Anyone have experience w/Dr. Gazmuri @ Newton Wellesley?

I have finally decided that RNY (instead of lap band) surgery was the best path for me.  People I know who have had RNY with Dr. Gazmuri have nothing but great things to say about him and the program at NWH. My info seminar is 7/31 and I hope I get to meet him before my consult appointment on 9/23. Has anyone here been a patient of his?  I'd love to get your feedback. Thanks!

I have not had surgery yet, but have had 2 appointments with Dr. Gazmuri.  I chose him because I was really impressed with his surgical background and had heard really good things.  In my two meetings with him I continue to be impressed.  He is very kind, concerned and caring.  I had done so much research that I didn't have a lot of questions for him but he was very happy to answer me and did not make me feel rushed.  He sat down and talked about surgery and lifestyle changes with me.  He instructed me to bring my boyfriend (whom I live with) to my second appointment, I think because he wanted to make sure I had a good support system, plus it gave my BF the chance to ask questions too.  He's very down to earth and forthcoming with information, has a good sense of humor and is very respectful of his patients. 

The biggest thing he asks of you is to show you are committed to making change.  He was very pleased that i lost 3.5 pounds between my 1st and 2nd appointments - not that it was required, but it showed that I was really trying to make change. 

I'm sure you will like him!

Thank you for sharing your experiences with Dr. Gazmuri.  The people I've spoken with so far think the world of him, so I'm sure I'll (we'll) be in good hands.  Do you have a surgery date?

As far as Dr. Gazmuri goes, he's ready to schedule me, but my insurance insists on a 6 month program that I am only through 3 months of, so I'm hoping for October!

Oh you must have Tufts... I am on month 3 also.  Good luck

I have Dr. Partridge, she is out of the same office as Dr.Gazmuri, I went to the seminar that he gave and he seemed very nice and caring .. also He came to see me after my surgery to check in on me and was very nice- everyone in the office is great from the nurses to the NUT(s). I am very happy that I chose to have my surgery with them. I also had to complete a 6 month supervised diet per insurance and it flew by.

Thanks for the feedback, Kelly.  You've had such great success with your weight loss - you look terrific!  I, too, have to have the 6-month supervised diet plan but, since I'm not looking to have the surgery until after the holidays, it'll work out.  Question: What was the psych evaluation like -- what should I expect?

i found it to be a walk in the park.  I've also been in therapy with my own counselor for 8 years... which I think made the evaluator have an easier job.  She basically wants to know that you really are aware of all the changes required, that you don't have an active/unmanaged eating disorder that you aren't aware of.  I have found that doctors in other programs don't always have an in-house psyc person, and the surgery is almost the smallest part of the whole process - so they want to know that you are aware that your lifestyle, your LIFE is about to change.  They aren't scary about it, but they do want you to feel comfortable with the surgery not being some kind of magic act.

I think I spent 20-30 minutes talking to her, and a lot of it was about nutrition.  that may be because I have veggie issues.  :)

If you go in to talk to her with confidence about why you are making this choice, or even with good questions about what it's going to be like, you'll do great!

The psych evaluation isn't bad at all .. she just asks you questions about your childhood and your family life.. and if there was a reason I could think of that would explain why I had weight issues. It wasn't bad at all .. my insurance did require me to see her twice, part of the requirement for approval... I think it was about 20-30 minutes each time.

Thanks for the info -- sounds like a piece of cake.  Sugarless, of course.