Success Stories

Of Struggle and Success

These are real stories from real people who have experienced real change, thanks to weight-loss surgery at Seton Medical Center Austin. You’re not alone.

Edie Morris
Edie told 100 pounds to take a hike.

"Tired and depressed." That's how Edie sums up her previous life when she struggled to control her weight. And with two active kids, ages 5 and 7, and a demanding job as Director of Finance, there was no time for feeling tired and depressed. Something clearly had to give. Edie attempted every weight control method available, with no lasting success. Food still had control over her.

Then she read about the Lap-Band procedure on Seton Medical Center Austin's Web site. She dug deeper, learned more and grew confident this was the procedure for her. She attended an orientation where a patient who had undergone the procedure spoke to the group honestly and directly, addressing the fears and misconceptions shared by the group. Edie's excitement grew even further - finally there was an ideal option for her.

Looking back, what amazes Edie most is how convenient and easy the entire process was for her. It only required a single day, and the Seton team took exceptional care of her every step of the way. Edie has shed a full 100 pounds, with plans to lose more. Rather than tired and depressed, these days you find Edie hiking and camping with her two children, whisking them to soccer and football, or exercising on her own. "EVERYTHING I do feels more comfortable now," she says. "For the first time, I feel comfortable in my own skin."

David Burleson
Losing 200 pounds really rocks. Just ask David.

I have struggled my entire life to control my weight and deal with the problems associated with being overweight.

I was born at 10 lbs., weighed 100 lbs. in first grade, and 250 lbs. at high-school graduation. I have been on one diet or another most of my adult life. On three occasions, I lost over 100 lbs., only to gain it back, plus more.

At 35, I had surgery to control my weight. I went from 450 lbs. to about 235 lbs. within a year. But over the next 20 years, my weight slowly climbed back up to about 425 lbs.

The greatest overall impact of being overweight has been the medical issues — respiratory, circulatory and gastro-intestinal problems, severe sleep apnea and severe arthritis. I was taking nine prescriptions at a cost of over $1,000 a month, with only minimal relief.

At 53, it became apparent I had not much time to either get my weight under control, or face total disability or death. I spent some time with a mental-health professional to better understand my unhealthy relationship with food. I finally understood my first surgery was unsuccessful because I had no plan to deal with my food dependency or change my eating habits post-surgery. Without a plan, failure was guaranteed.

With new understanding, I pursued a second surgery. My RNY surgery was performed at Seton Medical Center Austin. The Seton team was honest and open with me about the risks, difficulties, and benefits of a second surgery, and provided excellent support.

Twenty-six months later, I had dropped to 216 lbs. All of my medical issues are no longer issues. I take only one medication daily, for allergies, and no longer need a cane to walk. My plan is to lose 20 more pounds, and I’m confident I’ll reach and maintain my goal weight.

I now clearly understand my survival depends upon my success. I understand I must use food to sustain life, not as stress relief. Emotional support is available from friends and family, and a weight-loss support group can be a great source of information and support from people confronting the same issues. Finally, I clearly understand weight-loss surgery is not a solution, but a tool to help me address my weight issues.

Natalie Becerra
When Natalie lost 100 pounds she gained a second birthday.

"The day I had my surgery is my new birthday," says Natalie.

Weighing 250-plus pounds, with seemingly no course of action for weight loss available to her, Natalie was at a crossroads. "Emotionally and physically straining," is how she sums up her life before she sought help at Seton Medical Center Austin's Weight-Loss Program. Looking back, she describes the Seton team as "my friends, my family, my loved ones."

Natalie not only suffered from a weight problem, she battles Muscular Dystrophy (MD). Each condition exacerbated the negative effects of the other. The MD prevented Natalie from exercising to control her weight. While her weight problems made the pain and mobility issues of MD all the more debilitating.

You can call Natalie brave. You can call her inspiring. And before long, you can call her "Counselor." Pursuing a law degree may not seem out of the ordinary. But Natalie's path to law school makes it nothing short of extraordinary.

To date, Natalie has lost nearly 100 pounds, has a renewed sense of confidence and is pursuing her pastimes with renewed vigor - such as volunteering for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, creating Web sites and enjoying music. Squeezing these interests into a hectic schedule that includes working full time as a federal employee and attending law school, well, that's the tricky part.