Before	After

What made you decide to have WLS? Tired most of the time. Needed to lose weight for the sake of my good health.

If you are not ready for a lifetime change in your habits, don't consider WLS.

What has been the biggest surprise to you since your surgery? How little one can eat and be full and stay that way until your next meal.

Wow Moment: The fact that the weight I've already lost has made such a difference in my clothes and, more important, my attitude.

The surgeon was very good and had explanations for any questions as did all the staff at the clinic and hospital.

I think I've said it all except "Thank You!"

After

My sleep apnea and daytime drowsiness were worsening. My knees hurt, and my energy was zero. I wanted to be able to play with my two grandsons without getting exhausted and worn out.

If you have tried diligently to lose weight on your own and have had the "lose - gain" cycle over and over, it's time to stop the nightmare and take positive action and get it done!

I have so much more energy and stamina. I have a desire to dress better and have more confidence in day to day life.

Wow Moments: Buying pants in the junior department and still buying too big! Seeing photos of myself skinny.

In what ways has surgery impacted your life? In every aspect! Confidence, energy, stamina, and my outlook on life.

My sleep apnea is gone. My knees don't hurt. My snoring is gone.

I have only praise and positive things to say about the clinic, nurses, Dr. Broussard, and all the staff. Wonderful, awesome, and so caring! Wished I'd done it sooner!

Before	After

I was tired of being tired. My back, hips, and ankles hurt from standing all day. I grew very tired of hating the person looking back at me in the mirror. I did not enjoy life the way that I knew and had known was possible.

The WeightWise Program and WLS WILL change your life. If you follow the guidelines, you will be successful. If you cheat (potatoes, pasta, sweets), you can sabotage your weight loss.

What has been the biggest surprise to you since surgery? People do treat you differently. I think you become more aware of this after weight loss; the discrimination and biases seem more pronounced. I have also been surprised at how easy it is to fall back into old eating habits - comfort foods and snacking. Old habits die hard and can sneak back when you least expect them.

Wow Moments: I never told any family members that I was having WLS. After six to nine months, I saw my sister-in-law. She became furious because she thought my husband was with another woman. My sister walked right past me in the airport. My grandsons love for me to take them hiking and fishing. I have no trouble keeping up with their pace.

In what ways has surgery impacted your life?
1. No more C-PAP (for sleep apnea)
2. No joint pain
3. I have more energy.
4. I can keep up with my grandsons.

My sister and I went on vacation. It was great to have no shortness of breath, no joint discomfort, and no difficulty hiking all over Arizona and the Grand Canyon. Life is fun.

Dr. Walton and his staff are always supportive and helpful. They answer questions and give you the tools to lose weight.

Do this for yourself. You deserve to be happy and healthy. WeightWise and Foundation Surgical Hospital will help you help yourself.

Before	After

Prior to having surgery, food and thoughts of food consumed my life. I had limited, short-term success with many diets but always struggled with thoughts of food while dieting. I always regained the weight I'd lost plus more. I was tired of feeling like a failure and tired of having food consume my life.

Think long and hard about the surgery before you decide to have it. Make sure you are having the surgery for the right reasons and the right motivations. That is, after all, a big decision. Also, don't be afraid to ask your surgeon all the questions you have. Make sure your questions are answered before you have surgery.

Being the first (gastric) sleeve patient, I wasn't sure what to expect. I lost 80 pounds in six months! I didn't realize how quickly the weight would come off, and I've been amazed with the results.

Wow Moment: Going from a size 20 to a size 4. WOW!!

Before surgery, my weight really impacted my self-confidence and self-esteem. Those issues are just gone now. My self-esteem improved, and I am more adventure and willing to try new things. I am happier overall.

I chose to have surgery to prevent weight-related health problems. My weight loss relieved a lot of pressure and pain off of my feet, back, and joints.

Being an employee, I already had full confidence in the surgeons. I see them operate every day, and I know how talented they are. Foundation Surgical Hospital has a very talented and caring staff who took great care of me.

If you are going to have weight loss surgery, you are at the right place to have it!

Before	After

What made you decide to have WLS? I didn't have any energy. My knees were getting so bad I could hardly walk. My feet hurt. I wanted to be able to play with my grandchildren.

What would you tell someone who is considering WLS? PLEASE check into it. It's worth it!!! I feel so much better.

What has been the biggest surprise to you since your surgery? It has been so easy to lose the weight.

Wow Moments: I can cross my legs!! I'm out of women's sizes!!

My knees don't hurt, and neither do my feet. I have a lot more energy. I can do so many more things around the house, and I have more energy to play with my grandchildren.

I am off my medication for my cholesterol. I don't take anything for arthritis, and I've cut down on my blood pressure medicine.

How would you describe your experience with your surgeon and the clinic and hospital staff? It's great!! They make you feel so good about yourself each time they see you. I'm VERY pleased with them.

Before	After

What made you decide to have WLS? Several reasons. My kidneys were shutting down, knees and feet were hurting. I was so tired after working all day that I was exhausted when I got home.

What would you tell someone who is considering WLS? Check it out. This surgery and recovery was a breeze!

What has been the biggest surprise to you since surgery? Rapid weight loss and the amount of energy I have now.

Wow Moments: I still wear an old belt that now wraps around my back. After a year and a half, my co-workers are amazed at my new look.

I have much more energy now. I am now able to climb the Glass Mountains with my grandchildren.

My kidneys have improved, blood pressure has lowered, and I don't have to take eight to twelve Extra Strength Tylenol for arthritis pain.

Dr. Walton and all the staff went beyond what I expected. They were all very friendly and helpful. The only complaint I have is that Dr. Walton has not developed a cure for baldness!

Before	After

I have tried all the diets, diet pills, diet plans. I would gain and lose the yo-yo diet for many years. In 2005, I had hernia surgery, and the surgeon mentioned WLS due to my health issues. I had high blood pressure and diabetes. I was tired all the time, sleeping, not wanting to anywhere or do anything with my family. I talked with my family doctor about it for a couple of years. My friend had the surgery seven to eight years ago, and she told me I won't think about food all the time! That did it for me, and she was right!

You're the only one who can decide when you're ready for the surgery. It will be the best decision of your life. WLS is a tool to help you with your weight loss to become a healthier you. What the surgery will do is help you mentally as well as help you eat less. Be committed to the surgery and a better you.

What has been the biggest surprise to you since your surgery? Feeling 20 years younger! How I don't think about food all the time. It's changed my whole outlook on life. People don't recognize me anymore! It's great! Being called skinny!

Wow Moments: When one of my friends decided to have the surgery after watching me change over the last 16 months. When my 28 year old daughter and I were in a dressing room trying on the same size six clothes, and they fit us both! Getting into my wedding dress that's 32 years old. When Kathy (Nurse Practitioner) called and told me my lab work was so good she had to call.

I have my quality of life back. It's so great I don't really know how to put it into words. Fantastic. I am a a new person inside and out. I exercise, ride horses, ride bikes. Life is great! My husband is my best support group!

My overall health is great. My lab work is fantastic. I haven't taken my high blood pressure medicine or my diabetes medicine since I left the hospital. My physical and mental status have both greatly improved. I am a new person all the way around.

Dr. Broussard is the BEST! Dr. Broussard puts on the best seminar and tells you what to expect during and after the surgery. If you do what he tells you, it will work. He is very supportive of you. The hospital is more like a resort instead of a hospital.

From the first phone call I made to the hospital, it has been a positive experience - from the seminar, Dr. B, Darci, Kathy, Jessica, the lab people, the x-ray staff, the nurses, pre-op, and post-op. You can tell it's a good place to work. The employees are happy, and it shows. The hospital is on the first floor, and the doctors' offices are upstairs. They are right there if you need them. I had like one on one care while I was in the hospital. They treated my husband great and made him feel comfortable. You all are awesome people and help a lot of people improve their lives! I thank you for helping me.

Before	After

My mother and father suffer from heart disease. I did not want to lose my life! I love living! I wanted so desperately to be healthy. Looking better is just a bonus.

What would you tell someone who is considering WLS? DO IT! Do not waster another day being unhealthy. Take back your life! This will be one of the hardest decisions you will ever make, but if you get psychologically ready, then the sky's the limit! To be successful, you will have to be committed and ready for your new lifestyle.

Also, get your support system in place and close to you. Go to support group; these are the people that know how you feel and what you are going through. And most of all, be honest with yourself! Control your environment, and remember YOU are the only one that can you truly count on to make the right choices!

What has been the biggest surprise to you since your surgery? The transformation and probably the reaction of other people to my weight loss success. I did not think that I would miss food, but it is an adjustment.

Wow Moments: I can wear a belt! I went to Las Vegas in December and buckled my airplane seatbelt, rode a roller coaster in the front car, and rode both rides atop the Stratosphere. WOOHOO! I also get cold now!

I have to be accountable for my choices. WLS has made me realize that no matter how much weight someone has to lose, whether it is 20 pounds or 200, it is just as important to that individual. This opportunity made my life even better! My self-esteem is off the charts and has made me appreciate a healthier body. It has also made me realize I am stronger than I ever thought.

My high blood pressure went away after the first 50 pounds. I no longer have to sleep with my sleep apnea machine. My energy level is endless!

Dr. Broussard is absolutely inspiring! It's like having your own coach. He is very caring and compassionate, and he listens to you. He is also very upfront and honest, which I appreciate!

The Medical Assistants are always welcoming and encouraging. It is like having your own personal cheerleaders! I feel very blessed to have this group as part of my success!

My hospital stay was fabulous. It was more like a hotel stay. Dr. Broussard came to my room several times to see me, and the nurses were tending to my every need. You could not ask for a cleaner, more equipped hospital.

Being a patient at WeightWise is like having your own cheerleading squad. I faced many adversities through my journey, and I would have given up without Kathy Carmichael and Jessica Sawatski. The support system that you are given from staff is unreal!

Before	After

Advice for Others Considering Surgery: Choose the right surgery for you by researching and talking to the doctors. What's right for you isn't right for everybody else. Just do it. You'll be so glad you did.

Biggest Surprise Since Surgery: I can wear my sister's clothes. I've never worn a size small in anything since infancy! People I've known all my life don't recognize me until I start talking.

"Wow" Moments: Wearing a size small for the first time. Change in shoe size. Fitting into theater seats. Fitting into chairs with arms.

How have you changed since WLS? Nothing holds me back from doing something anymore. I'm more adventurous and even more outgoing than I was pre-surgery. I love shopping.

How would you describe your experience with your surgeon and the clinic and hospital staff? They are all amazing. Everyone is wonderful and supportive, and of course, Dr. Walton and Dr. B. rock! They are the best in the business and truly care about each and every one of us. They want us to succeed. I don't know why anyone would go anywhere else. The best is right here.

Before	After

I have worked at Foundation Surgical Hospital since the facility opened in January 2006. At that time I weighed 287 pounds. Although dedicated to my work in healthcare, I did not agree with weight loss surgery because I had only been exposed to patients with bad outcomes at my previous job. I vowed that I would never choose weight loss surgery because I thought it was the lazy way out and just too risky.

I am a trained caregiver and a loving daughter and mother. In April 2007, while visiting my aging mother who had many health obstacles related to diabetes and cardiac disease, I came to a realization that I didn't want my own children and grandchildren to witness the same with me. I knew at 287 pounds if I didn't do something soon, this would be my scenario.

From that day on, I did everything I needed to do to get the WLS process going. I knew it would not be easy. With hopes of ridding myself of the constant joint and muscle aches from carrying the extra weight to lowering my high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, I found motivation from the happy patients who surrounded me every day at FSH. After working at FSH for almost a year and a half, and seeing the wonderful results and few complications, I decided that WLS was something that I owed to myself.

In order to meet insurance requirements, I had to follow a six month plan of diet and exercise before I could be considered for surgery. There were days that I thought my turn would never come. But it was so worth the wait. By December 2007, the wait was over. I underwent Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass surgery. I would finally know what it was like to be one of my patients, and following my own surgery, I have gained a new prospective and knowledge of the service needed for my WLS patients. The supportive team at WeightWise who consults with me on nutrition, exercise, and behavior modification has become like new family members in my weight loss journey.

Now, thirteen months following my surgery, I have lost 135 pounds and am enjoying life again. My life has changed in so many ways. I have not taken blood pressure or cholesterol medications since the day before surgery. I have more stamina and energy. I go out in public more often. I can enjoy my grandchildren more now. We can play and go to the park and go shopping all in the same day. I attend more social events and the list goes on and on.

It's those WOW moments that now make me catch my breath. WLS patients refer to WOW moments as events that are common to most of us but are new or rediscovered by successful patients of weight loss. Here is one I had: I recently took my first airplane ride without having to require a seatbelt extender. It's those little victories that add up and help patients of WeightWise get back to life.

I am seven pounds from my journey towards my goal weight, but I am not doing it alone. The support from my family and friends has been tremendous, not to mention the built-in support of co-workers and the WeightWise team. I thank God for working in His marvelous ways and bringing Dr. Gregory Walton into my life. For without either one of them, I wouldn't have had this second chance of life that I have today.