• Name: Mac
• Age: 66
• Surgery: Gastric Sleeve
• Surgery date: November 8th, 2012
• Testimonial date: March 18th, 2013
• Surgeon: Dr. Almanza

I was diagnosed with diabetes at 55 and was basically overweight all of my life. I weighed 270 and should be about 195. The diabetes was killing me! I'm now 66 and the diabetes had taken a toll on my kidneys. My nephrologist said my kidney function had dropped to 20% and I needed to lose some serious weight, get the diabetes under control, or I was looking at either dialysis or a kidney transplant. Neither option got my interest. So I tried the Adkins diet again and lost some weight but then put it right back on again. October 2012, I rode my motorcycle with a friend over to Daytona for Bike T'Oberfest and I raved at how good Anthony looked. He had the Sleeve Surgery here in Orlando about 12 months earlier and had gone from 290 to 205. I mean he REALLY looked good. I told him that I wanted to look like him, so he spent several calls over 4 days telling me all about his surgery and how he had changed his eating and his life. I mean I didn't research it too much or spend too much time making the decision. My wife is a physician and she did that for me, and Anthony's results spoke for the benefit of surgery! I called Anthony's surgeon in Orlando and he informed me that Medicare would not approve me and that for a selfpay the cost was $14,000 which was more than we thought we should have to pay.

My wife found another doctor who knew of Dr. Almanza and gave his approval. So I booked the surgery and headed to San Diego. I found the surgeon very friendly and the staff was most helpful. Because of my hearing deficit, I wish the nurses spoke better English, however the other patients had no problem with them. My results: in 4 1/2 months I dropped 63 pounds and went from a 44 waist to a 34 waist. I feel great and look SO GREAT in my new clothes. I am again proud of my body and the compliments I get daily!

January 2013 I went to the VA for my bloodwork and scheduled visit. 3 days later I got the lab report back and was excited. The A1C measure is normal at 5.9 and mine had been as high as 6.5 when I weighed 270. The report said my A1C was 5.5, below normal, and I was no longer diabetic. My cholestrol levels were good, and the best news is my Kidney Function (once at 20%) had increased to 30%. Boy! Was I happy!!! The first of this month (March 2013) the lab test had the kidney function up to 35%. Looks like if I am careful with my eating I will not have to undergo dialysis of a transplant. I feel I have added maybe 10-15 years or more to my life and if you are diabetic, I would STRONGLY recommend that you consider this surgery. The younger you are the longer you will have life-saving results. Don't put this off. Make the decision and the appointment NOW