I’ve struggled with Type 2 Diabetes for about five years. And the final straw was actually having my endocrinologist tell me that my life was going to be spent having dialysis if I didn’t do something drastic.

At 316 pounds, I spent most of my time on the couch watching TV. I had no interest in being outside, I had no interest in doing anything other than just staying home. I really was missing out on a lot of life. I spent a lot of time just going to work and doing the things I had to do but didn’t have a real quality of life. I missed out on being with friends doing a variety of things that I wanted to do. My husband even said to me at one point, ‘would you please get off the couch?’ These days, my husband says, ‘would you please slow down?

I chose to do the gastric sleeve because I felt like it was going to be the best option for me after researching all of the different surgeries. I wasn’t really nervous up until the day of surgery and then I was very nervous; in fact, I really wondered as they were wheeling me down to the operating room if I was making the right decision. Dr. Ganta and John were both wonderful and holding my hand and encouraging me and making me feel comfortable as I went into the surgery.

I don’t want to say my recovery was easy because there really isn’t anything easy about the surgery and the recovery. Clear liquids are tough – two weeks of clear liquids are really, really tough but so well worth it. I’ve really never had any problems. I was off work about three weeks and it was about the perfect length of time for me to be off work It gave me an opportunity to embrace my new diet my new lifestyle and getting used to everything that I needed to do.

About two months into the process I felt like a whole brand new person – lots more energy, ready to go and always willing to get up and do things now, where before I didn’t want to do anything.

Some of the things I’m able to do now that I never thought I would is I have done 15 5K races in the past year. I never would have even dreamed of doing it. I have even done a zipline in Las Vegas which is something I never would I have considered doing at 316 pounds. My general quality of life is just amazing. I am outgoing and busy and confident and happy, and my husband and I go dancing now like we did when we were dating but stopped after getting married. Now we go dancing and enjoy each other’s company. I spend a lot of time now being outside and doing things that I never thought I would want to do and can’t believe the difference that losing 136 pounds has made for me. I have gotten my cholesterol under control, and I no longer have sleep apnea. I used to have to sleep with a C Pap machine and I no longer have to do that, which is great. We’re still working on the diabetes and hopefully I’ll get off all the meds and my endocrinologist is very encouraged that that will happen, but already I feel like it’s just such a success because six needles in my stomach a day was not fun. Now that I only have to take insulin twice a day it’s much better

I chose Dr. Ganta after doing a lot of research on weight loss surgery and physicians in the area, and and he had gotten lots of really good feedback from other patients that he has seen. I came to the information session and brought my husband along with me since this was something that we were going to have to do together. I walked out of there feeling really, really good about my decision to move forward with the sleeve surgery. The office has always been very accommodating when I’ve needed things, always available when I need to make a phone call and get a hold of Dr. Ganta. I will say that Dr. Ganta does not always tell you what you want to hear, but he does tell you what you need to hear to make you successful. I did get tired of hearing I was losing too slow. But the fact of the matter is I am a success. I have lost 136 pounds and gained my life back.

If you’re considering surgery I’m going to tell you – just do it. Just like Nike. And the reason being is we’re all afraid about having surgery – it’s completely normal. But do your research and make sure that you’re comfortable with your surgeon. Just do it because your health, your life – everything is going to benefit you much more than you could ever imagine. Dr. Ganta is honest, open, and he’s going to do what you need done for you. I felt very comfortable taking letting him take my life into his hands and taking care of me, not only through the surgical process but afterwards. The sleeve surgery has changed my life. And honestly, I can’t imagine doing this surgery with anyone other than Dr. Ganta.