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Dear Dr. Vozos:
I would like to take the opportunity to share with
you the wonderful experience that I have had with the
Weight Loss Surgery Center, Dr. Borao and his staff. From
the first time I called the office in August 2007,
right through my most recent appointment on October
29, 2008, I have been treated with the utmost
respect, professionalism and courtesy. At every
appointment I have had with Dr. Borao, he has listened carefully to my questions
and concerns and provided comprehensive answers. He
never fails to ask if I have any more questions before
the appointment comes to a close. I am truly
privileged to have been treated by Dr. Borao – his
reputation is impeccable, his surgical skills truly
masterful and he takes a true interest in his patients’ health,
welfare, concerns and ultimately their success. I
met with other doctors before Dr. Borao and knew immediately
when I met him that he was the doctor I would entrust
with my present and future health and indeed, with
my life itself.
Debra LaRusso, BSN, RN, the Program Director, has
truly been a pleasure to know and to learn from. Debbie
is always available when a question arises and personally
handles many of the situations that a patient is experiencing. It
is comforting to know that when you are a patient in
the hospital or are recovering at home that Debbie
is only a phone call away. The center’s
patients truly benefit from her professional knowledge,
experience and true concern for their welfare, health
and happiness. The other members of
the staff, Debra Cingari, RN and Diane Herwig, BSN,
RN are a pleasure to interact with as well.
From the time of my first appointment in September
2007 with Dr. Borao, Debbie, the program’s registered
dietician Samar Habbiby, RD and the program’s
clinical psychologist David Goldberg, PhD, through
my most recent appointment, I have lost a total of
85 pounds. In addition to Dr. Borao and Debbie’s
professional skills, knowledge and experience, crucial
has been the guidance and support of Sam at times when
losing the weight seemed truly daunting. Sam works
with you to set up an eating plan that works both with
your lifestyle and dietary needs and her experience
having worked specifically with other weight loss patients
is of incredible value. Dr. Goldberg has provided support
and insight that has made it possible to keep going
when the times have been rough emotionally. His
understanding of a Weight Loss patient’s concerns
have been invaluable to me, since I know that he has
experience treating patients who have encountered similar
challenges during both the pre op and post op process. Deb,
Sam and Dr. Goldberg facilitate the monthly support
groups, which are consistently attended by at least
40 people or more each month. I have attended
every support group from September 2007 through the
most recent one in October 2008 (including the one
three days post-op) and I will continue to do so. With
these three individuals in attendance, in addition
to sharing experiences with fellow patients, someone
who is attending the support group has the opportunity
to direct their questions to and address their concerns
with healthcare professionals who have extensive experience
working with weight loss surgery patients.
I lost 49 pounds before my lap-band surgery on September
22, 2008 and am excited to share with you that by the
time of my 6-week follow-up appointment I lost another
36 pounds. I continue to lose and in the two
weeks since my last appointment, I have lost an additional
8 pounds. I no longer take any diabetes medication
and am taking a minimal dose of blood pressure medication
(prior to the weight loss I was on two different diabetes
medications and three different blood pressure medications). I
can walk without difficulty breathing, my knee (on
which I have had 4 prior surgeries) feels great, I
am sleeping better, I am more productive at my work,
and I am truly enjoying my life, quite possibly for
the first time. I am 54 years old and I currently
weigh 303 pounds. Imagine how I will feel and
how healthy I will be as I continue on this truly remarkable
weight loss journey. I truly believe that the
surgery was a second chance for me to live the rest
of my life both healthy and happy. I think that
the staff at the Center is as excited as me (or even
more so) knowing that I feel so much better. I
am told by friends and family that the transformation
is incredible, my primary physician Dr. Parisi is very
pleased with the improvement in my health and I look
forward to seeing what new experiences await me each
day.
Monmouth Medical Center, the entire Saint Barnabas
Health Care System and of course their patients, are
fortunate to have such an excellent staff running the
Weight Loss Surgery Center.
Thank you in advance for your time.
Sincerely,
Cathy Giovia
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