Brian Mirza, MD

Best Doctor in town !!!! Extremely helpful ,polite and friendly. I've heard of Dr Mirza from a family friend and decided to make a consultation , he's very straight forward and honest, so glad I chose him.

First, I want to thank all those who have posted their journeys through this life changing surgery. It has been so helpful to read all of these reviews and comments. Naturally, I want reciprocate - especially since my case is not all that common. I want someone to read my posts who may be in the same situation at my age, with no children, and a low BMI. I never really considered this kind of surgery until a few months ago. I was on RealSelf browsing through tummy tucks, lipo, breast lifts, and mommy makeovers. And then I saw the treatment for the gastric sleeve. Let me just check this out. Hmm. As I began reading the reviews, I realized something - I, too, was suffering from comorbid conditions. In 2013 I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis, most severe in my neck, lumbar spine, and my hips. I have a herniated disc in my neck, a bulging disc in my lumbar spine, sacro iliac joint dysfunction on both sides of my hips, and degenerative disc disease. Wow, that's insane for being 41, but I never really thought about how serious it is. In addition, I was recently diagnosed with meralgia paresthetica. I have numbness on the outer side of my right thigh and at night, if I don't sleep in a certain position my right thigh feels like it's on fire (no joke). What do the doctors say that diagnosed me with all of these conditions? Lose weight. And to top things off, I have suffered from depression for many years which is now under control (thank heavens!) with Lamotrigine at 300mg a day. It has been nothing short of a miracle when I think about all the medications I went through to finally find this one. Now, what does my insurance say about my situation and gastric sleeve? Tough luck, hon. The surgery is not "medically necessary" for your life. Ha. Well alrighty then. After much research, I have come to the conclusion that this surgery will not only alleviate my conditions but will improve my quality of life till the day I die. I am usually in so much pain everyday that I cry when I think about how I will feel in 10 years. So what do I have to lose? I guess just weight. I researched many doctors but only met with Dr. Mirza and decided he was the one.
I had my first consultation with Dr. Mirza on 1/25/18. The following week (yesterday) I had my EGD. Not only did Dr. Mirza come in to see me before the procedure, but he came in after I was awake and explained how it went. (Some doctors don't perform this procedure - only the sleeve - so I hear.) It was so comforting and reassuring to know that my doctor will be by my side every step of the way.
Here are some current pictures of me. Honestly I never thought I was that fat! And I don't think I look that bad.

Updated on 10 Feb 2018:
Ok, so after the EGD I had to complete these next steps before surgery. (And side note, the EGD revealed a small hiatal hernia which I was surprised to hear.) EKG went ok, it's super fast and you don't feel a thing. Ultrasound was a bit weird because the gel was cold and its constant pressure poking you around your abdomen was a tad uncomfortable for me. But they need to look for abnormalities. I'm assuming these tests went ok? Then I had to meet with a psychologist. That seemed to go well too. She asked why I wanted the surgery, what my expectations were, and what kind of support system I would have. We also talked about my lifestyle and what I had done in the past about my weight. She didn't seem "judgy" at all and we actually had a pleasant conversation about who I am in general and if I'm ready to make a commitment like this.
The results of all of these appointments were sent to my Dr.'s office. I really don't know what exactly the results are, but I figure we're all good to go because the office called me to remind me of my pre-op appointment next week. Wow. The ball is really rolling here. So excited. But honestly, I don't want to get my hopes up. I'm the kind of person who has to expect the worst. I feel if I do this, the outcome can only get better from there. So, I expect to be in a lot of pain after surgery, I expect some kind of complication, I expect not to lose much weight, I expect my hair to fall out at month 3, I expect for my hands to constantly feel cold, I expect to feel nausea, maybe I won't gain much of my energy back, maybe I won't lose as much weight as expected and maybe I won't feel any alleviation in my joints. Ugh, hopefully those things won't happen, but if they do I'm prepared for it and it won't come as a shock. (Wow, Debbie Downer LOL.)
That said, I am still hopeful for the best. I've got three weeks before the pre-op appointment and the dietitian has asked that I replace my morning coffee my usual "breakfast" (lol) with a protein shake. She said cut down on all carbs, opt for sugar free foods, and drink 64 oz of water every day. The goal is to lose 8lbs in three weeks before the surgery. We shall see!

Updated on 10 Feb 2018:
It's always nice to find a review where you can see if someone's body shape and weight is just like yours. So once I start posting post op photos, you may expect similar results. But oh gosh, no more pre-op photos after this. LOL

Updated on 20 Feb 2018:
So, I now have a dietitian. think it’s a requirement that patients have a dietitian bothe pre and post surgery. My dietitian is super strict! Three weeks prior to surgery, she wanted me to start a high protein, low carb diet with one meal replaced by a protein shake. They’re actually pretty tasty. The first week I lost 3lbs. I was shocked and she was impressed! Yay. I need to continue this diet until one week before surgery, then I have to replace two meals with a shake, which starts tomorrow. Wow, I can’t believe it’s so close. I’ve been in a forum called BariatricPal and it has been sooooooo helpful. Practically anything you’re wondering about, they’ve covered in a post. I have found much strength to move forward with this decision because of that forum. I think the next time I update this review will be after surgery. I am so scared because I am squeamish and feel faint at the sight of blood. I have so much anxiety that I’m afraid that once I’m in the operating room, I’ll scream for them to get me out of there. But I’m writing a letter to myself to remind me why this surgery is necessary. I will read and reread this letter as I lay on the gurney prior to the surgery. And I’m also hoping they give me that IV with the relaxing drug in it. Lol, I may back out if they don’t. Ok, deep breaths. I need to pull myself together and I will see you guys on the other side!

Updated on 26 Feb 2018:
So, this will be my last post before my surgery on Wednesday 2/28/18. I have now had two panic attacks leading up to the date. I am so terrified of surgery that I may run out of the hospital in my gown screaming. I am so afraid I will get cold feet and jump off the gurney and run. Despite all my knowledge, despite the excellent doctor, despite the excellent hospital, despite all extensive research that show how safe and effective this surgery is - my irrational self thinks that I will be maimed and in pain for life. It's my poor little stomach...being stapled to 20% its capacity! It's not natural! Ugh. But, I have to remind myself over and over again why this surgery will be one of the best things I can do for myself at this point in my life and that yes, IT IS SAFE.
Okay, so off I go. And I REEEEEAAALLLLY HOPE when I report again, I have a stapled stomach and had enough courage to go through with it.

Updated on 12 Mar 2018:
Welp, I did it. I stayed on that gurney and I let them wheel me into the operating room. Thank you for your thoughts and best wishes!! You all are so sweet. So, I woke up after surgery and the first thing I noticed was that it was painful for me to swallow - just my own saliva. (I also had a hiatal hernia repaired.) But after a few hours it got better. I slept on and off the rest of the day and through the night. When I was awake, I would call the nurse to detach the IV from the wall so I could go walk the hospital halls. This is highly encouraged. When I would sleep, I had a little button I could push that would automatically release morphine into my IV. Sometimes when I'd push it, it'd beep twice rather than once. I was told later by one of the nurses that that meant I had already pushed the button in the last thirty minutes and no medicine was dispensed. There was a morphine governor! LOL Honestly I wasn't in that much pain, but I just wanted to sleep. The pain was very minimal. I stayed two nights in the hospital and for someone who doesn't mind being in the hospital, it felt like it was forever and I wanted to go home. But I knew I'd rather be there than home if anything went wrong. The second day they did the xray to check for a leak and there wasn't one. I was then given cream of chicken soup and yogurt back in my room. I tried a bite or two and it went down ok, but it would cause cramping seconds later. I did have mild nausea but it was helped by additional medicine they gave me. They wanted me to drink water most of all and I just couldn't. I got painful cramps anytime I swallowed anything. When I was released on Friday, I went home and just slowly sipped water anyway. I knew I had to or else I'd have to go back to the hospital.
All liquid diet for two weeks post op is HAAAAARD. I am also allowed to eat light yogurt, sugar free pudding, and sugar free applesauce. You're essentially a big baby learning how to eat again. I had surgery on a Wednesday and was back at work the following Monday. I have a desk job so it wasn't too bad. My energy was very LOW, though one or two days I felt normal actually.
I am on gallbladder medicine to prevent gallstones that occur after rapid weightloss. I have to shoot myself up with blood thinners in a syringe every night for ten days. I am squeamish and SOMEHOW I am doing this. Where there's a will, there's a way I guess. I have been very bloated and cramped which makes me feel like not eating. I started at 215 at the first consultation. I lost 8 lbs during my pre-op diet and weighed 207 on surgery day. It's 12 days after surgery and I am 194 lbs. That's 13 lbs in 12 days. Whoa!! More than a pound a day! Crazy. After the first month, the loss won't be near as fast.
In sum- I am doing really well. Despite my bloatedness and crampiness, I really do feel good. I have lost a total of 21 lbs and you know, I can actually feel it - but barely. Like, when I get up and walk across the room, my legs feel slightly lighter. I'm like, wait, is that...me? or? that's the weight loss! Holy guacamole... I feel it already!!! When I look in the mirror, I can't tell yet. My clothes fit pretty much same ..but slightly looser. Can't go down a size just yet. LOL I will post 1 month post op pics in two weeks!! :)

Updated on 20 Mar 2018:
I'm 3 weeks post op. I've been recovering really well. There have been a few bumps in the road. One is figuring out how to take any of your previous medications on a post-op liquid diet. You can't swallow anything hard, folks! I take lamotrigine and tried crushing it up and drinking it mixed in with crystal light the first week. YAAACK! Omg, I really understand the expression "it's a bitter pill to swallow". Medication is just straight up nasty. I called my psych to get the ODT form (orally dissolvable tablet) but my insurance wouldn't cover it and it'd be $800 a month. HAHAHA. No. So my doctor said it'd be okay to stop.
Then, the first night I began pureed foods (so excited for something different than shakes!) I made scrambled eggs and mushed them up really good so that it was fluffy like puree (though I didn't put it in the blender). It seemed to go down like rocks, despite taking small bites and waiting between bites. I ended up having the worst heart burn of my life that night in bed (propped up lol). It was horrible. That hasn't stopped me from eating eggs though because I am so desperate for normal foods! It hasn't happened since, so I hope it was a fluke. I'm eating about 400-500 calories a day, 50 - 60 grams of protein, and trying to stay below 30 g carbs.
Had a follow up with my dietitian by phone yesterday and she is going to clear me for soft foods next week (which is a week early). I am thrilled! But obviously, I don't want to overdo it or get myself in trouble so I'm going to try to go easy. I do find that it is VERY hard to eat slower and in smaller bites. I was a fast eater with big bites so this has been tough. I know I'm not doing a stellar job, but I can't be too hard on myself. I'm trying to undo decades of unbridled eating habits.
I weighed 194 at my last post 8 days ago. I am now 191 lbs. So the weight is not coming off nearly as fast now. (Eating more foods now!) It is disappointing after losing more than a pound a day, but this is long term. I also don't mind because I don't want anyone to think I had surgery. Nobody's said anything to me at work, but I can tell a difference in my face and in my shoulders already. I included some pictures.

Updated on 16 May 2018:
So I wanted to wait another couple of weeks before posting again so we could actually see a difference in weight loss. I stalled for almost 3 weeks after the first month with no weight loss at all. I'm now 11 weeks post op (almost 3 months out) and have lost 32lbs since surgery on 2/28 and a total of 40lbs since pre-op began on 2/14. I will talk about diet in another post at length, but suffice it to say for now that I'm *trying* to eat mostly protein with few carbs. I drink ONLY water and protein shakes. No hair loss yet, but they tell me if it begins, it will be in the next few weeks. Ugh! One of the most positive health benefits out of this is that my meralgia paresthetica has almost all but disappeared! All the numbness in my outer right side is GONE. Unbelievable. I have also been walking 3 miles, 3-4 times a week. And believe me, it is SOOOOO much easier now. My legs move almost effortlessly. It's truly amazing. Oh, and I also got a "liquid lift" for my face, so it looks a lot smoother without as many wrinkles and baggy skin. I will write a separate review for that, because wow, I think I look so much younger!! :) :) :) Yes, I am starting to feel very good again, indeed!!

Updated on 26 Jul 2018:
Wow, time flies. I am now five months post op and feeling incredible. I'm eating very lean. Usually chicken and veggies, protein shakes, cheese, eggs, and just low carb in general. If I eat greasy or fatty foods, my stomach doesn't feel great so I try to avoid it. I try to jog about 3 times a week for 3 miles. Some walking in between as my muscles aren't strong enough yet. I've lost more weight than I thought I would by now. I'm down to 155 from 207 on surgery day - 60 lbs total weight lost from 215.

Updated on 26 Jul 2018:


Updated on 26 Jul 2018:
I tried to add side by side pics to my last 5 month update but it didn't work. Trying this again.

Updated on 4 Nov 2018:
Feeling great. Hit 145 at month 7 and have been hovering around this weight for two months. I think the weight loss from surgery is over and my body has hit its new normal weight. I'd like to lose 10 more pounds to hit 135 but it's not necessary. I would have to work out more (currently only walking 3 days a week for 2 or 3 miles each time). I am definitely not getting in the recommended (required) 64 oz of water everyday but I have hit those 60 grams of protein everyday. I'm a size 6 jeans (stretchy/jeggings), size 6 dress, and size 6 top. Un friggin' believable. I am scheduled for a breast lift with implants November 30th, but I will create a separate review for that. I can't believe how fast things have been going. I don't really see any difference in how I look from the last update but those clothes are looser and I really need to go shopping now to find things that fit me appropriately.

Updated on 17 Dec 2018:
I finally moved forward with my breast lift and augmentation surgery with Dr. Ciaravino. He is a miracle worker! It was exactly 9 months after my sleeve surgery. My weight seemed to stabilize around 145 in September so I figured it was time. Seeing these two pictures side by side makes me cry. What a difference. What a year. I feel so good.

Dr Mirza made sure I understood the procedure and how it would effect my life. I'm grateful I picked him. My health came first and he was very professional. He has a great team that work together and always answered all my questions. Dr. Mirza even answered a call after hours at home for me! Went beyond!!

Upon delivering my first child my weight spiraled out of control. I was by far the heaviest I'd ever been. Being a lover of fashion and beauty I often found myself depressed and not wanting to leave the house because of the way I looked. With that I was motivated to get the gastric sleeve procedure done.

After an intensive search and reading tons of reviews, I found Dr. Brian Mirza with Bariatric Care Centers. After my initial consultation I knew he was the doctor for me. Not only is he exceptional but his team is as well. Dr. Mirza is VERY professional and went above and beyond to thoroughly explain each step in the process to me. He even gives his patients her personal cell phone number to contact him directly if needed. No only was my pre op experience pleasant but I really felt like Dr. Mirza took excellent care of me post op as well. I'm only 3 weeks post op and have already lost 20 pounds. I am truly looking forward to my long term success.

I had the sleeve procedure on Dec 10, 2012, recovery was hard. I had this massive gas in my shoulder and back area for a week after surgery. I couldn’t drink anything because it made the pain worse, so, I ended up back in the hospital for a day for re-hydration and pain meds.


Overall I have lost 25 pds and feeling so much butter. I hit a plateau right now. I am going to start working out Monday. I have a very busy schedule work 2 jobs so I am very tired most times but I really need to work out.
I am feeling really blue; has anyone else felt like this?



Updated on 8 Mar 2013:
Well, had my 12 week doctors visit yesterday. Blood work came back good. Current weight is 138.8... sooooooooooo happy I have dropped 3 dress sizes. I haven't taken any pictures but will update soon. My mood has gotten better. I have received a lot of compliments. :) Super Happy.

Updated on 5 May 2013:
4 1/2 months down. My current weight today is 128. Super happy. Hair is falling off it's massive. I am taking my vitamins and trying to eat as much protein as possible. I'm not complaining I have a lot of hair so it works for me.

Updated on 5 May 2013:
I am 128 pounds today. I couldn't be happier. This is has been the best experience of my life. I wouldn't change it for the world. I am currently wearing a size 4. I was a size 14-16 4 months ago. So happy!!!!

I am losing a lot of hair but I have so much as it is that it doesn't bother me.

Updated on 10 Jul 2013:
Well, it's been 7 months since my surgery feeling great I am 123 pounds. Doctor says everything looks good to not loose any more weight. I told him I wanted to loose 10 more PDs.

I'm so happy :)