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What our patients are saying....... Cheryl Sanders - Lap-Band Patient
Dr Schmitt gave me back my life!!! This time last year I was 100 lbs heavier and miserable. I couldn’t walk more than 2 blocks without back pain and exhaustion. I had tried just about every diet plan, from the expensive Physician Weight Loss plan to Weight Watchers only to lose about 15 pounds and then regain 30. Soon I was 254 lbs with an insatiable appetite. The lap-band surgery is truly amazing and I am now back to my ideal weight. People that haven’t seen me in a long time don’t even recognize me!! I can’t say enough good things about the lap-band, the only regret I have is that I didn’t find Dr Schmitt earlier!!!! To those of you that are considering lap-band surgery… HAVE IT DONE, IT’S GREAT!! ______________________________________________________________ Debra Presley Dr. Schmitt, ______________________________________________________________ Yvonne Flowers
It is hard to believe that one year ago in July, I attended a
seminar. It has been 10 months since my surgery and my quality of life
and health has improved tremendously. Before surgery, I had constant
lower back pain, joint pain and high blood pressure. In 10 months my
problems have been resolved. The Lap Band was the best thing that I
could have done for myself and my family. After years of yo-yo dieting
and spending a lot of money on various diet programs, I feel that the
Lap Band was money well spent. ______________________________________________________________ Lea Ann Henderson Dear Dr. Schmitt I wanted to thank you sincerely for taking the time, skill, & expense to perform my gastric by-pass surgery without the option of using blood or blood products. Your willingness to take the extra care necessary to operate on a patient who is one of Jehovah's Witnesses speaks a lot about your skill as a surgeon & your care for your patients. Please accept my heartfelt appreciation. ______________________________________________________________ Laurie Banks
I just wanted to say; a year ago I thought my life was over at 26. I couldn’t sleep well, I hurt all the time, and I was severely depressed. I have always had a problem with my “body image.” I’m a generation x’er. What do you expect? I learned to hide behind humor, always thinking that if I said it first it wouldn’t hurt so badly when someone else told me I was fat. I am only 5’3”. Any weight is a lot of weight. But at 309 when considering surgery I was miserable. I did loose some weight before surgery but who didn’t? The day of surgery I weighted 272.0 lbs. Today I weight 158lbs. and I love it. I love the fact that Dr. Schmitt agreed that this was the right weight for my body type and he didn’t expect me to come in looking like a playboy model. This year however…….. I love life!!!! I love the way I fell inside and out. It feels like I finally fit the mental image I have had for so long. I tell people all the time when they don’t recognize me that it’s because I am smiling. And I do smile all the time. I sleep all night long and hardly ever wake up in the middle of the night anymore, and my husband can’t keep his hands to himself. I love it. Ask me if I would do it again. A thousand times YES!!! God used Dr. Schmitt to not only change my outside body but also made me realize that sometimes someone else might know the right things for you to do. If you are considering surgery the only advice I can give you is don’t be pig headed. It will only make you sick. The surgery was surgery. The nurses at MCE were fantastic. My after care at home was great. But I did everything, from start to finish, by what Dr. Schmitt said. His way or the highway back to FAT! ______________________________________________________________ Brenda Jones
Brenda Jones is a year out from surgery and has lost 125 lbs.! Her high blood pressure, reflux, and high cholesterol are cured and her joint pain is greatly improved. ______________________________________________________________ Douglas and Melanie Brown
Douglas Brown has lost and maintained 135 lb. weight loss. His hypertension and joint pain have resolved. Melanie Brown has lost 125 lbs and all of her pre-operative co-morbidities have been cured. ______________________________________________________________ Leyann Bennett Before
After
______________________________________________________________ Dr Schmitt LeyAnn Bennett ______________________________________________________________
I would like to explain some of the small changes that have made a huge difference in the quality of my life since my surgery. There are so many things I can do now that I could not do before: I can cross my legs; I can squat down to talk to a child, or tie my shoe. I can find clothes and shoes to fit me at most any store. I even bought my first pair of boots that actually fit around my calves! My self-confidence has improved tremendously. I faithfully work out at a gym. Two years ago, I would have been too uncomfortable to even walk in a gym! I have also tried outdoor activities like canoeing and hiking. My life has completely changed! Ann Harper ______________________________________________________________
Mike Wheeler ______________________________________________________________
Selina Drewry
Before After
After almost a lifetime of being obese, years of yo-yo dieting, and reaching a new high of 314 pounds, at 48 years old I realized if I didn’t do something I was going to have a very short life. On August 28, 2003, Dr. Lee Schmitt performed my gastric bypass surgery. I quite literally put my life into his hands and in return, he provided me with a tool that has enabled me to have a life I never dreamed I could have. Two years later I weigh 136 pounds for a total weight loss of 178 pounds! I no longer suffer from arthritis pain in my back, knees and ankles, and I no longer have high blood pressure or cholesterol levels that were off the charts. Just as important, I no longer suffer from the crippling depression and emotional anguish that goes along with being morbidly obese. In June of this year I took a 10 day vacation to London, England and Paris, France – something I would have never even considered at 314 pounds. I would have never had the energy and stamina to take the trip and to walk that 7 or 8 miles every day. I have also traded in my big SUV and I now drive a Mini Cooper with a 6 speed manual transmission. TOO MUCH FUN!!!!! Life after gastric bypass is not without its challenges but I am healthy, happy, and continue to feel blessed and amazed each day with just how good life can be. It just doesn’t get any better! Selina Drewry ______________________________________________________________ Making an appointment to see Dr. Schmitt was the
best thing I have I was a high school athlete, but over the past ten years I struggled
with my Tommy D.,Birmingham ______________________________________________________________ Hello, my name is Christy. I am 31, married with one child. I had WLS on March 18, 2002 with Dr. Miles at Medical Center East. As of today, August 19, 2002 I
Before my surgery I felt there was no hope for me. I had tried everything, then feeling like a failure... I gave up on myself. I almost never left my house. Then a friend of mine put me in touch with Dr Miles and all of a sudden there was hope for me. I am so grateful to Dr Miles, his staff, Rona and all my new family from the F.A.C.E.S. support group. If you are reading this and feeling like there is no hope for you please don't give up on yourself just yet. Talk to Dr Miles and see if he can help you change your life. I did, and I would do it again, over and over. I haven’t regretted my surgery for one second! I admit I was nervous, but I thought "What do I have to lose?" And the answer was 85 lbs. (so far!) Thanks Dr Miles, you have helped me live again! And my world doesn’t revolve around food. Christy W. Hello, my name is Renee' K. I had surgery with Dr. Schmitt on March 20, 2003. To date I have lost 153 pounds. I have gone from 345 pounds to 192. I was in a size 34 - 5X at that time. I now wear a size 16-18. Surgery was the best thing that I have ever done for my self and my family. I love Dr. Schmitt. To tell you a short story, Dr. Schmitt was an accident for me. Someone had told me about a very good Dr. in Birmingham and I thought they said Dr. Schmitt. So I called and was told to go to a seminar first and then call and make my appointment. I did that. The seminar was in September of 2002 with Rona and the F.A.C.E.S. group. It was very informative. Dr. Miles was the speaker that day. I learned a lot at the meeting and was ready to have surgery that day!! I called and made the appointment with Dr. Miles. I had my first appointment in October. I went through the test and was approved to have surgery. The week prior to surgery, Dr. Miles had an emergency and I was told that Dr. Schmitt could do it and I could keep my surgery date, or I could change it to a later date. I ask If I could meet him before I made a decision and was told to come on over, I did. I really liked Dr. Miles, but I just loved Dr. Schmitt. He made me feel comfortable. He was very caring and told me that he had never "lost" a patient and he did not intend for me to be the first. I took him at his word and have been very happy with the decision that I made. I thank God every day for my new life. You see, I could hardly walk. I couldn't sit in seats when my niece and nephew were in any activity. Now I CAN, and I have room to move around. What a great feeling!!! I am now in the process of having reconstructive surgery. I later found out that Dr. Schmitt was not even the name of the Doctor that I was told to use, nor was he at Medical Center East!! What a Blessing!! I had been praying that the Lord would show me if weight loss surgery was right for me. What a way to show me that He was and still is in control!! Thanks again to Dr. Schmitt for a life change!! I would also like to thank Rona for having the meetings. The meetings are very informative for people that really need help in getting started in the life changing experience. Renee' K. WLS has changed my life in so many ways!!! First my health has greatly improved. I was a really bad diabetic and had really high blood pressure. After my 2nd post-op month I was off all medications except vitamins and calcium supplements. I can do so much more with my 9-year-old son. The energy level is just amazing.. Life just couldn’t be any better. My surgery experience was great with no complications. I had my WLS 8-01-01 and have lost 195 lbs in 1 year a few weeks. I had my gallbladder out a week ago. I would have WLS again in a heartbeat. It has truly saved my life...Thanks Dr. Miles!!! Kristy B I had WLS on December 11, 2001, I am 8 months out and as of today I am down 73 pounds. I could never have stuck to losing weight for this long and kept it off without WLS, it has not only given me my life back, but I am experiencing life all over again with my wonderful husband Wes. My surgery experience was wonderful. Dr. Miles is the best. He is very compassionate and caring, he doesn't treat you like a morbidly obese person. He truly wants to help you become normal. I would do this surgery over every year if I had to. Lisa R. I had gastric bypass surgery on October 29, 2001. I did experience a complication, a blockage between my new stomach pouch and my intestine. This complication required a second procedure to be performed to clear the blockage. I was in the hospital for a week rather than just a few days. Even having experienced a complication, I'd go through weight loss surgery again. In the nine and a half months since the surgery, I have shed 118 pounds. I have more energy than I've had since my teenage years. Walking up stairs is a breeze now. I'm in great health now. I could never say that before. I no longer have the fear of the booth in a restaurant. When I walk in a room, people don't stare at me because of my weight. I can buy clothes in regular stores now. I am normal now. Dr. Miles replaced my previous abnormality with normalcy. I cannot thank him enough for that. Mary P. Well first of all, WLS is the very best thing that I have done for myself. It has changed my whole life!!! I would do it again in a heart beat. Don't get me wrong it was not a breeze; it has its ups and downs. But, the ups outweigh the downs by a long shot!!! I had RNY lap with the wonderful Dr. Miles, on 11/05/01and as of today 08/19/02 I have lost 98 pounds and a whole lot of inches. I was in a size 24 and now I am in size 16, some size 14's. Isn't that just great??!!! I have so much energy, I feel like a teenager again, and I turned 35 yesterday!!! Today because of WLS I feel like I am a better mom, a better wife and also a better person all together!!! I thank GOD everyday for WLS, Dr. Miles, Rona, and all the wonderful friends that I have made through my WLS journey! Isn't life just grand? Happy thoughts always, Sherri M. My laparoscopic Weight Loss Surgery was on 05/22/02. I have lost 70 lbs. in 3 months! Amazing!! Although I had an ulcer and a stricture in July and had to have a subsequent (open) surgery, I can honestly say that prior to the first surgery, had I known all that I would have to deal with in the first three months, I would have STILL had the surgery. I feel like I am BRAND NEW! I still eat very small amounts of food, but I don't miss the things or the quantity that I cannot consume now. I'm content drinking water! Dr. Miles is a very caring and attentive surgeon and I cannot thank him enough for the care he and his staff have provided. Having a surgeon who is up front about possible risks, side effects, etc. made it much easier for me to reach a decision about having the surgery as I knew that he would be open and honest with me. Connie B. I had RNY surgery with Dr. Miles at MCE just over 5 months ago. Since surgery I have lost a total of 136 pounds. My surgery went great, I have had no complications and would do it again in a heartbeat. Although I had no major health problems before surgery, I know that my health would be declining in the near future if I didn't get the excess weight off. Although I still have a long way to go, I know that my future is much brighter. In just a few short months things have changed so much in my life. I now can go into a store and find clothing that is too big for me, when I used to just hope to find something that would fit. I can now comfortably sit next to my husband in a theater seat or sit in a booth and not have to worry if I will fit. I am now looking forward to my son's football games instead of worrying about how far I may have to walk to get to the stadium. Although these things may seem small and trivial to some people, most if not all morbidly obese people can understand and have had to deal with these kinds of problems. Dr. Miles and RNY surgery have given me the chance not to have to deal with these problems and so many others. I now have the chance to live my life. Terri H. Weight Loss Surgery (WLS) has been the best thing to have happened to me in years. I use the analogy that the WLS has been like a rebirth. I have rediscovered parts of my personality that were forgotten. The layers of timidity and shame have been removed and replaced with a level of confidence and self assuredness that I thought I could never posses. As a 48 year old, I have lost a total of 125 lbs 10 months. I look forward to the remaining weight coming off and toward the reconstructive surgery that needs to take place. I am very happy with my new look -- so is my husband. Thank you Dr. Miles for being there and for being God's instrument to so many hurting people who had no where else to turn. Dott C. Hi. I am six months out from surgery and have lost 75 pounds. I have been able to come off my diabetic, cholesterol, and incontinence medication and no longer need to sleep with a CPAP machine. This surgery is something I would do over again in a heartbeat as I consider it a true gift and a second chance to lead a wonderful, healthy life. Dr. Miles took a chance on me because of my age. I knew he may have to do "open" instead of "lap" but he hung in there and I am one grateful person today. I know that as Morbidly Obese people we say we are the same when we loose weight, but now I know we are not. Of course I still have my value and moral system that my parents gave me, but now I am so much happier with myself and show it. My coworkers and friends all say I am much more outgoing and I seem happier. I move!! Yes, I can move. And my granddaughter is finding my lap. Susan O. I had WLS 12/10/02. I wore a size 26-28 (tight), I could not walk a quarter of a block without shortness of breath, I couldn't fit in a restaurant booth, many car seat belts would not go around me and I was a medical mess. I was on 2 blood pressure meds and 2 diabetes meds twice daily and triglyceride meds twice a day. My triglyceride level was 600-3000 on meds and normal is <150. My blood pressure and diabetes were barely controlled. I was only 41 yrs old but I felt much older, every joint hurt every day. It is now 8 months and 96lbs later and I have been medicine free since 1 week after surgery. My blood pressure and blood sugar are normal, my triglyceride level at 6 months was 114. I walk 3-6 miles 5 days/week, I fit everything-booths, seatbelts, etc. I wear a size 16 and have energy that I didn't have 20 yrs ago, I also have confidence and an inner happiness that I haven't known in yrs. My husband, children and career have always made me happy but Dr. Miles and WLS have given me a life that I can now fully participate in and not just watch other people live. Thank you Dr. Miles, my family and God!!! Joy S. I had WLS on December 18, 2001. Prior to surgery I had severe pain in my back and hips. I had been in therapy for both. I also was diabetic and was taking 5 oral medications and 2 insulin injections per day. The insulin was causing a rapid weight gain. I had gain 64# in 14 months. My triglycerides were 2250 and cholesterol 449. I needed a miracle. I prayed for God to heal me and shortly after I met Dr. Miles. My surgery was on a Tuesday, I came home on Thursday, and was Christmas shopping on Friday (slowly). My life has been restored. I no longer take any diabetic medication. My hip and back pain is almost completely gone. My triglycerides are 279, still a little high but I'm pleased. I went with my husband and three children to Six Flags and rode rides I was unable to ride in the past due to my size. I have experienced a miracle and love to share with everyone. I would have this procedure again in an instant. My children say " who are you and what did you do with my Mother." I am able to do things with them and for them that they had to do themselves. I don't scream at them like I did before. I praise God for my healing and for Dr. Miles and his wonderful Team. Thanks for allowing me to share, Tana H. Some of our patients at their yearly visit.
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