My Story

For the past 17 years, I’ve been consumed by my love for food and the relentless desire to shed weight. It’s been a rollercoaster journey trying every diet known to man. I eventually turned to the Orbera balloon, which helped me lose 60 pounds, only to regain a staggering 100. My everyday life felt as if I was taking one step forward, only to take 4 back. Finally, at 244 pounds, I hit rock bottom and knew I needed help. I finally realized that “willpower” when it came to food, was just not in the cards for me. That’s when I found out about Bariendo and it changed my life forever.

My biggest regret is not taking this step a decade earlier. I wasted my prime years, hiding away in my 20s, avoiding social outings until I hit my elusive goal weight, which never happened. In 2017 I resorted to extreme measures, spending a minimum of 2 hours daily at the gym, while indulging in whatever food I desired. I lacked a “full button,” often eating until the pain forced me to purge. Strangely, vomiting only made room for more food.

Towards the end of 2018, only 20 pounds away from my goal weight, disaster struck. A left ankle injury followed by excruciating lower back pain, rendered exercise unbearable. Over the next five years, despite relentless dieting attempts, I gained over 50 pounds. Desperate for a solution, I opted for the Orbera balloon, costing me over 8,000 dollars- It worked wonders, helping me shed 60 pounds in just six months. But as soon as it was removed, I swiftly regained over 100 pounds. With my dreams shattered, I resigned myself to the inevitable, embracing my flawed body and lack of willpower as I entered my 30s. Over the years, any form of activity became unbearable. My body ached from head to toe which pushed me to explore bariatric surgery options and even liposuction. I spent days researching bariatric doctors. Frustrated by the lack of transparent pricing, I gave up on my search. Awoken by excruciating pain one night, I delved back into bariatric surgery research and stumbled upon Bariendo. Their upfront pricing and financing options caught my attention and immediately. I booked an appointment for later that month and, to my surprise, as I sat in the parkinglot depressed about my weight, gobbling down my 3rd slice of pizza, I received a call from Z. That was the call that changed my life forever. Z exuded genuine care and compassion. Within 4 days, I was undergoing surgery, feeling like royalty in their care. To this day, they continue to treat me the same.

Now, 7 months later, with still no exercise due to my chronic back pain, and a shockingly 77 pound weight-loss, I’m still on this journey. The first 45 days post-surgery I saw a rapid loss of 40 pounds, almost effortlessly. Despite my inability to exercise due to foot and back pain, I’ve consistently continued to shed weight, experiencing satiety for the first time in my life.

For once in my life, I am able to experience the feeling of fullness and satisfaction. Finally, I can say that I have willpower. Losing weight or maintaining is no longer a battle. I can eat a deck of cards sized portion and actually feel full for hours! Even if someone offered me a taste of my favorite dessert, this new feeling of satisfaction prevents me from thinking about having one more bite. For once in my life I’ve experienced mental clarity because food is no longer on my mind 24/7. My life no longer revolves around the thought of what I will eat next. What they did to my stomach is truly magical!

The money spent on surgery pales in comparison to what I would have wasted on food and dieting attempts in less than one year. Bariendo not only saved my life but also continues to save me money every single day. If I could turn back time, I’d urge my 18 year old self to embark on this transformative journey. Thank you to everyone involved! It was an amazing experience!