Patient Testimonial

Meet Shauntresse

Describe your life before you had Weight Loss Surgery.
I really just began gaining weight after moving here in Texas. The extra weight made me feel older than my actual age. I was also on the verge of being at risk for diabetes

How long were you considering Weight Loss Surgery before you came in? If you put off the decision, why did you wait? What eventually made you decide to “go for it”?
I was considering this procedure for at least a year. I was very unsure if I wanted to have such a serious procedure done. However the weight continued to increase and I did not like the way I felt being so heavy.

What was it like to work with the team, from the start of your journey to today?
Dr. Marquez was really awesome from start to finish and so was her practitioner. I never doubted her care or her abilities to do this procedure for me. She came highly recommended from another surgeon that I work with here in Kyle Texas. The Office staff was lacking in communication, response and
misinformation. First I was unable to book a consult until an additional fee was paid because of past abdominal surgery (which I paid over the phone as I was trying to book the appointment). Also was told later during the Same phone conversation that I would not be able to book until my medical
records have come through, my EGD results had to be sent in (which luckily I had at home) and patient forms had to be completed online. I found out later that this was not the standard for making a consult appointment. Nurse Ashley cleared a few of my concerns and we pressed on. Another delay in my surgery date occurred when Christina told me I had to wait because I attempted the weight loss medication.

Dr Marques had Given me a prescription however, it did not work well with my anxiety so I chose to move on to the surgery but was told I had to wait 3 months. Lastly I found out via voicemail my whole surgery was canceled and set to be pushed back because the same team member Christina (patient advocate) waited until the week prior to notify me of the out of pocket cost, needed prior to the procedure. To be clear my consult was scheduled in March the surgery took place in October, I did not know the amount of my out-of-pocket portion until the week prior to my surgery. At this point I just felt like it wasn’t meant to happen with this team I had never had so many complications and just felt like this person was not the most reliable patient advocate, which is her job. Thank God for Dr. Marques for rearranging the procedure herself along with the office Nurse Staffing. Everything else went smoothly the doctor came by early the next day to check up on me and do discharge planning.

Describe your life now, after Weight Loss Surgery. What is the #1 thing you love being able to do now (that you could not do before)?
I smile more, I’m ready to take pictures. I can t into my old clothes again. And overall I just have a better outlook on life. I’m more energetic and happy that I did this procedure. My heart burn has been dramatically improved as well.