

I see a lot of medical doctors and they all recommended advanced laproscopic team as the team to go with at the moment. Im happy with that team and you get a nutritionist forever which is cool.

[Annah 3]

Wormiesdad whic& doc did u pick? When is your surgery?