Dr. Seun:
It took me quite some time to actually sit down and write this letter to you. It has been a year and a half since I had the gastric sleeve surgery and I am down 130 pounds. There are so many emotions that I have been through which has made it difficult to describe how this procedure changed my life.
As you are aware, I was overweight my entire childhood until I had this surgery, when I was 30 years old. Thinking back, I missed out on many opportunities and pleasures I could have experienced had I not been overweight. However, I am able to put that behind me and focus on all of the positive experiences that the surgery has created for me:
• I do not have to worry about fitting in chairs, going to amusement parks and worrying if I will fit on the rides;
• I no longer walk in a room and feel that I have to hide because I think people are staring at me in disgust.
• I am now able to shop for clothes for style and not just because they fit.
These are just some examples of how my life has changed. They might seem like ordinary tasks for the “common person” but to me, they are life-changing experiences.
Regarding my medical conditions, I no longer need medication to control a condition called pseudo tumor cerebri. I was told this condition is common in obese females and can be cured with weight loss. This condition could potentially cause blindness and that scared me. All of my symptoms, headaches, ringing in ears and pressure on optic nerve, have subsided and I am considered cured!
With all of that being said, I owe my new found happiness to you, Dr. Seun! From my first visit to your office your staff and you made me feel like a human being. I didn’t feel that I was being judged for letting my body and health get out of control. I looked forward to my appointments because I knew you genuinely cared and took the time to answer my questions (no matter how silly they sounded) without rushing me. I had such a positive experience with this and I just know the procedure changed me both physically and most importantly emotionally.
Knowing that you save so many lives is such an accomplishment and as much as you feel your patients deserve this, you deserve much more for all of that good that you do.
Sincerely,
Alana Sims