Testimonials

I.M. (57):

I had been suffering from obesity all my life and tried to lose weight with different diet programs, exercise and pills. I even set up a home gym. Everything I tried seemed to fail. I put more and more weight on. I had a young family with two energetic boys and I was fed up with watching my wife play with the boys in the park because I didn't have any energy. In addition to having no energy I suffered from high blood pressure, sleep apnea and snoring. When I saw my family doctor and he told me that I was a borderline diabetic as well, this "broke the camel's back". I seriously began to consider a surgical solution to my problem and proceeded to make enquires. I had my gastric band operation in 2002. Before surgery my weight was 134kgs and over a two-year period I lost 49kgs and went down to 85kgs. I have since put on a few kilos with my weight now stabilized at 90kgs. My blood pressure is normal and I don't suffer from diabetes anymore. I couldn't walk 10m before surgery now I am walking 10km every day. It is just amazing how wonderful I feel. My weight was imposing so many restrictions on my life for so many years and I didn't realize it until now. I'm a much happier human being now and I actually enjoy shopping for clothes. The biggest bonus of course is that my health is back on track and I'm feeling wonderful for it.
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M.M (45):

In 2003 I went to see my GP as I was feeling tired and constantly putting on weight. I had no energy to move around and I thought I had a serious health problem. After multiple tests my family doctor told me, that all my problems were associated with my excess weight. My liver was very big and fatty according the ultrasound. At this stage I weighed in at 104kg. I tried to lose weight using some shakes, diets and exercise. I was so happy when I did manage to lose 10kg in 6 months but devastated when I piled on all the weight I had lost, plus two more, in total I gained 12 kilos in the following 6 months. I just couldn't stop eating and snacking especially late at night. I was referred to Dr. Durmush by my GP who very patiently explained all the pros and cons of the gastric banding surgery. We went ahead with surgery in 2004 and during this surgery it was confirmed that my liver was on the verge of becoming cirrhotic with all the fat invading the liver. After surgery and with the help of the band and regular exercise my weight went down to 70kgs and stayed around this to date. I feel very energetic as if I have been reborn. Thanks so much.
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N.E. (27):

I had been suffering from weight problems since my childhood. I always had trouble losing it.
I saw dieticians, attended gyms, Jenny Craig and took appetite- suppressing pills for months. I lost 20kgs at
one stage but it didn't take long to put it back on again and more. A friend of mine suggested I see Dr. Durmush, who his weight loss over the years. Following some lengthy discussions with Dr. Durmush, blood tests and an endoscopy, which showed a hiatus hernia; the reason for my reflux problem, I underwent a gastric banding and hiatus hernia repair. In the first 6 months after surgery I lost weight a little slowly but when I combined this with regular exercise I lost all my excess weight in 18 months. Today I weigh 65kgs and have been the same for the last 10 months. The gastric banding was the best present I could have ever given myself.

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J.C. (66):

I have had a constant battle with my weight all of my adult life. I tried every diet imaginable, but, being a yo-yo dieter I would lose 10kgs only to put back 15kgs.
In 2003 I decided to have gastric banding. I have lost over 40kgs and have been able to keep it off.
I am happy to have lost so much weight and hope to continue to lose more.
I am not young and have acute arthritis which does not allow me to exercise or even go walking, so that had been a disadvantage to me.
Everyone is different in the way they lose weight, what works for one may not work for another, but, in the long term, you will succeed, I know, because I have.
To anyone thinking of having gastric banding I say 'go for it', it will change your life for the better.
I wish Dr. Durmush and his staff every success with their new clinic and thank them for all their help and encouragement over the past years.

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A.C. (22):

Prior to having the lap band surgery I weighed 160+ kilograms and my life was going nowhere fast. Initially, I was very nervous and hesitant about the procedure but after many consultations with several doctors and the information and knowledge they provided me with I believed the operation was my last chance to regain my life. I was unfit, inactive, lazy and most importantly unhealthy. I had low self esteem, had difficulty finding clothing that could fit me and felt as if everyone was observing me and my image negatively, making me feel intimated and insecure. After having this surgery, I have lost about 70 kilograms over an 18 month period and I feel invincible. My life is the complete opposite of what it used to be. Now I'm fit, active, healthy and very confident. My lifestyle has changed completely for the better. Also, I have the joy of walking into a clothing store and purchasing anything I want rather than what just fits. Having this operation was probably the best decision I've made for a long time, in relation to my health.