Testimonials : Johanna Malecon
Johanna Malecon
Johanna Malecon, before and after
Name: Johanna Melcon
Age: 27
Date of Surgery: March 19, 2008
Procedure: Gastric Bypass
Starting Weight: 300
Current Weight: 160
Medical Conditions Before Surgery: sleep apnea
In all the years I spent being overweight, I had tried just about everything to lose weight – Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, numerous fad diets, boot camps, everything – but what was looming over me is the fact that everyone in my family suffers from diabetes. My lifestyle would’ve inevitably taken me
down the same path and I knew I had to take control of my life…and my weight. I underwent gastric bypass surgery in March of 2008, but that was just the beginning of my journey. The time since my surgery has been filled with working with a therapist to conquer my food addiction, going online for moral support, consulting with a nutritionist, educating myself with the latest research, and going to the gym religiously. All of these components, together with the surgery, have been critical to my success.
Since having the surgery, my outlook on life has completely changed. I am often described as “bubbly” and am willing to take on more challenges…or the world for that matter! When I was at 300 lbs, I was a homebody with few goals that moped about everything – people that know me now can’t even imagine the person I’m describing.
Of course, there have been some difficulties along the way. Finding an identity that no longer revolves around being the “fat girl” has been a bit of an emotional roller coaster, but it’s a challenge that I have been more than ready to face head on. Undergoing gastric bypass surgery has been the most life-altering decision I’ve ever made and the experience has undoubtedly given me a new lease on life. Dr. de la Cruz-Muñoz and his team went above and beyond to ensure my long-term success and I wouldn’t have done the surgery anywhere else. Everyone at the Surgical Weight Loss Institute made it a point to get to know me and make me feel right at home.
For those of you considering surgery, I urge you to face your fears and not let hesitations or fear of failure hold you back!