Elliot Goodman Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

Well, I must say everything everyone has said about Dr. Goodman being a great doctor is true. He really has a pleasant nature. Yes, he does answer all your questions straight and thoroughly. Although I didn't get to ask all the questions I wanted (because I wanted to join in the support group they have at the hospital every Thursday. Which by the way is GREAT!)But, Good ole Goodman said I can call him with whatever other questions I have. His staff is equally pleasant. One thing I did notice is another patient who had problems with her incision staying open (which scared me half to death). She told me Dr. Goodman didn't perform her surgery but, she was switching over to him because of her complications. Well, that was good thing to hear. All I have to do now is get my Psych Eval and see the Nutritionist. He said I should have the surgery in the beginning of september. So, I guess I'm on my way.

I think the world of Dr Goodman. He is young which I think makes him more knoledable on new medical news but he has alot of experience already with weight loss surgery. I likes the fact that his office handled all the insurance paperwork for me. As i travled around the web I read many stories about people who seemed to be waging thier own battles with insurance companies. He did the work and it went smoothly. Dr Goodman is not part of my insurance companies ppo which means I get reimbursed only 70%. He accepted this as full payment. He has lots of support programs but doe'nt force people like me who are not joiners to attend. He's a great guy.

When I first met Dr. Elliot Goodman, I said to myself my he is a young doctor. I felt a little bit more comfortable with him because of his knowledge to answer my questions completly and thoroughly. I was quite comfortable in the office when I went to see Dr. Goodman, everyone there make you feel relaxed and reassured that you will be in good hands.

I can't say he gave me a reason to not like him. He was very pleasant. He explains everything to you in detail, and if you have any questions just ask and he will give you the best answer possible. After care was bought to my attention by stating it is a process that one has to overcome after major surgery. I was told there would be pain and of course I know that already.

I am not sure about the aftercare program. The risks of surgery was thoroughly explained and I did ask questions about it. I would rate Dr. Goodman a 10. I think surgical competence is better because that is when you see the doctors skills. I am hoping that after surgery his bedside manners remain the same as his office manners which were excellent. However, I am still waiting for surgery so I am answering these questions to the best of my ability. I something else I would like to say about Dr. Elliot Goodman, I had a few questions before my surgery and I sent him a email, this doctor called me back personally to answer the questions I needed answered so I could be well informed. I tell you he show concern for his patients. I have no regrets putting myself in his hands.

My very first impression of Dr. Goodman was on the telephone. There had been a news program on televsion about gastric bypass and I only caught the very end of the newcast, but enough to get the Doctors name and location. I called information and called the number, there was a recording I left my name and number and hung up knowing I would never hear from him. To my surprise the very next day I received a phone. He was very pleasant, and so down to earth answering all of my questions and promising to send me information. My impression never changed over time I only grew to admire him more, here was a buzy surgeon willing to return my calls for more than one year to answer the same questions over and over again. I finally made a appointment, his staff is also on top of things very understanding and efficient. Dr Goodman believes that the more education and communication you have the better. He is right, First I watched a film, all by myself for 45 min. telling me everything from start to finish. After that film Dr. Goodman encourages a discussion and answers again and again any questions(I guess I really am a pain in the neck) bottom line he is wonderful. What I liked most about Dr. Goodman is his personal attention to every single one of his patients. What I liked least about him is that I couldn't clone him I really think he is a wonderful human being but best of all and maybe most important he is a great mechanic. I felt great soon after the operation. I have spoken to many people that have had the same operation and after comparing notes I can truly say that I had the best of the best. Dr.Goodman has a very structured before care, during your hospital stay and after care. He encourages support groups, and has weekly meetings for pre-op, and post op. I will admit that I did not want to try the diet before the surgery but after a little insistance by the psychologist, I was pissed who the hell did she think she was asking me to do the diet for a week prior to surgery. Guess what she was right, I tried the diet and it does make you aware of chewing your food and eating very slowly and also about the drinking with your food, all this is just on automatic, and after surgery it is important to follow the diet because if you don't the reminders' such as vomiting or shitting, in plain English, is a little bit of a rude awakening. So all and all while I fought my lovley psychologist-- with who the hell she thought she was was a very concerned and knowledgable person who really cares about the way people react. You can do it the easy way or learn the hard way. I'm just glad I'm a fast learner. The dietician is also available for meeting, telephone, and the support groups. I didn't think I would continue with the support groups, but again I was wrong, they are very very helpful, and I do look forward to attending although not every single week. Dr.Goodman addressed the risk of surgery thru the film but also on a very personal one on one basis. I rate Dr. Goodman with 150% for duty above and beyond. The best thing is every single one of the people I have spoken to and I've called them all(from the support list of all his patients)had the same positive experience

The surgeon I have chosen for my open RNY is Dr. E. Goodman. He is a very kind and warm man. More importantly he is a competent surgeon and I trust him implicitly. I would recommend him to anyone who is having an open RNY. He always answers all questions and has a very good attitude. He is a very human and caring DR. I can't say enough good things about him. "Two thumbs up!" UPDATE: I had Open RNY with Dr. Goodman on 9-28-00. To date I have lost 147lbs and feel better than ever. I have my life back. I live out of state and it was very important to find a surgeon who was easy to reach if I needed him. Dr. Goodman is always able to be found. No matter what my question, he is always right there to answer me, whether email, fax, pager or phone. I would use Dr. G. all over again if I had to. Oh yeah, and he cuts a pretty straight incision too...lol.

I had my surgery on June 12, 2000. I can only say that Dr G was great! I am so happy with my extensively researched choice. Not only would I recommend Dr G, my second reason for ANYONE to choose Dr G is his partner Dr Hallup! Dr G was out of town directly after my surgery and Dr Hallup was my on call Dr. He is the best Dr I have ever met! I had a few complications after surgery and I was in ICU for 3 days and then in Pascack Valley Hospital for 3 days after that. (I was so infected due to a gallbladder that Dr G also removed). Anyway, I definitely wanted to get out of there ASAP, but that wasn't an option. Dr Hallup stayed with me when I had problems, he called to check on me often, he even pushed my wheelchair from a catscan to my room!! My personal impression of Pascack Valley Hospital is not so great! The ICU staff was excellent. The nursing staff of 4West (where patients after WLS go) was not so great. I was very disappointed to say the least! This may only be my experience--But the exemplary care of Dr Hallup more than made up for their shortcommings at the hospital. Again, I can't say enough to reccomend them both. Any questions... e-mail me. [email protected] I check mail just a few times a week so be patient for a reply.

That he is a very nice man. He is also very understanding and he likes to also here your thoughts and questions. My impression is still the same, If he can take time to call you personally and answer your e-mails then that's a really good and commited Doctor. He's staff was excellent, especially the nurse she talks to you like she met you before. They let you watch a tape and give you pen and paper to write down any questions thay you may have. You can relax and watch the tape alone and then the Doctor comes in and talks to you about the whole procedure. Patients should know that he is a good Doctor and very understanding, You can e-mail him or call his office and you will see for yourself how he is. It's a process you go through before you have the surgery. Do your research first. He went down all the risks of the surgery and what are the percentages too. He also told me to come to the support group to talk to people who already had the surgery. I would give him a very excellent rating of a 10 (on a scale of 1-10). I will update on how he was after the surgery is done. Doctor Goodman has an excellent Surgical competence and his bedside manner is also excellent. This is on surgeon you would trust with your life.

DR GOODMAN CALLED ME TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE I MIGHT NEED IN MY SEARCH. HE WAS UTTERLY HELPFUL AND TOTALLY FORTHCOMMING WITH ALL SORTS OF HELPFUL INFORMATION. HE WAS VERY GENEROUS WITH HIS TIME ANSWERING ALL THE QUESTIONS I CAME UP WITH. I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT HIS KINDNESS AND GENEROSITY IN THIS REGARD. WE MEET 12-2-99. HIS STAFF WAS DELIGHTFUL ON THE PHONE WHEN I "COLD CALLED" AND COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MORE PLEASANT GOOD HUMORED OR CHARMING. YOU'D THINK I WAS REVIEWING A HOTEL....MORE LATER

SURGERY WAS SCHEDULED FOR 1-18-2000.
INSURANCE APPROVAL WAS RECEIVED.
SURGERY WAS SUCCESSFUL.
RECOVERY WAS SLOW BUT STEADY.

DR GOODMAN WAS A ROCK. HIS CONTINUING SUPPORT FOLLOWING THE SURGERY AND HIS RESPONSE TO ME AND OTHERS HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL.

DR GOODMAN'S PATIENTS HAVE ENTHUSIASTICALLY EMBRACED THE AFTERCARE WEEKLY SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS WHICH INCLUDE DIETARY COUNSELLING AND INFORMATION AS WELL AS EXPERT PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPERVISION AND GUIDANCE FROM A PHD PSYCHOLOGIST......NOT A MS OF SOCIAL WORK.

DR GOODMAN'S COMBINATION OF COMPETENCE, EMPATHY, AND FOLLOW-UP PLUS HIS WONDERFUL STAFF MAKR THE MONTEFIORE PEOGRAM EXTRAORDINARY.

I have spokent to him onthe phone and have sent him e-mail. He has responded expeditiously and sounded sincere on the phone. I have my first appt. on 5/25 and looking foward to meeting him.

So far I've met with Dr. Goodman and corresponded with him via e-mail which is very convenient. I can ask him anything and he responds in a very timely manner. This way we aren't trading telephone calls.