Testimonials

Jessica S.

Like many people, I had struggled with my weight for most of my life. And not unlike many people I had tried every diet in the book. A few years ago I ran into an old friend who had obviously lost a lot of weight and looked great! I remember thinking how happy she looked. I asked her what her secret was and she told me she had had bariatric surgery. I was at a point where I was feeling very defeated by my struggle with weight. I considered myself a fairly successful person. In fact, most everything I set my mind to do I was able to successfully accomplish except for sustained weight loss. Walking into Dr. Leiva’s office for my initial consultation was the hardest thing I had done in a long time. I felt as if I was throwing in the towel and admitting defeat because I couldn’t lose weight on my own and keep it off. Dr. Leiva made me feel very comfortable from the beginning. He always took the time to discuss questions I had until I felt like I had the answers I needed. After doing my research and considering all the options, I decided to have the Roux En Y Gastric Bypass. As a nurse, I was definitely nervous because I know that no surgery is without risk. But the way I saw it, I was taking a calculated risk in order to avoid a lifetime of the many risks associated with obesity. I have maintained an 80 lb weight loss for almost 2 years now and I would do it all again in a heartbeat. I am glad I swallowed my pride and sought the help of Dr. Leiva and I am telling you my story now because someone shared theirs with me and it changed my life!

Magdalena G.

La cirugía barítica causo un cambio muy importante en mi persona y en mi vida; las fotos muestran el cambio visible a los ojos, pero el cambio más importante que yo he tenido no se ve en las fotografías. Este Cambio es el que me hace sentir mucho mejor, me refiero a mi autoestima y mi salud; me siento mucho mejor físicamente y conmigo misma. Esto se refleja en mi vida diaria; personal y profesional.

El Dr. Jorge Leiva ha sido un excelente médico, gracias a sus recomendaciones tome la mejor decisión en cuanto al tipo de cirugía. El es una persona con amplio conocimiento, excelente trato con las personas y con mucha paciencia.

Michael F.

It would be easier to list how my life has not changed after my RNY/ Gastric Bypass. My surgery was on 9 November 09, I was 42 years old and told I was MORBIDLY Obese. I was taking two blood pressures med's. One high cholesterol med gout medication, and sleeping with a C-Pap machine, my sleep apnea was bad. I was not able to keep up with my 9-year-old Son because I was in pain 100% of the time and truthfully, I was extremely depressed. I was very skeptical of the outcome of my surgery but Dr. Leiva assured me if I followed “the plan” I would do great. He could not have been more right, to date I have lost 180 pounds. (From my heaviest weight) There is nothing I cannot do now, this surgery has given me back my life and allowed me to sleep without my sleep machine (safely) and I am off all of my medications’. More importantly, it has given my kids their Dad back and my wife her husband.

I can run circles around most people my age and I love it!

I workout 2-3 hours a day and try to run 2-3 times a week, of which I wasn't able to do anything close to that pre surgery. I cannot tell you how much I would recommend the Surgery (RNY, Lap, or Sleeve) and Dr. Leiva and his staff. If you are considering doing it, remember no one can change your life but you, take Control and with help from the surgery you WILL SUCCEED! EAT HEALTHY and STAY FIT.

P.S. If anyone has any questions for me Dr. Leivas’ office knows how to get contact of me, I would be MORE than happy to help anyone along their journey!!

Desiree G.

South Beach, Atkins, and Grapefruit diet, if you are like me you know all these names very well. I had tried all the fad diets, lost 20 gained it all back, lost 50 even 60 pounds to eventually gain it all back. I knew that I needed to do something because no matter how hard I tried, I was not succeeding alone.

After having two children and trying to take care of a career and a family, I looked in the mirror one day and realized that at the age of 27 I weighed 250 pounds, was wearing a size 26, was on medication for high blood pressure, had high cholesterol, and pains in my joints. I was on a deadly road at a very young age. I realized that I needed to do something with my body before I killed myself with food, if not for myself, for my children. I went on one more diet effort before I contacted Dr. Leiva.

So, when I met with Dr. Leiva, I weighed in at 235. Dr. Leiva he explained the Lap-Band procedure to me from beginning to end. What the surgery entailed, how to get before and after support. He was very kind and patient throughout the whole process. So I decided to have the surgery done December 19, 2008.

After the surgery my process was a long and drawn out one. Unlike Gastric bypass patients, I started by loosing approximately 8 lbs a month. It was a bit discouraging because I had friends and coworkers who were losing more than 20 lbs a month directly after surgery. But, I continued on changing my eating habits and slowly getting more active with walking and exercise. I started feel better physically and mentally about myself. With each lap-band fill, I had to start over with my diet, liquids, then soft solids, then regular diet. You have to be very self disciplined, you have to be more cautious as to what and how much you eat. You must realize that there are some foods that you may never eat again and that is very hard also. This is not a cure all to weight loss; it is a tool, which is a very hard lesson to learn.

Today, I weigh 135 pounds! I wear a size 6. I am no longer on high blood pressure medication and my cholesterol has also leveled out. I have energy to do things and am very active with my children. Anyone inquiring about the surgery should do their research and decide if it is the best thing for them. It has been a life changing experience for me, but one that I would do over and over again if given the choice based on my results.