Welcome to Hope Bariatrics

Here’s my story:

I have struggled with my weight since I was in grade school. I came from a family that celebrated with food at every event. We had ravioli eating contests and I was a member of the clean plate club! In grade school and high school I wasn’t obese but I was never “thin” enough to meet other’s approvals. As a junior in high school I was selected to be a majorette and my band director called me aside and told me I was too fat and needed to lose weight (I was probably 10 pounds overweight). I was so humiliated that I starved myself and wound up in the hospital and missed 6 weeks of school. Thus began my “yo-yo” dieting lifestyle that continued until I met with Dr. Felix and decided to have a gastric by-pass in November 2013.

At my heaviest, I weighed 261 pounds that was mostly due to steroid shots/nerve blocks to try and alleviate my chronic back pain that came from a car accident and lifting my laptop briefcase the wrong way herniating a disc in my lower back. In 2007 I had back surgery that failed and wound up using a cane and a mobility scooter. I had type II diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetic neuropathy that left me dragging my right leg and foot around. I took 13 different medications and was miserable. I knew I had to do something or I thought I was going to lose my right foot and was going to wind up in a wheel chair all day. That’s when I asked my PCP about weight lose surgery and he recommended Hope Bariatrics.

Dr. Felix is my superhero and in my mind a miracle worker! Before the surgery, we spoke about the existing scar tissue I had from previous surgeries and he said he would try really hard to perform my bypass laproscopically (and he did). Dr. Felix won’t take credit for it, but 3 days after my surgery my right foot stood up and I could feel my toes! The first time in seven years my right foot began to work and the feeling started to return to the soles of my feet. That same day the endocrinologist said I was no longer diabetic! Each day it seemed something new and wonderful happened to improve my health. I went from 13 pills down to 3 (that really are optional). I’m no longer diabetic, no longer have high blood pressure, no longer have high cholesterol and after two months of rehab I no longer have to use my leg brace, no longer walk with a cane or use my mobility scooter. My pain level has gone way down and I have the feeling back in my foot and leg. I’m 5 months out from surgery and my weight is down to 175. I plan to lose another 30 by the end of the year so that I can finally be referred to as a “normal” weight.

Now that I can, I am “running” away from all the bad things when I was heavy to keep my brand new life healthy. I ran my first 5K on 4/12/2014 and finished in under an hour and I was 4th from the last (but not last!). I’m running in the Pittsburgh Superhero race (charity to help abused kids) this weekend and will attempt the Pittsburgh ½ marathon on May 4th (if I don’t make it this year there is always next year  ). I am FOREVER thankful to Dr. Felix and his wonderful and caring staff for giving me my life back. If you’re on the fence about having the surgery, “just do it” as the Nike logo says, you’ll be so happy to have your life back it is soooo worth it!

If there is anyone who wants to talk to me I’d be happy to let them know my experience.

Sincerely, Donna

In December of 2009 I made the decision that I had to change my life. I decided to take the journey of lifestyle change and begin a new chapter in my life. As an adolescent, teenager, and young adult, I struggled with weight and low self esteem daily. I thought that I would punch the next person who told me that "Angela, you have such a pretty face..." I heard enough of that and decided that I wanted to be healthy. Knowing that I was getting winded by simply running the sweeper or walking up and down steps, not having a bath towel fit around me, my stomach hitting the steering wheel of my car, my children drawing big circles for bodies and saying mommy its you, not being able to bend over...these were the reasons why I needed to change my life. June 2, 2010 was the happiest and scariest day of my life: The day I had my bariatric surgery and received the lap band. I was scared because I knew this was it...I had to change...no looking back...I was happy because this was it...I was going to change and there is no looking back. With the struggles throughout my life being teased by others, being embarrassed of the way I looked, hating the way I felt. I WAS READY. I tried everything from Formu-3; Weight Watchers, Herbalife, Xenadrine, Atipex...you name it I tried it. It may have worked for a minute, but the weight always came back. I was determined to make the changes I needed to make. When you are ready, change comes easier. I was an emotional eater, I needed to change that. I needed to find other ways to channel those feelings. So I did. I don't eat anymore when I am happy, sad, angry, upset...being 100% Italian doesn't make any of this any easier. I am not going to say there are not days when I want to stick my face into a Whopper or Big Mac...but I know today where that will get me. Right back to 226...a number that I will never let myself see again. I was addicted to food, just like others are addicted to drugs. When you are ready for change, change will happen. This is a lifetime commitment, a lifetime change, a behavior change, a food change...a change I can happily and confidently say was the best thing I ever did. Lap Band was the the final tool in my belt to give me what I needed to be successful. I listened to the dietitian...for the first time in my life...I remember everything she said to me...I tell others what she said to me...I practice what I was told about eating and chewing and not drinking while I eat. It all came together like pieces of a puzzle. My puzzle will never be complete as each day that goes by adds another piece...another successful day of change. Today, I am proud to say I weigh 130 pounds. I have never felt healthier in my life. I am so much more energetic, I enjoy looking in the mirror (maybe too much), I can keep up with my children who enjoy me so much more...and my relationship with my husband is so much better. He loves me regardless, but his smile is bigger and the hugs are tighter. I know it is different for him just like it is different for me. I had support from my family which was huge, as they seen me struggle every day. I am happy to say I am happy with me today.

Thank you to Hope Bariatrics, all the staff and Dr. Wilcox especially, for helping me change my life. None of this would have been possible with all of you and the confidence you instilled in me along my life changing journey!!!

I have struggled with obesity for over fourteen years. I tried Weight Watchers, Optimum Weight Loss Center, Weight Loss programs with professionals, exercise programs, being hypnotized, Bible studies wanting to help people lose weight, the whole gamut. I felt like this struggle would never end. I HAVE to eat in order to survive but the feeling of being out of control when it came to food was never ending.

It wasn’t until I walked into an introductory seminar for bariatrics in January 2014 that I truly found HOPE! As I sat and listened to the information being presented, I felt an excitement rising inside of me. HOPE Bariatrics was going to be my lifeline. I started making the appointments necessary to begin this process. I wasn’t sure if I would qualify for this program, but I was going for it. As I began to go through the check list and six months of doctor visits, I grew more and more excited about it. I began going to the support group meetings and hearing the stories of others who had bypass surgery. I knew that this wasn’t going to be a walk in the park, but I was ready.

It was at one of the support group meetings that I found out that a friend from church was also on this journey to have surgery. It was wonderful to have someone to go through this with. We found out that we were both approved through our insurance and a date was set. The SAME date, we would have surgery on the same day and share a room in the hospital together. Only God could work out something like that! The surgery went well and recovery was difficult, but every day I felt a little better. I had a whole new way of eating, drinking, taking vitamins and exercising. I needed to set alarms on my phone to remind me to take vitamins. I was now looking at labels to check for the amount of sugar, calories and protein. I needed be eating/drinking 60-80 grams of protein a day to help with the burning of fat.

With the support of those from HOPE Bariatrics, family, friends and those who have had the surgery, I have come a long way. I am one year out from my procedure and have gone down 14 sizes and 90 pounds. I have so much more energy and I feel better. I actually look forward to exercising and showing my kids that I can water/snow ski. I enjoy jumping on the trampoline and being active with them.

I know that I still have to follow the program and watch what and how much I eat. This will have to continue for the rest of my life, but it’s worth it. I don’t ever want to be obese again! If you are reading this and wondering if this is something you should do, I say, YES, DO IT! The only regret that I have is that I didn’t do it years ago.

Numbers don't lie. Waist size 62 down to a 38 (and almost into a 36). Shirt size 5-6x down to a XXL. I've lost 208 pounds in less than a year. Had someone told me this last summer when I was 470 pounds and struggled to put shoes on, I would have laughed in your face.

I had tried every diet under the sun. Every one of them. Not a single one of them proved successful. I tried exercising. I tried everything. I was spiraling out of control. My portions were enormous. A Double-quarter pounder sandwich, TWO large fries, and TWO double cheeseburgers and a large Coke were the norm on a trip to McDonald's. A DiGiorno's pizza with a bag of shredded cheese on top was a meal, not to mention snacking while it was cooking.

To even think of those portions or that type of food today, however, makes me absolutely disgusted. Not only can I not eat that food, I won't.

In 2007, I had enough. As a truck driver, I was encountering trucks that I could not fit into. I was at the lowest point I had ever been. I kicked smoking in 2006, I quit dipping snuff in 2007, and quit sugar and carbonated drinks in 2008. In 2008, I was up to 12-24 cans of diet pop per day.

Something had to give. I made the decision that, after years of trying (and a lot of failing) I could not lose the weight on my own. I contacted Hope Bariatrics, desperate and scared. I figured if I could give up my addiction to caffeine, sugar, and fatty foods, I could do it for a lifetime. Enough was enough; there were people who weighed LESS than I did who died of a heart attack! The thought of my wife having to put me in a supersized coffin or being removed from my house by a crane was NOT what I wanted my final memory to be. What did I have to lose? Everything else failed, and I must admit I was a tad scared this may fail too. I had my share of advice from people and know-it-alls...Many people may say that surgery is the "easy" way out. Those are the same people who don't struggle with weight!

After the hoop jumping process my insurance company requires, I was scheduled for surgery. I was eating low fat foods, but still big portions. I was drinking 1-2 gallons of water a day. Every day. August 12, 2008 was the moment God and Dr. Felix and his staff gave me a new life. They enabled me to start over. Dr. Felix was my personal miracle worker. I literally owe my life to Dr. Felix and the Hope Bariatrics staff. EVERYONE at Hope Bariatrics treated me like gold from day one. I didn't get the "MY God he's huge" stares from anyone on the staff. No one talked down to me. No one made me feel bad about being 30 pounds shy of 500 pounds. Cindy is just as nice to me at 260 pounds as she was when I was 470. I love the staff!!! I can't say enough good things about them!!!

At almost one year post-op, I am often asked if I would do it again. Yes. Without hesitation I would. I went from 470 pounds to 260 pounds in less than a year. It is a lifelong commitment. Even at a year out, I am often asked if I miss junk food like pizza and McDonald's. Simply, no. I don't. The smell of McDonald's nauseates me now (seriously). Do I miss the all-you-can-eat buffet restaurants? No. Do I miss the pop? The tobacco? The caffeine? No. Not at all. I still am able to eat the good things, just in small quantities. There is a wonderful variety of no sugar added or sugar free "sweets" I had never noticed before while buying Oreos and sugared ice cream.....As for fast and processed foods? No way. I don't eat them. If I can succeed, anyone can!

Thank you to everyone at Hope Bariatrics for giving me my life back. With all of my heart, thank you all so much for everything.