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Laura Clawson
Age: 45
Total Pounds Lost: 60
Procedure Received: Gastric Sleeve
I don't even know where to begin.....I used to be a very fit individual and played lots of sports even as an adult, but like everyone I got married and had children and got very comfortable in my day-to-day life and over the course of 20 years I gained a lot of weight. I tried every diet imaginable, had a personal trainer (several), talked to my doctor, but nothing ever seemed to work, or I'd lose a few pounds and then gain twice as much back. My body started hurting, I was tired all the time, I was embarrassed by myself, I didn't feel comfortable in my own skin. I began hiding and not wanting to go out in public not even for family functions. I finally thought, something has got to give. Three dear friends of mine all had the gastric sleeve performed by Dr. Ortiz, so I thought what the heck, I'm doing it. I called OCC got all my questions answered and BOOM I was scheduled to have surgery four weeks later, I was ready and committed. I hadn't even discussed this with my husband before booking or even calling. I thought, I am doing this for myself and no one else but me. He would either support my decision or not, but either way I was going with or without him LOL. But, you know what.......he was right there with me and supported my decision. He's always been a big supporter of mine, even though he felt I didn't need to lose the weight, he loved me just the way I was. The problem, was I didn't love myself anymore. My only regret, is that I didn't do this sooner. Life is so amazing now. I can't even tell you how great it feels to go in to a store, grab an item off the shelf and it actually fits! My daughter who's 15, we can share each other's clothes now! I sleep so much better without the need of taking something to help me sleep, I'm not tired during the day, my back and neck don't hurt anymore. I just feel absolutely amazing and I can't thank the staff and everyone at OCC enough for giving me my life back!!! I will forever be grateful to everyone there.
