Dorothy P.

“My weight loss journey like so many obese people, started with years of trying every diet known to man and failing every time… trying to loose 50 Lbs. Then in April 2000 I became widowed, depressing me so much that I gained 80 additional pounds. Making me morbidly obese! On the advice of a Doctor friend of mine I had lap-band surgery Nov. 2, 2002, without first researching the procedure. Unfortunately in my particular case (and all of us are different) it was unsuccessful causing me to go yet again into an even deeper depression. I felt I failed again!…even though I fallowed all the Doctor’s orders. However this time I researched…and found a very capable therapist who specializes in eating disorders. Together we decided to put me in-patient for 2 months in one of the best facilities in the USA (1000 calories a day 4 hours of exercise each day except Sunday…I only lost 20 pounds) Very disappointing! All my various doctors (as I have other health problems) thought it wise to have the Roux-en Y gastric bypass surgery. This time after extensive research I chose Doctor Robert Marema to do my revision Feb. 9, 2005. My progress went slower than most patients…but I had to remember that my body was already used to less calories. After diligently exercising three times a week and fallowing my new way of eating I researched MY goal weight loosing 120 Lbs. in 18 months. Now it was time for the next step. Surgery to rid my body of skin and flesh that exercise can never remove. Again doing extensive homework I visited 4 Plastic Surgeons. All came highly recommended but after seeing their credentials…photos…etc…what really convinced me is that 2 specialized in bariatric patients and did at least one or two bariatric surgeries a week… I wanted my therapist to help me decided…but when I finished explaining my reason why I wanted Dr. Shuster…he just said, “It seems you already made up your mind.” I am a shy person about my body and I felt very comfortable with him. HE RESPECTED MY FEELINGS! (Which so many doctors throughout the years had not…you all know that feeling.) His staff was more than helpful to answer all my questions even some by phone because I forgot them when I was in his office. We then sat down and planed out my surgeries… was I surprised to see him as a guest speaker at the Bariatric Convention one week before my surgery. This just reinforced that I had made the best choice. I went into the surgery very relaxed and with a positive attitude. I spent 2 days in the hospital for my lower body lift which I had Sept. 26, 2006. I spent one night in the hospital for my breast lift and inner thighs which was done the first week of Feb. this year… I am up and around and feel great! All the surgeries went better then I expected… and were not as painful as I expected. Doctor Shuster visited me every day in the hospital and his staff called the hospital and my home often to see how I was doing. I feel that I picked a doctor that is a stickler for details, extremely conscientious and VERY caring about his patients. The few times I needed him for questions after the surgeries…he always called me. That was very reassuring. When it is time for my face lift I will have Dr. Shuster do it. I highly recommend him and NO words can express how grateful I am to him and his caring staff to be a part of my journey and people who have helped me get my QUALITY of life back, when just a few years ago I often wondered if it was worth living. Now I can enjoy my 6 grand kids and we have fun at Disney, boating, swimming and snow skiing… All my friends have said they haven’t seen me so happy and so young looking in years. Way to go OMA (grandma)! THANK YOU DR. SHUSTER!”