"Dr. Washington performed a gastric sleeve on me in June 2015. I had struggled with being obese my whole life. I finally reached a weight of 324 lbs at my heaviest. My primary care doctor was doing an exam on my legs and feet. As he was rubbing my feet and checking on veins that I was having issues with he said, "You are going to be in a wheelchair in 2 years if you don't get this weight off NOW. Your small frame can't take the weight any longer". I knew I was big. I knew I was having issues walking and veins tearing in my lower legs. At that moment I saw my two small children flash in my mind. I said no sir I won't. He smiled. My doctor asked me what did I want to go do once I lost the weight, go shopping? I started to cry a little. I said I want to go to an amusement park and actually get to ride rides. He gave me my information and soon after I was in Dr. Washington's office. I felt comfortable from day one. I didn't feel like I was being talked down to or criticized for being obese. Fast forwards. . . I now fluctuate between 142-148 lbs. That's a total weight loss of roughly 180 lbs. I don't fall down with ripped veins in my legs anymore. I can shop at a variety of stores and not order my clothes offline. I can go in a restaurant without being embarrassed that I can't fit in the seat. On August 23, 2017 I went with my family to a waterpark. I got to ride the rides and sit in floats. For the first time in 18 years I didn't have to watch others having fun. AND on May 14,2019 I "walked" across the stage as a college graduate with honors at the age of 36. None of this would have been possible without Dr. Washington performing my weight loss surgery. This is truly a life changing experience! "
