Testimonial
I have had a weight problem all of my life. I have been on every diet known to man with some success. I fell and hurt my back on September 6, 2001 and had to be put on steroids. Before I knew it I had gained 180 pounds and was not able to get it off. I weighed 352.5 pounds and walked with a walker or on a good day my cane that I named "George". My weight increased my back pain and was the main reason that I had to walk with a walker/cane. Of course, the extra weight was not good for my back problem or for my knees, which had started bothering me as well. I took way to much medication because of my weight and back injury. When you are overweight your body systems (circulatory, respiratory, etc.) have to work overtime which is hard not only on you but on your body.

A friend of mine had the BPD/DS and she really inspired me. I changed my insurance provider and began the long drawn out process to get my surgery approved. After an in-person hearing and a telephone hearing it was finally approved.

After my surgery was approved I thought it would be great if the Discovery Health channel filmed my surgery. I wrote them a letter (after obtaining approval from Jamie, of course) and they set it up. They filmed my pre-op testing, surgery and followed up with me numerous times until November of 2003. The result of these visits was "Escaping Obesity: Kathy's Story" which was first shown in January of 2004. Thank you for making it one of the most watched shows on Discovery Health.

Click here to see Discovery's website featuring the show and program scheduling. Be sure and tune in and let me know what you think.

Someone asked me the other day where I would be if I had not had weight loss surgery. Well, I thought about it for a minute and said that I would have been bed bound and that someone would have to take care of me around the clock. WOW, talk about a reality check!

Thank GOD for bariatric surgery and for the greatest doctor in the WORLD and his staff!!! I am eternally grateful!!

Unfortunately for me I wasn't happy with my weight loss because of the skin that now hung from my body. I wanted to have the skin removed and I also had a hernia which needed to be repaired so I went to see a plastic surgeon, Dr. Lois Wagstrom. I had plastic surgery (lower body lift, thigh lift, arm lift and a breast lift with implants) on July 9, 2004. I had it done all at once because it was cheaper. I think it is the only way to go because when you are healed you are done. Plastic surgery will change your life as
dramatically as the WLS did.

This glamour picture was taken in July of 2005. It has been a long road but great things come to those who wait. It has been a blast. My life has changed so much since that day in March of 2003 that they rolled me away for surgery. I couldn't' have wished for it to be any better than it is. God has truly blessed me, Jeff and Jonathan.

I am in the process of writing a book which is harder to do than I had thought. I hope that I have it finished by the end of this year (2006). My dream is to become a motivational speaker and travel the World speaking about WLS and obesity. If you have a need for a speaker, please consider me and email me with details so we can discuss it.

Oh yes, Jeff is wonderful. He is the only one of us that hasn't changed and still looks the same. Jonathan is 15 and is 6 feet tall. Can you believe that? I can't believe it. He is a typical teenager and is a freshman at Rhea County High School.

Discovery Health is finally coming to do a follow-up with me after three (3) years. They will be here September 23-24, 2006. They are going with me to my 20th high school reunion. I graduated in 1986 from Rhea County High School. Needless to say, I am trying to get the house ready for camera and myself ready so I have been stressing trying to get it done. I really can't believe it has been 20 years since I graduated. I don't know when the show will air but I will update my testimonial when I find out. I figure it will either be the end of the year or the first of next year.

Thanks so much for all of your support and words of encouragement during this long battle but boy has it been worth it. Please keep in touch. Big hugs.

My "inspiration" (negligee) is still hanging in the same place. I have never worn it as it just doesn't look right not being on the hanger. Don't be intimidated about writing to me; I am the same Kathy on the show I haven't changed just gotten smaller (Thank God). You can ask me anything. Thank you for taking the time to read my testimonial. Be sure to email me about your progress and/or struggles.