Daniel R. “I feel great and look great!” Surgery Date: October 2009 Surgery: Gastric Bypass What was life like before your surgery? I have always been overweight but I became extremely obese over the past 10 to 15 years. Everything was a struggle; chores were difficult to do. I could not do very much walking. I have a 5-year-old daughter whom I love dearly, but I was not able to participate in physical activities with her.  I always felt tired and moody and I wasn't much fun to be around. I just had no energy. My health was deteriorating.  I was suffering from severe sleep apnea, hypertension and borderline type 2 diabetes. My weight pre-surgery was 446 lbs. What led to your decision to have the surgery? After I spoke to someone who had the surgery, I was very encouraged. So I attended a consultation at the clinic and met more people who recently had weight loss surgery--it all seemed so smooth and easy. I had seen a local doctor in Toronto in the mid 1990s about having gastric bypass surgery and was scheduled to have the surgery but backed out a couple of weeks prior. My wife was away at a conference with a friend in March, and when she came back she was telling me about a friend of her colleague's who had recently had gastric bypass at Barix and was doing so well. I got the friend’s phone number and proceeded to call her and find out what was involved and how she was doing.  She was very encouraging and had nothing but praise for the care and the overall procedure.  She was losing weight steadily with little to no effort. I was very encouraged during my initial visit to Barix. Also, reading encouraging comments from other patients online had a huge influence on my decision. How was your experience with Barix? Excellent! The level of care was awesome. The surgeon and all the staff were very pleasant, professional, and supportive. They made the whole process easy and smooth. It was the best decision I have ever made. How is your life after surgery? I am much more active.  I am able to do things with my 5-year-old daughter. I enjoy walking, socializing, being involved in the community and doing things as a family with my wife and daughter. It's almost a year post-surgery and I am down almost 200 lbs. I feel great and look great. I get nothing but compliments from everyone who has know me before the surgery.  Health-wise I am off hypertension medication, evidence of diabetes is gone and I am going for retesting of the sleep apenea next week. I am able to walk, bike and do other physical activity. My self-confidence and self-esteem have grown many fold and I am just a totally new person. My daughter and I are signing up for downhill skiing lessons this winter. My new life is great. I have no regrets. Barix is an awesome clinic and the quality of care I received was tremendous. I would recommend it to anyone.  What would you tell someone considering Barix? I would highly recommend Barix.  They have a vast amount of experience with this surgery. The care and service have been exceptional and I would not hesitate to recommend Barix to anyone.