One morning while getting ready for work, I had the Today Show on the TV. Al Roker had been losing a lot of weight and announced there would be a special on TV that night on how he did it. I found out that night that he had undergone gastric bypass surgery. I had heard about Carnie Wilson and Roseanne Barr before, but this time it clicked with me. I immediately went online to research the pros & cons of the surgery. I have to admit, some of it was pretty gory, but I was so unhealthy and unhappy; I decided that I would rather take the chance of dying trying to improve my health than to do nothing and continue to live obese and depressed.

     The surgery was done laparoscopic, and I really do not recall a lot of pain - more discomfort than anything else. The pounds started falling off of me…it was amazing! In less than three months I was off blood pressure medication, and soon after I was off the cholesterol medication. About a month before the surgery I joined Curves to prepare. Once I was released to go back to exercising I went to Curves and I was firming and toning much better than I thought I would. Before the surgery I was wearing size 22 and 24 clothing; now I can wear some 4's but mostly 6-8. Never before in my life did I wear a "one digit" size!

     It has been 3-1/2 years now and I have no medical issues and have more energy than I did in my 20's... even my teen's! My new passion is dancing. I take ballroom dance lessons and I go to a dance every Friday that I can. The more I dance the more energy I have... it's addictive!!!

     For more information on surgical weight loss at North Fulton Regional Hospital, visit www.northfultonregional.com/bariatrics.

* This testimonial reflects results achieved by this patient. As each case is different and must be independently evaluated and managed, actual weight loss will vary. This surgery is designed for those with a BMI of 40 or greater, or 35 or greater with serious co-morbidities.