Celebrating Success

Lavonna

My earliest memories of my weight being a problem were after the birth of my first child. I tried all the popular diets, diet clubs and diet pills, but I only got bigger. Finally I had to make the choice to do something to be healthier. I had shortness of breath. I never had any energy. I was always tired. My blood pressure was up and down and I suffered knee and back pain constantly. In August 2003, at a weight of 240, I chose to have the gastric bypass.
I had a good experience with my surgery. I didn’t have any problems and Dr. King was wonderful. He had the best bed side manner and was always supportive to me. His staff also was very helpful and friendly. If you follow Dr. King’s advice and the program they have, you will have great success. I really enjoyed my visits to the office. They were concerned about how I was feeling and what was happening. They are the best!!!
I have lost 110 pounds and my life has certainly changed. I have no joint or back pain. My blood pressure is normal and my energy level is great. I work out in the gym about 3 to 4 times a week. I ride motorcycles and I particularly enjoy shopping, going to the beach and running with my grandchildren. The best part is just being healthy and enjoying the outdoors with my family.
When I had this surgery done, my husband was in Iraq serving a year of active duty. I had to discuss this over several weeks with him during his calls home – which didn’t last long. I had the surgery in August and he came home for two weeks in November. I had lost about 30-40 pounds by then and he thought I looked real good. Well, he went back and I did not send any pictures. I wanted to surprise him when he returned. He came home on March 4th. I waited in the crowd for him to get off the bus and he walked right by me. He did not even recognize me until I called out his name. The look on his face of shock over the weight loss made it worth all that I had gone through with him gone!
You have to want this and be willing to accept a lifestyle change. All I can say is that weight loss surgery is the best thing that I have ever done for myself. To me, it means a long healthy life to spend with my family. It is the greatest thing that I could have done to improve my life…to the fullest!
 

Tillmon

Alecia

Wow!!! What an amazing, amazing journey!! I was 320 pounds and wore a size 26 dress. Today, I weigh 180 pounds and wear a perfect 14! (Thank God I'm 5'10" tall!!) After researching for the best doctor in the business, I found Dr. Michael L. King in Oxford, MS. Though I live in the Memphis, TN area, it was well worth the drive! I found that Dr. King and his staff were perfect for my needs. I had Gastric Bypass Surgery and I can tell you that my experience was super! Dr. King and his staff were always readily available to answer any questions regarding insurance, procedures, and any concerns I may have had. Dr. King and his staff are so compassionate and did everything possible to make sure my experience was as pleasurable as possible. Don't get me wrong...surgery is surgery! It's no walk in the park. But when you have the support system that Oxford Bariatric offers, it sure does make it better! I have never had a bad experience dealing with Dr. King's office. I like the fact that he listens to the patient and is very frank and open regarding such a serious decision to have surgery. Prior to surgery, I experienced back pains, lower stomach issues, irregular cycles, high blood pressure, sugar diabetes, and numerous other issues that go along with obesity. Well, -140 pounds later, I no longer have those problems including high blood pressure and sugar diabetes! I use to hate to hear thin people say,"exercise energizes me!" I thought that was the silliest thing and a slap in my face! When in my mind, at 320 lbs, I was thinking,"exercise wears me out...that's why I don't do it!" Today, I am very married to my treadmill! I enjoy walking and it truly does energize me; something I never thought possible. I am so thankful to have had a tool such as Gastric Bypass Surgery to have another chance at living a good and healthy lifestyle. I don't try to talk people into surgery because it is a very serious decision and a very personal decision. I DO, however, tell people that if you should decide that this is the way to go...I STRONGLY RECOMMEND that you consider Dr. Michael King for your surgeon of choice. His bedside manner is that of a caring and concerned doctor who truly wants the absolute best for his patients. I am very thankful for this office and again, I feel NO hesitation recommending Dr. King and his amazing staff to anyone interested in Gastric Bypass Surgery!

Hollie

I always remember being considered the “fat” kid. My mom put me on my first diet when I was in the 6th grade. I couldn’t even begin to count all the diets I tried. You name it, I tried it. I researched weight loss surgery for close to 4 years, but kept hearing that I was too young. One day I thought, it’s now or never and not even a month later, I had the surgery.

Before my surgery, I went to a seminar in Memphis, but I didn’t feel like they were the right “fit” for me to have a life-long relationship with. The minute I talked to Micki Johnson and met Dr. King, I knew I was where I was supposed to be. I LOOVVVEEEE
Dr. King!!!! And his staff is WONDERFUL!!!

The best part of having had weight loss surgery is my new found confidence. I have no health problems now. I have more energy and I LOVE to shop – my new addiction is jeans! I exercise routinely, running 4 miles a day/ 4 to 6 times a week. And I love going out with my friends. (Before, I didn’t want to leave the house.)

I always say that it’s the best decision I could have ever made for myself. My only regret is that I researched it for 4 years before having it done. If you have to go into debt for it, do it. You will eventually pay it off and you will always be healthier…and look and feel better. So do NOT think twice about it! Do it!

Like I said, “It’s the best decision I could have ever made for myself.”
 

Ella

I remember being overweight at a very young age. I remember being made fun of and called names, like “tub-o-la.” My first real diet was when I was 12 years old. I tried every diet in the world and got my first prescription for diet pills at the age of 15. As soon as I stopped a diet, I would gain back what I had lost…plus more.

I was on disability for arthritis and sleep apnea. I wanted to be able to move without hurting. I wanted to be able to enjoy a movie with my family without going to sleep half way through it. I wanted to run with my grandchildren. But most of all, I just really got tired of being the fat girl!

I chose gastric bypass for my surgery. When I had my surgery, I weighed 278 pounds. One year later, I weighed 151 pounds. Now I have very little, if any, back pain. I haven’t used my c-pap machine in over 6 months and my cholesterol is normal. I feel better physically. I have more energy. I can finally buy clothes in the regular section of the store…and my body doesn’t hurt like it used to.

Dr. King is a true Godsend for me. He is the sweetest man I believe I know! I honestly believe that if I do exactly what Dr. King tells me to do with my diet and exercise, there is no way I can fail. His staff is just as important to me. They really care about my success. In fact, Micki Johnson found out that I preferred to be called E.J. and she has made a special point to introduce me as E.J. – instead of Ella. I truly consider Dr. King and his whole staff as my friends.

Walking is my favorite thing. I live 3.8 miles from the Ole Miss campus where my husband works. I walk to campus to meet him for lunch and we go to Abner’s for grilled chicken tenders. I have lunch with my sweetie, he goes back to campus and I walk back home – 6.8 miles total. Now, that’s a good workout…and I got lunch too!

For the first time in my life, I am happy with myself. I used to make fun of myself about my size before anybody else had a chance to. Now I tell myself how good I look everyday!

My life is 127% better – actually 127 pounds lighter – and I love the new ME!
 

Ebony

So many things in my life have changed from I can’t…to I can!

Amy

I started gaining weight when I had my first child. Oh, I lost the weight many times over the years, but gained it all back and then some…every time. I had taken all kinds of diet pills. I even lost the weight by exercising, but gain it back. I really loved to eat! I knew I would have to have surgery because nothing else had worked and I had TRIED it ALL!

The date of my surgery was December 18, 2010. I weighed 246 pounds. My weight now is 165. My procedure was the Gastric Sleeve. My husband and I discussed all the procedures, after talking to Dr. King. We just believed that the gastric sleeve would be best for my needs.

The quality of Dr. King and his staff is above and beyond any experience I have ever had with a doctor! And the Oxford Hospital is by far the best I have ever been to.

Before surgery, my cholesterol was very high and I was on medication for it. I was seeing a chiropractor about two times a week for back pain. Since the surgery, I have normal cholesterol and I have not been back to the chiropractor since my surgery!

My day includes walking and running 4 miles EVERY weekday morning. I thought this would be impossible to ever do! One thing that Dr. King said really stuck with me. He said, “Amy, you have to get addicted to exercise!” Well, I had listened and followed EVERY instruction I had been given, so I made a commitment to exercise also. This whole process has been a lot about commitment.

The best part of the surgery has been feeling better and being healthier. Not one time have I regretted having the surgery. Not even at 4:00 am when it’s time to hit the treatmill!

Thanks soooo much to Dr. King, Micki and Robin! You three have helped to make this journey through weight loss so much fun!!!