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Testimonials
Larry Sprankle
When I went to my first seminar, I thought, is this really going to work for me? I had tried so many other ways of losing weight over the last couple of years, and nothing had worked for me long term. I was excited to start learning about the LAP-BAND procedure because it is less invasive and because it has a quicker recovery period. I still had concerns of whether or not it would work for me. I knew I had to do something about my weight. My ankles and knees bothered me from the excess weight and I was already being treated for my high blood pressure. I had my LAP-BAND surgery in January of 2009. I was told from the start this is not a miracle fix, but a tool to help me achieve my goals of losing the weight. I started walking the next day as much as my body would let me after surgery. Once I recovered I increased my walking and added in some weight training. After the first 8 months, I started introducing some jogging, then running. It has been 2 years since my surgery. I have achieved personal goals I never thought were imaginable. I have lost over 140 lbs and counting since the start and I am in training now for my first half marathon. I feel great! I have more energy, more confidence, and most importantly I have been blessed with good health. Over the last couple of years my experience at Dr. Marley’s office has been incredible. The entire staff throughout this journey has given advice, words of encouragement, and tips to help me along the way. Thank you for making customer service your priority. Larry L. Sprankle
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Jayme Paul
My testimony - In June of 2006 I had Lap Band surgery done at Windber Hospital.Dr. Kim Marley performed the surgery. Since that very day my life has been totally different.It has been a wonderful experience. Before my surgery I had all different types of medical problems,which I might add have all been corrected since my surgery. My life has had many changes,all good I might add.Dr. Marley and his entire team have been a very important part of my life changing experience.I have never felt that I couldn’t pick up the phone and hear one of their voices on the other end.They are without a doubt the most caring people I’ve met in a long time.They are more then just a Doctor, Nurses,and Receptionists.They are wonderful people who truly care about you every step of your journey. As of October 29, 2009 I have lost 184 pounds.This has been a great thing for me,and if you have any questions for me you can get in touch with Nate and he will get in touch with me,and I will be here for you to answer any questions you have.If I can do anything to help another over weight person feel as good as I do I will do it. Anyone who is reading this, I wish you all the best!I hope everything turns out as good for you as it turned out for me.Go forward and never look back my friends!
Jayme Paul
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Rhonda Yonish
I lost it. I graduated high school in 1981 I weighted 135 and thought I was fat. I was also married that same year. I started gaining weight right after that. I would go on diets but they never lasted more than a few day. By the time my first child was born in 1984 I weighed 200, I was 240 when my 2nd child was born in 1988, and when my last child was born in 1999 I weighed 300 pounds. I stayed around 300 – 315 pounds for the next 9 years. I thought about getting the gastric bypass and even called for information on that, it seemed too scary and I was told I would have to lose 10% of my body weight before surgery I thought there was no way I could lose 30 pounds. So I continued on with my 300 plus pounds. I was not able to walk 5 minutes without being totally out of breath. It took all my energy to do housework and I went for years with a messy house. We ate out at resturaunts a lot sometimes I would eat out both lunch and supper. I thought about dieting but I saw so many people lose weight and gain it right back. I had a friend that begged me to diet with her. I told her when I am ready to make a lifestyle change I’ll diet but I refuse to be up and down. In 2007 I was ready to make that change. I didn’t think I had it in me to lose the weight on my own. I called Dr. Marleys office and made an appointment. September 2007 I weighed 306 on his scales. I had lost a few pounds from taking a blood pressure/ water pill in it that I started taking a few months before. I started walking a little at a time and pushed myself to do more every few weeks. By the time I had my 6th doctor visits in and was ready for lapband surgery I weighed 260 pounds. I had my surgery March 17, 2008. I contuned to lose weight each month. I followed Dr. Marleys orders, I exercised and ate less without feeling hungry. Dr. Marley and his staff has always been encoraging to me. I think I had 3 fills in the past 19 months and I continue to follow the rules and exercise at least 3 days a week. I now weigh 135 pounds back to my high school weight. I no longer feel fat I feel like I am a normal weight. I can now walk an hour at a time and don’t even feel winded. My house is clean (most days). I feel satisfied and plan to stay this way for the rest of my life. One of the most rewarding parts of losing weight is having my grandchildren sit on my lap that was lost. Thanks so much Lapband and Dr. marley.
Rhonda Yonish
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Helen Onstead
My Lapband Journey Like most people who are over weight, I tried all kinds of diets. I would either not lose much weight or I would lose weight and then gain it back. Having acquired several severe medical problems and almost dying, I was determined to lose weight and I did. It lasted about a year and again I started to gain it all back. I started to work out at the gym two days a week and this did help with my hyperlipidemia and also my hypertension. I also gained some strength, but the weight remained an issue. I have had COPD and asthma for seven years. I struggled with breathing and have had many episodes of bronchitis and/or pneumonia, and would end up hospitalized. I also have multiple food, environmental and medicine allergies. My weight was a definite hindrance to all these issues. About a year ago a friend gave me a brochure re: Lapband. I read it and showed it to my family physician, who agreed it was something I should go for. So over a period of seven months I met the requirements and had surgery. Following surgery I increased my gym time to four days a week for two hours, including an hour of cardio. I changed my lifestyle and the weight started to come off and my energy level increased and I started being able to go shopping for several hours and not have to sit down and rest. I also moved about ¼ to 1/3 acre of lawn with a self-propelled mower. My breathing has improved considerable and I have used less breathing treatments. I am no longer on my cholesterol medicine and my blood pressure medicine has been reduced. My arthritis doesn’t bother me as much and therefore less pain. My family and close friends are very proud and also very supportive. I receive lots of compliments and I have gone from size 22 dress to an 8-10. I finally bought a “little black dress” and was that ever fun! So thanks to my God, my family and friends support system and, of course Dr. Marley and his staff who provided the needed surgery and support, I am a new person and for this I am very grateful. ~Helen Onstead
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Martha Erhard
My name is Marti. I am 64 years old and was morbidly obese. I saw my Family Doctor every two or three months for treatment of high blood pressure, diabetes and spinal stenosis: three blood pressure medications, a diuretic, a “sugar” pill and powerful medications for continuous low back pain ran my life. My family has an obesity problem - grandparents on both sides, father, cousins, sisters, brother, but I passed it off by telling everyone that I was a premature baby and that in order for me to gain weight, the doctor put me on double strength Karo formula plus my Mother’s breast milk and my first foods were cooked pudding and mashed potatoes at 6 weeks of age. I was “doomed” from the beginning, these high starch foods made me develop more fat cells and I “needed” a high carb diet to satisfy cell function. Pretty good , Huh?? Year after year I kept adding on the pounds and found ways to cover up my decreasing physical abilities. I had ruined my knees and had both replaced by the time I was 50! By November 2009 I weighed 263 pounds and I was able to walk only short distances or shop for 20 minutes before becoming so exhausted, I had to get home and rest. Climbing into and out of a car was a feat for me – this coming from a Home Health Nurse where my days included visiting 7 or 8 patients, five days a week!! My husband, daughter and son felt I would never survive long enough to attend weddings or share in the joy of having grandchildren. My sister and very best friend, Jane, told me about the Lap Band procedure and Dr. Marley. I did some intensive investigation on my own and attended a seminar with my Mother and sister. I learned the benefits of using the Lap Band as a tool and following the diet and exercise recommendations. I became very determined and with the support of my husband, children and family, I had a Lap Band placed on Feb. 1, 2010. The support of my family and the staff at Dr. Marley’s office has been invaluable. I was compliant with everything they asked me to do and my success of loosing 92 pounds in 14 months is attributable to hard work and their support and counseling. My journey continues and my next goal is to loose a total of 100 pounds by July 2nd, our daughter’s wedding. ( Yes, I made it!) I have resumed my hobby of gardening, enjoy sewing and shopping for hours on end. I have even begun using HIT (high-intensity interval training) and enjoy walks in my neighborhood and the next one too. I am never bored, my husband keeps looking for a shut off switch to get me to sit down for a while! This has truly been a wonderful journey and I am so very pleased with my results. I’m not a “spring chicken” any more, but you are never too old to improve your health and physical abilities. Today according to the BMI chart, I am no longer “morbidly obese” or even “obese” , I’m now “overweight” – for now….
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Rose Ann Kleinman
I want to start by thanking Dr Marley and his entire team. I am very blessed to be a part of this group. When I wasn’t sure if surgery was the right thing for me, I prayed on it. When I received word that everything was approved for the surgery, I knew my prayers had been answered. My surgery was on December 17, 2007, and it is one of the best decisions I have ever made. In addition to having asthma, my legs ached most of the time. I can’t describe how much my life has changed. Not only do I feel better physically, but my self-confidence has improved tremendously. It is so nice to be able to walk a flight of stairs without getting winded, fit into a seat at the movie theater, and buy clothes at local stores. Since my change in lifestyle, I have gone bowling, dancing, and even swimming. There is no way I would have attempted any of these things before. I look forward to the many new adventures I have waiting for me in the future. Thank you to Dr Marley and his staff, for changing my life for the better.
Sincerely,
Rose Ann
