After years of struggling with obesity and related health issues, Onnig decided to get a lap-band weight loss surgery with Dr. Davtyan. After getting the lap-band, Onnig lost 114 lbs and completely changed his relationship with food. Now more than five years later, Onnig feels healthier and more energetic than ever. Gone is his prediabetes, sleep apnea that required a CPAP machine, and high cholesterol. For anyone going through the same health challenges, Onnig recommends weight loss surgery, whether a gastric sleeve or lap band.
I have been overweight all my life. My cholesterol has always been high and in 2016, I started to have high blood pressure too. I had chronic sleep apnea and used a CPAP machine every night. Because of the extra weight I had back pain and knee pain. It was hard for me just to get out of cars.
I felt tired and drained all the time. I wasn’t spending enough quality time with my family. If we went somewhere, within a couple hours I would feel like going home and sitting down to watch some TV.
I had tried various weight loss programs with my primary doctor, but they never worked. In October of 2019, I hit my 279 lbs, my highest weight, and decided that it was time to get weight loss surgery. I had a friend of mine who had good results from his weight loss surgery with Dr. Davtyan in 2008. I talked to Dr. Davtyan soon after and decided on the lap-band procedure since it was the least invasive. I liked that Dr. Davtyan is a recipient of the land band, so he understands the process personally.
I had my procedure at Cedars Sinai hospital. Doctor Davtyan and the rest of the medical team were great. I had to stay at the hospital overnight, and Dr. Davtyan stayed in touch and organized my care the entire time.
One of the biggest differences I noticed after the surgery is my relationship with food has changed. I don't eat as much and always monitor my food intake. Once in a while I do get a craving for burgers or that 40-oz steak. But then I look at my “before” pictures, and realize I made the right decision.
I went with Dr. Davtyan because he has been doing gastric banding since 2001, when very few doctors were doing it right. I wanted a doctor with experience, who does 100 surgeries a year, who has done thousands of surgeries in the last 20 years. Plus I have friends that went to Dr. Davtyan, and they all recommended him.
Less than one year after the procedure I lost 98 pounds. Now it is almost five years and I am down 114 lbs. My prediabetes, my sleep apnea and high cholesterol have all vanished. I don’t sleep with a CPAP machine anymore. I have noticeably more energy to spend time with friends and my kids. I sleep better at night, and it's easier for me to walk up and down the stairs at home. I have not had any complications or needed any band adjustments.
I would tell anyone considering weight loss surgery, you will feel healthier. If you're at the point where you need a lap band, you either have medical issues like I did or you are going to have medical issues. And in order to prevent or solve some of those issues, you need to take corrective action. Onnig
