Patient Details

Hi, my name is Donna Loper. I had Vertical Sleeve Surgery on August 30, 2012. I was 5’3 and weighed 252 pounds and was 52 years old. I had battled with my weight for years. Lots of yo-yo dieting. I would lose 20 pounds but gain 30 back when I would quit dieting. I knew I needed to change my lifestyle but could never do it on my own. I had tried every diet I could find. I had tried diet pills. I ended up in the hospital with an irregular heartbeat after taking phentermine. I tried natural weight loss supplements and had the same result. I was in the hospital with irregular heartbeat for a week in 2012. I knew I had to make changes. I started seriously looking into weight loss surgery. After lots of research I decided on the sleeve. I met with Dr. Cernero and scheduled the surgery. I had done so much research and Dr. Cernero and his staff had answered so many questions that I really didn’t have any surprises after the surgery. I kept with the plan he gave me of eating protein first and making healthy choices. I had done very little and sporadic exercise. I am now 8 months out from my surgery. I have lost 91 pounds. I am exercising daily. I ran in a 5k race this last weekend. I went from wearing a 3x shirt to wearing a medium shirt. My outlook has improved so much. I can keep up with my grandkids now. I know that the sleeve is just a tool, but it’s a tool that can finally make weight loss and healthy living a reality.