Obesity Control Center - The Obesity Control Center is the world leader in weight-loss surgeries

Today is the two-year anniversary of my weight loss surgery by Doctor Ortiz. Both my daughter and I had the surgery on the same day. A month later my other daughter had the procedure done and my husband followed a couple of months after that.

I am truly a work in progress as is my entire family. The journey was certainly a lot of work and not easy by any stretch of the imagination but to date I have lost more than 100 pounds and I am so very excited. The lap band has been the tool that has made all this possible.

Prior to my surgery, I was a size 24/2xl and my legs were thunder thighs. Now I am wearing a size 6 or 8. I actually got into a size four skirt and I will NEVER take the tag off of it because I am so proud! I jumped around the dressing room like a crazy person. If the skirt was actually mislabeled please don’t ever tell me.

This band has given me a new life. I didn’t know that I could have more friends than food and I could never have imagined that this one small step would eventually lead to one day completing the Disney Half-Marathon. I had no idea what an emotional journey this would be for me. Food is no longer the glue that holds my family together. Life has certainly changed. I love my life now.

When I started this, I had no idea that so much would change. I am not the same person. I want more respect. I want to be counted. I now have more self-respect. If you had asked me what I wanted when I began it would have been to just lose weight. Now I know better. I am no longer the jolly fat lady any more but I am a person with a good sense of humor.

I am so grateful to both Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez. They have always been there for me and my entire family. Along with their excellent staff and facilities, they will also always be there for you.