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Hi, I’m Rudy. It will be ten years on June 21, 2014 I started on a remarkable journey; I had gastric bypass surgery. Five months before that day, I was at my primary care physician’s and he asked me if I ever thought of having bypass surgery. I never gave it a thought. I was on three blood pressure medications, cholesterol medicine, and 100 units of insulin every day. I had trouble breathing, just walking up a slight grade I had to use an inhaler.
At the end of our conversation, the doctor said I would most likely have a heart attack or a stroke within five years. That was a real eye opener. I was just 53 years old and heart problems ran in the family. My Dad was 56 when he had his first heart attack. I could not lose weight. I had no will power. I kind of blamed by Mom for my weight problem. As a child I was taught to clean my plate, which I often over ate. That carried on into my adult years. I was running out of medical insurance and wanted the surgery. All went well the first month. I went back to work and was losing weight. The second month I couldn’t eat anything. The intestine scarred where it was joined to my pouch and shrunk shut. Nothing could pass through. I went from 283 lbs. To 137 lbs. in five months. I lived on banana popsicles. I got my medical insurance back; within two days I was in the hospital getting dilated. I could get food down for days then everything would shut down. I was dilated six times with no success. I was getting for surgery to reconnect the intestine to my pouch when I got a bowel blockage. Out patient surgery took care of that problem. No more sever cramps. A month later I went in for the reconnection. Before the surgery, Dr. Mike (Felix) remarked how calm I was. My wife was a nervous wreck; Dr. Mike was real concerned. He asked me why I was so calm. I said my wife was upset for the both of us. I had confidence in his skills; and there was nothing I could do anyhow except go along for the ride. So why worry about something you have no control over. Surgery went well. Recovery didn’t take long and I was eating real food. I’ve been around 180 lbs. for 10 years now. I went from a 44 inch waist to a 34 inch waist. I feel strong and I have a lot more energy.
I don’t use an inhaler anymore. I’m off all my blood pressure medications, cholesterol medicine and I went from 100 units of insulin down to 20 units of insulin a day. At my heaviest, I weighed 283 lbs. and I have managed to keep 100 lbs. off for 10 years.
One thing I’ve learned is that I can leave food on my plate when I’m full.

23 years ago I started my family. Somewhere I lost myself and the two reason's that I live, my sons to obesity. But thanks to you I have my two sons for the rest of my life. I can't thank you enough for this. As a family we weighed 1080 pounds. We have lost 440 pounds and we are still losing.

God Bless you all

Virginia, Joel, and Glenn Wykoff

As I sit here and think how wonderful I feel, I can’t believe it’s been a year since my surgery date, 11-17-08. I’ve lost over 100 lbs. I just came from my PCP (primary care physician) and he took me off my diabetic pills, that is just awesome. From a guy who used to eat a box of Little Debbies in one sitting, I don’t even miss the sweets anymore. I’m happy I’ve finally had the courage to go through it. It has been a life changing challenge, and looking forward to a happy and healthy future.

My weight issues started when I was going into my teenage years. When I got married and had two wonderful children my weight became even more out of control. Having two children and a lifelong battle with food, I finally decided that it was time to get my life and weight under control. I decided that it was time for me to under go gastric by-pass surgery. The morning I went in for my surgery I was not even a bit scared. I knew I was doing the right thing for myself. That's right FOR MYSELF! I weighed 263 lbs. that morning. 9 1/2 months later I weighed 138 lbs. I have gone from a size 22/24 to a size 4/6. Everyday is a challenge!! Some may think it was the easy way out. Those are the people who don't know what it is like to live on the other side of the scale. I would like to think I could be an inspiration to those who have had a life long battle with their weight, because I know what it is like on the other side. I no longer live on a diet. I live on what I now call "life". I said good-bye to my 20's and hello to the thin person that I have always wanted to be. Thank you Dr. Felix and your wonderfull staff. You gave me my life back. Sincerely, Cindy