| Sandra Henry |
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In 2006, Sandra weighed 380 pounds. She had difficulty climbing stairs and performing household improvements. She was on medication for high blood pressure and asthma and had to use a machine to help her breathe at night because of sleep apnea.
Sandra realized that if she didn't try to lose the weight, she could end up dead. She knew that she needed to make a change, so she decided to learn more about having gastric bypass surgery.
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| Mary Jo Miller |
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With 5 grandchildren, Mary Jo had plenty of excitement in her life. However, she found that she had problems keeping up with them after she became seriously overweight. Health problems developed as well, so she decided to make a change.
She had tried different diets and weight loss approaches, but none gave her the outcome she wanted. Then she considered lap band surgery...
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| Dina Perry |
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Dina was about to turn 40, and she knew that she had a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, and strokes. After over a decade of inconsistent dieting and watching her weight go up and down with no real results, she decided to look into gastric bypass surgery.
Today, 88 pounds lighter, she is running races and exploring the world with new energy and sense of adventure.
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| Melissa Silvis |
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At 513 pounds, Melissa Silvis tried to avoid interaction with people, but after watching a friend's success with gastric bypass surgery, she became motivated to find out about surgical weight loss options.
Within a year after her surgery, Melissa lost nearly 230 pounds, and also found out that she had another exciting change not even related to her bariatric surgery.
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| Richard and Diane Suriano |
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Diane Suriano was desperate and felt that bariatric surgery was her only option. She underwent gastric bypass surgery in 2011. Since then, she's lost 135 pounds.
Inspired by her dramatic turnaround, Diane's husband Richard decided to have the same procedure. He's lost 100 pounds and can fit into jeans that have been hanging in his closet for 20 years.
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| Ashley Walker |
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At 268 pounds, Ashley Walker began her weight loss journey by attending bariatric presurgical lifestyle classes and lost 20 pounds.
After lap band surgery, she dropped close to 50 pounds more. Dedicated to a healthy lifestyle, Ashley says bariatric surgery has helped her become someone she never thought she could be.
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| Crystal Brown |
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For 10 years, Crystal Brown struggled with losing weight. She had low energy and didn't like what she saw in the mirror.
Lap band surgery, along with her dedication and discipline, has given Crystal the energy to play with her son and a new body that she likes seeing in the mirror.
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| DeAnna Brooks |
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Eating less and exercising more did not equal sustained weight loss for DeAnna Brooks. With the encouragement of her primary care doctor, she decided to have lap band surgery.
Since then, she's lost 85 pounds, her health has improved, and she's completed physically intensive training to become a yoga teacher.
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| Sister Mary Catherine Stana |
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For years, Sister Mary Catherine Stana would lose large amounts of weight, but regain it through emotional eating. As a diabetic, she was injecting herself with insulin three times a day.
Two years after having gastric bypass surgery, she has lost 140 pounds and no longer needs insulin.
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| Steve Adler |
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At 325 pounds, Steve Adler was missing work due to pain and had developed sleep apnea. When he started falling asleep while driving, he knew something had to change.
Gastric bypass surgery has helped Steve improve his own lifestyle and that of his three children.
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| Veronica King |
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Veronica King's weight and low self-esteem had her avoiding scales, mirrors, and cameras most of her life. At 270 pounds, she had difficulty walking and keeping up with her kids.
Since undergoing lap band surgery, she has lost 150 pounds and gained confidence.
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| Rich Petarca |
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Rich Petarca felt that he was fighting a losing battle with obesity. His weight tended to go through “seesaw” patterns, reaching 427 pounds at one point.
After doing some research, he decided to have gastric bypass surgery, losing 232 pounds and finally winning his weight loss battle.
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| Stephanie Ruby |
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Stephanie Ruby dealt with weight issues all of her life. Short-term successes with weight loss left her depressed and feeling hungry — not just for food — but for a solution.
One year after bariatric surgery, Stephanie has lost 131 pounds and is happier than ever.
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| Jason Doptis |
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Jason Doptis struggled with his weight ever since high school. He tried every diet and exercise program, to no avail.
After researching weight loss surgery options, he decided to have lap band surgery. Now, 112 pounds lighter, Jason feels healthier and more confident.
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| Rita Booth |
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When Rita Booth's weight began affecting her work and health, she started researching bariatric surgery. She found UPMC's George Eid, MD, and had gastric bypass surgery.
Since then, she has donated over 150 pounds of dog food — for every pound she's lost — to her local humane society in Dr. Eid’s name.
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| Nina Wilson |
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Nina Wilson's unhealthy eating habits began in childhood. After years of "quick fixes," and watching her parents develop obesity-related health issues, Nina made a life-long commitment to her health.
Since having lap band surgery in 2008, she has kept off the 100 pounds she lost. Her motto? “Faith + Action = Results.”
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| Norma Patton |
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Norma Patton started gaining weight in fifth grade, mostly from the treats her mom baked several times a week.
Reaching 400 pounds and battling numerous obesity-related health problems, Norma went to a bariatric surgery information session and decided to have gastric bypass surgery. She's lost 162 pounds and found a healthier lifestyle.
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| Lynn Oslosky |
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Lynn Oslosky was petite most of her life until she gave birth and had a hysterectomy. Unable to lose the 75 pounds she gained, she was more concerned with her rising blood pressure and blood sugar.
Gastric bypass surgery helped Lynn lose the extra weight and find a new way to make healthy choices.
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| Steve Iwanicki |
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On a visit to his doctor in 2005, Steve Iwanicki learned he wouldn’t be around much longer if he didn’t get his diabetes under control. Three months after having gastric bypass surgery, his diabetes was gone.
Losing a total of 224 pounds, Steve says bariatric surgery has been a tool for a healthier, happier life.
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| Robert Dunkerley |
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At 360 pounds, Robert Dunkerley's weight was affecting his health. After spending 40 days in a coma, and almost a year in the hospital, Robert made a choice that would change his life.
He underwent gastric bypass surgery and, just six months later, ran a 5K race.
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| Lori Inserra |
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Lori Inserra was mindful of the many health challenges brought on by excess weight. Her father died of a heart attack at age 49.
So, when her doctor told her she was a good candidate for gastric bypass surgery, Lori turned to UPMC. Now, 136 pounds lighter, she's found a new outlook on life.
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| Norma Hufnagel |
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For years, Norma Hufnagel struggled to lose weight. Facing a future of diabetes, worsening back pain, and even a liver transplant, she knew she couldn’t win her weight loss battle alone. She needed help…and needed it fast.
Gastric bypass surgery and healthy lifestyle changes saved her life.
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| Darryl Granata |
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To Darryl Granata, losing weight was more than wanting to look good; it was a matter of life or death.
When his doctor told him he'd be dead in five years if he didn’t lose weight, Darryl found a life-changing solution: gastric bypass surgery. Now he feels younger and more energetic.
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