Obesity Treatment Centers of New Jersey
The weight can be over.
The Obesity Treatment Centers of New Jersey offers surgical and non-surgical weight loss options. Partnering with the Morristown Memorial Hospital, a designated Magnet Hospital for Excellence in Nursing Service, and the Saint Barnabas Medical Center, currently ranked among the top 5 percent of all hospitals in the country, they offer a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary, team approach consisting of Nutritionists, Dietitians, Metabolic Specialists, Exercise Physiologists, Massage Therapists for their patients who are considering weight loss surgery.
Their surgeons have created a State of the Art award winning program. Michael J. Nusbaum, MD, FACS, FASMBS, is a board-certified surgeon specializing in weight loss surgery, including gastric bypass and both the Lap-Band and Realize Band gastric banding surgeries. In fact Dr. Nusbaum was trained by the inventor of the adjustable gastric banding procedure, Dr. Lubomyr Kuzmak, and has himself invented surgical techniques that enhance the safety of bariatric surgery.
Having over 10 years of experience in bariatric surgery, and performing over 2,000 successful weight loss procedures, Dr. Nusbaum is one of the few bariatric surgeons who have achieved the prestigious Fellowship status with the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. His surgical excellence and dedication have been recognized by the Consumers Research Council of America, which has included Dr. Nusbaum in its nationally recognized publication, the Guide to America's Top Surgeons for six consecutive years. He was also named one of the Top Bariatric Surgeons in New Jersey by the New Jersey Monthly magazine in 2007 and 2008, and has been granted the “Center of Excellence” designation by the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) for the past 3 years.
Many obese patients have highly increased surgical risk factors. In conjunction with the Morristown Memorial Hospital, and the Saint Barnabas Medical Center, the staff of the Obesity Treatment Centers of NJ have created a program that is among the finest in the country and can provide you with unparalleled care and support.
How do I get my insurance company to approve the surgery?
Most insurance companies approve the surgery; however, they frequently require that you do some work on your end. They require that you get a letter from your PCP stating that he/she has supervised your weight loss for at least two years (the more the better). In addition, most insurance companies require that you see a psychologist in order to ensure that you are psychologically prepared for the surgery. Once you get all of your letters together, bring or send them to the office. We will then put your letters together with your letter of medical necessity from this office and send the application for approval in to your insurance company on your behalf. Some insurance companies, such as Aetna and Cigna, require that you submit several years worth of office notes from your PCP. This is, presumably, to ensure that you have tried to lose weight under medical supervision for several years and have failed. After your office visit, your bariatric co-coordinator will help inform you as to which doctors you will need to see and what information your insurance company requires in order to get approval.
When can I have the surgery?
The surgery date is dependent upon your insurance company. Once we get approval from the insurance company, my office will call you and ask you for a date for the surgery. Please think about a 2-4 week recovery period after the gastric bypass surgery (2-4 days for gastric banding). You may not feel like you will need that much time. In fact, you will not be experiencing pain or discomfort in that period, however, you will be very tired and may feel washed out until you regain your strength.
You do not participate with my insurance company. What does this mean?
It means that I do not accept the “Standard Rate” that they reimburse for the operation. As a result, I accept “Out of Network Benefits.” This means that you may be required to pay the balance due for the operation beyond what your insurance company pays. It is important to check with your insurance company and see if you have “Out of Network Benefits.” Most PPO and POS plans have these benefits. Unfortunately, HMO plans rarely if ever have these extra benefits.
How long does the operation take?
Most of the time, the operation takes about 90 minutes for a gastric bypass and 30 minutes for a Lap-Band. If you have had previous surgery, you may have scar tissue (adhesions) on the inside that will require extra time to take down. This could add anywhere from 10-60 minutes to the operative time.
How long will I be in the hospital?
You can expect to be in the hospital for 2-3 nights for a bypass and same day or overnight for a band. This is based on how you are doing during your recovery period.
What are the most common risks and complications?
The most serious complication is a leak, which could lead to infection. Every precaution is taken to prevent this from happening. The goal is to detect the leak in the operating room prior to completing the operation. That way the leak, if it exists, can be fixed right then and there. The next most serious complication is a DVT (deep venous thrombosis) otherwise known as a leg clot. The danger here is that the leg clot could break free and go to your lungs (Pulmonary Embolism).
If you are at high risk for a DVT and PE, you may be required to have a “Filter” placed in the blood vessel returning blood from both of your legs. This filter helps prevent blood clots from moving to your lungs. Two options exist here: a permanent filter or a retrievable filter (which can be removed within 2 months of placement). It us up to you to decide if you want the filter removed in that period of time. After the two months has lapsed, the lining in the blood vessel of your body will grow around the filter and make it permanent.
What Are Dr. Nusbaum's Patients Saying?
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