Texas Weight Loss Surgery Patient Testimonials

Before	After

I battled weight issues most of my adult life, and I was OK with being the fat guy, until I started having some major health issues. Despite the amount of medications I was taking, I didn’t realize how unhealthy I really was until a doctor told me I needed weight loss surgery. When a doctor told me point blank “you have a daughter in the seventh grade, if you want to be around to see her graduate high school, you need to do something.” I’m only 38…That was reality slapping me in the face. I took a lot of medications, had high cholesterol, blood pressure, constant heartburn , circulation issues, pain in my knees and back, sleep apnea…this list goes on and on. That emergency room doctor told me he could put me on a diet, make my life miserable and I would lose 30 pounds, feel great and then gain it all back. He said I needed to make a permanent change. I had always thought weight loss surgery was for really big people - 400, 500 pounds or more. I was only at 276. I started researching weight loss surgery, talked to former Dallas Cowboy Nate Newton and set appointments with some doctors to discuss my options. After meeting with Dr. Duperier and attending one of the seminars at BMI of Texas, I knew this is what I wanted to do. I instantly connected with Dr. D. I was comfortable with him, he did not pressure me at all, unlike some of the other doctors I talked with. While I did not previously know it, I knew a couple of people who had the surgery with Dr. D and after talking with them, I knew I was in very capable hands, confident and excited. I had the gastric sleeve surgery on October 25, 2010…I hit triple digits lost on April 21, which was 4 days shy of the six month mark. More than 100 pounds lighter, I can’t begin to explain how much better my life is now. I am off all my medications, I sleep great (the sleep apnea machine is in the closet), my wife says I don’t snore near as much, my back and knees are fine and I have more energy than I have had in years. I actually enjoy exercising now. My new thing is to compete in 5k run/walks – which you could not have paid me to do pre-surgery. My goal is to do two races a month - they are fun, helps a charity and more importantly, keeps me motivated to keep exercising I have gone from size 42 pants to 34’s, XXL shirts to Large (medium in some). The way down the scale is so much better than the way up. I love my new life. It’s a win for my health, a win for my family and I can say the best thing that I have ever done for myself. Thank you Dr. Duperier, Dr. Seger and the entire BMI of Texas staff – not only do I think you ultimately saved my life, you gave me my life back. October 25th will forever be a special day in my life, like a birthday or anniversary. -Jason Minnix May 18, 2011

Before	After

I went to my PCP and at the end of our visit he asked me if he could do anything else for me and I told him well I am just too fat. He asked me if I would consider bariatric surgery I told him yes and so he told me about BMI of San Antonio. I went to one of their free seminars that was hosted by Dr. Duperier. I found it very interesting and next thing I knew I had an appt. to speak to the doctor. My insurance required me to be on a diet for 6months before I would be approved for the surgery. I went every month and saw Jennifer the Dietician for 6months. Next thing I know my surgery was scheduled during the 6 months I lost 20 lbs and since my surgery I have lost 41 lbs and I am on my way to my goal. I weighed 231 before and now I am at 170. I feel so much better mentally and physically. Before It hurt just to stand and walk across the room. Now I feel no pain when I move around!!! I am very happy with the results so far and am looking forward to the rest of my weight lose and to the rest of my life with the new healthier and skinner me!!! Thanks to the BMI doctors and staff and also to the staff at the Foundation Fitness Center for all the support and help!!!!!

Before	After

Before my gastric bypass surgery in 2008, I wore a size 24, had sleep apnea, high blood pressure, GERD, depression fibromyalgia, Lyme disease and various other ailments too numerous to list...sigh I now wear a size 4, no sleep apnea, no high blood pressure, no GERD (thanks to Dr. Duperier who removed a hernia the size of a dinner plate that no one else seem to be able to find) and the depression has decreased.The Fibromyalgia and Lyme are still with me and probably always will be, but he told me from the start that he could not fix those. Dr. Duperier's professionalism and caring bedside manner really made the whole process a wonderful experience. His staff was outstanding from the very beginning and still are some of the nicest medical personal and office staff I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with. I would highly recommend this procedure to anyone who is truly motivated to make a change.

Before	After

Over and over I’ve thought about and attempted to write a testimonial for Dr. Duperier and BMI of Texas. Every time I would end up putting it aside. There really isn’t an easy, quick way to type in words what Dr. Duperier and BMI of Texas doctors and staff have done for me. I’ve struggled with my weight my entire life, but thanks to Dr. Duperier, Dr. Seger and the BMI of Texas team, I’m still alive and doing well. About five years ago I walked into Dr. Michael J. Guirl’s office with gastroenterological problems. He quickly discovered that my stomach was not processing the food correctly and worked with me to help fix my problems. At the same time, he encouraged me to call and make an appointment with Dr. Duperier’s office regarding my weight. I shoved it off knowing my insurance wouldn’t pay for any type of weight loss surgery. Meanwhile, I kept gaining weight until I realized I was no longer living life but instead just existing on earth. I was in such bad health that it took all my energy just to get out of bed. If you’ve been overweight yourself, I’m certain you’ve heard the famous “I can’t make you lose weight, you have to be ready for it.” I thought it was all hogwash until one day one of my aunt’s sat me down on Christmas Eve and asked me why I wanted to die. She also asked me if I realized how unfair it was to my family to have to deal with possibly losing me so young. I was 35 years old and couldn’t even stand long enough to spend even a half hour shopping in a store. You think I’d have been ready to lose weight way before then but that wasn’t the case. You’d think after having my aunt tell me I was going to die that I’d have done something the next day. “I” still wasn’t ready. The conversation with my aunt kept repeating itself in my mind but I didn’t make any moves. One day, I heard a radio advertisement for a weight loss seminar. With my aunt’s comments in my mind I scheduled to attend the seminar. Of course, my insurance declined me the opportunity so I didn’t return to the doctor’s office. With my aunt’s comments still on my mind, I finally was ready. I realized it was time to live my life again and not let anyone tell me I couldn’t. After Dr. Guirl handing me a BMI of Texas business card twice during all this time and having me throw it away twice, I realized it was time to call his office again. Hoping his office could give me his recommendation again (for a third and final time I hoped). Sure enough they did and I immediately scheduled to attend a seminar. I didn’t even know until I showed up the night of the seminar that it was Dr. Duperier’s night to attend the seminar… I had no idea the night of the seminar I’d be asked to get on a scale to find out how much I weighed. Before that night, weight scales and mirrors didn’t exist for me. Ask me how I managed to brush my hair and I really couldn’t tell you other than I really concentrated on looking at the brush and my hair and nowhere else. I was too ashamed to look elsewhere. When I arrived to attend the BMI of Texas seminar I immediately met April, who was to be my advocate. April immediately made me feel welcome and by some means managed to get me on a scale. This was something that no one for years had been able to do and took quite a bit of courage on my end. April wrote my weight on a piece of paper and handed it to me. When I got the courage to look at it, I immediately struggled to hide my tears. I was over 500 pounds at age 36 at this point. I was shocked, ashamed of myself and wanted to go hide and die. The seminar was very inspiring but at this point I just wanted to give up. My mind kept repeating my weight and at this point I didn’t feel there was any way to go but down. I felt I was beyond fixing. For the next few days my life stopped. I waiting hoping April’s call would be that my insurance company would pay for weight loss surgery. I had this small amount of hope that April would call with good news. At the same time, I was ready to just give up if her answer was no. I spent every second so focused on preparing to give up and just let myself die that I was ready for her answer. Of course, nothing was ever easy for me, or at least that’s what I had instilled in my head. Then the call came and the answer was NO! I lost all hope but April hadn’t. She insisted I keep trying. I applied for a loan and of course again was declined. They needed a co-signer and I didn’t have one. Ready to cancel my office visit, my mom called BMI of Texas to tell them the bad news. I had definitely given up and wanted to just forget I had even tried again. Keep in mind, about 3 years before this I had tried to get insurance to approve weight loss surgery for the first time. This had been my third attempt and my third no… Instead of letting me cancel and letting me continue on my path to death, Dr. Duperier instructed his team to waive my office fee and keep my appointment. From there it was fate. I was destined to make a huge change in my life. I went to visit Dr. Duperier and immediately felt comfortable with him and his nurse, Nina. Since day one, Dr. Duperier has always showed concern and support for my continued weight loss. He encourages me and understands when I have my bad days. Most importantly, at a time when I had given up on myself and my life, Dr. Duperier didn’t. When I met the BMI team, it was a time in my life that I most needed to hear the honest truth, something that Drs. Duperier and Seger respectfully told me. They didn’t beat around the bush but instead were straightforward and completely honest with me. They give 100% of their time and effort and expect you to do the same. They spend their mission helping to fight obesity and you can tell they are just as excited as you when you show positive progress. After my beginning visits to BMI of Texas, things went so fast for me. Several tests were run and it was realized that I had several things wrong with me including sleep apnea, reflux, high blood pressure, etc. During each of my visits to BMI of Texas I realized that I had a team ready to help encourage me, a team who cared about me. For the first time, I felt like I belonged. Instead of hyperventilating because I had an upcoming doctor’s visit, I was excited to go to my visit. Everyone, and I do mean “EVERYONE” at BMI has welcomed me with open arms. It’s now been over a year since my original visit. I’ve lost over 200 pounds and gained a huge family. It’s not just words when I say I owe my life to Dr. Duperier, Dr. Seger, Nina and everyone at BMI of Texas. Because I started at such a large size, I’m still not at my ideal weight. I continue each day to struggle with obesity but I continue to fight thanks to Dr. Duperier, Dr. Seger, my family, and friends in and out of BMI of Texas. Thank you all for giving me a chance and giving me my life back  and Nina, I will continue to strive for more of those Stars!

Before	After

March 15th, 2010 is a day that I hold special, more than my own birthday even because this day is my "re-birth" day. I started living on 3/15/10. I had roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery by the amazing Dr. Duperier. I truly feel that he, and all of the staff at BMI were my angels. I was 430lbs at 22 years old. I have been obese my entire life. I was 180lbs by the time I was 8 years old. Obesity has robbed me of my childhood and was killing me quickly. I have researched weight loss surgery seriously since I was the age of 16. My sister passed away in late March, 2008 at the age of 29, from a massive heart attack caused by prolonged morbid obesity. We grew up both trapped in our own bodies by obesity. After her death it was a wake-up call. I went faithfully to the gym, even had a few personal training sessions and within about two months lost 40lbs. Then life happened. I lost my job and I was devastated, I found comfort in my old "friend"- food. Within the next year I went from 330lbs to 430lbs. By January 2010, I needed something dramatic to save my life. I met Dr. Duperier on Feb. 1st, 2010. I was completely blessed with my surgery. I had the fastest approval rate by insurance BMI has seen. I was approved for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in 8 days. My surgery was scheduled for March 15, 2010. Everything was moving so quickly! The only problem was, Dr. D wanted me to lose 30lbs in a month’s time. I was determined! There I was in the Foundation Gym at least 5 days a week walking on the treadmill, I took it upon myself to adopt the liquid diet for the last 3 weeks before surgery. Honestly, I was terrified of complications, and not being able to get the surgery in general because my BMI was SOOOO High at a whopping 69.4! I'll never forget the last meeting I had with Dr. D a week before surgery. Mind you with all of this hard work, I only lost 10lbs, but found most of the loss in inches. Dr. Duperier was needless to say, VERY concerned that I had not lost enough weight, and actually suggested that maybe we should post-pone the surgery or if I should get a gastric sleeve. Oh, if you could see my expression. I expressed to him that I have worked SO hard in the time and I was ready. I think at that point her really saw that I "got it" and my mindset was right, and the surgery stayed scheduled as planned. As far as the actual surgery, I had no complications. I was at Methodist Specialty Hospital for 4 days, a few days longer than the normal patient because I was deemed an "at risk" patient because of such a high BMI. I was on blood thinners in the hospital because of it. The worst pain that I had was the drain on my left side. I COULD NOT wait to get that out. The first weeks out of surgery were -bizarre- to say the least. When I had gone into the hospital I had lost 15lbs total, when I left I was 21lbs heavier because of swelling, gas, and fluid. In the next few days the water weight poured off. I'll never forget 3 days after I was back to my beginning weight; I got on the scale and had lost 19lbs! Are you kidding me! I cried and immediately called my mom and said "This was the BEST decision I have ever made" Eight months later, I still feel the same. In the first few weeks after surgery I dealt with A LOT of head hunger. I was NOT at all physically hungry but seeing Pizza Hut commercials on tv were nearly excruciating. After week five, I started to eat more solid foods. One of the first things that you will realize is that NOTHING tastes the same. CHEW SLOWLY because that "stuck" feeling if you don't will feel like you swallowed a peach pit. I hated meat for the first four months. I lived on peanuts, string cheese, protein shakes and raw cauliflower. Zoom to the present, I am now eight months post op and I have lost 150lbs!!!!! I went from 430lbs-280lbs. I still have 120lbs until my goal weight of 160lbs. I cannot put into words what this second chance means to me. I am very much still "In Progress" and each and every day is a struggle. Anything worth having is worth fighting for, and I'm not going to settle. The same determination that I felt in the beginning is intensified now. I exercise 4-5 days a week. I do Zumba 2 days a week (salsa, hip hop dancing) and I love IT! I always say find something you love and get moving! I do have a personal trainer now that I see 2 days a weeks, and I do cardio and form training another day a week. I have gone from a size 32W pants to an 18/20! I have SOOO Much energy now that I finally feel 22. But, there is still so far to go. One of the biggest things I've realized, and a mentality that is VERY important to go into this with is that my bypass does NOT do everything. It does NOT deal with the emotional issues, or bad relationship with food, it does NOT drive me to the gym, it does NOT give me will power. It did "force" me in the right direction, and that is EXACTLY what I needed. It took me back to basics and gave me my life back, and for that I am foreveer grateful. Because of my second chance, I have dedicated myself to also helping others. There is an amazing online community of people who have had WLS that has been extremely supportive. I have been blogging my journey on youtube: www.youtube.com/ellewilliams I am also very active in the weight loss surgery community on facebook: www.facebook.com/ellestartingover I have a written blog: http://www.simplyellegance.com/ One organization that I am very passionate about is the Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America: www.wlsfa.org They are performing charitable services and supporting research to find solutions to enhance the quality of life of the morbidly obese community. Raising awareness and funds for not only weight loss surgery but also skin removal surgery as well for patients who cannot afford it! I have a much better life now than I could have imagined and I am working towards reaching my goals. I am a motivational speaker, and supporter, and hope to one day be a Zumba instructor and personal trainer. Please feel free to contact me about anything! I am an open book! Many Blessings Gabrielle Castellanos A.K.A “Elle Williams”

Before	After

I am 35 years old and work as an advocate for Dr. Duperier and Dr. Seger. I have always been overweight and after a year of debating I decided to have a consult for weight loss surgery. I had high blood pressure, severe back pain, and was a borderline diabetic. I spoke with both doctors regarding my medical problems and decided to have the Gastric Sleeve procedure. On May 18, 2009 had surgery at Foundation Surgical Hospital and as of today, 10-26-09 I have lost a total of 60 pounds. I have never felt better in my life and I no longer have any medical related problems. I encourage anyone who has ever battled obesity to contact our office to discuss the options that are there for you. Our office offers so much support and our doctors are two of the best. I owe my new life to both of them.

Before	After

my name is Pedro H. De La Cruz Sr. I am 62 yrs old. I use to be very obese weighing in at 374 pounds. My pcp Dr. Wanda Anguiera referred me to go to a seminar hosted by Dr. Segers talking about weight procedures like the lapband, the sleeve, and gastric bypass. I had alot of medical problems before my surgery. I was obese, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, diabetes, swelling of ankles, acid reflux, congestive heart failure, high cholestrol, too much iron in my blood, and retaining water. I was a walking pharmacy before surgery. Since May 15th 2009 i was no longer a diabetic. I had my Gastric bypass surgery on June 9th 2009. Now i take five medications split in half plus my viatamins. I have lost 20 inches off my waist and i have lost 132 pounds after 7 months since my surgery and now weigh 242 pounds. i feel good i never want to go back to being an obese man or person again. Surgery went just the way Dr. Segers told me it was going to be. All my Doctors have set my goal weight loss at 200 pounds due to my height and bone structure. up to this date Dr. Segers has change my life to the better being that all my doctors said at the rate i was going i would only live up to 3 yrs and now my life has be expanded. i was always tired had pain all over my body, Hard to get out of bed. Now i just jump up out of bed like a 20 yr old man. I belong to Spectrum gym. Dr Segers and his team have made a big impact on my life and i am thankful for them for giving me a new life. So you decide which surgery will work best for you.

After

Hi, my name is Andrea Farmer. I don't always know where to begin with my story. Some people want to hear about my weight loss while others want to hear about regaining my life and being free from pain. So, I'll start at the beginning and hope my story inspires some to have hope and faith. I had just moved back to Tulsa, Oklahoma because my husband was going to Korea for a one year tour. We had two small children at the time. Luke was turning 3 and Mitchell was about 4 months old. I had been having headaches and thought it was simply having two kids and a husband. (LOL) Then I woke-up one day with my eyes crossed. I thought, well this is just what I need, crossed eyes to go along with the headaches. My husband, John got me right into a long time family doctor who knew right away this was serious. Of course, I shrugged it off as stress. Nevertheless, I was sent straight to the hospital. I was later diagnosed with Pseudo Tumor Cerebri. Basically means "false tumor of the brain". My four ventricles were no longer moving the spinal fluid around in my brain and it was not being absorbed into my body. Therefore, the pressure would build in my head and cause the headaches and my eyes to cross. Lovely, huh? Well, my husband being the military hard-core guy that he is was simply beside himself. He still went to Korea. I went on to try numerous drugs and eye surgery before I had brain surgery to drain the fluid off of my brain and insert a shunt in my spine. It was a terrible recovery. But by the time John returned from Korea, I was up and walking again. Couldn't hardly tell I was sick. Other than the terrible headaches, nausea, stars, and dizzy spells....I was fine. I continued to do the work, be a mom of two and a wife. So, lets fast forward a couple of years...I started to feel even worse. I returned to my neurosurgeon and he said I now had hydrocephalus in addition to the Pseudo Tumor Cerebri. So I had another brain surgery to insert another shunt. This time in my brain. I never did feel any better. I either had too much fluid in my head or not enough. I simply would get through the day the best I could. I continued to move all over the country as a good military wife and saw numerous neurosurgeons who never wanted to treat me. The depression set in and I turned to food for comfort. I wasn't moving around anymore either because the more I moved the worse my head felt. Well, the weight came on slowly at first, but before I knew it I was a size 24 and 254 lbs. I had another brain surgery to remove one shunt. I kept the other one so my brain wouldn't hemorrhage. Life was crazy...I developed high blood pressure and was now packing my head in ice most every night to get some rest from the pain. I had been suffering for 10 years at this point. I didn't even want to live. Why live, I thought. It was too painful. Then Jerry came into my life through my youngest son, Mitchell. They were and still are best of friends. Through their friendship, I met Laura Rodriguez, Jerry's Mom. What a lady! I love her so much. I told her I had been researching my illness and was considering the Gastric Bypass. I'm sure she thought I was crazy trying to explain all my issues. I probably sounded like I was a hypochondriac....but it was all true. She listened so intensely and promised to help me. Help me, she did. She worked for Dr. Seger. She went to him and became my personal advocate. Within three weeks I was sitting in Doctor Seger's office. I thought, great another doctor to tell my story too. This will be a long shot for sure. He will never agree to help me, I thought. So many doctors in the past had simply dismissed me because of my complex diagnosis. Laura promised me Dr. Seger would listen. You know what, he did. He was so compassionate. Not only did he listen, but he promised me he would help me and if that meant having surgery, then he would do it. I cried. I just couldn't believe it. Laura helped me through the insurance dilemma. But you know what, I didn't care how much it cost....I wanted my life back and this was the only opportunity for me to try and make it happen. See having a Gastric Bypass might just throw my Pseudo Tumor Cerebri into remission according to the research I had done. It was a long shot, but I didn't care. I was tired of not wanting to live and just surviving by the minute and hour of each day. So with the grace of God, the support of family and friends (my Laura), and Dr. Seger I had surgery on July 27, 2009. The turning point in my life. You know I don't remember a lot of important dates, but this one I will never, ever forget. It is the day I was given my life back. Dr. Seger and Laura made this happen for me. I am forever grateful to them. I've since then lost 70 lbs. I'm now a size 16 and still losing. My Cerebral Shunt has been turned down from 120 ml to 90 ml. (I'm going into remission)!!!! This is the real miracle. My head no longer hurts. I'm off my blood pressure medicine and I love life. I'm no longer in pain. I don't have nausea, dizzy spells, or stars. I feel normal for the first time in 12 years. Thank you Dr. Seger and Laura Rodriguez.

Before	After

My name is Tracy and I started my weight loss journey March 23, 2009. I have always struggled with my weight and tried every diet I could think of. Some of them worked but did not last. On the day of my Lap Band Surgery I weighed 231 and today I am happy to say that I weigh 149. I have reached my goal and now my BMI is in the normal range and I can fit into a size 6. That is totally amazing to me. Before the surgery I thought “Well, if I get into a size 12, I will be so happy”. Well I went past that and some. My surgery went really well and I had no problems afterwards. The change in my life has been truly amazing, not only physically, but I have also changed mentally. Actually some people have come up to me and said “I did not even recognize you”, and that is really nice to hear. I have more confidence in my looks even to the point that I like what I see in the mirror. Buying new clothes is also fun and a new experience. Now I don’t have to go to the Women’s section, and I have so much more to choose from. I am also exercising almost everyday and really enjoy going to the gym. I have also had several people come up to me and ask who my Dr. was for my surgery. I am always happy to tell them about BMI of Texas and Dr. Duperier. It is really nice to think that I may be helping out someone else by the success that I have achieved in my weight loss journey. People often ask me “If you were able to do this again would you go through all that you have gone through to achieve what you have”. My answer is “A definite YES”!!! This surgery has completely changed my life and is the best thing I have ever done just for myself. I look forward to the summer when I can wear a cute swimsuit and not be ashamed of my body. Thank you to BMI of Texas and Dr. Duperier for helping me to achieve my weight loss goals and revealing the healthy body that was hidden for so long.

Thank you so much for all you have done for me. I really appreciate all your help. You are always so professional and a true asset to BMI of Texas. April is also a gem. Jennifer the nutritionist was a great piece of the puzzle, I have learned so much from her. Melinda the PA is so sweet and takes the edge off. The receptionists, all are so polite. Dr. Duperier is FANTASTIC, the SUPERMAN of gastric surgeries. So many of my problems have already been resolved and I have just started my journey. I can't believe it!!! I honestly didn't think he would even touch my case, because of all my problems. I am a new person. It's like I had an overhaul, totally different, full of energy. Everyone asks, " what pill are you on?" I say it was "Dr. Duperier and BMI baby!!!" The set up you all have makes ALL the difference!! You all made this happen for me and so quickly. With all the changes in the insurance plan, it did not look favorable at all, but it happened! And all because you guys work so well together. Again a million thanks to all of you at BMI of Texas. Great job guys!

<< Start < Previous   1 2 3 4   Next > Last >>