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

Nothing more than an exceptional surgeon.

Love him.rnHe is a little abrupt but, straight forward and honest, which is very necessary. This is a very structured and \"well oiled\" office/practice. Everything start to finish has be highly professional and competent. Pre-op and post-op I have received more information than any one else I have spoken with. I have felt very well informed at every step of the process.rnDr. Bertha is a little conservative in adding restriction, (I have none yet but, am loosing at a slow steady pace) we will see if that is a good thing or not...rnI highly recommend Dr. Bertha as well as the whole Advanced Laproscopic Surgeons' practice.

He's a great Dr. Hearing him answer questions at the seminar was really impressive. Once I started the process and the office visits, I really liked how he would take his time to answer my and my husband's questions. rnrnThe staff is wonderful- supportive and understanding. They are prompt to return calls and help. They really made the decision for me- from the seminar to post-op, I'm thankful for them. rnrnThe program online which is required, claritymd.com costs money, but covers completely the risks and technical aspects of the surgery. Plus the pre-op class is wonderful! Here everything is covered, a repeat of the nutritionist appointment, plus pre=op instructions and post-op expectations. rnrnDr. Bertha is great! He has great knowledge in his field, a great team and a great bedside manner, though its routine for him, i.e. pulling a drain, he knows its not for his patients and gives the grace and compassion needed for them to have confidence.rn

In 2009 I am very disappointed.

Dr.s Bertha and Abkin run an excellent practice. I am almost 6 months post-op RNY and could not be happier. The doctors and their practice make every effort to educate pre-op patients and guide them through the process. The practice participates in most insurance coverages and helps you get your approvals. The new patient orientation is a great education experience going in and the monthly support groups and follow-up appointments help keep you on track post-op.rnrnI found Dr. Bertha himself to be patient, understanding, honest and candid in my visits and discussions with him. Dr. Bertha has done thousands of WLS surgeries and he and Dr. Abkin enjoy a complication rate less than half the national average.rnrnI heartily recommend Dr. Bertha and ALS without reservations. I see lots of posts on OH from WLS patients that don't seem to know what to do, this seems to be indicative of surgeons that do not provide comprehensive programs like the Program for Life program of Dr. Bertha and Abkin. I think they are the best.rnrnThe only negative in my experience was related to St. Peters hospital. While I was there, the news broke that they had a Legionaire's Disease outbreak in the hospital that started 9 days before my surgery. I was very angry the hospital did not inform either me or the surgeons as this put me at risk unnecessarily and my surgery could have easily been postponed.

Dr. Bertha is a very professional and rnknowledgeable surgeon. He took the time to speak with me personally at the seminar I went to. I saw him on 12/31/08 in the office for the first time, and was very impressed. There isn't any question he won't answer. He spent a lot of time with me during the office visit, and was in no rush like so many doctors I have been treated by. My husband and I are both very confident that Dr. Bertha is the right surgeon to perform my bariatric procedure. He came into the pre-op holding area the day of my surgery to see my husband and me, and spoke to my husband as soon as the surgery was finished. I also really like that Dr. Bertha and his staff provide a lot of education about the procedure and lifestyle changes pre-op, and support post-op as well. I highly recommend Dr. Bertha to anyone looking for a highly skilled surgeon with a down-to-earth personality and bedside manner.

Dr. Bertha is great!!! I had my surgery (LapBand) on 11/4/08 and on that day he made me feel very comfortable. I live an hour away from his office and have been there about 4 times. Each time the staff was very polite, helpful and the wait is never long. I don't mind traveling to it. Dr. Bertha is as sweet as he wanna be. He listens and he tells you exactly what the deal is. He doesn't sugar coat anything. And, I appreciate him for that. When I decided to have the LapBand I found another doctor who kept lying to me about scheduling my surgery. I got the run-around from his office staff. I researched again and found Dr. Bertha's office (Advanced Laproscopy Surgery) and am so glad that I did. Thanks soooo much Dr. Bertha/Dr. Abkin and staff!!rnLydia

I think Karla at Dr. Bertha's office is great ! I was approved very quickly. I have my date and will update after surgery with info on Dr. Bertha and St. Peters Hospital.

I thought and still think Dr Bertha is very professional.rnHis office staff is very efficiantand friendlyand again professional.rnThe doctor heavilly stresses after care and support groups.rnHe has a complete after care program all set up prior to the surgery.rnAll the risks and expectations were discussed before surgery.rnI have no other bariatric surgeon to compare him to but I am very happy with my surgeon.rnI think both surgical compitance and a good bedside manner are both important, and I think my surgeon has both.rn At first I thought Dr Bertha was a little stiff, but as we got to know each other during the pre-op process and during the surgery he seemed to become more relaxed with me, once I made the decision to help myself and move foward on my journy. Still very professional, but more open and easyer to discuss things with. I am very happy with my choise of surgical team.

What was your first impression of him/her?rnrnI immediately felt that Dr. Bertha was a surgern who cared about his patients and their success.rnrnWhen I saw the doc, in wether in the office, before surgery, he took time to make sure I understaood what was going on and wanted to make sure that all my questions were answered. rnrnDr. Bertha is part of the Program for Life which includes, monthly support group meetings and followups.rnrnDr. Bertha addresses the risks for surgery by being straight forward. He also explains how the practice he belongs to reduces the amount of complications which is extremely important to him and for his patients. (I get the feeling he is always on the look out for anything that will lower the complication rate further.rnrnI rate Dr. Bertha very highly.rnrnThe office staff is aways busy working on many different things that occure in the office. I never felt neglected but sometimes there seemed a delay with whom to transfer me to or to handle by call. (mostly insurance issues)