Before and After Testimonials
When 48 year old Elbert first came into our program, he was 400.7 lbs and suffered from an assortment of comorbidities including type 2 diabetes, multiple joint pain, sleep apnea, and hypertension. Elbert was taking 9 medications every day and using a CPAP for his sleep apnea every night. At 5’10”, Elbert had a body mass index (BMI) of 57.4. In November of 2007, Elbert had the Lap Band procedure here at UH Geauga Medical Center. This is his story:
“I had lap band surgery in November of 2007. I originally weighed 405 pounds. It is now May of 2008, and I weigh 315, and counting. My energy level is much better, and I have decreased some of my medication. I am able to breathe better and am able to do things that I had begun to feel were a great effort before my surgery and weight loss. I am exercising more because I feel able to do so. I feel more involved with my family, because I feel more like doing things with them, and am able to enjoy things I had begun to dread due to my health.
I decided to have the surgery because of knee pain. I was too heavy to have my knees done and have them be successful. Because of my knee pain, I had gained more weight because it was painful to walk or exercise. It truly was a viscous cycle. Now that I am losing the weight, I can plan to have my knees done.
The staff at Geauga Medical Center has been great. Dr. Khaitan and her team, Ada, Cyndee and Roxanne have been there for me all the way. They have educated me well to help make me successful, helped with the insurance process to get me certified and answered all my questions.
During and after the surgery everyone was helpful and encouraging. The nursing staff during my hospital stay was wonderful, patient and caring. The floor I was on was beautiful, clean and pleasant. The surgical staff helped make me comfortable before and after surgery until I went to the nursing floor. The hardest part for me was to actually decide to have the surgery, as I had never had surgery and was very apprehensive, bordering on afraid to have surgery.
The education I received throughout the whole process helped alleviate my fears and understand the process. I am so glad I had the surgery. I feel it has improved my quality of life, and I am doing better all the time. It was a wise decision. My recovery seemed to go faster than I had imagined it would. I was up and moving the same day, and home the day after.
Very important to my success has been my support system. My family, friends, and coworkers have encouraged and celebrated with me throughout. And it has been nice to buy lots of new clothes. Each size I drop encourages me more. It has been a life style change for the better. I no longer have to shop at King Size and Big and Tall.
If you are thinking you want to make some positive changes in your life concerning weight loss, and think you have tried everything, and felt like a failure, consider this surgery. I had tried every plan out there and had been unsuccessful. I do not and have not felt hungry like I did with the other attempts at weight loss. This is working for me, and helping me to improve my health.
Best wishes to you as you begin your adventure to a healthier life also.”
Today Elbert weighs 300 pounds and counting! He has lost 105 pounds so far and his BMI is down to 43! He states that his feet no longer hurt, his ankles are no longer swollen and it is much easier to get around. He has had his CPAP adjusted to a lower setting and as far as his medications are concerned; he has had the dosages decreased on some and some he no longer needs at all! He is making remarkable progress
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