At the time of her gastric bypass surgery
in April of 1995, Melinda Kersbergen at 5'-5" weighed
375 pounds. "I had tried numerous commercial weight loss products. They worked
for the moment. But as soon as I stopped the program, I gained it all back plus
more."
Kersbergen's weight problem began in childhood. As an adult, she experienced
the irregularity and loss of her menstrual periods. At one point she did
not ovulate for four years and feared she could not have children.
Her surgery, performed by NEMC surgeon Scott
Shikora, MD, helped her lose 175 pounds. "I
had one period and found out that I was pregnant
now that I was smaller," she says. On July
3, 1996, she gave birth to a son, and a year later
added a daughter "My energy level is so much
higher than it has ever been. I am able to walk
up flights of stairs and not be totally out of
breath. I can fasten seat belts around me on planes
and in cars which I couldn't do before,"
Kersbergen says.
"I never will forget how wonderful it felt to be able to go into
any store and buy clothes that fit me without it being a specialty store for big
women. I can play with my children, get up and down off the floor with ease. This
surgery has changed my life in so many wonderful ways. I would recommend this
for anyone who is struggling with weight loss," she said. "It
can change your life forever!"
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