Patient Testimonials

After almost three years, I have kept all the weight off and I am still doing very well. I weight 215 (pre-op weight was 568 lbs.) and feel fantastic! Dr. Felix and his staff are miracle workers in my book because it has been 2 and a half years and still feel great . . . the doctor and nurses were a great part of my inspiration along with my family. . . life is good !

God bless
and thanks again

I am a CDL Delivery Driver. I've had problems with Diabetes since 1997. I was to the point of losing my CDL License because the Diabetes got out of hand. I had to either go on Insulin, or have Gastric By-Pass Surgery. I chose Gastric By-Pass Surgery for Diabetic reasons, and to improve my health conditions. Before making this decision I weighed 334 pounds. When I had the surgery done in January of 2009, I weighed 297 pounds. Today, I was weighed at my PCP's office, I now weigh 198 pounds!! I am off my Byetta, and Glucovance, which are diabetic medications.I am off of cholesterol medications: Tricor, and now only take 1/2 a pill of Simvistatin, and in my next PCP visit in 3 months, the DR. feels I will be completely off Simvistatin. Blood Pressure has come way down, he feels in his next visit I will go from 100mg to 50 mg of Cozaar. I have gone from a size 50 inch waist down to 36 inch waist size. I have stuck to the program that Dr. Felix and Dr. Wilcox has prescribed, and I haven't experienced any set backs. This has been a WIN WIN situation for me, and I feel Great. I have never been this thin, but most importantly, I am Healthier. I wish to thank both Dr. Felix and Dr. Wilcox for performing this surgical Procedure on me, and I highly recommend it to everyone health issues. They truly can help you, but it is up to you to make it work.

Numbers don't lie. Waist size 62 down to a 38 (and almost into a 36). Shirt size 5-6x down to a XXL. I've lost 208 pounds in less than a year. Had someone told me this last summer when I was 470 pounds and struggled to put shoes on, I would have laughed in your face.

I had tried every diet under the sun. Every one of them. Not a single one of them proved successful. I tried exercising. I tried everything. I was spiraling out of control. My portions were enormous. A Double-quarter pounder sandwich, TWO large fries, and TWO double cheeseburgers and a large Coke were the norm on a trip to McDonald's. A DiGiorno's pizza with a bag of shredded cheese on top was a meal, not to mention snacking while it was cooking.

To even think of those portions or that type of food today, however, makes me absolutely disgusted. Not only can I not eat that food, I won't.

In 2007, I had enough. As a truck driver, I was encountering trucks that I could not fit into. I was at the lowest point I had ever been. I kicked smoking in 2006, I quit dipping snuff in 2007, and quit sugar and carbonated drinks in 2008. In 2008, I was up to 12-24 cans of diet pop per day.

Something had to give. I made the decision that, after years of trying (and a lot of failing) I could not lose the weight on my own. I contacted Hope Bariatrics, desperate and scared. I figured if I could give up my addiction to caffeine, sugar, and fatty foods, I could do it for a lifetime. Enough was enough; there were people who weighed LESS than I did who died of a heart attack! The thought of my wife having to put me in a supersized coffin or being removed from my house by a crane was NOT what I wanted my final memory to be. What did I have to lose? Everything else failed, and I must admit I was a tad scared this may fail too. I had my share of advice from people and know-it-alls...Many people may say that surgery is the "easy" way out. Those are the same people who don't struggle with weight!

After the hoop jumping process my insurance company requires, I was scheduled for surgery. I was eating low fat foods, but still big portions. I was drinking 1-2 gallons of water a day. Every day. August 12, 2008 was the moment God and Dr. Felix and his staff gave me a new life. They enabled me to start over. Dr. Felix was my personal miracle worker. I literally owe my life to Dr. Felix and the Hope Bariatrics staff. EVERYONE at Hope Bariatrics treated me like gold from day one. I didn't get the "MY God he's huge" stares from anyone on the staff. No one talked down to me. No one made me feel bad about being 30 pounds shy of 500 pounds. Cindy is just as nice to me at 260 pounds as she was when I was 470. I love the staff!!! I can't say enough good things about them!!!

At almost one year post-op, I am often asked if I would do it again. Yes. Without hesitation I would. I went from 470 pounds to 260 pounds in less than a year. It is a lifelong commitment. Even at a year out, I am often asked if I miss junk food like pizza and McDonald's. Simply, no. I don't. The smell of McDonald's nauseates me now (seriously). Do I miss the all-you-can-eat buffet restaurants? No. Do I miss the pop? The tobacco? The caffeine? No. Not at all. I still am able to eat the good things, just in small quantities. There is a wonderful variety of no sugar added or sugar free "sweets" I had never noticed before while buying Oreos and sugared ice cream.....As for fast and processed foods? No way. I don't eat them. If I can succeed, anyone can!

Thank you to everyone at Hope Bariatrics for giving me my life back. With all of my heart, thank you all so much for everything.

I had type II diabities, was taking 7 medications, weighed 360 pounds, had tried to lose weight for years and failed. My doctor had suggested bariatric surgery more than once to me before I made up my mind to change my life for the better. I wanted to live to enjoy grandchildren and to see retirement. I've coached football for over 25 years and even my players were worried about how big I'd gotten. I couldn't effeciently coach because I couldn't run and bend and do the things I needed to do to teach them. After the surgery they were very supportive, as was my friend at work, she had a family member that had the surgery, and she made me realize how important how the exercise part was afterwards. She did the spin cycle, I ride my stationary bike everyday, ab-circle, and use the weight bench. I went back to work 11 days after my surgery, coached football 5 days every week, exercised, and followed the meal plan exactly. I now wear size 36 pants, I used to wear size 46. I lost 102 pounds in 5 months. I'd like to thank Dr. Sneeringer and Dr. Felix and his great staff, my family, and especially my wife for all the support they have given me, I have a new lease on live, and look forward to the future and all the good things to come. Bob

What a journey it has been! About a year ago, on my 39th birthday, I had an epiphany. I realized that I had a wonderful life. I was married to an amazing man; I had a great job, and was surrounded by lots of people who loved me. So why was I slowly killing myself? I had never had a weight problem...up until the age of 14 or so. From then on, it was all downhill, or in my case up on the scale. I graduated from high school at around 180 pounds. In college, while they talk about the freshman 10, I put on the freshman 40. Every year I'd put on a few more. But it's not like I didn't try to stop it. Over the years, I tried Weight Watchers countless times, Jenny Craig, Atkins, grapefruit, cabbage soup, and all the other fad diets out there. I don't think there is one I didn't try.. and fail at. So, as my confidence in myself went down, my weight went up until that 39th birthday when I weighed in at whopping 250. That is the day that I called my doctor who I'd seen for more than a decade for an appointment. When I finally got in to see her, she asked me if I was finally ready, as if she had been waiting for me to make this decision all along! She taled to me about Hope Bariatrics, and I was on my way to changing my life...at last. On the day of my surgery, I weighed 278 pounds, thanks to a few months of ice cream for dinner. I was very nervous, but I had my wonderfully supportive husband by my side. He kept telling me that he married me when I was a positively svelte 230 pounds and that no matter what happened, he would be with me. With those words, I went peacefully to sleep. The initial surgery went well, an I was home within a few days. I was incredibly nervous, but I had all the literature that Hope Bariatrics had given me to refer to. I followed the instructions to the letter, felt really good, and ready to go back to work. At that point I had dropped 10 pounds, and was feeling great. As the weeks went by, I began to notie that my clothes were fitting a little looser, and that people were beginning to say things about my weight loss. A few months in, and I ha to give all of my old clothes to charity. I also had to buy a belt, which I had never needed before. These days, I'm about 165 pounds, an even though I don't feel like I look that much different, to everyone else the change is dramatic. Recently, I had to give a presentation to a group of people at work that I had not seen since before my surgery. As I introduced myself, I heard a few gasps from the audience. Afterwards, at least a half a dozen people said they did not recognize me. So, that's my journey, and I have to say that even though there have been moments along the way where I questioned by decision, now that I've arrive at this wonderful place, I wouldn't have changed a thing. Thank you to Hope Bariatrics for all the support and encouragement you have provided along the way.

Our names are Tracey and Amy. As of July 28th 2009, we have both lost over one hundred pounds (6 months after surgery)! Getting the Gastric Bypass Surgery was an enormous decision for both of us. We have both battled with our weight our whole lives. We have tried every diet and workout program out there, with no continuous success. We were tired of our weight taking over our lives. It was time for a permanent change! We both had the Gastric Bypass Surgery on January 14, 2009! Dr. Wilcox preformed our surgery. The first month after surgery was very challenging. We both had each other and an amazing family to lend us help and support. After we worked through the ups and downs during the first month, it was uphill from there. We have never looked back! We both went from a size 20/22 to a size 12/14! The surgery has changed our lives, both physically and emotionally! We have so much more energy now! We also have more self-confidence! We would love to thank everyone who has helped us overcome our battle with our weight. The staff members at Hope Bariatrics are amazing and have shown us endless support and patience! Thank you for everything!

Had my surgery at Sewickley Valley Hospital in June 2003.

Pre-surgery BMI: 55

I have lost over 100 lbs. and my BMI is now 25.

Had gastric bypass surgery with Dr. Wilcox at Sewickley Hospital in July, 2003.

Pre-surgery BMI: 49.5

I have lost over 100 lbs.

As I sit here and think how wonderful I feel, I can't believe it's been a year since my surgery date, 11-17-08. I've lost over 100 lbs. I just came from my PCP (primary care physician) and he took me off my diabetic pills, that is just awesome. From a guy who used to eat a box of Little Debbies in one sitting, I don't even miss the sweets anymore. I'm happy I've finally had the courage to go through it. It has been a life changing challenge, and looking forward to a happy and healthy future.

Joe, 53 years old
Gastric Bypass, November, 2008, Dr. Felix

I knew I had to do something when my family doctor gave me 3 options
a)Fantasy Island (FAT camp)
b) a Pine Box or
c) the surgery.

I also have a 12 year old daughter that I want to walk down the aisle without a cane, crutch or walker. Lastly, I want to have a quality of life with the women that I love as we approach our senior years that is filled with activity and worry free living not being a burden to our children. I want to thank the Crew at Hope Bariatric(s) including Dr. Felix, Cindy, Diane, Denise and Sherry for their support, guidance, thoughtfulness, professionalism and caring in this past year. I started at 394 lbs BMI of 56.1 to 215 lbs BMI of 29.8 in just over 18 months. My only regret is that it took me too long to get over my own self-pride and apprehensions over whether or not this was the right choice. One year to the day after my surgery, I know now that it was the right choice and I know that this team has helped me through my process. Again thank you and if I can be of any help to you in the future please do not hesitate to call.

It is hard to believe that it's been a year since my surgery. I've gone from 370 lbs (BMI:44) to 227 lbs (BMI:26) in one year. I have to thank Dr. Wilcox and the entire staff at Hope Bariatrics for their hard work and support, they are truly wonderful. I have so much energy now, love playing softball and bowling without my knees and back constantly hurting. I love the time I have with my kids without getting tired so easily. After all the diets failed, I felt discouraged and just figured I'd be heavy the rest of my life. This has been one of the best decisions of my life and my self esteem is as good as it's ever been. It's an awesome feeling to go shopping for clothes and be able to pick out what you truly want.

God Bless,

I want to thank Dr. Felix and the staff at Hope Bariatrics. They have all been very caring and understanding through this whole process. When I started this journey, I was 437 lbs. Gastric Bypass was my last hope for weight loss. Like most morbid obese people I had tried everything on the market to lose weight with not much success. I was a functional morbid obese person. I went to work everyday and maintained a "normal" life style. What I did was never go anywhere I knew I couldn't fit. Trying anything new was out of the question. I hated the person that was looking back at me in the mirror. Having the surgery was the best thing that I have ever done for myself. It allowed me to lose enough weight and gain the self confidence to start an exercise program. Now after one year I weigh 228 lbs. I never again want to see the words morbid obese next to my BMI. I now like the person who is looking back at me in the mirror. Sometimes I have to look twice to make sure it is me. I still have some work to do to obtain my goal, but I know that with hard work and perserverance I will get there.

Webster's definition of JOURNEY--a trip, to travel. Joanie's definition est. 7/6/05--much improved health, a new excitement for life, learning and practicing good habits, reaching for new goals. Meeting and sharing with new friends, a new understanding of commitment. My HEARTFELT THANKS to Dr. Wilcox, Dr. Felix and the wonderful staff and friends at HOPE BARIATRICS.

"I was over 360 lbs. now I'm 235 and still losing! I have never been sick a day since surgery. A couple times I over ate and had some discomfort but it passed quickly. (won't do that again). I haven't taken a pill since surgery, no sugar pills, no heart meds, nothing at all. My sugar was bouncing between 400 & 500 before surgery off and on even with meds. I am so happy with my results. I want to thank you and all the personnel in your office and thanks to Dr. Felix. A job well done! I have nothing but good things to say about the whole deal from the treatment in the hospital, before and after surgery, to follow ups in office. You girls are so nice when you call to check on me, even though I'm over 100 miles away. Thanks again so very much.

My name is Jolene and I had bariatric surgery with Dr. Felix on June 18, 2009. My life has changed drastically since that day and I celebrate this date as my "rebirthday". The transformation has been amazing and I am ecstatic with my success. Having bariatric surgery was one of the best decisions I ever made and the improvement in my quality of life is beyond what I had originally imagined. I never did properly thank Dr. Felix or the staff for assisting along this chosen path...so.... THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!!!

Last fall I was in your office with a friend of mine and we took my "after" picture. I was never able to see that photo and I keep looking on-line to see if it has been added. Is it possible to see the before and after pics? I would appreciate seeing these and being able to get copies. Also, I am not sure if I should be following up any further with Dr. Felix. I feel fantastic!!!! Thank you once again!

...." today i finshed my first half marathon in under 3 hours! I don't think that i have ever been so excited before. I owe you guys so much thanks without your guys wonderful support i don't think i could have did this! This is a awesome accomplishment and i hope that everyone of your patients will realize that this is not easy but DO NOT GIVE UP! Here are some pictures of this wonderful day i wanted to share. Thanks so much again you guys have been a blessing."

I can not even BEGIN to thank Hope Bariatrics for truly changing my life. I could not be doing ANY of what I am doing had it not been for my gastric bypass. I must admit, that for the first couple of months I actually wished I hadn't gone through with it. It was definitely a struggle but now I am SO thankful for everything! My energy level is higher than it has been in 20 years! My pain levels have significantly decreased. My self esteem is positive for the first time in years!!! I never feel like I'm going to a doctor's office when I come in for an appointment, but instead feel like I'm going for coffee with my extended family! You all have been wonderful to me. I don't even have words to describe the incredible support you have all shown me throughout this past 6 months. Thank you from the bottom of my much healthier heart!!!! God Bless! (office note: Kristyn lost 88 lbs in 8 months!)

It is hard to believe that it has been a year and that I went from 316 lbs. to 165 lbs. I never thought that would happen: a size 28 to 12! I never thought I would see a size 12, I thought I would be a 16 or 18. I can walk with my grandchildren without being out of breath, tired or my feet hurting! It is a blessing, thank you to all of you who have helped me to reach this place in my life. Each of you have been a blessing to me and such a help anytime I called. Thank you again for everything!

23 years ago I started my family. Somewhere I lost myself and the two reason's that I live, my sons to obesity. But thanks to you I have my two sons for the rest of my life. I can't thank you enough for this. As a family we weighed 1080 pounds. We have lost 440 pounds and we are still losing.

God Bless you all

Virginia, Joel, and Glenn Wykoff

My weight issues started when I was going into my teenage years. When I got married and had two wonderful children my weight became even more out of control. Having two children and a lifelong battle with food, I finally decided that it was time to get my life and weight under control. I decided that it was time for me to under go gastric by-pass surgery. The morning I went in for my surgery I was not even a bit scared. I knew I was doing the right thing for myself. That's right FOR MYSELF! I weighed 263 lbs. that morning. 9 1/2 months later I weighed 138 lbs. I have gone from a size 22/24 to a size 4/6. Everyday is a challenge!! Some may think it was the easy way out. Those are the people who don't know what it is like to live on the other side of the scale. I would like to think I could be an inspiration to those who have had a life long battle with their weight, because I know what it is like on the other side. I no longer live on a diet. I live on what I now call "life". I said good-bye to my 20's and hello to the thin person that I have always wanted to be. Thank you Dr. Felix and your wonderfull staff. You gave me my life back. Sincerely, Cindy