Weight Loss Surgery At Piedmont-Piedmont Medical Center-Rock Hill, SC

Some people spend years caught in a cycle of losing and gaining weight. Fortunately, morbidly obese people who have tried and failed to lose weight may find success with bariatric surgery, available at Piedmont Medical Center.

A Rock Hill family made bariatric surgery a family affair—and combined they have lost more than 400 pounds! Sisters Tamara Kennington and Tosha Plyler and Tosha’s son, Jay Wright, all battled with weight.

At 28, Jay had sleep apnea, high blood pressure and was at risk for diabetes. Jay had another reason to get his health in order: his baby girl, just shy of her first birthday.

Jay before surgery

After consulting with Piedmont’s Alex Espinal, MD, Jay had gastric bypass surgery in December 2006. Since, Jay has lost 140 pounds and maintains his weight with swimming, cardio workouts, basketball and play dates with his daughter. His medical issues disappeared with the weight. Jay looks and feels like a new man.

Tamara, Jay's aunt, was inspired by his results.

A Fresh Strategy

Jay’s Aunt Tamara, who weighed 340, was so impressed, she considered bypass surgery.

She struggled with daily insulin shots for diabetes, sleep apnea and high blood pressure. She saw Jay leading a normal life that didn’t require him "to live on protein drinks and lettuce." A yo-yo dieter who once lost 138 pounds on a 500-calorie daily diet, she felt she needed a different strategy to succeed.

Tamara called Dr. Espinal, and, in August 2007, had gastric bypass. In the hospital, she stopped needing insulin and high-blood pressure medication and slept without a CPAP machine for sleep apnea. Her life has changed significantly. She eventually lost 153 pounds and felt more energetic and now walks most every day.

Before surgery, Tamara was insulin-dependent.

Tamara describes her life now. "We watch what goes in our mouth, we work on what is in our head, and we exercise and stay active. Gastric bypass surgery has given us a chance to live the best life possible."

After surgery, Tosha lost 85 pounds and enjoys life.

Another Success Story

Tosha weighed 300 pounds and had the same health problems as her sister. Approaching 50, she wanted a new body and different frame of mind. With two family success stories, Tosha was eager to benefit from weight-loss surgery. She had gastric bypass in June 2008 and has lost 85 pounds.

She’s like a new woman," Tamara says. "Her body feels as young as her mind, and she is ready to enjoy life."

Tamara says, "Is bypass surgery a miracle? No. Is it easy? No. It is a tool to be used every day."

Before surgery, Tosha wanted to sleep most of the day.

"She’s like a new woman," Tamara says. "Her body feels as young as her mind, and she is ready to enjoy life."

Tamara says, "Is bypass surgery a miracle? No. Is it easy? No. It is a tool to be used every day."

Guidelines recommend bariatric surgery only to those with a Body Mass Index (BMI) equal to or greater than 40, or equal to or greater than 35 with serious co-morbidities. Weight loss after bariatric surgery varies by patient.

222 S Herlong Ave, Rock Hill, SC 29732 | 803-329-1234

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