Institute for Advanced Bariatric Surgery at MISH Bariatric Center

Experience with the office staff:
Very friendly and helpful.

Recovery:
I was home within 24hours and back to work in 1 week.

Follow-up care:
Very consistent.

Experience with Laparoscopic obesity surgery:
Very good.

Overall experience:
Very good, I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Would you undergo obesity surgery again, having been thru it?
Yes.

Would you recommend laparoscopic obesity surgery?
Yes and already had".

My surgeon is Dr. Paramjeet Sabharwal and his partner Dr. Wanda Kaniewski. They both attended very good schools (John Hopkins and Georgetown) their credentials are in order. Their website is www.LSAobesity.com. I met with Dr. Sabharwal the first time on 1/16/02, and he thinks I may have my surgery by mid February. I liked that, as so many others on the WLS site seem to have months before their surgeries. He doesn't require as much pre-op testing as I have seen other surgeons do on obesityhelp.com, but perhaps that is because I don't have any co-morbidities. His office is a little busy, Dr. Sabharwal and his partner do other types of lap surgeries so the waiting room had obesity and non-obesity patients in it. The receptionist is pleasant, if a little overworked. The docs had only done 14 lap obesity surgeries at that time with about 25 more lined up. I chose them because they are laparoscopic specialists (for many years) and work as a tag team (2 docs are better than one). What I liked best was how well informed he seemed to be and he took the time to answer all my questions and I had plenty!

Experience with the office staff :
Excellent - they have almost become part of my family.

Recovery:
Remarkable is the only way to describe my experience. I had no complications and was up and on the go immediately".

Follow-up:
Great.

Experience with Laparoscopic obesity surgery:
I can not say enough positive things about this type of surgery.

Overall experience:
I would not hesitate to do the surgery again. The doctors and their staff are wonderful. At 6 months I can eat just about anything. However I still have trouble with steak or any other coarse meat.

Would you undergo obesity surgery again, having been thru it?
Yes, yes, yes.

Would you choose Laparoscopic surgery over traditional, open surgery?
Every time it is available, laparoscopic surgery will be my first choice.

Did you find the seminar helpful?
Definitely.

Would you recommend laparoscopic obesity surgery?
I recommend the surgery to everyone that I meet, wherever I go.

Any comments you would like to share?
Just do it, you won't regret it.

I am writing this letter to express my thanks for the excellent care that I have received from both of you. From beginning, I was impressed by the concern that you showed for me as a person. Also, I appreciate the time that you each took to explain the pro's and con's of undergoing laparoscopic obesity surgery. My experiences after the surgery were truly wonderful. The recovery was so easy that, other than for the drainage tube, I did not feel like I had major surgery. Having had a hysterectomy, I understood just how slow and painful recuperating from major surgery truly is. However, this was not the case with my obesity surgery. After my release from the hospital, I only required pain medication for one day. That was truly remarkable! I was more alert and I feel that this facilitated my quick recovery. I cannot thank you both enough for giving me back my life. For the first time in approximately 20 years I am exercising, walking, and taking trips that I would not have dreamed of before. My family members have noted the difference in me and regularly comment on my progress. I literally went from feeling tired and worn out every day to always being on the go. There is definitely something to be said about the quality of life that you have after laparoscopic obesity surgery. Keep up the good work.

Would you recommend obesity surgery to a friend or family member and why?
Yes- best thing I ever did!

Any comments that you would like to share with those that are considering obesity surgery?
Do it young!

I found Dr. Sabharwal very professional and he cares about his patients welfare and their. The doctor’s staff has been very helpful and professional. Dr. Sabharwal stresses the importance of following the guidelines for successful weight loss and maintenance. The doctor monitors his patients monthly for the first year and encourages his patients to attend the monthly support groups. During my initial visit I was able to ask many questions and Dr. Sabharwal explained all of the risks in detail so that so that I was comfortable with his answers. Dr. Sabharwal and his partner Dr. Kaniewski who are a team, are excellent surgeons. I think both surgical competence and bedside manner are needed

Experience with the office staff:
Was warm, friendly, and thorough.
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Postoperative recovery:
Was easy. I was tired - but a nap helped me along the week I took off from work. My doctors had to work extra hard with me - I had a lot of scar tissue - but 3 hours later I came thru fine.

My overall satisfaction with the bypass:
I'm amazed. I still eat too fast sometimes - and my body tells me - stop. But I have learned to master my food impulses - I'm in control of food - food no longer controls me! At 4 months I am able to eat "most meats, popcorn, pancakes with jam, some cheese, vegetables, soups - I eat everything.

Would you undergo obesity surgery again, having been thru it?
Yes - with these doctors.

Did you find the seminar helpful?
Yes - it was great to see and learn from people who had the surgery. Would you recommend laparoscopic obesity surgery? "Yes and I have. The recovery time is so much less than open surgery.

Any comments you would like to share?
You must make a commitment to your health - if you meet the criteria - this is a proven way to bring quality to your life - lengthen your time on this planet.

Tell us about your experience with the office and surgeon/surgeons:
Experience is fine. Surgeons are caring. Pleased with service.

Would you recommend obesity surgery to a friend or family member and why?
Yes. Only if they are mentally ready.

Any comments that you would like to share with those that are considering obesity surgery?
You have to have your mind ready for change, you will not be the same after. Research is the best way to prepare your mind

Tell us about yourself and your personal story (personal comment):
At 2 months out I lost 44lbs!

Tell us about your experience with the office and surgeon/surgeons:
Dr. Kaniewski is a marvelous surgeon! I'm glad she performed my Lap RYGB.

Tell us about your experience with the office and surgeon/surgeons:
I have enjoyed working with Dr. Sabharwal and Dr. Kaniewski. Dr. Sabharwal has made me feel comfortable even when he was scolding me.

Would you recommend obesity surgery to a friend or family member and why?
Yes. There's less stress in trying to manage your weight, less stress in trying to manage medicines.

Tell us about your experience with the office and surgeon/surgeons:
I like the time they spend with us and the time they take to explain things.

Would you recommend obesity surgery to a friend or family member and why?
Yes, only if all other attempts have failed.