Ilene with Dr. Lara

“When I was young, I didn’t care about my health.  I wanted only to be ’skinny and gorgeous’.  Now that I am older, I realize that health is all the matters.  Physical effects of excess weight have resulted in diabetes, hypertension, diabetic retinopathy, kidney problems, back, joint and leg pain to name a few!  Not only do I have to worry about my heart and kidneys, I suffer from chonic pain.  I can never get comfortable.  Walking and standing are difficult to say the least; which affects my ability to hold a job, earn a living and keep a roof over my head.”

“I live my life wondering if this is going to be the day my heart finally gives up….and worry about having a stroke.  Who could lift me if I became paralyzed?”

“As for the emotional effects of excess weight – I have been alone for most of my life, enduring verbal abuse and humiliation at the hands of strangers.  My weight has destroyed my life.  I want so much to be at least close to “normal” just once in my adult life.”