I am a 51 year old woman who suffered from obesity for many years.I had my own business and home and was doing very well other than having asthma. In 1997 I suffered respiratory failure and was on  total life support for a very long time. I was pronounced dead 3 times and was blessed by a miracle to survive. I spent 2 years in nursing homes and was unable to take care of myself and placed on total disability.My world was turned upside down and life as I had known it seemed over completely for me. I became severely depressed and was on 19 medicines,C-pap, nebulizer treatments, oxygen,using a wheelchair and homebound for nearly nine years. Due to Sleep apnea, carpule tunnel in both hands,asthma,allergies,gerd,arthritis in the back,knees,feet,and ankles,high blood pressure and recurring cellulitis in my upper thighs my primary care physician suggested WLS to help prevent death and the recurring of these conditions. He started me on an 1800 calorie weight loss program May 22,2005 at which time I weighed in at 474.8 pounds. He also started me on a easy exercise program to help me lose weight and strengthen my movement. As the pounds and inches started to drop and my PCP found a place that did WLS. I went to Duke first and after doing all the tests and sitting through the information seminar I was told they did not take Medicare. So, I then went to see Dr. Fuzz at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and was told I was to obese for them to do my surgery. I then went to see Dr. Gonzales at Forsyth Hospital in Winston-Salem,NC and before a surgery date could be arranged he was no longer allowed to do WLS at the hospital. Then I went back to Dr. Fuzz after losing 80 pounds and he told me I was a good candidate and started the ball rolling for my surgery. Just prior to my surgery date Medicare decided that they would only pay for surgery if it were done at one of 4 Centers of excellence in North Carolina. After seeing all these surgeons,nutritionists, shrinks and having all these tests done. I was still no closer to surgery. But...Then I went to see the surgeons at Hickory and Thank God for my PCP and Dr. Monty Cox and the staff at Hickory Surgical Weight loss center. THEY ROCK!!!! I saw them in March of 2006 and by April I had a surgery date for a vena cava filter on May22,2006 and lap RNY on May23,2006. 

Here it is 17 months since I was put on the weight loss program for WLS and 5 months post-op AND I AM 214.8 pounds lighter. Thank you Lord. I was 474.8 pounds 5-22-05 and as of 10-17-06 I weigh 260 pounds. Life is so good and I am so happy and healthier than I have been in years. I am not homebound anymore. I am off of 17 out of the 19 meds pre-op. I no longer have to sleep with the C-Pap, and oxygen. I can see my feet and wash my hair myself. I have gone from a size 7X clothes to 18/20, and 20/22. I have gone from a size 11 shoe to an 8 and a half. I wear a size 8 ring instead of a ten. Necklaces fit around my neck now. I can wear underwear with 1 number in the size. I can buy lingerie that is stylish, I own shorts and a bathing suit for the first time in nine years. Now, I have joined a church,met an amazing man and I am alive and healthier and happier than I ever imagined possible. I have met an awesome group of friends on OH and made so many new friends through my WLS. I am just in awe of how truly blessed I am. I reccommend this surgery to anyone who has been obese and suffering with all the stigmas that obesity brings. I wish I could have had it done years ago. From the day I came home from the hospital after my surgery I have felt so much better and had energy and a zest for life. I want to enjoy everything life has to offer. My motto is to Live, Laugh and Love with all I have because life is too precious and too short to miss out on another minute of its many splendid things. Thank God for Dr. Douglas Schultz my PCP, Robin Webster who kept on trying till she found me the right surgeon, to all the staff at Randolph Medical Associates who helped me with every detail to prepare for surgery approval and for all the hugs and cards and support they give me. All the staff at Randolph Hospital who helped me make it to see a better brighter life once again. You guys are awesome. To Rose, for being so good to me and supporting me with your love, care and prayers. Thank you Taren for taking me to my appointments and for staying with me through the surgery when my family was going through such a hard time with illnesses. Thank you Hickory Surgical and Frye Regional for taking such great care of me. Thank you Dr. Kiell. Thank you Dr. Cox for giving me my life back with this surgery. Thanks to all my friends and family for loving and supporting me through this major change in my health and life. Thank you my Ray of Sunshine for being the best thing that has ever happened in my life and for showing me that there are good men in the world after all. Thanks to all my OH WLS family for being there to help with every question,every problem,for all the flowers, cards, calls, prayers, support and love that you all have given to me. Thank you Mike for being my friend and the best angel a gal could have. Thank you God for loving me so much and for blessing my life so richly. I hope and pray that anyone who reads this realizes how truly blessed my life is. I was once at deaths door and now I am healthier,happier and alive again. May God bless you in all you do and may His mighty hands hold you safely always. WLS ROCKS!!!!