- Name: Debra Maxwell
- Age: 62
- Surgery: Gastric Sleeve
- Surgery date: February 4th, 2015
- Testimonial date: February 19th, 2015
- Surgeon: Dr. Choi
This is something I felt was important to do for myself and my health. I am a yo-yo dieter where I can lose 30-40 pounds at a time but always then relax and start eating my old ways and always gain it back plus. I am 62 yrs old and was 234 lbs., borderline diabetic and it had become hard to do the activities I wanted to do at my age. Recently (October 2014) I went zip-lining in Puerto Rico and was totally out of breath. I knew then I need to take drastic measures to get in shape.
I quit smoking in December 2014 and went in for this surgery 2/4/15. I used my personal funds to pay for this surgery as I had no insurance coverage. I had many friends discourage me, but I knew this was something I had to do for myself. I call it "investing in my future". I live approx 2 hrs from Miami so I had the pre-tests done where I live and went to the hospital to meet my surgeon the day of surgery. The hospital, the doctors and the nurses provided me exceptional care and professional encouragement from the minute I arrived.
I was in very little pain after surgery. The worst part of my "after surgery" was the gas I had that had moved up to my left shoulder, but I was up and walking around on day 2!
I had someone spend the first night with me at home since I live alone and from then on, I have had to keep reminding myself that I have actually had the surgery. I do get tired and take frequent naps but was able to resume work part time. I am not hungry... but I won't lie to you, I sometimes watch commercials with food and think I could really go for that but I am okay with actually not eating it. I get the opportunity to eat soft foods tomorrow and I am craving something that might make my mouth feel like I am eating something, even if it is a tablespoon of yogurt or oatmeal or even mashed potatoes. I know that I will need to start eating more healthy and plan to blend vegetables for more nutrition. I have lost 16 pounds in this first 15 days! Dr. Choi has been excellent with follow up phone calls and answering all my questions.
I have absolutely no regrets that I did this and cannot help wondering why more overweight people don't do this. I should have done it years ago but thank God that I did not wait till I was any older. Would I recommend this procedure to someone who was overweight? Of course I would!