Bariatric Surgery

Personal Experiences

Steve Young

My experience with the Scott & White Bariatric Department was very good. I had gastric bypass surgery on November 29, 2004 and by November 29, 2005 had lost about 150 pounds. My surgery went great and I was feeling good in no time. Just in the first week I had lost about 20 pounds. With drinking lots of water and exercise I was on the road to a new me.

I also received a lot of encouragement and support from Paulette, Cari and Karen, some of the staff that work in the bariatric department. Dr. Symmonds performed my surgery and did a great job. These guys were all great with helping me through my transition into a new person.

I have had no regrets and feel that this was a life saver for me. Due to the bypass, I have a new outlook on life. I enjoy living again and have lots of energy. Going from 360 pounds to 205 pounds makes you feel great! Reducing my waist line from 46" to 34" is a very big accomplishment. I have gone through a lot of clothes, but it is well worth it. The ride is great and I encourage everyone that has a weight problem to hop on to a new life.

I would like to thank the bariatric clinic, my family and my church family (Agape), for their support and prayers, but most of all, to God above for watching over the staff at Scott & White and me while going through this procedure.

– Steve Young, age 38
Steve had gastric bypass surgery in November 2004. As of December 2005, he has lost a total of 155 pounds.

Edith N. Andruss

Thank you Scott & White and Dr. Symmonds for giving this old lady a new lease on life. I am so pleased with the new me and I could not have done it without your help. Everyone was so helpful and encouraging along the way.

– Edith N. Andruss, age 68
Edith had gastric bypass surgery on January 31, 2005. By the end of the year she had lost 155 pounds.

Ramon Lopez

"At 464 pounds I wasn't living but merely surviving, not even a good life, just surviving...

I was embarrassed to go out with my family. I couldn't tie my own shoes or enjoy my nephews and nieces the way an uncle should.

Well today, after the miracle of bariatric surgery I am 262 pounds lighter and am now able to do things that I never thought I would ever do. I sometimes ride my bike 20 to 25 miles a day simply because I can. I have become a social butterfly and no longer bear the pain of carrying around an extra person.

I would like to thank Dr. Richard Symmonds and Scott & White hospital for saving and giving back my life."

– Ramon Lopez, age 38
Ramon had gastric bypass surgery on July 7, 2004. As of January 2006, he has lost a total of 202 pounds.

Dennis Renner

At age 63, having tried everything from the "Rainbow" pills of the 60's to various shots in the 70's and everything in between and after – to find something that really works is Great!

The procedure for me was relatively free of complications. I attribute this to the skill of Dr. Rodriguez. The support and assistance provided by Paulette Whitfield and everyone associated with the bariatric department were outstanding.

On March 1, 2005 the date of my surgery, I weighed 345 pounds. On February 29, 2006, I weighed 178 pounds. I now wear size 34 pants and medium shirts. I used to be a size 62 with 3XXX shirts. Gotta love it!

If you are thinking about the procedure, I urge you to call and check it out. My only regret is that I waited so long to have the surgery.

– Dennis Renner, age 64
Dennis had gastric bypass surgery on March 1, 2005. As of February 29, 2006, he has lost a total of 167 pounds.

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