Nicholas Bertha Bariatric Surgeon D.O., F.A.C.S.

When I went to the seminar as I watched and listened to 5 doctors I was impressed with Dr Bertha, not knowing it was him. I liked the way he honestly handled questions thrown at them. My first visit was a good one with him being up front and to the point. He has been a blessing at each visit helping through any problems I had. I liked the staff much better than another staff I first encountered at another seminar I went to. He won't baby you but will encourage you to do waht is best. I had an open wound for about two months and he told me to stop the nurses and dress it myself. I said I couldn't do it and he told me it didn't take a rocket scientist to do the job. He taught me what I had to do, so I did it and was back to work at the scheduled time. Most of the issues about risks and procedures as well as after care were covered at the seminar at Morristown Hospital. I only wish they had a section just for bariatric patients when I was there. I didn't feel comfortable at the hospital. Didn't get much bedside manner from the doctor at the hospital as I was home the second day after surgery. As far as in the office he's great all around.

I was very impressed with Dr. Bertha and also Dr. Abkin. They were both straigth forward, telling you exactaly what to expect and what they expected of you. They were honest and also very caring. My impression of them remains the same 2 months after post op. Their staff is friendly and helpful. All questions answered and no questions are stupid. Calls are returned promptly and appointments are accomadating to your schedule.
There is nothing that I did not like about the Doctors or the staff. Future patients should know that they are brutally honest and tell you what they expected from you. You are there because it is your last hope and they will do everything in their power to help you.
Aftercare is very important to the doctor and the staff. Your post op appoints are made before your surgery and there are support groups that you are encouraged to attend.
As I stated above they are brutally honest abut the risks involved. There is nothing sugar coated and they are not there to cuddle you thru this. You will no what you are up against prior to surgery and your will be told if you do not think that you can handle it, they you need to rethink the surgery.
I rate the doctor's and staff very highly. I liked the honesty and straight forwardness. Both their bedside manner and surgical competence are superior.

HE IS VERY PROFESSIONAL AND DIRECT.

I first saw Dr. Bertha at the surgery seminar. He seemed to be a very confident and capable surgeon. I knew that he was the one that I wanted to perform my surgery. I talked to him for the first time at my initial examination/evaluation. He was thorough in his exam and took the time to explain the whole procedure, including the risks and the followup care. The next time I saw him was at the pre-op class. The class is held by one of his nurses and he popped in and spent about 5 minutes in the class answering any questions that anyone had. I next saw him the morning of my surgery. He came in and introduced himself to my husband, asked if we had any questions and left. The surgery was uneventful. He visits you after the surgery and sees you everyday while you are in the hospital. One week after your surgery you go to his office to have your staples removed. The nurse removes the staples, but Dr. Bertha examines you to make sure that there are no problems.
During this time, I couldn't help but think that the whole thing has an "assembly line" quality. At my 3 month checkup, I did not see Dr. Bertha. I saw Dr. Ciccone. I did not care for him. He didn't seem very personable. It did not help things that my 3 month appointment was cancelled twice by their office.
Needless to say, after my 3 month appointment, I was seriously considering not going back again because I did not want to see Dr. Ciccone. However, I did go back for my 6 month check up. This time, I was examined by a new woman doctor. I am sorry that I do not remember her name but she was very nice and very positive. My next appointment is for my one year check up and I understand that Dr. Bertha will meet with me then.
I am very happy that I had this surgery. Dr. Bertha comes with an excellent reputation for being highly skilled with a very low rate of complications.
For your first visit, expect them to run about 2 - 3 hours behind. Subsequent visits run on time. I had no billing problems, this despite his office having almost a complete staff turnover during the time that I was starting the process.
If you are the type of person that requires alot of hand holding and wants your doctor to be at your beck and call, then Dr. Bertha is not the person for you. As I said, there is an assembly line atmosphere. However, this is due to his excellent reputation and the high number of patients. If you can deal with that assembly line, then you won't do better than to go with Dr. Bertha.

Dr. Bertha was very straight forward. He explained everything that would happen and most importantly waht I need to do to be successful. He was very clear that my success depends on me and the surgery is a tool in my weight loss.

He and his staff have put together a complete program that includes a pre-op class. This class was so helpful. Linda (LPN) took us through what to expect leading up to the surgery and directly after. Everything that would happen at the hospital. The nutrionist explained how we needed to begin eating after the surgery. She gave helpful hints and share product ideas that would be helpful. Dr. Bertha showed us, using a model, exactly what would happen during the surgery. He quieted fears of complications by explaining how the ensure that everything was done properly. He answered every question directly.

Dr. Bertha is am excellent surgeon who obviously cares about his patient's success. He is very realistic about with his patients which helps us know exactly what to expect.

My first impression of him was that he was a very serious dr and he never smiled..In the hospital he seemed to lighten up and also for my 1st week visit he seemed happier..
His office staff is great and very caring.His nurses are also gentle.
He didnt visit me in the 2nd recovery room, although I saw him for a second in the hallway after xray. He is very busy..but he did call to see how I was doing and to say he had looked at my xrays and everything was good.
He seems to have alot of experience with all the types of surgeries and his father was a well respected surgeon. Im sure he is following in his fathers footsteps.He may look young...but he is serious and knows his stuff.
He told me that when the surgery is over, it would be up to me to work with my band. And I believe it. There is a dietician in the office and they recommend followup to keep on track with her.
He let me know all the details of how the band is placed and how many incisions I would have and of the leakage or slippage, etc.
I rate him excellent!
Both are great...
The only negative experience I had was in the 2nd recovery room at Morristown Memorial.
The nurse I was assigned to tried to get me to leave at 1:30 when I had my surgery at 10 and woke up at 11. I was told that I should arrange for someone to pick me up early evening. She would ask me every half hour if someone was coming..When I told her I was having pain she said "well of course you have pain..you just had surgery, thats what it feels like"
I was told someone was supposed to walk me around to get the gas out..One of the kinder young nurses saw me make a face and asked me what was wrong..I told her I thought I was supposed to walk around..She walked with me.
Also a young aide helped me to the bathroom and walk around..very nice.
When the dr. called...he told the nurse to give me percoset. I told her I couldnt swallow it could she crush it. She gave it to me crushed on a paper napkin..She also gave me red juice when I was told nothing red after surgery..just in case I had to go back in for some reason..I dont think the recovery room knows enough about the weight loss surgery procedures..Thats where the improvement lies...This was my own experience and I am not making any statements about what anyone else may experience. Just happened to me.

My first impression of Dr. Bertha was that he seemed a bit cocky. I didn't mind so long as it had basis in his skill.

At my first consult, I found his office PACKED. I waited a while to get screened by the nurse and even longer waiting in the exam room. On the flip, the office staff and nurses were very kind and pleasant.

Dr. Bertha did a thorough consult with me, but it went by quick. Obviously the man has his consults down to an exact science. He was very nice and very open to any questions I had. On the down side, I found the fast pace of the consult to not allow me to formulate questions. It’s definitely to anyone’s advantage to write down a complete list of questions prior to the consult-don’t expect to ask too many follow up questions. He was very frank about the potential battle with my insurance company.

After the consult, I was contacted within days by his billing department who promptly started the referral and his programing rep. who scheduled my pre-op classes. His staff ran the pre-op classes in conjunction with the Hospital Bariatric Center and Dr. Bertha even made an appearance to thoroughly explain the procedure and all it’s nuances (he even had velcro digestive system that he pulled apart and re-attached as a great visual aid). There was plenty of time for questions.

The surgery itself went perfectly. I was simply amazed by how quickly I began to recover after the first day. Dr. Bertha made daily visits to check on me (again, very quick but complete).

At this point I would recommend Dr. Bertha to anyone seeking the RNY procedure.

My first impression of Dr. Bertha was I was just another patient, and my impression did not change over time. His office staff is great. What I liked least about Dr. Bertha is he does not spend enough time with his patients, or at least he didn't with me. He does emphasize aftercare, and his guidelines are wonderful. His aftercare is very structured, and if you follow everything, you will have no problems. He addressed the risk of surgery as "get your affairs in order". I would rate him a great surgeon, but his bedside manner has a lot to be desired. I think his surgical competence is much better than his bedside manner.

I love Dr. Bertha; my impression remains; the office staff appears to be overwhelmed at times - they benefit from adding another office person since so many people these days are having this surgery or are considering it; I only saw him at my first post-op visit - then saw nurse & nutritionist; would be nice if he were there to see us on our post-op visits; Addressed risks well and the pre-op class with the nurse was very good; surgical and bedside manner very good; I would definitely recommend!

First impression was "Oh god, I hope he is not my doctor",

Once I got on a one to one basis with him, it is "Thank god, he is my doctor".

Office help is too busy but very helpful.

Future patients should know that your appointments will take about 2 to 3 hours. All waiting room time and very little office time.