In 2006 I was diagnosed with type II diabetes and high blood pressure I was given medication for both. After being obese all of my life and years of yo-yo dieting, I decided to do something about my weight, regardless of the cost or what the personal sacrifices would be! On May 27th 2009 at the age of 42 and weighing 319 pounds I made a life-altering decision and received my Lapband.
  
With a healthy life style change, family/friend support, following the doctor’s plan and getting plenty of daily exercise I have lost 95 pounds and 42 inches, went from a size 26 to 14 and medication free. I am working on my goal weight of 198. I keep up with my teenage boys and grandbaby, love to go dancing, it is amazing how much energy I have and most of all, I feel good about myself.

I’ve struggled with my weight for all of my adult life and have been on many diets. Through the years I ended up with 2 heart stents and my diabetes fluctuated wildly as I desperately tried to avoid starting insulin injections. My blood pressure and cholesterol kept going up every time I went to the doctor. I felt my health was spiraling out of control. I was taking over ten medications and felt desperate. The last straw was when I developed sleep apnea and had to wear an oxygen face mask to bed each night.

I selected the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass as the tool I would use to regain my health. I was determined to not only lose weight but to be healthy and embrace the life that had been passing me by. Looking for ways to create a healthier lifestyle and make it fun, a good friend of mine encouraged me to start riding a bike again. I hadn’t been on a bike in over 40 years so I had to start slowly.  My goal this year is to ride my bike every day. Just as my friend encouraged

Weight loss surgery? Me?! YES! But not without a lot of consideration, research and weighing of the pros and cons first!  To me surgery is not something to be taken lightly.  But I was at a point in my life where I needed to take charge of my health and I needed help!  I needed a tool.  So on 6/18/2009 I was given my “gizmo”, a Lap-band.

The Lap-band was not the magic cure for my obesity, because I still have to do my part! I need to eat right, keep a food journal and exercise, but it is a great tool for taking weight off and keeping it off. In the 10 months since surgery I have lost 51 pounds.  I feel so much better about my health, my eating habits and the path my life is taking. I no longer dread exercise because it feels good to set goals and accomplish them, to push my body beyond limits it has never seen. I like learning about high protein foods, what foods work best with my Lap-band, and about supplements.
My gizmo has

Bypass surgery is probably the best thing I’ve ever done for my health including quitting smoking 10 years ago. With a starting weight of 300lbs, I am now down to 225lbs with a goal of about 95lbs more to go and it’s only been 6 months. I no longer have to go to the chiropractor every week for back pain and I can walk up hills or go up several flights of stairs without having to stop for a breath. My golf game hasn’t really improved, but my partners no longer worry about having to call 911 for oxygen when I arrive at the green! The MyNewSelf staff and Des Peres Hospital were all great and very supportive, and I have been able to benefit from the support group and follow up appointments too!

I had the lap band procedure on April 23, 2009.  It has been the single most amazing thing I've ever done for myself.  Even after having made the decision to have weight loss surgery, I was still so afraid to fail.  I had failed at weight loss attempts so many times before.  This time, I'm succeeding and for the first time in my life, I believe that I will not only get to my goal weight, but STAY there, too.  At my heaviest, I was nearly 330 pounds. To date, I've lost over 130 pounds and I have about 30 more pounds until I make my goal weight.  Dr. Minkin and the My New Self Program at Des Peres have been instrumental in my success. They want the patient to succeed just as much as the patient wants that for themselves. The entire staff is fabulous and the monthly support groups really help me stay on track with eating, exercise and the emotional aspects of weight loss as well.  Thank you My New Self for giving me bac

About a year and a half ago, I weight 295 pounds, down just a bit from my heaviest of 320 pounds. I had high blood pressure, high cholesterol and no energy. Yes I knew I was getting older, but my weight was draining me. After many futile attempts at watching what I ate, dieting and being put on medication from my blood pressure, I knew something had to change.

After much research, I went to a MyNewSelf seminar and then the decision was made; this would be what would save me. The people I met there were exceptional, they answered every question, made me feel like the only one there, and helped me realize there was an answer for me. Now, 15 months later I weigh 214 pounds, my blood pressure is under control without medication, and I feel better than I have in years.

My family and friends can’t believe the change, not only in my weight, but my eating habits and overall outlook at being healthy. Thanks to the MyNewSelf team for the New Me!

I had Gastric Bypass surgery in February of 2009. I used to be shy and wondered why anyone would want to talk to me because I was “big”.  I wanted to get weight loss surgery because I gained a lot of weight after I quit smoking, and I wanted to be healthy and more active with my daughter and family. I originally thought I wanted the gastric band, but after discussing my health history and goals with Dr. Richardson, we decided the gastric bypass would be a better route. The surgery went great and the recovery went better than expected, however the first 2 weeks were tough. The facility and the MyNewSelf office were excellent; they are always there to help with answering my questions and supporting me through my journey. I am currently down 158 pounds from the first day I went to the MyNewSelf office to meet with Dr. Richardson. I feel so much better and run circles around my daughter. I am not as shy anymore and don’t worry about what people think of me. I go to the gym everyd

Living in a small town in Illinois, I thought weight loss surgery may be beyond my reach.  Wondering, how do you go about this whole procedure?  First, I called my insurance company, to see if they would even cover this surgery.  Yes, in fact they would! Now what? I happened to see a MyNewself Bariatrics commercial and I wrote down the number, keeping it for awhile.  Finally, I worked up the nerve to sign up for one of their informational seminars in January of 2009.  After studying my options, I went with the gastric bypass surgery.  I had my surgery in May 2009. The MyNewself staff was so helpful, from the very beginning to where I am today, which is 140 lb. lighter.  The entire staff, from the office personnel, nurses, dieticians and doctors are there to help you along every step of the way. I would like to personally thank them, my family and friends for their support and encouragement in helping me to reach my g