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Saved Life!
Bonita Walden
Salem, VA
-132lbs
I felt hopeless and helpless battling a weight problem after my hysterectomy at age 28. I did some research online and learned that this hospital had performed numerous surgeries, had excellent results, so off I went to Mexico to have surgery!
I weighed 96 pounds the day I had my hysterectomy at age 28. I gained 60 pounds within 6 weeks of having the surgery. At age 50 and 260 pounds I had had enough and searched for a surgeon that could do lap band surgery.
I had the LapBand put it but 6 weeks later my body rejected it. I had lost 15 pounds. I was heart broken and crushed. I waited one year to let my body heal and decided to go with the sleeve. This was the best decision I had made for my life!
After being obese for 22 years I finally started seeing a light at the end of the tunnel! I am so grateful to the Doctors and nurses at the Obesity Control Center. I not only have lost weight but was also able to quit smoking due to a strong yet encouraging talk the doctor had with me about my smoking. This past October I learned I had a heart condition that I have had since birth unknowingly. If it wasn’t for the doctor talking to me about my smoking and performing my surgery there is a strong chance I would not be alive right now to tell my story.
Everyday I wake up and look in the mirror and I still can’t believe it’s me I am looking at. I feel young again, I feel beautiful and I love the new me! Thank you everyone at the Obesity Control Center but mostly thank you Dr. Ortiz for your strong talk about my smoking, you saved my life twice!
