Our Patient Success Stories: Read More About The Surgical Weight Loss San Antonio Knows
We are so pleased with the goals our patients are able to set and achieve. Dramatic improvements in health, specifically those patients who have seen their diabetes or high blood pressure cured, no longer suffer from sleep apnea or chronic joint pain, make what we do that much more satisfying. We are happy to be part of improving your quality of life. Some patients have offered to share their stories. These pages are dedicated their successes and yours to come.
Terry
My name is Terry Hepworth. I was overweight all my life. I was teased as a child and throughout high school. When I was in the band, the trombone players would play “Baby Elephant Walk” when I passed by. As I got older, had a child and life happened, I kept gaining (and losing) and regaining weight until I was severely, chronically ill and weighed 306 lbs. My major illnesses included Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension, Gastric Reflux, Asthma, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and severe liver disease (which I was told would most probably require a liver transplant in the future). This does not include all the other illnesses that go along with being morbidly obese such as low back pain and severe shortness of breath when walking short distances. On a visit to my endocrinologist in January of 2005, she told me point blank, “If you don’t do something drastic, you’re not going to live much longer.” Talk about knocking the wind out of your sails. She suggested I have weight loss surgery. This day was a turning point in my life. I had researched the surgery several times before and decided it was just too risky and too drastic for me. I really didn’t want surgery and procrastinated 2 weeks before calling for a seminar appointment. I went to my seminar the next week and met Dr. Seger. After hearing his presentation and doing hours of research about the surgery and Dr. Seger’s qualifications and credentials, I decided to proceed with the process.
I saw Dr. Seger in March 2005 and he performed my surgery on 15 June 2005. The day I left the hospital was the last time I took Insulin or any medication for my diabetes. Two weeks later, I was totally off my blood pressure medication. Six weeks after surgery, I no longer required the CPAP for my sleep apnea. The only time I’ve used my rescue inhaler for my asthma was after climbing a 30 ft rock wall, 7 months after my surgery. My liver function has been normal since about a year post surgery. All my blood tests are within normal range and the only medications I take are for allergies (the surgery won’t cure that!) and my supplements, calcium, vitamins and B-Comp (every day…forever!!).
Due to my health since the surgery and my 145 lb. weight loss, I was able to pass the FAA Flight Medical Exam (something that was not remotely possible before surgery). I am currently working on obtaining my Private Pilot Certificate. I’m so busy now I don’t have enough time to do everything I want to accomplish. I was told I only had 5 years to live and now I have another 50!! (I was almost 50 when I had the surgery)
Now, 3½ years post surgery, my life is full. I can eat what I want (in small amounts) and do anything. I would recommend the surgery and do it again in a heartbeat!!
Dr. Seger is absolutely perfection!! He truly cares about his patients and you can’t find a better surgeon in the whole world!! He always wants to know how I’m doing and responds to my e-mails and calls promptly…yes…a doctor who actually calls and e-mails his patients!! He has saved my life twice and also performed another surgery (not related to weight loss). I trust him implicitly and would not hesitate to recommend him in a minute. I not only value him as my surgeon, but as a member of my “extended family”.
Shirley
At the age of 62 I was diagnosed with an extremely large hiatal hernia and was referred to Dr. Michael Seger to have it surgically repaired. During my consultation, Dr. Seger noticed I was being treated for high cholesterol, severe acid reflux and arthritis in my knees. I was also very close to having to take medication for diabetes and hypertension. Dr. Seger knew that the hiatal hernia repair was just one of my medical conditions that he could help with and asked me if I had ever considered weight loss surgery. Dr. Seger explained how weight loss surgery could resolve my current medical conditions and prevent me from having to take medication for diabetes and hypertension. He also told me that he could perform both procedures at once which would mean only one trip to the operating room for me.
After carefully researching Dr. Seger’s credentials and gastric bypass surgery, I made the decision to take control of my health and have the surgery. It was one of the most important and best decisions I have made in my life. At the time of surgery I was 283 pounds and wore a size 26-28. I am two years out of surgery and weigh 140 pounds and am a size 8 -10. I left the hospital off all my medications and have not needed them to this day.
Dr. Seger keeps a close watch over his patients and celebrates each weight loss surgery milestone with them. Dr. Seger provides the best care I have ever received from a physician, including giving me his personal email to contact him with questions or to share my accomplishments. I am 64 years old, but look and feel much younger than I have in years. I am able to do anything I want physically. I know that this surgery has added quality years to my life. I tell everyone I can about the surgery and the excellent patient care I have received along with how weight loss surgery has improved my life and how it can improve theirs. I will be forever grateful to Dr. Seger for caring enough about me to suggest I consider having the surgery.
Chris
In early 2004, I made a decision that would change my life and allow me to take control of one area of my life that I was never able to control… my weight. Endless rounds of diets and visits to physicians all resulted in great attempts but never the final goal of achieving better health and taking control of my weight. In October of 2004, I gathered the courage to attend a weight loss surgery seminar. The presenter for the evening was Dr. Terive Duperier. Dr. Duperier covered all aspects of the journey and answered every question with patience and compassion. I knew before the seminar was over that he would be the surgeon I would select to perform my procedure. Some may say that Dr. Duperier saved my life; I believe he gave my life back to me. Prior to surgery, I was being treated for severe sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and back and knee pain. I have lost 222 pounds and have no need for any medications. Additionally, I am able to participate in physical activities like walking, jogging, and running.
Weight loss surgery has changed my life. I am able to actively participate in activities with my young daughter and know that I will be around to watch her grow up and have a family of her own. I also have a very supportive relationship with a man who treats me like a princess. Weight loss surgery gave me the courage to leave my job as a financial analyst and pursue a career in the medical field. I actively participate in our practice support group and speak to new patients at weight loss surgery seminars. One day I hope to find a permanent position in the bariatric field.
My story is proof that “fairy tales” can come true. I am so thankful that I made the decision to have surgery and that I found a surgeon who is compassionate and dedicated to his patients for life.
Myra
My issues with weight began at an early age. When I was in elementary school, I was never considered “thin”. I was always bigger that most girls my age. By the time I was in high school, I weighed over 200 pounds. Over the years, my weight escalated to 365 pounds. I had lower back pain, knee pain, and feet pain and had difficulty walking. In 2004, I realized something needed to be done with my weight when both my parents faced major health crises, and if I did nothing about my weight I would end up with serious health problems in the future. Being unhappy with my situation, I talked it over with my mother and she suggested I look into weight loss surgery. I began researching the various procedures on the Internet and discussed it with my family and friends who have been very supportive.
On March 3, 2006, I went to a seminar presented by Dr. Seger which was very informative. Not only is Dr. Seger a very knowledgeable surgeon with a unique sense of humor. I immediately felt comfortable with Dr. Seger and decided at the end of the seminar to make an appointment. On May 23, 2006, I met with Dr. Seger and discussed the different surgeries, the risks, and my family history of obesity. When I first met with Dr. Seger, I had not decided which procedure I wanted—gastric bypass or the lapband. I told Dr. Seger that I was leaning toward the lapband because I felt it was a better fit for me. Dr. Seger told me to come back in one month with my decision on what procedure I wanted and lose 5 pounds. I came back a month later with my decision to have the lapband surgery as soon as possible and to my surprise I had lost 15 pounds. I wanted to schedule the surgery on July 5, 2006, the day after Independence Day, because it symbolized for me my freedom from being morbidly obese, however, I had the surgery laparoscopically on July 6, 2006. In the pre-op holding area, Dr. Seger came in to talk over some last minute details before surgery and asked me if I was ready. I immediately told him, “I’m ready, let’s go, I got things to do”. The surgery took approximately 45 minutes, and I was back in my room by 11:00am. I ended up staying overnight due to a minor issue during surgery. I did not have any major complications after surgery. I was up and walking around and was discharged the next morning. The next two weeks after surgery I drank nothing but liquids (water, diet tea, Jell-O, broth, and sugar-free popsicles). I really did not feel like eating anything. I did not have any major pain at my incisions, only a slight stiffness in the midsections. My surgery was on a Thursday and one week later I was walking on a treadmill—very slowly—without any major problems.
My results have exceeded my expectations. I believed it even surprised Dr. Seger. On July 6, 2009, I will celebrate my 3 year anniversary and I have lost 196 pounds. On the day of surgery I weighed 351 pounds. I now weigh 155. I went into surgery with the mindset that this would not change my life. I was wrong. I am a completely different person. I hated exercise. I now exercise on a regular basis and I cannot believe I actually like it. I have a different relationship with food than I did before surgery. I am not controlled by food. I eat to live, not live to eat. As a child, I was very shy. Since surgery, I have come out of my shell. I am so grateful to Dr. Seger for giving me back my life that I decided to pay it forward by speaking regularly at the seminars sharing my experiences.
Do I have any regrets having the surgery and what would I do differently? No. I do not have any regrets about having the surgery. I would do it again in a heartbeat. My only regret is I did not do it sooner, so my grandparents who have passed on could have been here to see my success (deep down I think they are up in heaven smiling at me). If anyone one is considering weight loss surgery, my message to you is “Life is too short to be living with a prison sentence called obesity”. Weight loss surgery is a good investment, not only in your health but in your life. Do your research, weigh all of the options. In the end, the decision to have weight loss surgery is a personal choice. The choice to live a life beyond your wildest dreams.
Roxanne Garza
I lost 115 pounds. No longer suffer from sleep apnea or diabetes.
