Patient Testimonials

Becky and Mike Delcampo

Ever wondered what it would be like to be married to a different person? Since our gastric bypass surgeries in November and December 2004, we've had an opportunity to experience this. Our surgeries truly changed our lives.

When we got married, Mike was 6'2" and weighed more than 290 pounds. But, he was athletic and fought the obesity battle on his own. Becky had struggled with her weight since graduating from high school. Years of yo-yo dieting resulted in additional weight gain. Not long after we were married, Mike stopped smoking and gained an additional 126 pounds. At age 34, Mike now weighed more than 400 pounds, was morbidly obese, and realized his life and health were out of control. Becky was 28 and carried 290 pounds on her 5'8" frame.

Our weight and failing health were straining our marriage. We were unhappy, had no energy, and realized we were probably knocking at death's door. That's when we attended one of the free informational sessions at Memorial Health Baritrics. To support one another, we decided to go through the gastric bypass surgery process together. We had our surgeries two weeks apart, and our lives have never been the same.

Less than a year after surgery, Becky had already lost 135 pounds and Mike had lost 146 pounds. We're new people, and we're happy to be married to the same, but-oh-so-different, spouses. We recommend this life-saving surgery to anybody struggling to regain control of their weight and their life.

Elizabeth Tallent

Obesity is a word that is no stranger to me. I have struggled with my weight as long as I can remember. After marrying and having my first child, I gained 80 pounds. At 5'11" I weighed 275 pounds. I joined every gym and tried every diet I could find. The weight would not come off. I became withdrawn and depressed. I even refused to go out in public with my husband.

After the birth of our second child, my weight ballooned to 284 pounds. I began considering gastric bypass surgery as a life-saving alternative for myself. After much prayer, guidance, and research, I became Memorial Health Bariatrics' third gastric bypass patient. Within 12 months of surgery, I was more than 100 pounds lighter.

Exercise is now a way of life for me and food is no longer a top priority. I can shop, go on dates with my husband, and run around with my children! I feel blessed and honored to be one of the program's early patients. I owe my success to the wonderful support of the Memorial Health Bariatrics team and the unconditional support of my husband.