Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

Just wanted to wish all those who periodically check my blog, Facebook page, Twitter posts, LinkedIn posts, and websites (including the ScuLpt Facebook page and ScuLpt website), as well as all my current patients, a very Happy and Healthy Holiday Season and Happy New Year!!  It's been a great year professionally and I'm proud to be able to help so many people achieve their body image and weight loss goals!!  I'm looking forward to a great 2012 and the opportunity to make new friends and help many more patients!

Had a great time on the radio!

Thoroughly enjoyed being on Cruisin' 92.1 FM last night with Dr. Joseph Fallon and Kitty Castellini on the Diabetes Living Today show!  Thanks to those that tuned in, and called in!!  The podcast should be available soon for those that missed the show! Stay tuned!

I'll be on the radio this Tuesday!

Interested in learning more about LapBand surgery and its value in the treatment of comorbid conditions like diabetes?  Tune in to 92.1 FM and listed to the Diabetes Living Today® radio show at 8pm this Tuesday, November 15th.  You can call into the show and ask questions as well!

Click here to learn more about the show!

What does it mean to be a "Super Specialist" in LapBand surgery?

I am frequently asked why I have chosen to narrow the scope of my bariatric surgery practice to Laparoscopic Gastric Banding, as some patients feel they may be better off seeing a surgeon who performs many different forms of bariatric surgery.  My response is simple...

I used to perform other forms of weight loss surgery (gastic bypass, etc.), but I've decided to become a Super Specialist in LapBand weight loss surgery.  Why?  In my opinion, if a patient has decided that Laparoscopic Gastric Band surgery is the operation they want, they should seek out a surgeon who specializes in that particular operation.  Think about it, if you want the plumbing fixed in your home, do you seek out the "handyman", who may know a little about everything, or do you seek out the plumber who has been recommended to you because he/she is the best one out there?  Of course, you seek out the best plumber you can find.  In my mind, it works the same way with bariatric surgery.

The number of operations that the surgeon performs matters.  If the surgeon is performing all kinds of bariatric procedures, he may not do the one you are interested in very often.  Specifically, I perform more LapBand operations in my region of southern New Jersey than anyone else.  This gives me, and my patients, the comfort of knowing I have the most experience with the procedure.  I have chosen to narrow the scope of my bariatric surgery practice, and become a Super Specialist in LapBand surgery, because I want to be the best in the business, and offer my patients the best possible care.

Interested in finding out if LapBand surgery is the one you want to have to achieve lasting weight loss?  Register for one of my free weight loss surgery seminars, held every month, in the evening, and you'll learn everything you need to know to make an informed decision about which surgery is right for you!  I discuss all of the different forms of weight loss surgery in simple terms.  There's no obligation to make an appointment to see me in the office, and no obligation to have surgery.

Call Eva and sign up today! 856-596-7440 extension 213.

"What is the average weight loss with bariatric surgery?"

I've been giving free bariatric surgery lectures for years, over 8 years actually, and a very common question asked by the audience is "how much weight will I lose?".  In response to the question I can easily quote the statistics of the "average" weight loss surgery patient who undergoes the different operations.  The problem I have though, is when people look at the average and use it to determine which operation they are interested in.  I don't know about you, but I don't consider myself to be "average".  I certainly hope you don't either!  I strongly encourage those who come to my free lectures each month to say to themselves "I'm not average, I can achieve better than average weight loss with whatever weight loss surgery operation I choose!"  A patient I saw today in the office one year out from her LapBand operation certainly emphasizes my point - she's dropped 136 pounds in her first year after the surgery!  Do you think she considers herself to be average?  No way!  Bottom line - if you're well educated about the operation, motivated to achieve your weight loss goals, and choose the right surgeon and the right support program, you are already above average!  Come to my free weight loss surgery lecture to get the real story about weight loss surgery.  Next lecture is Oct. 4th at the Wyndham Hotel in Mt. Laurel, NJ.  Call Eva at 856-596-7440 ext. 213 to register.  Oh, and the lecture is way above average!

What about the other forms of weight loss surgery?

People ask me all the time why I have focused the bariatric portion of my surgical practice on performing LapBands.  Quite simply, it's because LapBand surgery allows people who desire surgical weight loss to achieve results similar to other more risky forms of weight loss surgery, without the high risks of complications and without the irreversibility of the other operations.  I wholeheartedly believe that I should only perform operations for weight loss that I believe in, even if I could do better financially by performing all the available forms of weight loss surgery.  I am fully trained in advanced laparoscopic surgery, and in all forms of weight loss survey, and could certainly perform sleeve gastrectomies, gastric bypasses, and other operations for weight loss, however, I don't believe it's necessary to subject a patient to the high risk of sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass to achieve weight loss results that can be achieved with gastric band.  For example, did you know that the mortality rate currently quoted in the surgical literature for gastric sleeve surgery is three times higher than that of LapBand surgery, and the mortality rate for gastric bypass surgery is four times higher?

I invite anyone interested in finding out more about all these forms of weight loss surgery to attend my monthly free weight loss surgery seminar.  I offer them, at no obligation to use me as your surgeon or even make an appointment in my office, to anyone interested in weight loss surgery.  At the seminar I will cover the advantages and disadvantages related to gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and LapBand surgery.

Interested? Call my bariatric coordinator, Eva, at 856-596-7440 extension 213.

"What about Single Incision Lap Band Surgery?"

Lately there is a push in the surgical community, mostly, in my opinion, by the surgical equipment manufacturers, to perfrom LapBand surgery through a single incision.  The incision may be located in the navel (belly button), or elsewhere on the abdomen.  I've been asked by several potential LapBand patients what I think about this "less invasive" option so I figured I'd answer the question here in my blog to reach more people who may have this question as well.
I perform single incision surgery, primarily for gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) and colon (large intestine) removal.  I've taken a course at Duke University about single incision surgery and had the opportunity to be in the operating room to observe a single incision LapBand operation.  I've also reviewed the literature about the outcomes after single incision LapBand surgery.

My opinion is that there is no advantage to single incision LapBand surgery.  There is no difference in post operative pain compared to standard minimally invasive laparoscopic LapBand surgery.  The cosmetic result is really not any different either.  The small 5 millimeter incisions used for standard laparoscopic LapBand surgery are very difficult to notice once they've healed.  Furthermore, there may be *disadvantages* to single incision LapBand surgery, since it requires more time on the operating table to perform the procedure, thereby increasing the risk of venous thrombosis in the legs (blood clots that could potentially travel to the lungs and cause life threatening pulmonary embolism), and a larger incision through the muscle layer to get all the instruments required to do the procedure through one hole, thereby increasing the risk of a hernia later on down the road.

Finally, I don't think any surgeon would argue that single incision LapBand surgery is more difficult to perform than standard laparoscopic LapBand surgery, thus the surgeon will struggle at times during the case.  As a surgeon I can honestly tell my patients that one thing you *don't want* is your surgeon to be struggling during *your operation*.  Struggling increases the risks of injuries and complications.

Bottom line, I feel that surgeons who are pushing single incision LapBand surgery are doing so in order to acheive what they believe to be a marketing advantage to get more patients to come to them.  In the end though, they may be doing their patients a disservice by doing so.

My opinion is to stick with standard laparoscopic technique when undergoing LapBand surgery.  If your surgeon is pressuring you to undergo single incision surgery for weight loss, you may want to think twice about it.

Have you been following me on Twitter?

New to Twitter?  An experienced social media user?  Either way, if you enjoy tweeting check out my tweets via two different accounts!

Follow ScuLpt Cosmetic Surgery at @SculptSurgery! I have over 300 followers and counting! I love to tweet about the work I do, as well as upcoming events, discounts, promotions, and even inspirational tidbits and other interesting facts.  Some of my other interests include health, fitness, alternative energy, solar power, NJ government facts, local businesses of interest and more!

Follow my bariatric and surgery tweets @DrAdamGoldstein too!  I love to tweet about the latest weight loss surgery information and health tips through this account!

I'll follow you back too!

Looking forward to tweeting with you!  :)

Another happy ScuLpt Cosmetic Surgery™ Smartlipo™ patient!

Here's a before and after photo of a very happy Smartlipo™ patient, who underwent the procedure two months ago.  Does Smartlipo™ laser assisted liposuction give great results or what?!  Keep in mind, this procedure was performed under local anesthetic right in my specially designed procedure room in my office in Voorhees, NJ!  Call for a free Smartlipo™ consult today!

Congrats to those who started their LapBand journey tonight!

Well, it was another great free weight loss seminar at the Wyndham Hotel in Mt. Laurel, NJ tonight.  Lots of new faces showed up to find out the real story behind weight loss surgery.  They were pleasantly surprised to hear the fact that LapBand surgery is becoming more popular and that over 500 people in our community have already chosen to use me as their bariatric surgeon.  Hopefully everyone who attended appreciated my candid discussion about the different forms of weight loss surgery available to them, and took note of the fact that the LapBand operation continues to be the safest operation available for weight loss.  I'm looking forward to the opportunity to demonstrate my passion for LapBand surgery yet again at the next free seminar on July 5th.

I'm excited about the new hospital!

So the brand new, state of the art, Virtua Voorhees Hospital is officially open!

With it's all digital computerized patient care system, beautiful private rooms (yes, they are *all* single, private rooms), and state of the art operating rooms and peri-operative areas, surgeons like myself are ecstatic!  We look forward to being able to offer our patients the best care in a beautiful, comfortable, family oriented environment.

Interested in LapBand surgery but don't want to spend a night in a hospital room shared with another patient?  Problem solved!  Now, if you're one of those few patients that I prefer to watch for one night in the hospital (rather than go home the day of the surgery - which more than half of my patients do) because of certain medical problems (diabetes and sleep apnea), you can have your surgery at the new Virtua Voorhees Hospital and spend the one night in your own private room!  You can even have a family member spend the night in the room with you, and they'll have their own bed too!

Attend one of my free weight loss surgery seminars, given every month in the evening, to find out everything you need to know to make an informed choice about weight loss surgery.  Call my bariatric coordinator, Eva, at 856-596-7440 extension 213 to register!

Curious to learn more about me?  Visit my website DrGoldstein.com today!

Another great Lap Band Seminar!

It was fun meeting new folks at the free weight loss surgery seminar tonight, thanks for coming out everyone!  The next seminar will be on June 7th, 2011 at the Wyndham Hotel in Mt. Laurel, NJ at 6pm.  If you know someone who may be interested please have them check out my website at DrGoldstein.com or call Eva, my bariatric coordinator, at 856-596-7440 extension 213 to register or find out more about it.  There's no obligation to make an appointment, it's purely an informational seminar discussing the different forms of weight loss surgery so you can make an informed decision about which operation is right for you.

Standing Room Only at the Weight Loss Workshop!

It was a standing room only crowd at tonight's Weight Loss Workshop at the Fit-4-Life facility!  Thanks to those who came and supported the Nawrocki Pediatric Cancer Foundation!  It was fun informing everyone about Smartlipo and the benefits it offers over traditional liposuction.  It's always a pleasure to see the look on everyone's face when I show the amazing before and after pictures!  Check out ScuLpt Cosmetic Surgery's website to see the before and after pictures for yourself!

Dr. Goldstein to speak at Fit-4-Life Charity Fundraiser

On May 4th I'll be speaking about Smartlipo Laser Assisted Liposuction and it's value to those that desire to get rid of that extra fat that just won't come off in the gym, despite good eating habits.  This amazing procedure allows you to permanently remove fat from various different parts of your body, including the abdomen, love handles, thighs, upper arms, back, neck, and more!  If you attend, you'll learn about Smartlipo liposuction and simultaneously help the Alexa Nawrocki Pediatric Cancer Foundation with your $10 donation.  For more information about the "Weight Loss Challenge: Your Guide to Success" workshop, visit Fit-4-Life's website at Cherryhillweightloss.com.  I look forward to meeting you at the seminar!

Another Great Free Weight Loss Surgery Seminar!

Thanks to all those who came to the weight loss surgery seminar last night at the Wyndham Hotel in Mt. Laurel!  It was great meeting new friends and speaking about a topic I'm passionate about.  I'm looking forward to the next lecture on May 10th at 6pm.  Congratulations to those of you who have decided to start your journey towards achieving your weight loss goals with the LapBand system!

Interested in Smartlipo but would like to meet Dr. Goldstein in a more casual setting?

People have been expressing interest in the Smartlipo laser assisted liposuction procedure that I perform in the office under local anesthetic, but would like to meet me first in a more casual setting, outside the office. If you're such a person, feel free to stop by the free weight loss surgery seminar that I give each month and I'll hang around after the lecture to answer questions you may have about the procedure.  There's absolutely no obligation whatsoever.  The next lecture is on April 5th at the Wyndham Hotel in Mt. Laurel, NJ at 6pm.  Just let Eva, my coordinator, know you'll be there so she'll know to have enough chairs for everyone.  Call her at 856-596-7440 extension 213.

Another great Lap Band Seminar!

Congratulations to all those who attended last night's free weight loss surgery seminar!  You're on your way to achieving lasting weight loss!  The next free seminar will be April 5th at the Wyndham Hotel in Mt. Laurel, NJ.  Please call Eva in my office at 856-596-7440 extension 213 if you're interested in attending!

Wondering if the LapBand works?

Here are a few before and after photos of my patients who used the LapBand System to achieve their weight loss goals.

ScuLpt Cosmetic Surgery Treats Varicose Veins Too!

Were you aware that my cosmetic surgery venture, ScuLpt Cosmetic Surgery, also treats varicose veins?  Indeed it does!  ScuLpt Cosmetic Surgery's Vascular Surgeons treat varicose veins with EVLT (Endovenous Laser Therapy).  This is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure performed right in our office using local anesthetic.  Check out these amazing results:

Did you know I also perform cosmetic surgery?

By now, many of you are aware that I perform both Laparoscopic Weight Loss Surgery (the LapBand™ operation) and Minimally Invasive General Surgery, but did you also know that I perform cosmetic surgery as well?  That's right!  I am the founder of ScuLpt Cosmetic Surgery and perform Smartlipo Laser assisted liposuction!  I even offer free consultations for Smartlipo!  Feel free to check out the ScuLpt Cosmetic Surgery Website to learn more about this amazing technology.  This technique, using the Cynosure Smartlipo Triplex laser, can achieve results traditional liposuction cannot offer.  Furthermore, it's performed in my specially designed procedure room right in the office under local anesthetic!  Here's a before and after photo of a very happy patient who recently underwent the procedure:

I don't only do weight loss surgery!

Some of you may not be aware that Lap Band surgery is only *part* of my practice.  I'm actually a fellowship trained laparoscopic surgeon that can perform many operations through minimally invasive techniques.  If you need your gallbladder removed, hernia fixed, spleen removed, liver biopsied, colon (large intestine) removed, appendix removed and many other operations, there's a good chance I can help you through only very small incisions that leave minimal scars.  Please visit my website drgoldstein.com to learn more about what I can do for you!

A Great Start to 2011!

The first Lap Band operation of 2011 went well yesterday!  Another successful outpatient procedure.  Did you know that if you don't have sleep apnea or diabetes you may be a candidate to go home the day of the operation?  About 30-40% of patients do it.  It should be another great year helping people achieve their weight loss goals!

Another Great Lap Band Seminar

Last night at the Wyndham in Mt. Laurel was another great time meeting new people interested in learning more about Lap Band™ weight loss surgery.  It was fun informing people about the real story behind weight loss surgery and sharing experiences of those who succeeded at achieving their goal of long term weight loss.  I'm looking forward to the next free lecture on February 8th.  If you know someone who may be interested in learning more about weight loss surgery, feel free to tell them to visit my web page or call Eva in my office at 856-596-7440 extension 213 to register for the next seminar.