- Name: Neilla Cenci
- Age: 65
- Surgery: Gastric Sleeve
- Surgery date: May 16th, 2013
- Testimonial date: March 24th, 2014
- Surgeon: Dr. Almanza
When I was 12 years old I weighed 150 pounds. I have struggled with weight issues all of my life. Being Italian, it was always eat eat eat, clean your plate because of all the starving children in other countries that don't have food. Don't waste food-well it took me long enough to realize it was waste it or wear it on my waist. I had tried every diet known to man. Losing 50 lbs. here and there, then gaining it back only to try again and gain it back plus more again. At 64 years old I weighed 220 pounds. One day while shopping I took a good look at myself while walking by a mirror and was disgusted with the way I looked. Disgusted with shopping for X-Large clothes in fat stores and the way I looked in my clothes. Disgusted with what I was doing to my health. I didn't know anything about the gastric sleeve, how it worked or what was involved. A co-worker's brother had a lap-band and she suggested I look online for a doctor who does the lap-band when I told her how I felt. I found Dr. Almanza's web-site online and started looking into a lap-band but realized the gastric sleeve was much better for me. Dr. Almanza's office gave me phone numbers of people in my area whom he had done the sleeve so I could talk to them. I did make the calls immediately and was so overcome with their testimonies and experiences that I booked my gastric sleeve right away. I was very impressed with the compassion, friendliness, and integrity of Dr. Almanza and his team. Everyone, and I really do mean everyone is so helpful and ready to answer any question I had before the surgery and still to this day. Whenever I call with a question they take their time to walk me through it. They never seem to mind the questions I have, always are concerned with my well being and make sure I am taken care of. It isn't just go down to TJ, have the operation and go home. It is the follow through, day in and day out that makes them so special. They truly care that I am doing well. I am now 65 years old and weigh 134 pounds, am a size 6 and feel better than ever. And my health is so much better than it was. Being able to do things that I couldn't do when I was heavy feels terrific. I have a totally new respect for food. I now eat to survive instead of survive to eat. Do not have anymore cravings, do not overeat anymore till I am stuffed and make quality choices when I shop instead of junk food choices. Blood pressure great, no cholesterol problems and haven't been sick since. My only regret is that I didn't do this years ago. Dr. Almanza and his team are the greatest. Thank you for giving me my life back Dr. Almanza....
