To Whom It May Concern:

My name is Carrie, and I became aware of the lap band procedure from a television commercial. There are No words to describe my frustration I had with my weight, which kept climbing to 324. I tried all the weight loss diets under the sun, with nothing lasting longer than a few months. I was unable to do the most basic things people take for granted. Take my son to Disneyland and be able to fit on the rides. Have a seat at a booth in a restaurant and being able to fit. Taking the Metrolink train to work and having all the people hoping I did not pick their seat to sit myself next to them. People have to be in the shoes I was wearing in order to understand all the discrimination the fat people have. You’re treated as if you are invisible. The depression that goes along with this is horrible. I felt the weight loss center was my last chance. I’ve had family members, who have had the gastric bypass surgery and were hospitalized for over 5 days, and it took months for a complete recovery, plus some of them gained all the weight back within the first two years, this gave me major doubts. The information I received about the lap band made it seem like the right choice for me. They explained it was all laparoscopic and if there was a problem they could fix it easily.

After meeting Dr. Tashjian I felt that there was hope for me, and all my doubts were erased. He made me feel like I would once again be the person on the outside that I felt on the inside…He have me hope, and his confidence about this surgery made me know I made the right choice. He was at my side by performing the actual surgery date 11/23/2009, and he has again been there for my after operation visit and all my adjustments visits too. I have lost over 70 pounds. The time from when I actually had the surgery until I was at home was 5 hours. I was up and walking around with in one day. I know I still have a long way to go, but my renewed energy, and just feeling great about myself is back. I feel like Dr. Tashjian is not just the Wonderful Doctor he is, but I look at him as the man who SAVED MY LIFE. When I met him, he looked at me the person, Carrie, and he made me feel he understood what pain being so obese was causing me. There are no words to describe how he has changed not only me, but my entire family’s way of life. I would be willing to recommend the weight loss surgery center to anyone who questions how I lost my weight, and of course the only doctor who I think is perfect for the job, Dr. George Tashjian.

Please feel free to use any or all of my testimony, so you can go and do what you’re great at, at the “Weight Loss Centers”. Saving people’s lives, and giving them the hope we all need that we to can have a normal and wonderful life.

Sincerely,

Carrie B.
2010-4-29

A miracle happened the day I contacted 1 800-GET SLIM!

At my first meeting the Lap-Band System was explained in detail and I had a chance to ask questions.  I was assigned a consultant who took me through the process and checked in on me frequently.  During my pre-op testing everyone at the center was so professional and friendly.  The wait was over and surgery day was here!  I met Dr. T and he assured me that everything would be fine.  He and his surgical team were wonderful and the surgery went perfect!  Within 3 days I was back to work and feeling great!  The follow up from the Weight Loss Center has been amazing.   The rest is like a Fairy Tale!  Life is fun, eating healthy foods, not feeling hungry and buying new clothes!

Thank you Dr. T and the wonderful staff at the Weight Loss Centers!

Evelyn S.
2010-4-9

I got my Lap Band in June of 08 and wish I would have had it done 10 years ago. I have always been the big guy and only got bigger over the years. At a Drs. appt.my PCP talked about Gastro-bypass and gave me literature. I knew I was big but did not think I was that big. My wife is a RN and when she came home and saw the papers about Gastro Bypass she said "NO-WAY" you would be better with a Lap-Band. I started looking online about the surgery and started reading about the lap band made some calls to the insurance company found out it was covered and then started looking for a Doctor. I did some research and found that a very experienced Doctor that teaches Doctors how to perform the surgery came to Apple Valley from Beverly Hills. I made an appointment, qualified, did all the tests and scheduled the surgery. It went very smoothly, we went down to Westhills Surgery Center at 0700 by 1030 or 1100 we were on the way home. I went back to work two days later with no problems. With the weight that I have lost I am off my blood pressure medication and feel great. Like I said before I wish I would have had this done years ago! I'm not saying it saved my life but I will say it prolonged it.

Karl F.
2010-4-5

After Yo-Yo dieting for most of my adult life, found the Lap Band was perfect for my struggling weight problems.  Weight Loss Center was efficient from the start of my first consultation and surgery almost year ago, to the occasional follow up appointments that I need nowadays.  The Lap Band has truly changed my life and I would recommend if for anybody who is overweight and thinking about making a change for the better.  I now enjoy clothes shopping!!

Elizabeth T.
2010-3-31

I am very pleased with my surgury! I have lost almost 30 pounds so far! I am really excited about the outcome. At first things were really slow and I wasn't sure that I made the right decision. However, when the doctor got the right adjustment - the weight is starting to fall off.

Thank you again!

M.R.
2010-3-29

At first my husband did not want me to go through with the procedure.  He was worried that I'd be sick all the time, and was worried that so many of our family functions revolve around food. He was afraid that I would be miserable.  I knew that I HAD to lose weight, or get fatter.  I needed to do this for ME.  The lap band has changed my life!  I have dieted for over 40 years and have had minor success when it comes to dieting.  Portion control has always been my biggest problem.  After I was banded, I was able to eat like everyone else in my family--only much less.  I have gone from a size 24-26 to a size 14/16.  I am continuing on my journey and have recently had another fill, and look forward to taking off another 30 pounds...without the suffering.  I appreciate Dr. Naim's dedication to helping people overcome obesity and lead healthier more satisfying lives.  My only regret is that it wasn't available years sooner!

Michelle N.
2010-3-23

AMAZING! i lost 130lbs

Paulina F.
2010-3-23

I cannot complain.I'm diabetic and within the 1st 2days my blood sugar was normal without my medication.I went from 14pills a day to 2 vitamins a day.With proper diet and excerise I've managed to lose 25lbs in 29days.I've lost 2inches around my waist and wearing my old Levi's again.So far,so good.The Lap-band procedure was the jump start I needed to get me physically and mentally in shape.

Johnny B.
2010-3-20

My name is Alex, I had the lap band procedure in spring 2008. I have lost 100 pounds I was 288 I now weigh 185lbs. I was very skeptical, I really did not think this would work. After the surgery I thought , ok I am still overweight. Then following the recommendations after the surgery the lbs started to come off, and stayed off. So many things have changed for the better in my life now that I have lost all this weight. 6 months after the surgery I no longer needed medication for high blood pressure. before the surgery, I was on the verge of becoming diabetic, not now. I would highly recommend this procedure and Dr. Naim he is a great surgeon. I had my surgery 5:30 am Friday morning rested the weekend and I was back to work Monday morning ( I know I was supposed to take 5 days as recommended but I felt great, no problems after the surgery).

Alex F.
March 2010