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Surgeon TestimonialAmir Moazzez M.D.What can I say about Dr. Moazzez that hasn't already been said?! This man is truly AMAZING! I first met Dr. Mo when I attended the WLS seminar. He was VERY informative and direct - which I loved. My first impression of him was pretty much the same as everyone.. he is very handsome AND he knows what he's doing. I had interviewed another surgeon prior to meeting with Dr. Mo, and I felt so uncomfortable with him. I got the feeling that he was more interested to the money he would be making rather than me as a patient. So needless to say, when I met Dr. Mo, I was looking for a Surgeon who was not only an expertise in the WLS field, but someone who was personal, down to earth and didn't mind taking the time to answer all of my questions. Dr. Moazzez is by far, all of those things and more. He makes sure that you fully understand all of the pre and post surgery requirements and changes that you will experience. In addition, his office staff is so professional and friendly. They truly make you feel 100% comfortable at all times. Another thing that I really like about Dr. Mo and his staff is that they offer a GREAT support staff post surgery as well. Dr. Mo came to the hospital every morning that I was there to check on me and make sure that I was comfortable. Hi first two questions every morning were \"how are you\" and \"Is there anything else that I can do for you to make you more comfortable?\" I appreciated that so very much. Everyone involved with Dr. Mo's team is awesome. I would definitely recommend him to anyone who is seriously interested in having WLS. Overall I would say that Dr. Moazzez is an Execellent Surgeon and you will not be disappointed. Member Interests
- Arts - Anything involving museums, music or theatre is so heavenly.
- Travel - My husband and I are avid travlers.. we love anything exotic via plane or cruise
- Dogs - I love my Samoyed Max sooooooo much! There's no other breed like the Samoyed!
- Christianity - I love the LORD with all my heart and soul. Without him, there is no me!
- Real Estate Sales Associate - I'm a realtor and I absolutely LOVE my career.
- WLS in your 20's - Having this surgery in my 20's gives me a huge advantage to enjoy my life
- Reading - Curling up on the couch with a good book and a warm blanket is so divine!
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ONE YEAR POST-OP! YAY :-D
posted on 8/27/08 9:30 pm
Today is my One Year Surgiversary – WOW! I have so many emotions running through me today it’s almost a bit overwhelming. I began the morning with my 1 year follow up with Dr. Moazzez. I really dislike the scale there so of course I weighed myself first thing this morning so that I knew the REAL numbers – lol. Dr. Mo’s scale said 175 but it’s always at least 7lbs. off. I learned that the hard way one day then, after talking with a few other patients, I felt SO much better knowing that it wasn’t just me. My appointment went well. He is very pleased with my progress and said that I have lost more than 70% of my excess body weight which is awesome. I even got him to take a picture with me to celebrate the 1 year mark. He said my target weight is 130 – 140lbs. for my height and that I’m right on track. My scale said 168.6 with a BMI of 28.9. Just one year ago, that same scale read 280. A total of 111.4 lbs. GONE forever! What a difference a year makes. I was a bit upset with myself that I didn’t reach my personal goal of 120lbs. then I realized that had it not been for this surgery, the numbers easily could have been an additional 111.4lbs.! I try to keep these things in perspective when I have these moments, and most times it works. This year has been filled with extreme highs and extreme lows. I’ve had great days and days that I never thought would pass. I read all about the physical process this journey takes you through and some of the emotional ones as well. I had time to process the details of the surgery the risks involved and prepare for what was ahead physically. The emotional part was more difficult and probably the hardest part. When I reflect on this year, it is so easy for me to cry tears of joy. I have been extremely blessed. I have accomplished things that were mere thoughts at one point. Just last week, I climbed all 250 stairs to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, in ten minutes, without being out of breath. This something that one year ago, I would not have been able to do without this surgery. I walked ten miles on a walking tour of the city of Rome in the hot sun. I can bend over, and touch my toes, tie my shoes, and walk without my thighs rubbing together. I walk by and people don’t look at me with that “whoa” look. These things may seem like nothing to the average person, but for those of us who lived with being morbidly obese these things mean so much more. Most of all, I feel GREAT about myself. I love me. I can say that for the first time in years. I can accept compliments without feeling like “they’re just saying that”. I can look in the mirror and say “you’re beautiful” and actually BELIEVE IT. I have a new lease on life and I intend to enjoy every minute that I am blessed to be on this earth. I finally feel like everything I’ve always wanted is finally falling into place. I no longer feel out of control. It’s a great feeling, one that I never thought I would experience. God has always been the center of my life but this year I have grown so much closer to him and his word. He has sofentened my heart in so many ways. I’ve always been a compassionate person - not trying to be conceited or anything but I’ve realized that I’m even more so. I’ve allowed myself to be vulnerable to new experiences and situations. Through this I have been blessed and had the opportunity to be a blessing to others. I have finally been able to let go of a lot of things that held me back and I’m slowly letting go of a lot of the pain. I’m not 100% there yet, but I’ve made some great improvements and I’m continuing to move forward. The tough days are far from over but knowing what I know now, and feeling everything that I’ve felt and working through those feelings without turning to food for comfort is so powerful. So, would I do it all over again? ABSOLUTELY! IN A HEARTBEAT!
The one thing that really moves me is how amazing the people in my life have been. My husband Derrick has been my rock, my shoulder to cry on, my hand to hold, and any and everything else that I needed. From day one, he has been on this journey with me never once complaining. I laugh at some of the moments we shared like the liquid and puree phases that we BOTH went through. Who would do that?! Give up a ‘real’ meal for pureed food when they don’t have to?! I know it would’ve been hard for me especially since food was my best friend! But these are the kind of moments that make me feel so blessed. Having a partner who supports you more than you possibly imagined and loves you unconditionally. I thank him everyday, especially today because I know that without his support this journey would have been even harder. My Parents & Sisters have encouraged me and helped me adjust to this new lifestyle. They have been flexiblefrom changing family recipes and learning newer and healthier meals, re-adjusting their schedules and working out with me at my pace. My sisters have been patient while shopping for clothes in stores that I considered “their sizes” while I was adamant that “This stuff can not fit me” to I “I think I need a smaller size”. They have loved me and supported me when I made it difficult and for that I am grateful. My best friend Darby attended information sessions with me until I found the perfect surgeon. Asked me different questions to be sure that I was sure, and ready to take on all of the challenges that this surgery brings with. She emailed other people she knew who had the surgery to ask them questions for me. She has supported me no matter what. I was so afraid that our friendship would change as I had heard so many other people tell me they have experienced. I am so blessed that she has loved me no matter what size I am. She still invites me to do all the things we did before and continues to se me for who I am, who I’ve always been. Other “friends” have come and gone, but she has remained consistent, dependable, and non-judgmental. For that and everything else I will forever be thankful. Words can not express how much I appreciate her and our friendship. My girlfriend Beth who was and still is my go to person for “is this normal, did this happen to you, do I need to call the doctor?!”. She has been so amazing. She was the one person who could relate to everything I was going through whether physically or emotionally because she too had been there four years ago (08/09/04). From sharing protein horrors and recipe ideas to me keeping her on track for taking her vitamins. I thank her for always being available to share my fears as well and my triumphs like crossing my legs and having a tremendous amount of energy. She understands and has been open to re-living the experience with me. For that I love her.
There are so many more people who have been instrumental in my life and through this journey. I’m so thankful for the many new friends that I’ve come to know from here and my support group who have added so much to this journey by sharing their stories, experiences and ideas with me. To those of you thinking about this surgery or wondering if it’s worth it, only you can answer that question. I will say that your life will change in so many ways, and the good, by far definitely out weighs the bad. Whatever you decide, be sure that you are making the decision for YOURSELF. For those of you already on the journey, I wish you much success as we strive toward new goals and the opportunities that await us. Good luck to you all. And don’t give up!
Love, Nikki
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moniquefrederick commented on 8/27/08 10:13 pm 
tarateacher commented on 10/11/08 8:32 pm 
