SUCCESS STORIES - Linda

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I have been overweight since I was 12 years old and have tried many diets, at the time successfully, but over time after the diet I would regain plus more. After three adorable children I became very lazy and stacked on the weight as I got to the stage where I thought that I would never lose weight and keep it off and thought I was happy having people accept me for who I was and not what I looked like, but who was I kidding? I stopped weighing myself and the clothes just kept getting bigger in size until I was in a tight size 26 and did not want to even shop for a size 28 so that is when I asked my GP where I could get bypass surgery. My mother had bypass surgery over 20 years ago and now and then hinted to me that this is what I needed. I did my research online until I was fully satisfied with the surgery, so when I booked in with Dr Cohen I pretty much knew exactly what procedure was right for me. My surgery was the 3rd February 2004, I weighed in at 145kg when I first stepped on Dr Cohen's scales, and now 6 months down the track I weigh in at 96kg. I am a size 16/18 and I feel absolutely fantastic!! Of course, I am still losing and hope to lose another 10 to 20 kg. I am going to the gym 5 days a week and doing an hour workout on the equipment. Prior to this surgery I found walking for 20 minutes very hard, so I am absolutely tickled pink that I am able to work out for an hour and sometimes longer!!

My experience with the surgery itself was very undramatic, everything went smoothly, and I had no complications. I still have quite a considerable restriction in my eating capacity which I really don't mind, it is to my advantage. My scar is very healed and is now quite faint in colour. I am intolerant to only some foods and I still watch my fat intake (by habit) even though I know I have malabsorption. I take my supplements routinely as I know the consequences if I don't, as my mother is living proof of this as back when she had her operation there wasn't enough research and she was not informed of any vitamin supplementation. 

I really want to thank Dr Cohen for giving me another chance in life, he truly is a wonderful Surgeon with a fantastic bedside manner. If you are considering surgery, this is the Surgeon for you. I hope you have enjoyed viewing my pictures, as when I was doing my research, pictures gave me the inspiration to go through with the surgery.

So happy research fellow MO's and one day soon you will be on the other side and living your life to a much longer, healthier & energetic way like me.

Linda has now lost 60 kg from 145 to 85 kg. Her BMI has fallen from 51 to 30 and she has lost 73% of her excess weight.