lkbice

To all of you out there that are still only thinking about having the lap band surgery, or you haven't had a consultation yet, or maybe you're still trying to find the right Dr. well, you came to this forum. This is the right place, you have found the best Dr. out there. Dr. Salimitari is the best Dr. I've ever had. I've had several Dr.'s and I've worked with dozens of Dr.'s, none of them even come close to comparing with Dr. Sal. He makes me feel like I'm the most important patient he has (of course I'm not) but he has that special something about him that makes you feel like you are. He is always concerned about me and my well being, he calls / texts me to check up on me. I feel like I have a friend in him, someone I can, and have talked to, confided in, he's never to busy to listen to me. If you just see him one time, you'll know what I'm talking about. You can't help but fall in love with him, you'll know right away.....he's one of a kind!!!!!! I've referred my patients to him and my friend had the surgery with him 1 month ago, their doing well, they also think the world of him. His new office is very nice also, the girls are very helpful and friendly. Don't put it off any longer, you won't be sorry, the only thing I've regreted...is waiting so long. I could have had my life back a long time ago. But then again, if I'd had it done earlier, I wouldn't have found the awesome Dr. that I did.:scared2:

glaudia2 I think you've come to the right place. Dr. Salimitari is the BEST!!!. I had my surgery on Jan. 9 2009, as of today I have lost 106 lbs. Dr. Salimitari has been just absolutely wonderful since day one. He is very thorough in explaining the procedure to you, he was there before I went in to surgery and he was there at my side when I woke up. I also remember it was him giving me pain meds through the IV in recovery instead of the nurses giving me shots. I have had problems since the surgery (not lap-band realated) each time I had problems, was sick or in the hospital...he was there always checking up on me. He always gives his patients his personal cell phone number, and if you have any problems, you call him directly. Try to find another Dr. like that. I've been in the medical field for 18 yrs, I've NEVER seen a Dr. do that before. When you call his office or go into the office, the girls are just great, you feel like you have a friend as soon as you meet them. The best thing I can say is to have consultation with him, I think as soon as you meet him, talk to him, you'll know if he's the right Dr. for you. You can also check out his web site at..yourlapband.com you can read about him, see where he went to school (very impressive)! I feel confident enough in him, that I had referred friends and patients of my own to him, they immediately switched from the Dr. they started with over to Dr. Sal. I don't think you'll be sorry, he's awesome. I just can't say enough good things about him. But you need to see that for yourself. His new office number is (310)470-8446, it's worth at least one appointment. Good luck, lets us know how it goes and what you're decision was. And yes, you're right the posts are old, seems like no one ever comes on here any more, if you have any questions, you can always send me a private message, I'll talk to you or help you as much as I can.

To everyone that may just be getting started with this jounery, I would like to encourage you to follow through, but be patient. I was a little discouraged at first, I guess I was still looking for my "miracle" weight loss, I expected it to be gone overnight. Dr. Salimitari kept encouraging me, telling me "give me 4-6 months, you'll lose 40 lbs or more, you'll be happy" now it has been 11 months, and I've lost 90 pounds. I'm so glad I didn't give up, so many times I just wantedto quit, give up just stay the way I was, well, that's what i've always known...failure...unable to lose the weight...always quiting, never believing in my self. Thank goodness Dr. Sal believed in me, he was my saving grace, I would have never done it without him, he made me want to keep going. I never wanted to disappoint him, so I did keep going and look where I'm at today. I can't say enough good things about Dr. Sal. LOVE him.. so stick with it...it's worth it. You can do it, just give it time, as we all know...there is no miracle diet, you have to want it, you have to work for it. Trust Dr. Sal. stick with him.......he's the BEST !!!!!

I think we all agree, he is wonderful !!!!! he is the most caring, concerned, compasionate Dr. EVER!! you can't help but love him, sometimes I think he cares about me more than I do, any time I've wanted to just give up, he's there to encourage me, lift me up again, and make me feel like I'm am worth the effort. I guess over the years of a weight struggle you just feel like no one cares, but he makes sure you know how much he really does care. I know for me, I'll never be able to show or tell him just how much he means to me and how much he has changed my life. I don't know how many nights (before surgery and losing weight) I would just pray to die...then cry when I woke to see another day, another stuggle, another challenge. Now, because of Dr. Salimitari, I look forward to another day with my family, my friends, my patients. And yes Rhonda, I'm with you, if we can do this so can YOU, it's worth it...especially if you have the best Dr. EVER!! I too can just say *thank you Dr. Salimitari*, but that just doesn't seem like it's enough to me. I owe him so much....thanks to him I also have my life back

thank you for understanding, no one else ever responds to anything I post, Brenda e-mailed me again on fri. I gave her time frames i could be reached but of course, she waited 4 hours after my time frame, then called. What part of the IE are you in? I live in Beaumont. Would love to stay in touch with you.

Brenda, I have left 2 messages for you with my full name and phone #. Also several messages/faxes for medical records (peter) and no one has bothered to contact me.

Hi Sam & Amp, welcome to Dr. Salimitari's forum. I can't tell by your profile if you've actually had a consultation with Dr. Salimitari or not, but in my opinion, you have found the best Dr. out there. He is one of the most requested Dr's. in Calif. doing hundreds of these surgeries every year. He is very conserned with his patients and their outcome, he explains things thoroughly, I think if you take the time to have a consultation with him, you will be able to make a good decision. You are lucky you have someone to go through it with you, I don't know about the others out here, but sometimes it's difficult going through it alone, stick together, and stick with Dr. Salimitari and I think you'll be very happy with your decisions. Good luck.

well, since no one replied to my last entry, I assume no one else has any problems with their fills. That's great, I'm really glad for you. I guess I truly am Dr. Salimitari's "problem" patient. He has dealt with so many problems with me, it just seems unfair to keep putting him through all of my complications, most Dr's. would have probably given up by now. He really is one-of-a-kind, we are all lucky to have such a caring Dr.

Does any one else have difficulties with their adjustments? Dr. Salimitari says I'm a "tricky" fill, I've had problems with almost every fill I've had. The average person that could tolerate 2-3cc fill on the first fill, I could only do 1.8cc.the 2nd fill was done by Dr. T, and that was a nightmare, he put 1cc and didn't care how easily I could drink, I threw up for 1 solid month. Several times after a fill I have to go back to have some taken out, or I've become so dehydrated I'm on IV fluids. I just had another fill 1 week ago today, I did good for the first 2 days, then when I returned to my regular diet, problems began again. I now have lost 11 lbs. in 1 week, I'm getting very dehydrated again. I'm hoping I'm not the only one that has these problems. I'm getting very frustrated, I'm beginning to wonder if this was all worth it, I am 8 months post-op, I've lost 64 lbs, but it hasn't been any easier than any other diet I've done. I'm considered just stopping this whole process, I would love to hear from you if you also have these problems.

Yeah, the first 24-48 are the worst , but it subside quickly, hang in there you'll do fine. I knew you'd like Dr. Salimitari, you can't help but like him, he's awesome, by far one of the best Dr's. I've ever dealt with and I deal with a lot of them being a nurse. Glad to hear everything went well for you.

you'll be fine, you're in great hands with Dr. Salimitari, I would trust him with my life over and over again, You'll love him as soon as you meet him. Good luck and don't worry, you'll be fine!

I have seen Dr. Salimitari in Bev. Hills, Apple Valley and West Hills. This surgeon is awesome, I'm so glad I had him, he is very caring, he's always available to his patients. He has left top surgeons and now has his own offices. His new number is 310-275-5150. I drive 2 1/2 hours just so I can follow up with him. I no longer see the drs. at top surgeons.