"All my life I have been an overweight person, since my childhood to my adult life. I thought that this didn´t affect me in any way and that I too was a healthy person. A friend convinced me to look for information about obesity surgery. I didn´t considered bad losing some weight so I went for it.

After my surgery I could see that my obesity did affect my life, a lot. Today I won´t get easily tired. Today my knees won´t hurt by the afternoon. Today I won´t feel strong heart palpitations. Today I feel and I am another person. I´m a fun person in my home and work. I am a person who loves to go out. I needed to lose 110 pounds to understand that obesity is really a disease. And what I like is that there is still more to lose, permanently."

Adriana Berenice Curiel
30 years old

"Until last year I weighed 308 pounds. That was a nightmare for me and my love ones. They always saw me eating at all times and sleeping with three pillows because I would choke on nights. Everything was difficult even taking a bath. I couldn´t find clothes that fit and just walking made my feet swelled. I didn´t wanted to see myself in a mirror. My cholesterol was high and my blood pressure was high. But when I found out about my high blood sugar I got scared. I had that terrible disease my mother had throughout 25 years. I had to do something quick.

Somebody recommended me about the gastric band so I went to see my surgeon. He explained me everything and quickly I felt sure he would help me. I knew everything was going to be fine, but everything was better than I expected. I was discharge with no pain and lots of hope.

I have lost 90 pounds on me in less than a year with no sacrifice and today I do not need my medication because my cholesterol, blood pressure and sugar are normal. From a 3XL I now use an L size. I did this to save my life. I want to live happy for many more years."

Norma Alicia
52 years old

"I know that obesity causes many problems. Years ago, I knew that my back and knee pain with my recently diabetes diagnose was because of my obesity. My wife knew that I snored because of my obesity. My children knew I couldn´t play with them like other fathers because of my obesity. But I still supplied the house income.

When my best friend died, I worried. The doctor said it was a heart attack. He was 38 years old. He had a wife, three kids and many friends.

My life changed after my bariatric surgery. I can play with my kids and my relationship in my marriage is better than ever. And let me tell you something else… my back and knees don´t hurt anymore and I haven´t required my diabetes medication in the last 3 years. This is something that everybody should know."

Alexander Garza
34 years old

"Before my surgery I had some health problems like knee and feet pain because of my obesity which I had since over more than 40 years, that’s all my life. I always looked for many alternatives to get rid of that heavy weight body. At that time, living with a lot of weight was my first problem. I didn´t understand how serious was my obesity as a disease. For 10 years I tried diets, medicines, dietitians but I a short time I regained the lost weight until I reached 400 pounds.

I had many stares at every public place and didn´t assist to other places where I knew I would be embarrassed like by not fitting in a chair. I was constantly sad, mad and tired.

After New Year, with my wife´s support, I decided to do my sleeve gastrectomy. My faith in god and my surgeon’s knowledge helped on not having any complication. Before surgery I was 400 pounds heavy. In two months I´ve lost 65 pounds. In this small period my life has changed. I am a very different person, I have more energy and I want to live more. I am just beginning and I feel great. I can´t imagine how I could feel in the next months, I´m excited."

José Martín
41 years old