Tracy Mortberg, 51

Patient of East Coast Bariatrics at Halifax Health
11 Months Post-Surgery

Hi Tammy,

Greetings to you and to Dr. Sebastien!

I can not begin to tell you how much this surgery has impacted my life. My 14 year old granddaughter hugs me and says, "look Mammu (she inherently gave me that name when she started to talk), I can put my arms all the way around you!" Many people have told me how "wonderful" I look. I had a lot of people try to talk me out of this surgery, out of the fear of the unknown. As I told them, I know me, and I knew I needed it. I need the "forced compliance". Every time I see you, Dr. Sebastien, you know I give you a hug and thank you for giving me my life back! I truly mean it!!!! I can move more freely, I can breathe more freely. I got to do away with that pesky bi-pap mask, I eat very little meals, but it is always enough to fill me.

I actually surpassed the goal you set for me! I am now past the point of trying to lose any more weight, I am working on toning, strengthening (as much as I can with my injuries to my neck), and I don't worry about the excess skin I have. It doesn't bother my husband, and it doesn't bother me! He said he loves me no matter what, and after being together for 31 years I do believe that!

My newest grandson will never see the big me. He will only know the little me. But I keep pictures to show all my family what can happen if you don't take care of yourself, and be good to your body. I now know this. It took me a long time. My husband and I raised 5 children. My husband is very ill with heart, circulatory, and lung problems. I always took care of EVERYBODY except ME! It is now my turn to take care of me. I still take care of my husband, and I always will, but I do have to tell you, and the Bariatric Team can attest to this. My husband, no matter how ill he felt, supported through this entire process. He came to all the nutrition meetings, he came to the hospital, he stayed with at all my appoints and group therapies, to the Psychiatric evaluations, all of it. He IS part of my team too!

I played the yoyo game with my weight for too many years, and it was having a horrible effect on my health. I can not say enough about how you helped me to achieve getting my life back, because there are not enough words in the American (or any other) dictionary that could say it the way I would want to! God has blessed me by putting you in my life! You, Dr. Sebastien, were put here as my Guardian Angel! You saved my life! You gave it back to me! For that I THANK YOU WITH ALL MY HEART AND SOUL (and my now LITTLE body)!!!!! Thank you to ALL of you on the Bariatric Team! It takes a TEAM! One person can not do it alone! Like what was said about raising a child…. It takes a village! Well, It takes a TEAM to stay healthy, hearty, happy, and ALIVE! So again, THANK YOU!!!!!! We love you all!!!!!

Tracy Mortberg and my Entire Family