My Patients
Personal Stories
Tina - Las Vegas, NV
In May 2001 my extraordinary journey began. My weight was at an all time high of 300 lbs. Although I have always felt attractive, pretty, and social the quality of my life was at risk. I could no longer live in denial, blind to the fact that I was morbidly obese.
One afternoon as I sat along side my bed across from mirror closet doors, my life changed. At that moment as I gazed into the mirror looking at my naked body sitting there I met with a rude awakening, ”an epiphany”. I looked with amazement and asked myself who is that woman? It was like an out of body experience.
For the first time I really saw myself. My body was literally poured on the mattress where I sat. I did not feel sexy, pretty, attractive, or worthy. What have I done? Where is the real me? I was afraid. I knew then I had to take control of my life, my body, and my mind.
I began to face my daily discomforts, sleep apnea, chronic back pain, heel spurs, acid reflux, fatigue, blood pressure, borderline diabetic, and many more issues that in time would kill me. I made convenient excuses for all of these ailments. I had been told I needed to lose weight many times but I didn’t hear it. It was then that I realized I was fighting for my life.
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| Tina 17 months after surgery |
My daughter was born March 17 1987 St. Patrick’s Day! She is the joy of my life. During pregnancy I reached 220lbs. This was tremendous because my initial weight was about 160lbs. After pregnancy I went on many diet programs, exercised, and tried many fad diets. I lost and regained 20 –30 lbs. over and over again. Each time I lost the weight I regained another 10 lbs. along with it.
I struggled with my weight until my daughter was 15 years old. June 14, 2002 after a full year of research, prayer, and determination to be free from my morbidly obese body, I had gastric bypass roux-en-y surgery at Alvarado Hospital. God sent me an angel Dr. Julie Ellner. I had a new birthday that day and my life is forever changed.
Obesity left scars and reminders of a life that was less than quality, less than the very best I could be as a person. The surgery left me with reminders of what I can accomplish, and how much better each day is, as a healthy , vibrant, energetic, motivated and lean person. I made the decision to live an excellent life. I took advantage of the awesome potential of modern medicine to not only save life, but preserve quality life. Dr. Ellner is skilled and caring and the hospital staff was the best I’d ever experienced.
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| Tina 19 months after surgery |
My experience with gastric bypass surgery was clearly a journey and I have maintained my weight loss for four years. I’ve gone from a size 24/26 to a sleek size 8. I am completely healthy and I do not have any co- morbidities. My energy level is phenomenal and I am doing all the things I’ve always wanted to do effortlessly. I started my own consulting company, I am a motivational speaker, mortgage instructor, and working on my first book, “ When eating goes from pleasure to pain”.
I want to continue to empower others to take control of their lives and strive to live excellent. Don’t allow another minute to pass without taking action in the direction of your goals and dreams. The resources and the options are available to you. Make it happen and you too can enjoy a healthy, wonderful life in a body that works for you not against you! Living excellent from the inside out is the key to success in maintaining your weight loss long term. I never forget the events leading up to the decision to have the surgery, the journey while waiting, and all the changes mentally, emotionally, and physically. I changed my mind, changed my vision, changed body and changed my life. No more out of body experiences. When I look in the mirror I see myself in all my glory and I am so very thankful! 41 and fabulous. A phenomenal woman that’s me!
