I had gastric bypass surgery on March 31 2008 and, not to sound cheesy, but it's one of the BEST decisions I've ever made. I was actually pretty healthy prior to having surgery - minus being about 110 lbs over weight - so, as silly as it may seem, my motivation for the operation was about 80% fashion based and 20% of just plain ole tired of being fat! I've always loved clothes and fashion but I absolutely hated shopping. There were only 2... maybe 3 stores I could find clothes in my size. I wanted to be able to walk into any mall and shop in any and every store in the building.

When people ask me am I happy with the results I can honestly say "Yes!!!". I am now able to do what I wanted to accomplish. My dream was to be a size 12 and I have exceeded my own goal and have maintained my weight for the last 5 months. When you set a personal goal you have to make sure it's just that - personal - because if you base your decision to have this surgery to make someone else happy or if your decision has something to do with an aspect that YOU cannot control, no matter how small you get, you may never be satisfied with the results.

The first few weeks are hard with all the protein shakes, sugar-free this and that, baby sips, chicken broth, dry mouth, and constant worry if you made the right decision. But, it's SOOOO worth it! I PROMISE! I use to have a pair of size 14 jeans hanging on my wall; they were my "motivation" jeans. I had to give them away to Goodwill last year because they were to big - THAT was my "WOW" moment. I encourage you find one for yourself...

Weight prior to surgery: 273
Clothes size: 22
Shoe size: 11
Bra size: 40 C/D

Weight post surgery: 148-151
Clothes size: 6 or 8
Shoe size: 10 or 9 1/2 (amazing!!!)
Bra size: 34 B (not so amazing *sad face*)

My name is Sharon Clark and for 35 years I have struggled with my weight. I've tried so many diets and diet programs, I could write a book on "How to loose weight and not succeed". It would be a comedy.

For the past 6 years I have wanted to have Gastric Bypass surgery but never could. We didn't have insurance and I couldn't afford to pay for it myself.

I started praying the Lord would open the door for me to do this. He did....one year ago my husband got a job with insurance. We were so excited knowing I could finally have the surgery.

I started this past January doing exactly everything the insurance required. It took six more months, but I now see how God was preparing me for the surgery and what happens after surgery.

I'm so thrilled I had the surgery. It is changing my life on a daily basis. Before I had the surgery I was to the point I couldn't function. I couldn't clean house, I had no energy, it took all I had to get out of bed.

It has been 8 weeks since surgery and I have lost 42lbs. From the very beginning I began feeling better. I'm completely off my blood pressure medicine. Things that were going on with my body has stopped. I've stopped hurting and now I have energy. I can only imagine how wonderful it is going to be once all of my weight is gone.

I look forward to each day now. I have priorities in my life for the first time. First I spend time alone with God. Second I work out each day. What a difference exercise makes. It was very hard at first but now it is actually fun. I keep saying to myself, energy creates energy and it really does.

I'm excited about the journey God has brought me thru and what He has in store for me in the future. I feel like I have been reborn. God has given me a second chance and I'm going to make sure I do all the right things to succeed.

Sharon Clark

I’m simply going to say that I’ll be looking forward to being able to enjoy some extra years with my beautiful and loving wife of 43 years.


MY JOURNEY

22-Mar-2007:
K305-0 / W314-0
Had lap-band surgery.

2-May-2007:
K270-35
My band was tightened to 4.0cc and I have lost a total of 35 lbs. since 22-Mar-2007.

8-Jun-2007:
W276-38
My band was tightened to 6.0cc.

17-Jul-2007:
W269-45
My band was tightened to 7.0cc.

17-Aug-2007:
K255-50
My total weight loss is now 50 lbs. I have definitely changed the type of food that I eat and the quantity of such. I can really eat anything that I want, but I seem to gravitate to ground steak, fish & chicken with a small amount of vegetables.

04-Oct-2007:
K250.0-55.0
My total weight loss is now 55 lbs. and I have stayed there for the past 6-weeks. I’ve gone from a size 3XL shirt to a size XL. My waist size is now 44” – down from 52”. My blood studies look great. I’m no longer Diabetic! My recent Stress Test was outstanding for my age.

07-Nov-2007:
W256-58
It was decided that another 0.5cc (7.5cc total) should be added to my band. Now if I eat too fast, my small stomach will hurt for about a minute or less. However, I can still eat a normal restaurant sized meal, if, I skip the salad & bread. My blood pressure is now normal – 115/70 to 130/80.

03-Mar-2008:
K245-60 / W253-61
It was decided to add another 0.5cc to my band. Dr. William says that I now have 8.5cc total. I now notice that I’m belching more and seem to be eating smaller food portions.

22-Apr-2008:
I had a facelift, eyelid & browlift surgery - $14,000! No question about it, I look 15 years younger from the front and 68 from the rear. My 03-Mar-2008 tightening has not made any change in weight loss.

11-Jun-2008
K247-58 / W260-54
I put on 5 lbs. during the past 2 months, so another 0.5cc was added to my band, for a total of 9.0cc. 10cc is normal and the band can be overfilled to a max of 12cc. My weight gain has been caused by eating too many calories – that simple. I notice that I’m now belching after I swallow a mouthful of water. The extra added 0.5cc hasn’t had any affect on my weight loss.

20-Aug-2008
K262-43 / W266-48
At this point in my life, it’s very obvious that the Lap-Band is nothing more than a tool to help me loose weight. Because of lower-back problems, I have not been exercising on a regular basis. So, I end up sitting in front of my computer all day and snacking. Today Dr. Williams is going to add another 0.5cc to my band for a total of 9.5cc.

20-May-2009
K255-50 / W262-52
A decision was made to add more Saline to my lap-band. My total is now 9.65cc. I now notice that I’m belching a little more than usual and eating a little less. I’m told that belching is good. Dr. Williams is talking about going to the normal 10.0cc level, but I’m not sure I want to do that. When I question his reasoning, he just smiles and ask me how often how often do I vomit – I don’t know what makes him think that I want to start... 19-Sep-2009 - Since this last adjustment, I have not loss or gained any weight. It's basically because I'm not being selective when it comes to the type of food that I'm shoving in the orifice below my nose...

For many years I like you who is looking at this web site considering having weight loss surgery. I struggled with being over weight, not just over weight but clinically obese..In plain old terms I was fat and wanted to lose the weight but couldn't`t no matter how I tried. The weight lead to one debilitating issue after another, 1st was diabetes, then there was high blood pressure, then End stage renal disease, I ended up on dialysis,which creates it`s own problems. Arthritis, painful joints,endless weakness and fatigue .

I really wanted to give up and just stop dialysis as congestive heart failure had started to set in, with atrial defribulation a problem with my heart rhythm . I also was waiting for a kidney transplant which I could not get being heavy as I was in Ga..Finally I had that sick and tired of being sick and tired moment we all must have before we make serious choices in our lives. And I was tired of being unhealthy, I hated it . I decided to change every aspect of my life, I began over night dialysis which is more therapeutic, I decided to have weight loss surgery.

I had my weight loss surgery Aug 4th 2009 and have not looked back yet, I have lost as of this date Feb 8th 2009 , 103 lbs. I no longer wear inserts in my shoes to help support my weight. The congestive heart failure is gone, the heart rhythm problems are gone. I am able to work out an hour and a half a day weight training and believe it or not I run 6 months ago I couldn't`t run from the bed room to the kitchen now I run 2-3 miles a day. My life now has new meaning. My wonderful wife Pamela of 25 years her life has new meaning, she no longer worries about how long her husband has left but, how great it is to have her husband with no expiration date..

Finally I would like to thank the wonderful Dr`s and staff at the Laproscopic and Endoscopic center. Dr. Khan did a wonderful job with my surgery, I had surgery on Tuesday Aug 4th and was back at my desk in protest of my wife by Friday Aug 7th. I had really none of the problems some patients complain about after surgery, other than I had to eat less, I was walking one mile although it was tough within one week of surgery. Dr Khan has an incredible bed side manner as well, it`s like talking to a friend as well as a doc, which is hard to find in Atlanta.

Finally if you are like I was struggling to be healthy, struggling to be of a normal weight, struggle no more and have the surgery, it is a life changer. MY LIFE HAS TOTALLY BEEN CHANGED!!!

Thanks


Thomas "lost 103 lbs" Green

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God Bless Sage.....