Before & After Gallery

I started gaining weight around 11 years old, from that point on I was husky to overweight the rest of my life resulting in obesity to morbid obesity from about 42 years of age. I had lost over 100 lbs. over three occasions, only to gain the weight back. The weight gains were extremely frustrating as was the yo-yo dieting. Although very heavy, I was still able to enjoy the outdoors, boating, fishing, hunting and hiking. I retired from law enforcement in 2008, within 2 years I was close to 400 lbs. My mobility and endurance were very limited. Simple things were hard to do, if not impossible, due to my weight. I became pre- diabetic.

The fall of 2017 I became weak and lethargic. The arthritic pain in my back, hip and knees was constant. In the spring of 2018, I went thru testing at Deborah Hospital, and I was diagnosed with severe heart failure. The wonderful Doctors, Nurses and staff of Deborah worked on my condition throughout the year. By November of 2018, I underwent open heart surgery. The amazing Doctors, Nurses and staff did a great repair job on my heart. I had lost a great deal of weight for the surgery, but by the spring of 2020 I had regained all the weight causing strain on my newly repaired heart. My heath was again failing due to the excessive weight. I knew I needed a better solution to control and maintain my weight.

I put off weight loss surgery, thinking the procedure would be too hard, complicated, or painful. Both my older brothers and my sister in-law underwent gastric sleeve surgery with great success. Their experience and support made me reach out to Garden State Bariatrics and convinced me to commit to the procedure.

Garden State Bariatrics Doctors and staff are knowledgeable, caring and committed to your weight loss success. PA-C Mike Caromano was a wealth of information and began a plan to help me achieve my weight loss goal. Dr. Bilof fine-tuned the plan and performed Gastric Sleeve surgery on me November of 2020. Their pre- op and follow up care is very thorough and complete. Their affiliation with and having my procedure completed at Deborah was very assuring for me. The procedure was made easy, simple and painless by such a professional team.

I don’t think I would be here now without the team at Garden State Bariatrics. Simple things in life are now again enjoyed. Enjoying the outdoors again, working around the house. My mobility, endurance, and desire to be active has returned to my life.