Testimonials

In 2007 my weight had ballooned to 158 kilos.

I was wearing size 137 trousers and a 52 shirt 5XL from the "Large Bloke Shops"
I made jokes about my weight and tried to play down any fears I had about my health which was in rapid decline. I also felt embarrassed for my family and friends being seen with me, not to mention the stares from strangers when you went out for a meal that wasn't salad with no dressing.

My blood pressure was high and I had been prescribed tablets to help. My back, knees, ankles and feet were in constant pain just from the stress of moving myself around during the day.

Night time was not a lot of relief; I found it difficult to sleep due to the weight around my throat causing reduced airflow and terrible snoring. My wife was not only sleep deprived but also, well let's says she did not need to use the old "I've got a headache" chestnut.

I tried dieting on three occasions, once just using my own ideas twice using well recognized weight control techniques. On each of these occasions I lost weight initially but once the weight loss slowed down so did my interest and commitment to the diet. The worst thing was that every time I stopped I put on all the weight I had lost plus some. To say at this point I was despondent would but a gross understatement; I felt there was no way for me to succeed.

What changed?

When all the help from friends family and being constantly embarrassed could not get me over the line I had a chance meeting with a friend who had recently had lap band surgery with Dr Padovan. He told me what he had experienced and how pleased he was with the results, which were very obvious. My friend suggested I visit Dr Padovan and ask him if I would be suitable for the operation.

You would think as miserable as I was that it would be an easy call but no I took another six months of tossing the idea around before I committed to the visit.
That step taken I visited Dr Padovan and thoroughly discussed my options, my wife and I went home and further discussed the information we had been given and after due consideration I chose to have the Tube Gastrectomy.

I must admit to being very nervous for the two weeks before the surgery but kept on thinking about the outcome.

My Operation

I had my operation late on Thursday and went home Sunday around lunch time. I was uncomfortable after my operation but not in a lot of pain, the worst bit was the guy I was sharing a room with snored so loud the door shook, my wife tells me this was karma.

I was pleased in so far as all the things I experienced were discussed and I was prepared for them, no nasty surprises.

After ten days off I went back to work. I was a little tired towards the end of the day but elated as to the speed at which I was losing weight.

The recovery process especially the foods suggested is daunting when viewed in isolation I found I was never hungry.

Now

I am now coming up on 18 weeks since my operation and am now 113 kilos, I am in a size 107 trousers and in a 44 shirt, I feel great.

I am back playing Tennis 2-3 times a week and walking most days.

I am even in training to take part in a Triathlon at the end of March, the time I do it in will probably be timed on a sundial but I will finish it.

The friends I meet who I haven't seen in a while don't recognize me.

The difference between now and all the other times is I have a back up, if I want to have a bit of cake I can have a small slice and feel satisfied I no longer want to eat the whole cake.

I hope this does not sound too much like 5am on a Sunday morning American evangelistic preaching but this operation has changed my life visibly and emotionally as much tangibly as those guys claim to have had their lives changed invisibly.

Oh yeah...my wife is smiling like Mona Lisa a lot more these days.

Sincerely,
Vincent