Testimonial for LAP-BAND Surgery in San Antonio

At age 14, my parents took me to see a doctor for weight loss pills. I lost 30 pounds in a month, but got very sick and I soon gained the weight back—and then some. That was the beginning of my “yo-yo” dieting life.

Over the past 24 years, I’ve gained and lost hundreds of pounds trying countless dieting plans and “miracle” weight loss supplements. By the time I was 35, I had reached my highest weight of 254 pounds! Outwardly, I looked and behaved like the stereotypical “jolly fat person,” but inside I was dying of sadness. I decided to look into weight loss surgery.

I saw a commercial about a place that offered both the Lap-Band and Gastric Bypass. After attending a seminar and listening to information about both operations, I knew I wanted the Lap-Band. I decided to have my surgery at the NIX Weight Loss Surgery Center for two reasons. First, Doctors Cárcamo and Wright were so informative, caring and compassionate. They are the model for excellent bedside manner! They truly care about their patients. Second, my grandfather had been a patient at the NIX years ago and I remember how wonderful the doctors and staff had treated him. I knew I would be well taken care of.

I had my Lap-Band surgery on December 8, 2005. I was full of hope for the first time in my life. Hope that I could finally take control of my weight and have a good quality of life.

Before the surgery, I suffered from several illnesses including asthma, fibromyalgia, back and knee problems, and a host of other ailments. I was on 11 different prescriptions and swallowed 26 pills a day. As my weight came off, my asthma problems have all but disappeared and the physical pain from my back/knee problems and fibromyalgia has been greatly reduced. I have been able to cut down to only three prescriptions! I feel like a completely different person!

I now weigh 154 pounds and am doing things I was not able to do when I was 100 pounds heavier. Simple things like crossing my legs, exercising, dancing, and wearing high heels were nearly impossible at 254 pounds. Now I can actually get on any amusement park ride and fly in an airplane without worrying that I won’t fit into the seat. I actually enjoy exercising and shopping for clothes now! Truly, there are so many more things I can do now, the list is virtually endless!

Doctors Cárcamo and Wright not only saved my life, they gave me the tools to make my life a life worth living! These tools include not only the Lap-Band but also online and monthly support group meetings which are the shot in the arm that I needed to stay on track with my weight loss journey. It is nice to be around people who really understand my struggle with weight. They had the same struggles, the same journey, and now we are sharing our successes!

There are so many reasons I am glad I had the Lap-Band procedure, but the best reason is that I can live my life with my wonderful husband, who can now see on the outside the beautiful person he knows that I am on the inside. For that, I will always be grateful. Thank you Dr. Cárcamo, Dr. Wright and the staff at the Nix Weight Loss Center, you rock!

- Teresa