Constance Egert's Story

For the majority of my life I have been overweight. As a child, I heard the word "obese" from my pediatrician during one office visit. I asked my mother what it meant and when she told me, I was devastated. Who would have thought that one word would follow and label me for the next 35 years.

I will not tell you how hard it is to lead the life of an overweight person. Every one of us who is that way knows. The quality of one's life is low, to say the least, and we have to compensate any way we can. I realize many try to convince themselves that it is "just the way I am and I will embrace my fatness."  This, in my view, is going down a dead end street. If you do not address it, it will eventually kill you.

One day I realized I wanted to live to see my future grandchildren grow up. I wanted to walk down the street without being exhausted. I wanted to swim in the ocean wearing a bathing suit. I knew I had to get serious.

After deciding on gastric bypass surgery, I had teamed up with a doctor in NJ. After a full year of prep work, and 3 weeks before my surgery date, he stopped practicing. I was numb. I got in touch with a nurse who was handling my case, and she told me about Dr. Gabriel. I was skeptical. Who was he and did he have the experience I required to do a major surgical procedure on me?

After meeting with Drs. Gabriel and deCsepel, I felt completely at ease. The only thing better than their bedside manner was there expertise.

My surgery went flawlessly. I had the surgery on March 10th, 2005 and as of today, 4 months later, I have lost a total of 73 pounds. I have never had so much energy and have gone on my first teaching interview in 10 years. I am confident and am getting more complete each and every day. Dr. Gabriel calls me to ask me how I am doing. He sees me periodically and is truly interested in my well being. There are no words to tell you what he has done for me-only to say that he has given me my life back.

I hear of horror stories about post-op problems. I have had none. No not ONE. I am healthy and happy and on my way to being a thin person for the first time in my life.

For this, Dr. Gabriel, I say "thank you." You are a lovely person and a great man. Anyone thinking about getting the procedure done by this doctor has not a thing to worry about and a whole lot to look forward to.

Constance Egert

...surgery performed (3/10/05)