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I can not even BEGIN to thank Hope Bariatrics for truly changing my life. I could not be doing ANY of what I am doing had it not been for my gastric bypass. I must admit, that for the first couple of months I actually wished I hadn't gone through with it. It was definitely a struggle but now I am SO thankful for everything! My energy level is higher than it has been in 20 years! My pain levels have significantly decreased. My self esteem is positive for the first time in years!!! I never feel like I'm going to a doctor's office when I come in for an appointment, but instead feel like I'm going for coffee with my extended family! You all have been wonderful to me. I don't even have words to describe the incredible support you have all shown me throughout this past 6 months. Thank you from the bottom of my much healthier heart!!!! God Bless! (office note: Kristyn lost 88 lbs in 8 months!)

Our names are Tracey and Amy. As of July 28th 2009, we have both lost over one hundred pounds (6 months after surgery)! Getting the Gastric Bypass Surgery was an enormous decision for both of us. We have both battled with our weight our whole lives. We have tried every diet and workout program out there, with no continuous success. We were tired of our weight taking over our lives. It was time for a permanent change! We both had the Gastric Bypass Surgery on January 14, 2009! Dr. Wilcox preformed our surgery. The first month after surgery was very challenging. We both had each other and an amazing family to lend us help and support. After we worked through the ups and downs during the first month, it was uphill from there. We have never looked back! We both went from a size 20/22 to a size 12/14! The surgery has changed our lives, both physically and emotionally! We have so much more energy now! We also have more self-confidence! We would love to thank everyone who has helped us overcome our battle with our weight. The staff members at Hope Bariatrics are amazing and have shown us endless support and patience! Thank you for everything!

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 want to thank Dr. Felix and the staff at Hope Bariatrics. They have all been very caring and understanding through this whole process. When I started this journey, I was 437 lbs. Gastric Bypass was my last hope for weight loss. Like most morbid obese people I had tried everything on the market to lose weight with not much success. I was a functional morbid obese person. I went to work everyday and maintained a "normal" life style. What I did was never go anywhere I knew I couldn't fit. Trying anything new was out of the question. I hated the person that was looking back at me in the mirror. Having the surgery was the best thing that I have ever done for myself. It allowed me to lose enough weight and gain the self confidence to start an exercise program. Now after one year I weigh 228 lbs. I never again want to see the words morbid obese next to my BMI. I now like the person who is looking back at me in the mirror. Sometimes I have to look twice to make sure it is me. I still have some work to do to obtain my goal, but I know that with hard work and perserverance I will get there.