Bariatric Success Stories

Name: Paul

I felt like I have battled obesity my whole life. I was tired of being young and yet always being the largest person in the room. Something had to change. I felt trapped by food and addicted. Always searching to fill voids by filling my mouth. Lap-Band® has been the “tool” that has helped change my life. It’s not a “copout.” It’s not an easy-fix. It is a decision that gives you a tool to help change your food choices and patterns. It hasn’t always been easy, but I wouldn’t change it.

My new birthday is now my surgery date – 8/24/2009. Down 84 lbs to date. Can’t wait to see how much more I can transform. Even greater than looking and feeling better (which are fabulous) my health has improved drastically. You have to be ready to make the change – but when you are don’t be afraid. Go for it!

Dr. Feteiha and his staff have saved my life I’m sure.

Having been heavy all my life, I got to a point where I had to take a more drastic step to get my obsession with food under control. When I got married I was about 195 pounds. After 3 kids and 10 years of marriage I was borderline diabetic and over 300 pounds. I began watching weight loss surgeries on TV and then slowly researching each of the procedures. Dr. Feteiha was recommended by my personal physician. I believe his words were “if you want my support then you must use Dr. Feteiha” and for that I am grateful. After many discussions and tests I decided that the band was the way to go. The whole experience has been life changing. I will say that it is not a “magic pill”. There are still battles to overcome and daily challenges but I could not be happier.

People refer to me as “skinny” and it cracks me up. Years of fat jokes have come full circle. At this point I have lost 68 pounds as a result of the surgery – 103 since my highest weight. I feel great and I look healthy. Physically I have taken on many challenges. I have participated in 2 5K’s and am now training for a triathlon. I sometimes wonder “what am I doing?” but life is good and I need to keep challenging myself to bigger and better things.

Family support, group support and helping others understand how the band can work for you is now my passion. I support not only the surgery but the hands of Dr. Feteiha who has gotten me where I am today.

It took me two years to decide to have the surgery. I have been overweight since I have been eleven years old. On my fiftieth birthday I decided I should go to a doctor and get a check up. I had not visited a doctor in years. Mostly because I knew they were going to tell me to lose weight. I knew it but I didn’t want to hear it. I tried everything, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Weight Trimmers, over the counter pills, Slim Fast etc., nothing worked, I would lose a few pounds and put them back on with some to spare. I felt that I was too far gone so I gave up trying to lose weight and just kept gaining. I was “uncomfortable in my own skin.” I didn’t know what to do next, so I asked my doctor what direction I should take to lose weight. I was a border line diabetic, my blood pressure was high and I had sleep apnea. He suggested Gastric Bypass but with one caveat: it had to be done by Dr Feteiha.

I was tired of not being able to fit comfortably in a seat at a movie, or having to get the seat belt extender when flying, not able to get on rides because the bar would not lock due to the size of my belly, being out of breath when climbing stairs, having a limited selection of clothing to choose from, attending back to school for my kids and getting stuck in the seats, etc.

I attended my second seminar for the surgery and right then and there I made the decision to have it done, I never looked back. I was nervous about going under anesthesia and having to change my lifestyle, I enjoy eating and I like food. Food was my friend, always there when you needed it the most. I kept thinking that I would never be able to eat again. If I was going to do this I was going to follow the rules.

My surgery was on April 27, 2009. I have lost 102 lbs and I feel AWESOME! I learned to know when I am full and I have realized that the food will still be there tomorrow. My blood pressure medication has been cut in half, my sleep apnea is almost gone and everyday I feel better. It’s funny to run into people and not have them recognize me! Having the surgery is a very personal decision and you have to feel comfortable in what you are doing. I weigh myself everyday because I never want to go back to how I looked or what I weighed. It’s easier now to watch and be careful with your habits than it was 102 lbs ago. I am sorry that I didn’t have the surgery sooner; I would do it again in a minute!