Testimonials

Dear followers, you know that I have always been transparent with you and many have been concerned about my weight and health, that is why I want to inform you that in this pandemic my weight increased more than normal and therefore my doctors and I have decided to undergo bariatric surgery for my health that will be performed tomorrow, I ask all of you to keep me in your prayers so that God helps me and gives me strength because there will be mayimbe for a while, tomorrow I will show you a video tour from the first day, until tomorrow's process which will be my operation, in the photo I am accompanied by Dr. Betances @institutobariatrico who will be the one who is going to operate on me. A hug to all!

@GorditaFitrd

I remember when I first went to see Dr. Betances. I was nervous, depressed, and unsure of myself, but with a great desire to free myself from the obesity that made my life so difficult. After listening to the doctor explain the entire bariatric procedure to me, I decided to be brave and do what I had to do to save my life. I can't complain about the treatment I received at the hospital before and after the operation. Dr. Betances and his team were always available to answer any questions. I remember the first morning after surgery; the doctor surprised me with his early visit because he likes to see his patients in person. The first week post-op was the worst, but after that, my life has only gotten better. I am eternally grateful, first to God, and then to Dr. Betances: God's instrument for the blessing of thousands.

Post-operative testimony

@jcpichardo01

It was the best decision! Health-wise, I no longer depend on the pill for my asthma, I don't use pills for my high blood pressure, and my feet no longer swell. Now my self-esteem has increased, and I feel confident because I like what I see in the mirror.

We know the road isn't easy, but together we can achieve the best results.🤗

Obesity was never about looks or vanity. Being obese never defined who I was, but my body just couldn't handle it anymore. I weighed 2️⃣4️⃣3️⃣ pounds and had just turned 34 when I decided it was time to give myself the opportunity to enjoy my present and create a better future.

On May 29, 2017, I underwent surgery at the hands of Dr. Betances, and from that moment on, my life changed, even in ways I didn't think needed to change. I thought my physical appearance and health would improve, and that I would regain some energy, but simply put: I got my whole life back! I regained the opportunity to be agile, have greater physical mobility, energy levels I didn't think possible, and an unimaginable boost to my self-esteem. These were impacts I hadn't thought would happen because I never thought they were a problem.
When I weighed 117 pounds, I was reborn. Today, 3 years later, I'm happier than ever! And I'm even a mom!

Today marks one year since I started the Points Diet… Yes, I cut out half my stomach, got a Points Trip, and lost weight. Now down 111 pounds, it's true that I feel much better, and I don't suffer from sleep apnea as much. But I must confess that all chairs are hard now, because the 🍑s are gone too.
The road isn't easy, and now my meals (the reward) are served on small plates. But thank you. @ncrespo31 My wife, my family and my friends, who for you will always be the fat one 😁 (it is neither bullying nor does it offend me, for the diplomats of today) are the ones who supported me throughout this new life.
Thank you!!! And especially thanks to the @institutobariatrico who was the one who operated on me and his team 😀

"Fear is only overcome by facing it," were the psychiatrist's words in the third session. I had postponed the surgery three times out of fear, but those words at the end of that session made me decide and put everything in the hands of God and the tremendous team led by Dr. Batanes, who on the day of the surgery before I fell asleep in the operating room, took my hand and gave me all the necessary security.

It's been exactly 1️⃣0️⃣ months since that magnificent date, and I've lost 8️⃣0️⃣ pounds. The physical change has been impressive, but the emotional one has reached even greater heights, and the weight lost has been even greater. I feel free and light. I recognize my successes and am aware that this was just the push to achieve great things in my life. I am incredibly grateful to my family, who supported me without judgment, both in my decision to have surgery and the times I put it off. If you're afraid like me, I understand, but I recommend you trust and give yourself the opportunity...

“☝Over a year ago, someone told me: YOU’LL NEVER BE ABLE TO DO IT! ❌. I felt bad (I can’t deny it😔). Today I’m grateful🙏, those have been the 3⃣ words that have MOTIVATED me the most💪 during this process.”🙌 – Fausto Jiménez 👉🏼

My life changed from the moment I made the decision. The key factor for me was having the right support and people by my side. They told me, "It can't be achieved with surgery alone," and I opted for a different kind of exercise, something that would challenge my abilities but ensure I would see ongoing results.
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Here I continue to strive daily and thank GOD, my doctors and my family for the new life they gave me!” – Stayci Ledesma.⁣

Over the years, I've realized that obesity isn't a lifestyle choice, as many people once thought; it's a silent disease that slowly destroys humans. Bariatric surgery is one of the best tools to combat obesity when it's no longer possible naturally, and it opens the door to a better quality of life.

A year ago, my life changed. I made the best decision of my life—for my health and for myself. I remember at 7:30 a.m., when I was undergoing pre-anesthesia, my nerves betrayed me, and I thought, "What if I die during this surgery without my mom and sister around?" My world turned 360 degrees in that instant.

At the time, I was hypertensive, and my blood pressure started to rise. The nurse tried to encourage me, but her eagerness to calm me down was much more anxiety-inducing for me. Dr. Betances, who I consider the best doctor in the world, had just come back from another surgery and came to my table, took my hands, and with a tender smile said, "Dailyn, what's wrong? Everything will be fine; don't worry. If you don't calm down, I won't be able to operate on you because the blood pressure would prevent me from doing my job. Don't worry." I can't explain it; I just know that his words gave me peace. I closed my eyes and thought at that moment about everything I wanted to accomplish after this step and decided to control those nerves.

Today I have self-esteem, I love myself, I'm not hypertensive, I'm Dailyn Mariel, but not the same one I was yesterday, but an improved being. I am my own Wonder Woman ⭐, my best version. 253 pounds today, 145 pounds. Yes, it's possible 💪👏🎉!

While deciding who to have my surgery with, a close family friend recommended Dr. Betances. I spoke with him and his team and decided to travel to have my surgery with him without even knowing him (honestly, I was afraid I wouldn't feel comfortable), but 5 minutes after meeting him, I felt like I'd known him my whole life. Seeing his professionalism, his experience and knowledge, and his kind treatment didn't make me hesitate for a minute to have my surgery with him.
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I entered the operating room weighing 276 pounds, and today, a year later, 116 pounds lighter (I'm 10 pounds away from my goal), without any fear of being wrong, I have to say that it has been one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life.

I was treated by a wonderful team, and the administrative staff provided unparalleled treatment. Dr. Maximiliano, the anesthesiologist, was very professional, explaining every step and making me feel at ease. Dr. Betances was a sweetheart; he treated me very well with great care and dedication, answering my 5,500 questions (he's got to be asking a separate question). Dr. Nidia, who guided me and changed my mindset toward healthy eating. In short, everyone is an incredible team and made my experience fearless, calm, and incredibly confident in the decision I was making. Thank you, my life is different!!!

I was just saying, when will the day come when I take a picture and my thighs are seen separated and the dimple in the middle is visible! 😄 Well, I don’t know, but you can see it there!! 😂 YES YOU CAN!! Don’t see it as oh but I’m never going to get there, it’s NOT a goal for today, it’s something step by step, day by day, changing bad habits (which isn’t easy) and saying every day TODAY I WILL NOT DISOBEY MYSELF! 😆 and nah enjoy the process that makes it even cooler! Thanks a million for helping me change my life completely @dranidiasaldana for putting up with my hysteria now @institutobariatrico For being the bridge, the blacksmith, the bricklayer, the floor, the rope, EVERYTHING! I was able to achieve this! My life is different (for the better) thanks to you!

1 YEAR #surgiversary 🚧 Work in Progress 🚧. I see my #tbt and I don't even recognize myself, I found that photo recently, I don't remember when it was taken. But I'm terrified to see myself (and share it) because I remember feeling suffocated after walking 10 steps, my knees and ankles hurt, I was taking pills for high blood pressure, all the diets would either stall or I would rebound furiously gaining more weight than I had lost. Today I celebrate 1 year and I am THANKFUL for those who have supported me: my family, my friends and my #bariatric team @drnidia.saldana 💕@luisrosariogratereaux 💪🏻@drluisbetances 💉 There's still more to come! There are goals to accomplish (old and new), but I'm taking a moment to acknowledge myself (and those who supported me) for the effort I've made and what I've achieved so far.

So here goes my #surgiversary photo! Yesterday marked my one year anniversary after getting my gastric sleeve! If I would have known, I would have done it sooner!! I have never been happier with myself than I am now!! And those who know me know that I have always been a happy person with a high self-esteem regarding my weight. I have now lost -92lbs!!! 💪🏾💪🏾 ••• SW: 270
CW: 178
GW: 165
••• This was the best decision I have ever made!! Took me a year to make it, but I am so glad I did!! Thank you to everyone who supported me and checked up on me during the process. Much love!! 💚💋