Testimonies

My story begins as far back as I can remember. FOOD was the end all of everything for me. I was born to immigrant parents who survived the horrors of the Holocaust during World War II. Both of my parents were survivors from Hitler’s concentration camps, where they emerged as part of the “living dead.” so to speak. After they came to this country and began their new lives, they were resolve to never again feel the hunger pangs that were so commonplace during the war. As a result, my parents made sure that beyond all else, there was always food on the table and lots of it. My father owned a neighborhood grocery store where candy, chips, and soda were plentiful and readily available for me. By the time I was six years old, I weighed 100 pounds and my mother would shop for my clothes in the “Chubby Department” (really, that was the name of the department at the store.) All through primary school and high school, I ate and ate. Once I entered college, I began to drop weight any way that I could……starvation, crash diets, diet pills, whatever I could do to lose a few precious pounds. I would do well and then I would gain back what was lost and then some. I was constantly on this seesaw which was exacerbated by my stress level as well as by my own gluttony.

I married a man who loved large women. Consequently he would encourage me to eat more, thus I gained more weight. Before I knew it I was well over 300 pounds. I was stuck in an abusive relationship with no place to go. Fifteen years later, I found my freedom, however I could not shed the pounds no matter what I did. Soon my knees were hurting, I was winded when I walked, and my energy level was non existent. The demands of my job wreaked havoc with my health and my diet. In early 2003, I was overseas visiting family in Israel when I first contemplated having a gastric bypass. My insurance from work would not pay for any obesity related services so I was going to have to do this myself. I knew that if I did not do something soon, I would end up either in a wheelchair or dead. I spoke with a doctor in Israel who told me that I should consider a gastric band instead. I was immediately sold because it was much less invasive than the bypass. I was initially going to return to Israel for the surgery but started looking for something closer. It was such a long way to go from the west coast, so I looked to Canada and to Mexico. I did check the prices in the states and found it to be three times more expensive than in Mexico. I also came to discover that this procedure had been done in Mexico for about 12 years although it was only recently approved in the US. What astounded me even more was that the Mexican doctors were actually training US doctors in the procedure.

I contacted a patient coordinator with Obesity Goodbye and three weeks later I had the surgery. I had no second thoughts and actually made the trip alone. I would say that the only bad feelings that I had was the weekend before my Monday departure. I cried and cried that weekend. Not because I was afraid, but because I was mourning the loss of an old friend….FOOD. On Monday morning, I got on the plane, and was ecstatic. There were no more tears. The band surgery was so easy. I was up walking around in hours. The only pain I had was from the gas used during the procedure, and a little walking took care of that. I was in Mexico for three days, went home, and went back to work on that next Monday. I lost 56 pounds during the first four months. I lost 80 pounds that first year. I had some emotional issues during the second year in that I lost the man I was to marry to cancer, so as they say, old habits die hard. I could not eat a lot of good food, however sweets went down with no problem. I would gain a few and then lose a few, so in actuality I stood still for several months. In February, 2005 I was attacked by one of my clients at work. I actually should have died, and had I not been 90 pounds lighter I probably would have stroked out or had a heart attack.

When it was all done and I returned to Mexico for a tummy tuck, I had lost an astounding 130 pounds. I was able to walk free of knee pain, I stopped taking medication completely and my heart and blood pressure have been excellent ever since. My friends were amazed and about five of them went down after my success to have their own banding done with the Obesity Goodbye team. Without exception, there have been no problems as a result of their surgeries, only amazing tales of weight loss and new lives.

This past year unfortunately, I had some health problems and had my band removed. I was devastated. I felt like I was free=falling and had no control. Without a band, I was truly doomed. I gained back 40 pounds in five months. My knees were hurting and my energy was down again. I called Dr. Rios and Dr. Verboonen. We went over my medical issues that resulted in the surgery and I told them I needed help. I returned to Mexico in July and had a sleeve gastrectomy where 80% of my stomach was laproscopically removed. I tease now and tell people that I have a stomach the size of a walnut!!!!!! I have now lost the 40 pounds that I gained back. I have another 25 that I want to lose and then I am going to have my thighs and butt done. At that time I will be as good as it gets.

I have set realistic goals set for myself. I know that I have no desire to be “skinny” per se. I find loveliness in curves and so do a lot of men. I will always be over 200 pounds, but for me that is fine. I have come to learn, especially since my medical issues arose, that food is truly an addiction, and it is a monkey on my back that I will carry with me always. I think that the world is finally waking up to this epidemic and realizing that surgical intervention is really the only way. I believe in the work that is being done by Obesity Goodbye. The entire staff is wonderful and helpful. They are in essence a part of my family. I have decided that I want to help others follow this path and I have signed on as a patient coordinator. My friend Kim and I are both social workers and we understand addiction, depression, pain, and stress. We are here to help you follow a path that will help you achieve good health and satisfaction in your life. Please do not hesitate to contact either of us at our email addresses.

Edith

My story is one of fortitude, determination and ultimately success as a result of the lap- band. Like many people I have struggled most of my adult life with addictions. I was a heavy smoker for about 20 years, until I quit in 2001. I first started putting on weight when I entered into the college scene. My weight fluctuation was due mostly to stress binging. At first I would gain weight and then get on a weight reduction program and lose, only to gain the weight back again. This cycle continued on until the birth of my son in 1994. During my pregnancy I gained over 100lbs. No matter what diet, medication or exercise routine I started I always seemed to fail.

My problems escalated to the point that any kind of weight loss program was no longer working for me to get my weight off, and I was starting to suffer health problems as a result. My asthma was worse; I had sleep apnea, suffered back pain, and was on diabetic medication for a while. I was in continuous pain and was experiencing breathing problems; exercise was not possible. I felt as though I was old before my time. I became extremely embarrassed to go places and to speak in front of crowds. This cycle in my life continued on for about 10 years, before my dear friend, who had shown great success with the mid- band, encouraged me to get the surgery. I had my surgery in September of 2005. It is now November of 2007, and I have lost over 70lbs. My mobility is extremely better, my sleep apnea has greatly decreased, and I no longer take medications for Asthma or Diabetes. I feel more confident in all areas of my life.

As a social worker with over 20 years of experience, I have always spearheaded plans to help improve the life of others. It is a remarkable feeling to know that I have chosen a plan by choosing lab-band surgery to improve the quality of my life. I hope that I can assist you in your personal journey as well.

Kim Van Dorem

My first impression of the Dr. was umm I didn't really have one, I saw so many people the day of my surgery and I was so nervous that I didn't really think too much about anything, sounds dumb I know but I just saw him as the person who was doing my surgery. I have gone in with some concerns and was at ease with the prompt response and concern that the staff at OH showed. They really tried to do whatever they could to ease my fears both pre and post op. My surgery went fine I had no complications. The Dr. did go over the risks with the surgery and I had an option as to which band I wanted, he showed me the different bands that his office used. I was really scared about going to T.J for my surgery, I had family who had surgery over there and were fine, that was my reason for also going. I dont regret my decision to have surgery with OBGB and I'd reccomend them to anyone. I can honestly say that Ive received better care in MX than I did here in the states.

Wendy

I just wanted to say thank you again. My surgery was july one year ago and I have just 4pounds to go to reach my goal. This has been the easiest wieght loss, no cravings, and no hunger pains. My life has changed, I no longer have back and knee pain, I no longer have to take blood pressure medications, and I have the confidence I need to be successful in my job. I have more energy making it possible for me to join my daughter in many activities. I have lost a total of 84 pounds, from 238 to 154. I have lost from a size 22 to a size 9/10.

Thank you for providing this service at a cost that is reasonable.
Amy Rials

Hola Dr Verboonen ~

I just wanted thank you so very much for changing my life, I would do it all over again if I had to.  Your surgery was the best thing that has happened to me.

Muchas Gracias
Amy Madrigal

March 2006	July 2006