Grace’s story
“I was never very heavy through my childhood and even into my twenties,” recalls Grace Patriarca. “It wasn’t until I was put on medications for infertility that I started to gain, and at one point, I was three hundred and twenty five pounds.” Grace’s weight was making everyday activities unmanageable, putting pressure on her back and causing sciatic pain and numbness in her leg. For over eight years, Grace says she struggled with her weight, trying various diets and programs to get it back under control. When none of them was enough, Grace started to research weight loss surgeries. “I went to Dr. Beltre’s seminar, and I thought he was very forthcoming,” Grace confirms. “He talked about the different types of surgery, ans we decided that the lap-band was the best choice for me.”

Grace says she’s now thirty pounds or so from her goal weight, but she’s still losing about a pound a week and calls the operation a “lifesaver.”