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Need recommendations for top NF surgeons in the NYC area.

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Posted 2/8/2013 3:10 AM (GMT 0)
www.nydoctorprofile.com/ seems to be the URL for NY. I did not find any malpractice record for Dr. Rasa, but you should look it up too. It also has education and practice info.
Posted 2/8/2013 1:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Denise,

I actually did my own research.

There is also another surgeon at Weill-Cornell that is supposedly very good... Alfons Pomp, MD.

http://www.weillcornell.org/alp2014/index.html

He has a video and appears that he is a nice man.

I will check on both of these MD's and reply back. My thought is that Zarnegar has the right fit.

Best,

Gastricman

P.S. I think the Linx is the way for me to go right now, but Torax Medical does not have anyone yet in NYC.

GH,

Thanks for the vetting resource, that was on my to-do list!  wink   

Posted 2/8/2013 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
Gastricman,

Good job searching out your very best options before making a decision.  Have you seen this study on the LINX procedure?  http://www.surgery.usc.edu/uppergi-general/gastroesophagealrefluxdisease-linx-risksbenefits.html

Just thought it might provide additional information as you search out answers and make your decisions.

Good luck!

Denise

Posted 2/8/2013 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Denise,

You wouldn't believe what I have read on the Linx procedure without going through it yet, LOL!

Nothing is perfect. I guess that you have to pick the path you are most comfortable with and go from there. I am still considering the NF, while leaning toward the Linx since it is "easily" reversible.

Cheers!

Gastricman
Posted 2/8/2013 8:57 PM (GMT 0)
Gastricman,

You will have to be given the award for yeah yeah "Most Prepared" yeah yeah when you finally decide what to do!

Happy hunting,

Denise

Posted 2/9/2013 2:02 AM (GMT 0)

Gastricman said...
Hi all,

Think I might have found someone for the NF surgery!

Rasa Zarnegar at Weill-Cornell, NYC. I am going to check on him and also see if he will be doing the Linx.

http://www.weillcornell.org/razarnegar/index.html

Does anyone know anything about him?

Gastricman

this is funny you posted this as i was doing some research today and came cross his name as well..i havnt seen much mentioned about him specifically repairing hiatal hernias have you?

let me know what you find out about him please cause he actually takes my insurance
Posted 2/11/2013 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi.

Made an appointment next week with Dr. Zarnegar, who does his own esophageal testing.
I will report back as to my findings. The phone experience with his admin was enjoyable.

Many questions to be answered.

FWIW,

Gastricman

Post Edited (Gastricman) : 2/11/2013 1:05:01 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/12/2013 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck! yeah
Posted 2/20/2013 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

Went to see Dr. Rasa Zarnegar at Weill-Cornell today regarding a consultation for the NF.

Seems like a very reasonable man. We chatted about a myriad of things and I felt comfortable with him and his surgical interests concerning my condition. He waould like me to come back for another esophageal manometry and 24 hours Ph/Impedence study, 2 weeks off of the PPI. He performs the tests alongside specially trained nurses.

He is from Britian and had a sense of humor which helped "break the ice." As for the NF, he does it robotically using the Da Vinci system and would hold me overnight to make sure that all is OK - no rush. From the best of my knowledge, he has performed about 100 of them so far. He really liked the surgery calling it a fine, proven operation, with limited side effects. I need to question him more on that!

My mistake was that I did not ask him about the Linx procedure, but I will call and ask his admin. Dr. Zarnegar did not bring it up, which makes me believe that he is not doing it just yet and/or feels that it is too premature.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask here in the Forum or send me an email.

Best,

Gastricman :-)

Posted 3/7/2013 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Gastricman
Just Had the procedure on 02/04/13 by a dr Jerzy Macura in New Hyde Park he was excellent he is also part of the North Shore LOng Island Jewish health system they take most major insurences. I personally think he made me feel so comfortable and was truly a great doctor. his phone number is 516-233-3601

hope this helps.
Posted 3/8/2013 3:37 AM (GMT 0)

Gastricman said...
Hi all,


Went to see Dr. Rasa Zarnegar at Weill-Cornell today regarding a consultation for the NF.



Seems like a very reasonable man. We chatted about a myriad of things and I felt comfortable with him and his surgical interests concerning my condition. He waould like me to come back for another esophageal manometry and 24 hours Ph/Impedence study, 2 weeks off of the PPI. He performs the tests alongside specially trained nurses.



He is from Britian and had a sense of humor which helped "break the ice." As for the NF, he does it robotically using the Da Vinci system and would hold me overnight to make sure that all is OK - no rush. From the best of my knowledge, he has performed about 100 of them so far. He really liked the surgery calling it a fine, proven operation, with limited side effects. I need to question him more on that!



My mistake was that I did not ask him about the Linx procedure, but I will call and ask his admin. Dr. Zarnegar did not bring it up, which makes me believe that he is not doing it just yet and/or feels that it is too premature.



If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask here in the Forum or send me an email.



Best,



Gastricman [img]/community/emoticons/smile.gif[/img]

didnt see this till now, thanks for the info

do you have a hital hernia or reflux without that?

did he say anything about recovery? diet,pain etc..
Posted 3/8/2013 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi iamloco724,

I supposedly have a very small hital hernia which needs to be re-verified by another endoscopy and/or barium swallow, also known as an esophagram. In any case, it would be fixed by Dr. Zarnegar if I had the NF.

Due to the multitude of side effects (my opinion only!), I will hold off and further evaluate the Linx procedure.

The NF is non-reversible (or extremely difficult). I think that Zarnegar has the all the right personal chemistry and competency to do the NF (which he does robotically, with the DaVinci surgical system.)

This approach minimizes pain and you would need to be on a graduated diet for a few weeks.

He should consider doing the Linx as well in NYC, since he would be a perfect fit for it, IMO.

As for pain and recovery, we didn't go deeply into it but he felt extremely comfortable and wanted me back after it all sank into my head and compose questions that he would take the time to answer, until I was pleased.

Remember, it is an NF any way you look at this with it's own pluses and minuses. You will stay overnight.

His credentials are excellent.

Hope this helps and if you should see him, please comment back. A single consultation never hurts.

GM :-)

P.S. He does his own Ph/Manometry testing and has trusted MD's who do the upper endoscopy.

Posted 3/11/2013 4:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Gastricman,

My co-workers friend used Dr. Joshua Sonett from Columbia Pres. uptown NY. He had a successful NF and can eat whatever he wants and lives a nomal life. I went to Dr. Sonett about 2 years ago to talk to him. It cost me $500 just to sit down with him bc he didnt take my insurance but it was worth it. He comes off a little "cocky" however from looking at his record, the surgeries he has performed, the education he has, he's entitled to be "cocky." He told me that he stopped counting NF procedures at 1000 and that was several years ago. He said he does about 3-4 day every week. The day I saw him, I was his break in between 2 NF procedures. He stated to me "I got one getting prepped for me right now and its number 3 for today, so as soon as we are done I will take care of that patient."
He stated it takes him roughly 45 to 90min to perform a NF depending on the size of a patient. When I saw him at the time I was 230lbs. Mind you Im 6'1. He told me lose 30 lbs and this surgery can be completed in 45 min. "You will not have anymore discomfprt as a result of gerd."

I than asked him about all the horror stories in realtion to the NF. Like you Im sure you have read the countless nightmares on this forum. His response to that was "how many NF have these surgeons performed? Where are these surgeons located and how many opportunities to perform NF? This is where he explained to me that he does 3-4 a day and he stopped counting at 1000.
I did feel very confident with him and after my endo this spring (probably at the end of april or may) I will make my decision. My gerd is acting up more and more and I'm getting concerned about taking nexium for the length of time I have been on it. (12 years)
Let me know what and who you choose.
Posted 3/11/2013 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi tracks83,

Just read your above post, thank you.

While I sincerely appreciate your candid honesty, no doctor should be entitled to be "cocky." nono

Why don't you arrange an appointment with Dr. Zarnegar, (see my previous posts in this thread) and then you can better evaluate the two? Don't get me wrong, Dr. Sonett appears to be a very experienced surgeon and that is very important, as is bedside manner. My vibes (after reading your post) tell me that Dr. Sonett would not be a good match for my needs on a psychological level, which is critical from pre to post-op and beyond.

I might consider the Linx at this point in time, when more surgeons are trained, especially in the NYC area.

Cheers,

GM :-)

Posted 3/11/2013 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
Gastricman,

When I meant "Cocky" he just came off as someone who knows what he's doing. He displayed a great deal of confindence in himself. I guess "cocky" was a poor choice of words. He was very respectful and professional.
Meeting him and actually speaking with my co-workers friend who had the surgery by Sonett who had not one negative thing to say about Sonett or the outcome of surgery....this is the Dr. for me.
I would meet Dr. Zarnegar but he has only done about 100 NF? I don;t know. Im not to crazy about that number.
Mind you, my co workers friend had No complications post surgery.
Posted 3/12/2013 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi tracks83,

Dr. Sonett does not do the NF robotically, which leaves smaller incisions and trauma. Zarnegar does and he also accepts many insurance plans. I'm sure that by this stage he has done much more than 100, as he is a foregut surgeon while Sonett is more thoracic. Like I said previously, it can't hurt to check them both out and form your own opinions.

I haven't met one MD yet that said to me that my life will be the same as if I didn't have any NF surgery. Keep in mind that everyone is different in terms of their anatomy and recovery. The skill of the surgeon is very important.

Let us know how the consultation(s) go!

Cheers,

GM

Posted 5/5/2015 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone, thanks for all the information in the above posts- a lot of help now that I am looking for a surgeon for NF. Just wondering- Gastricman did you go through with NF, or meet with any other doctors in NYC? Or does anyone else have any information about other surgeons in NYC? Thanks!
Posted 4/23/2016 1:52 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Gastricman, was wondering if you decided on a NYC surgeon?
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