I didn't really experience life until I had weight loss surgery. I was too heavy to get on rides at amusement parks, I couldn't walk the length of the mall and I couldn't fit in an airplane seat. Since weight loss surgery, I have lost about 200 pounds and have gained a ton of self confidence. This August will mark my one year wedding anniversary. Never did I think that I would get married let alone, be able to fit in a wedding dress. I am so proud of myself and all that I have accomplished. I have participated in the Portland to Coast, bungee jumped and have begun to live life to the fullest. Without the tool that Oregon Weight Loss Surgery provided for me in having Gastric Bypass, none of this would have been possible. The support of their staff and my family has been vital to my success.

- Liz Bailey

“I had my surgery March 9th 2005. I weighed 262 lbs at my heaviest. I now maintain a weight of 157 lbs. I use to suffer from mild sleep apnea, my triglycerides were off. I had injuries to my foot, and back which were aggravated by my excessive weight. I was unable to walk very far without being winded. This kept me from joining in activities with my friends. I always made excuses until they quit inviting me. I was tired all the time because my snoring was so loud I would wake myself up. I use to tell myself I had accepted the fact I was heavy and if I could accept it I didn't have to do anything about it. As long as I was happy. I wasn't happy I just couldn't admit it. I look at the pictures from before my surgery and can't imagine that was me or what it felt like to be that heavy. I am now the size I always felt like I was on the inside. I am able to enjoy my grandchildren in ways I would not have been able to had I not lost the weight. I still struggle with the compulsion to overeat and realize stress is a major factor. The only problems I have had since my surgery are ones that could have been prevented by me if I had followed the advice of the doctors and dietician better. I still have a tendency to eat too quickly and not chew as well as I should and by the time I feel full I have overate. Is my body perfect? No. Would I do it again? Absolutely, without hesitation.”

- Andrea

“Surgery has been a miracle for me. I felt old, tired, worn down and crabby most of the time. Boy, not anymore. I am a new woman! I was pretty apprehensive about having this surgery because it seemed so drastic, and the idea made me feel like a powerless fatso. But, I'd do it again in a heartbeat because I feel great and it's taken 20 years off my age. I see my smaller tummy as a tool to help me - but I'm still making the good choices.”

- Laurie

“No one can be prepared for the feeling of euphoria with rapid weight loss. The attention from people you know - and don't know can be overwhelming. I avoided attention at all costs as a severely obese woman - and it was very difficult to have attention on me. Along with the weight, I had to shed the anger at people who judged me for being fat, and then paid attention to me once I lost weight. I had to realize that it was as much my error as theirs - I projected a "keep away" attitude that was lifted once I felt better about myself. As a smaller person, I am able to invite people into my life that I kept out before. No pun intended, but a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. As I stated before, I still have a lot of weight to lose - but now I look like a lot of other people out there walking around. I'm no longer so grossly obese that people stare at me in horror.”

- Jennifer

“I'd been overweight most of my life. My weight just seemed to keep increasing no matter what I did. I tried various programs, diets and pills to no avail. Some were moderately successful but I always gained back the weight I had lost plus a few additional pounds. It is the old one step forward and two steps back story. I wasn't very good about dieting and exercising. The more I weighed the less activity I did. went to an orientation session put on by the Oregon Weight Loss Surgery (OWLS) office in October of 2005 and became even more convinced that this might be the solution for me. I began the various appointments with staff from the Obesity Institute in January of 2006. Kudos to the staff in this office. They were very empathetic with the problems of overweight people and I didn't feel like some sort of freak. To date I have lost 175 pounds from my original weight of 370 pounds. I now weigh in at 195 pounds. I've gone from a 5 or 6 X shirt size down to a large size. My pants have gone from a 64/66 inch waist size down to a 40-inch waist size. Even my shoe size has been affected because I now wear the same size shoe but don't have to buy extra-wide. I would really like to get to 185 pounds which is about what I weighed when I came out of high school some 48 years ago. You might ask "Would I go through this again?" The answer is a resounding yes. The gains I have made in health and just feeling as good as I do today have made my life so much better. I feel great and am looking forward to the rest of my life.”

- Jim

“Having battled with my weight since puberty, I spent the majority of my life struggling with issues of low self-esteem, deprivation from constant dieting, and guilt over hundreds of failed attempts to lose weight. I was also on my way to high blood pressure and being pre-diabetic. A year ago I finally decided to break this cycle and undergo bariatric surgery. I contemplated my options and what would be the best tool for me and chose to have gastric bypass surgery through the Oregon Weight Loss Surgery program. I had little to no complications, just mild nausea for several months and I did grieve the loss of my favorite foods, especially in the first month. I have not felt hunger since the day I woke up from surgery. I carefully follow the nutrition plan that the dieticians have recommended and work out with a personal trainer 3 times a week. I remind myself that this is only a tool and I am still responsible for making smart choices. As I’m nearing my one year anniversary I reflect on how much my life has changed. I have lost over 140 pounds and many dress sizes. I have a new found confidence from my personal life to my professional life. Each month brings new “wow” moments such as the first time I shopped in a regular clothing store, when I ran up the stairs and noticed that I wasn’t the least bit out of breath, and taking a plane not worrying about being cramped and anxious whether this would be the time that I need the seatbelt extender. I have considerably more energy and no longer just sit on the couch after a long day at work. I have been enjoying a summer of hiking, camping, and biking. I have been enjoying little summer dresses and even enjoyed purchasing this year’s bathing suit.”

- Emily

“I first heard about Gastric Bypass in the summer of 2007 as a treatment for obesity. Doing my research, I found out about “Centers of Excellence” accreditation that the best practices get. Living in the mid valley, there are no COE’s here, the drive to Portland was no problem—this was my life. I attended an informational session for the Oregon Weight Loss Surgery team and felt very encouraged by the caring staff and Dr. Jan. These guys are a class act from beginning to end!! They even remembered I really like sugar free Jell-O and protein shakes (it was my first set of meals in the hospital following surgery). I followed their plan and had my surgery Nov 29. My peak weight in July of 2007 was about 320lbs, today March 20, 2008- I weigh 217. Has it been easy? No. but by following their plan to the letter, my success and recovery have been incredible. Eat what they say to eat, drink lots of water and exercise is a must!! It is amazing 100lbs lighter how fun exercise is. Now when I have a bad day, I go for a long walk or short run—and it is fun!! I keep a before picture in my car, just in case my will power is low and I need a reminder of what the drive-thru can do to your body, inside and out- One more thing, I am just about 100% off of any medication I was on prior to surgery and my most recent heart examination showed no signs of failure and my Cholesterol is about 130, down from way over 300. Bottom line, my only regret is not going to an informational session sooner and getting my life back on track 2 years ago.”

- Rob