- Name: Jonathan M Tindall
- Age: 37
- Surgery: Gastric Sleeve
- Surgery date: October 24th, 2012
- Testimonial date: January 29th, 2013
- Surgeon: Dr. Almanza
All of my life, at least what I remember of it, I have been heavy. I was born weighing 13lbs. 10oz. and 24" long. So, I guess it has been all my life. I have carried with me a long list of nicknames that were humurous to those who gave it, but horrible to me. Even in my adult years, people would for some reason feel free to take shots at me about my weight. By the time I was 33, I was 6'3" tall and I weighed 375 lbs. I knew I had to do something. I started working out and dieting. That worked...just like all the other diets I had tried in the past. Once I took a break from the diet or the gym, the weight just came back... with a vengence. I made a comment one day that I had lost over 1000 lbs in my life, but I had also gained more. For about 2 years, I got really focused and stayed at the working out and a good diet. I ran everyday, I was in the gym 5-6 days per week working out 2 times a day most days. I got down to 270lbs. I was feeling pretty good. Then my wife got pregnant with our third son. My gym time haulted, my runs went from everyday to once per week, and my weight went back to 300lbs. I knew I couldn't live at the gym, and diet in a way that I could not live without help. My friend told me about Dr. Almanza and the Jerusalem Hospital. At first, just like most people, I was skeptical. I also felt like it was cheating the system. I mean, how could tell people that I lost the weight. I realized that fat wasn't the only thing that I was full of. My pride was holding me back. So when my friend had lost 100+ pounds after having the gastric sleeve procedure and was heading back to the Jerusalem Hospital to have skin reduction surgery, I went with him. I decided to have the gastric sleeve as well. Sure, I was nervous...but I also knew that I was doing the right thing. I knew that this was what I needed to get me to a weight I could live with. I decided to do the sleeve rather than the lap band because I was scared that if I ever loosened the lap band that I would go back to where I was...plus my friend had already had failure with the lap band. the staff at the hospital were very friendly and professional. But let me warn all you U.S. folks...the hospital is not what we are used to. It is in a strip mall area. There is an office supply place next door. Its like an office complex. Its not a big place...like we are used to. But, they do a great job. their infection rate is lower than most U.S. hospitals, their mortality rate is lower. They do a great job. They take care of their patience. They took care of me. As of January 29, 2013, I have lost 75lbs. I am down to 225lbs. I went from a 44" waist to a 38"...from 2-3XL shirts to large and XL. That's incredible!!! 75lbs in 4 months!!! I mean, who does that that is not a contestant on the Biggest Loser? And better yet, I will keep it off. My goal is to lose another 25lbs and go back to the Jerusalem Hospital in May 2013 to have skin reduction surgery. This is the best I have ever felt about myself in my life.
