Patient Success Stories

Jackie's Story

Jackie had been obese since the 4th grade and started having health problems at the age of thirty-five. At the time of the surgery, she was taking seven different medications and realized that bariatric surgery was her last resort to stay alive. Her father died of a heart attack when he was 56, and Jackie worried that she would also die young if she didn’t lose weight.

The problem was that diets didn’t work for Jackie. So in October of 2004, she had Gastric Bypass Surgery and has now lost 110 pounds. “I am thrilled with my new life,” said Jackie. “The surgery changed everything.” Jackie can now walk just about anywhere without becoming short of breath. She has tons of energy for her husband and her job working with kids in juvenile hall. Her labs are perfect now and she is down to only two medications. And her self-esteem is much higher now – she feels very confident in her new body.

“I’ve had some great experiences so far, but the best one was when I flew to New York,” said Jackie. “I fit comfortably in the seat and I wasn’t squishing the people next to me or bumping the flight attendants in the aisle. This never would have happened if I hadn’t had the surgery. I know I made the right decision to have the surgery, and although I don’t believe the surgery is right for everyone, I would highly recommend it for those who believe it’s their last option and who have thoroughly investigated it. The more prepared one is, the better the outcome.”