Leonor's

Weight Loss Surgery Story

“Sometimes I can’t believe I am the same person. I got a second chance and I am so glad I chose DFW Bariatric.” – Leonor

My Weight Loss Story*

Leonor before and after
Procedure: Gastric Sleeve
Heaviest Weight: 254 pounds
Current Weight: Lost 90 pounds

More than one-third (34.9% or 78.6 million) of U.S. adults are obese. I was one of these statistics. My obesity was the cause of several health issues I have been dealing with the past 10 years. I have been diabetic for more than 15 years and I was on insulin, using the pump for 10 years. It was also the cause of my constant migraines, sleep apnea, skin condition and overall physical challenge. The quality of my life was rapidly deteriorating and all I could think of was my family.

For many years I have tried diets, pills, workout routines, expecting a miracle that I would soon lose the weight, but yet continued with my ugly habits. I drank a diet coke every single day, I had carbohydrates and saturated fats all the time. I did try several times to stop that but got no results. I was disappointed and running to my comfort food. Some people say that the problem with obesity is with fast food chains, yet, I have to say that the problem with obesity is our own fault. Yes, we might live in a fast environment and that was my excuse to pick up something on the go, always ignoring the healthy choices. Obesity is common, serious and very expensive.

“The estimated annual medical cost of obesity in the U.S. was $147 billion in 2008 U.S. dollars; the medical costs for people who are obese were $1,429 higher than those of normal weight.” (Center for Disease Control and Prevention., 2015.) I was spending almost $1200.00 a month in medical bills, medicine and equipment I needed for my insulin pump and sleep apnea. This was out of pocket money, not counting what insurance paid.

My BMI was 39+ at this point. I knew what I needed to do, but couldn’t, and always failed at every single attempt. It got harder and I became depressed running to food as my escape. Many times family approached me to state the obvious and I just felt like nothing and at some point in my life I just wanted to disappear for good. One day I was with my daughter and I passed out. She frantically called her dad at work. She was so scared and when I woke up and saw her eyes full of tears, it broke my heart. Later that night she approached me and asked me to please not die. I realized then that I had hit bottom. This is the moment when my prayers where answered and God was knocking at my door.
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We were ready to have dinner and watching tv, when I saw a commercial for DFW Bariatric Institute. I thought about it, and I talked to my husband. A week later I called them and made the appointment. This was in September 2014. I was still not sure and went to do some research to find more about this procedure.

December 2014, I made my decision to have The Inverted Gastric Sleeve, at DFW Bariatric Institute. The best decision of my life! They explained everything to me with great detail. The staff was incredibly amazing. My surgery was in January 2015. In the first month I lost a little over 30 lbs. At first I was worried because I have heard stories about people gaining all the weight back. I told myself that will not be me. I have to change my way of thinking and focus on my goal. I have to take it one day at the time. This is just a TOOL that I need to use to my favor, I need to follow every step as directed.

I started to workout and of course I rid the kitchen of junk food at home. My husband’s support has been amazing. He worked out with me for my success. People started asking me how did you do it? I said “clean eating and working out daily” is the key. I can easily eat a cheeseburger and not have been this successful but I chose not to. I make healthy choices. I tell every single person that I talk to, “it’s not a food game, it’s a mind game”. Yes, I tried this game before surgery, didn’t work! Today I have lost 96 lbs and I am so proud to say that I did have weight loss surgery. I am happy with myself for the first time in years.

I have been very active, I have run 7- 5K, 2- 10K, I do boot camps, I work out 5 to 6 days a week. I have scheduled my very first 15K in January and my very first Half Marathon in February. I was featured in a KBI commercial for the 2016 campaign and I could not be more proud and honored to represent them. I no longer have sleep apnea. My diabetes is under control.  My A1C went from 13% to 5.9 which is normal and BMI went from 39+ to 24.7 which is normal. I no longer have migraine headaches. This, for me, was unbelievable.  I have very restful nights and, the best part is, I am healthy and looking great and even younger.

This surgery is not for everyone. This takes determination and dedication. I would recommend this procedure to anyone that needs to lose significant amount of weight for healthy reasons. This is NOT an easy way out! This requires a lot of work and I have done that. That’s the reason for my success. I love the new me and my second chance in life.

Give Yourself a Second Chance – Contact Us


Our team at DFW Bariatric Institute has performed thousands of weight loss procedures. We can help you determine if bariatric surgery is the best option for you.

Patient Testimonials


Janet S.

Lost 93 pounds*

"93 pounds later, I have a whole new life. I’ve gone from a size 24 down to 10-12. I no longer have high blood pressure or high cholesterol. My knees, which were in sad shape before surgery, don’t hurt anymore. I joined a gym and participate in water aerobics and a latin impact aerobics class. My whole life has changed. I have much more confidence in myself and love to be with people."

Vivian P.

Lost 140 pounds*

“First off….this surgery will give you your life back. It is a total life changing surgery and I feel like I owe DFW Bariatric my life since they restored mine to me. My weight ballooned up to 273 lbs before my surgery. I have successfully lost and maintained a 140 lb weight loss… This is the most amazing journey that anyone could ever take and the DFW Bariatric Institute staff will all be there to hold your hand and lead you down the road to your success.”

Sherrie M.

Lost 110 pounds*

“I am currently 29 years old and weigh 130 lbs. Before surgery I weighed almost 240 lbs…This is the best thing I have done with my life and would do it again today. It changed my life drastically. My surgeon said to me, 'I can do 50% for you and give you the surgery, but the other 50% is up to you. Your eating, your exercise, your total outlook on life make up the other 50%. And what you want from the surgery is what you will get, and the life you will gain.'”

John E.

Lost 90 pounds*

“I went to a seminar and left there with complete ease, feeling like everyone cared about me and my health. On first office visit I was totally impressed…I never felt rushed in the office, and always felt everyone cared. My surgery was completed and I am now down 90 pounds…The biggest part of recovery comes from the encouragement DFW Bariatric gives. Everyone is always positive and takes the time to explain things in a positive way.”

Kathy D.

Lost 161 pounds*

“There are no words to express the amount of change that weight loss surgery has brought to my life. I am a 54 year old female. There were so many things I was unable to do before the surgery that I blamed on age. It wasn’t my age at all, it was the weight. I am 30 again…The day of my surgery, I weighed 299 pounds. Today I weigh 138 and wear a size 6…I feel so good about myself now. The surgery saved my life!”

Brian S.

Lost 130 pounds*

“After losing 130 pounds, I feel like I have a new lease on life. I was able to stop all of my diabetes, high blood pressure, and my cholesterol medicines. I have always had chronic knee problems and now I am able to run three miles per day without any pain. If I had a choice of doing this surgery again or not, I would definitely do it again. I feel that by having the surgery it not only gave me my life back but it also saved my life.”

Lorna Q.

Lost 107 pounds*

"I have lost the astonishing amount of 107 pounds in less than a year. I feel like I have my life back and I am in control again. All my family and friends are always telling me that I look happier than before and they are right, I am much, much happier than before. I have to thank DFW Bariatric and my husband for helping me throughout this very emotional and amazing journey. I do not regret at all having the surgery, it is one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life.”

Danielle L.

Lost 154 pounds*

“My outlook on life was so different before having my weight loss surgery. I was taking medicine for diabetes, high blood pressure, and depression, and my back, legs, and shoulders hurt all the time which kept me from sleeping. My start weight was 298 pounds. And I am now 144. I’m no longer on any type of medications. My body is the best shape I have ever been in. I am so happy to be where I am today mentally and physically. With my hard work and dedication and with the aid of DFW Bariatric, I am where I want to be. I trust this team with all my heart.”

Dennis H.

Lost 170 pounds*

“At 365 pounds, I was medicated for high blood pressure, diabetes, joint inflammation, and high cholesterol…I was a living example of morbid obesity. I knew then that it was time to do something with my weight…It was not easy to get through all of the hoops that my health plan demanded, but the DFW Bariatric team helped me every step of the way. Today I weigh 195 pounds and feel great! From the time I left the hospital after surgery I have been free from all prescription medications. I can never thank this team enough for giving me back my life."