I went from hopelessness and despair to living life to its fullest. I am ALIVE again and ten sizes smaller than I was SIX months ago, before my open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. I am on the go all time. I can exercise. I eat well and do not feel deprived. My portions are much smaller but fulfilling. I can go out alone without the fear of someone commenting on my weight. I can actually stand tall and proud. I walk and bike without shortness of breath. I thank Synergy Bariatrics for this. Dr. Caruana provided me support when no one else understood. He helped me renew myself, mend my spirit and now I am on the road to better health.

	Obesity is an awful disease. It can affect you physically, socially and most of all, emotionally. Morbid obesity did it to me. I was suffering from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, taking water pills to lose excess fluid, and taking medication to battle depression. Every body part on me ached, my soul was crushed, and it was getting harder to move and get around.
Endless diets, prescription pills, and exercise only led to weight regain with additional pounds. Nothing I tried lasted or worked, even though I was not a person who lacked self control or discipline. I was a person in need of help and understanding. I felt I was set up for failure from the start. How could I fight obesity when nobody understood? I almost gave up. But then I found people who cared and would fight this battle with me and stay by my side.
After speaking with my primary physician and reviewing my family history of heart disease, kidney disease, and gastrointestinal diseases, we realized that statistics proved I could be headed for major health problems. In fact, I had the start of many. When I asked about weight loss surgery, my doctor told me to research it and we could discuss further. I did do my homework – set-up appointments, attended seminars and encouraged my family members to come to support groups with me to learn more about weight loss surgery. When my mind was made up, I had support and a referral. My family, friends, new internet weight loss buddies, co-workers and physicians gave me hope.
	I cannot say enough about how my life has changed for the better since July 28, 2005. The savings from no longer needed medications is incredible. Now, I am thrilled to get on the doctor’s scale instead experiencing the fear and anxiety that I once felt. I have learned to eat better, take my vitamins, exercise, and most of all, to be proud of my accomplishments. I gained a new sense of well being and made a great new group of supportive friends. Fighting this battle that I have suffered from most of my life helped me to learn that you can do anything you set your mind to.
I have experienced many of what weight loss surgery patients call “wow” moments. A wow moment is a good feeling that comes over you when you experience something new or something that you have longed for; simple things that others may take for granted. My wow moments have included: crossing my legs, discovering cheekbones on my face, feeling my rib cage and hip bones. I know now what my collarbone looks like. I can actually wear necklaces that fit. Being able to buckle a seatbelt in my car and on a plane is a wow moment. I can get out of a chair without the arms lifting up because my hips and thighs are stuck. I can sit on the living room floor and play with my dog and get up without a struggle or needing help. I can tuck a shirt in and be comfortable. Squeezing in a crowded elevator without worry about looks or comments from other passengers are a wow moments. I think the best one is that my body measurements are getting symmetrical, but I could go on and on and on. It’s a pleasure to wake up in the morning because each day brings a new discovery. I know what it is like to be trapped by your body weight. I know how sad it is to watch others do things I could not. I felt unhappiness and despair and watched obese family members die from obesity-related complications. Today I feel that every day is a gift; a blessing and one to live to the fullest. I thank God, my family, Dr. Caruana, Marc, and the staff at Synergy Bariatrics for caring about me and working to fight obesity. Back to Success Stories page