"I am Dr. Hurwitz's Orlando patient. I am a 58 yr old registered nurse who at the age of 55 decided to undergo an open roux n y gastric bypass. I weighed in at 250 lbs. at 5'3'' on Sept. 2, 2003 with surgery on 9/3. I have been anywhere from 50 to 100 pounds overweight from my late teens. Having tried everything from diet pills to most every fad and prescribed diet to weight loss groups, I slowly yoyo'd my way up. Over the years, I began developing health problems. At the time of the bypass, I was on 3 medications for diabetes, 2 blood pressure medications, a prescription medication for arthritis, and c-pap for sleep apnea. I knew my health would only get progressively worse as long as I hung onto so much excess weight. My husband and I were going to retire in another 3 years which was to include traveling the U.S. in a motor home. I knew my health issues would limit my enjoyment of our retirement years. He was my biggest supporter even taking a bariatric cooking class. Unfortunately, we never made it to retirement together. Two months after I had the bypass, he died suddenly at work. He never saw the final results. The weight loss is just part of the process. I was left with sagging skin from neck to calves. I was just as embarrassed for people to see the sagging skin as the fat. Prior to his death, Mike and I had talked about the possible need for the reconstructive surgery. I lost a total of 105 lbs. and maintained the loss for approximately 1yr when I began to investigate plastic surgeons who would do multiple procedures at one time. I now weigh 140 pounds and exercise regularly. I saw Dr. Hurwitz on the Discovery Health channel and liked his techniques and how well he and his team worked together in the operating room. I researched his website and made an internet consultation. Dr. Hurwitz himself called me within 48 hrs. That in itself impressed me. I was instantly comfortable with him. He and his office staff couldn't have been more accommodating, friendly and helpful. He explained to me the procedures that I underwent in two stages. My recovery has not been without complications, but I would not hesitate to do the reconstructive surgeries over again. Since my husband's death, I have sold one house, built another, moved from Orlando to Lake Wales, and retired from my job a year after I moved. I have a new lease on life. I am happy, getting involved in the church and community, and having fun along the way. My self confidence has soared. I am more outgoing, I laugh more and I am more of a risk-taker. I now take pride in my appearance and don't try to hide in the crowd. Most of all, I am healthier, no longer taking the diabetic meds, 1 of my BP meds and arthritis medication. I no longer need the c-pap for the sleep apnea. I have a new lease on life." -Kathy