Main Office:
650 Wantagh Ave.
Levittown, NY 11756
516-579-0094
516-579-0095 fax

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NYC Office

My name is Lisa Geraci-Ruppert and I am 33 years old.
I am 5’ 3.5” and weighed 232 pounds when I first visited the Long Island Bariatric Center. I was more than 100 pounds overweight. I was suffering from multiple injuries that had greatly reduced my mobility. My eating habits included 2 liters of soda a day, and on most days, I was only eating one large meal. I had gained so much weight that I could barely function. I had to get cortisone injections in my feet to treat the disabling pain I experienced from heel spurs. My doctor told me I would soon need knee replacements. My life was revolving around what doctor I had to see next. I was going down hill fast. Both of my parents suffered from morbid obesity. My father died from obesity and heart disease at the age of 51, and my mother still struggles with severe obesity.

I met with my surgeon, Dr. Gabriel, and he sent me to the Long Island Bariatric Center for my preoperative evaluation. The staff at the Long Island Bariatric Center worked very closely with me before surgery to help me prepare for a surgery that would change my life. After having all the tests that the LI Bariatric Center sent me for, it was discovered that I had very high triglycerides and cholesterol levels, a fatty liver, and gallstones. The LI Bariatric Center got me approved for my surgery and I was well on my way to a new life.

A week or so before surgery, I started on a liquid diet with Optifast. I was asked to do this to help prepare me for surgery. I lost 14 pounds before I even got to the operating room! On August 7, 2002 I had my Lap-Band surgery. I have minimal scars and they are nearly completed faded already.

At seven months after surgery, I was down to 162 pounds. I went from a BMI of 40 to a BMI of 28. And now, more than 2 years later, I am down to 118 pounds, wear a size 2 and feel awesome!

I have my life back and I feel great. The pain from my prior injuries has been reduced and I haven't had shots in my feet in many months. All my blood levels have gone down to normal and my health has been great. No one believes me when they see my before picture. I feel and look like a new person thanks to this wonderful device, my awesome surgeon and the support and diligence of LI Bariatric Center. On April 2, 2005 I married a wonderful guy. I wore my mother’s bridal gown on this very special day.

I want to thank Dory Ferraro and the Long Island Bariatric Center for a wonderful experience. From my first day, I felt accepted and understood. Their advice and guidance has helped to keep me focused and encouraged, and their diligence in getting me approved so quickly was amazing. I thank them for bearing with all my stupid questions with great humor.

I want to thank Dr. Gabriel for all of his good humor, great bedside manner and encouragement every step of the way. It is wonderful to have a doctor so interested in your well being, that you can talk to like a real person and not just a caregiver. I feel very lucky to have had him as my surgeon.

Both Dory and Dr. Gabriel are outstanding professionals and I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with both of them to achieve my goal of a healthy life.