Client Profile: Janice

Before		After

Janice's Story:

My gastric bypass surgery was January 16, 2006. I've reached my five-year mark and am so grateful for how this surgery has impacted my life. It freed me to return to a lifestyle of exercise and good health I so much enjoyed. Although I've experienced complications since my surgery, I would go through it all again. It was worth every struggle and hardship because I know that my God takes my misery and creates a ministry. He makes me beautiful with all of my experiences!

I had been training for a marathon in 2001 when I began to experience severe spinal cord pain. After multiple tests, I learned I needed surgery. In 2002, I had spinal cord surgery wherein multiple discs were repaired and mounted with plates. My running days had ended and my metabolism plummeted. I was devastated at the loss of my lifelong regimen of exercise and staying fit. Depression overcame me. I felt the external pressure placed on me by insensitive people who made rude comments about my weight and appearance. The change was drastic, going from being fit to obese in a short amount of time. I was shocked at the way I was treated by others because of my weight. It was painful to realize that human nature can be so cruel. I chose to have my surgery and immediately began to lose weight. Initially, I lost too much weight and needed to regain about 25 pounds in order to reach a healthy plateau. I have been able to maintain this healthy weight for two years now.

I am grateful to everyone who supported and encouraged me over the last five years. Thank you for your love!!

Weight lost: 153 pounds.