My decision to have weight loss surgery was one of the
biggest and hardest decisions I have ever had to make!!! My long list of doctors ranging from my
Primary Care to ever Specialist you could image, telling me that I need to make
a change...dieting, and weight loss medications just was not working for me. With being a person where your medications,
and medical issues are what is a major contributing factor to being overweight,
you start thinking that this is how your life is suppose to be. The first time that I meant Dr. Bello and his
team, they made me and my family feel more comfortable than I could have ever
thought possible. They welcomed my
husband to sit in on ever appointment, and nutrition class that I had. I also found love and support through GBMC
Comp Weight Loss Support Group (my comp family), everyone is there no matter
what to help each other through the process.
I went through so many emotions from excitement, being anxious,
nervous...mostly excited to start the next journey of my life! This past year and a half has been a world of
different emotions for me, from the start of my first bariatric seminar to my 1
year surgaversary date of the new me! When
my husband and I went to my first appointment with Dr. Bello, he explained that
it was going to be more of a detail surgery than normal, do to my health issues
and previous surgeries done on my esophagus.
He also explained that this is a tool, not a fix! With that said, he looked at us and said he
is willing to do the surgery, (with the understanding I could possible end up
with a major incision). The next 4
months I went to every nutritionist appointment, and specialist I needed to for
the process, even quit smoking. I
remember the big day finally getting here, my excitement was through the
roof. Even though we knew that the
surgery was going to take at least 4 hours, his team still came out and let my
husband know what was going on and what process he was at that moment. Just to show you how remarkable of a doctor
he is, I only ended up with 7 small 1 inch incision various 1 huge cut down my
abdomen. 5 months in I was not feeling
well, constipation, nausea and vomiting.
So when I went for my normal 6 month check up I let him know what was
going on (he wanted to know why I didn't call him sooner) and scheduled me for
surgery to see what was going on (all related to slowing of the colon/not from
NSY surgery). Dr. Bello is an
outstanding surgeon who genuinely cares about his patients. Over the next year, weight was dropping off,
between my new tool (rebirth/tummy) and eating right (just being
healthier). I am now able to start strengthening
my muscles. I remember before my rebirth
not being able to take a ride with my husband on our motorcycle for more than
30 minutes before having to go home, now I can make it an hour or so (baby
steps). Thank you Dr. Gustavo Bello for
this wonderful new life you have giving me, you are truly my miracle worker. You & your staff have given me a second
chance at living life, and for that I will always be grateful. This has truly been a world wind. Starting this process at 263 Lbs. Size 26W
Pants & 3XL shirts to now 192 Lbs. Size 12 Pants & L//XL shirt and
still losing. I am so looking for to the
next part of my journey and continued weight loss.