Success Stories
Regaining A Healthy Body - Weight Loss Surgery Success Stories
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Meet Noel Humphrey
San Clemente Grandmother Loses 115 Pounds
"Finds New Lease On Life At Age 61"
For most of her adult life, Noel R. Humphrey, 61, a San Clemente resident, has been overweight. Although she weighed 117 pounds when she married her husband, Dennis, in 1967, she grew heavier over the years - attributing her excess weight to a lifetime of yo-yo dieting. Her health suffered, she found it difficult to get around, but the thing that finally persuaded her to seek a new solution was that she could not get down on the ground to play with her grandchildren. "I have three beautiful grandchildren - 10 months, 13 months and 2 years," Humphry, 61, says with pride. "Yet, I was too large to play with them on the floor, and I could not lift them up and hold them. It was very discouraging."
While Humphrey had become frustrated trying to accomplish everyday activities, her primary care physician was more worried about her health, particularly the shape of her heart and her knees. He referred her to Brian Quebbemann, M.D., Surgical Director of The N.E.W. Program at CALSURG (Center for Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery). "Laparoscopic weight-loss surgery involves making tiny incisions, about one-half inch long, as opposed to a long incision that can take weeks or even months to heal," explains Dr. Quebbemann. "Our patients typically leave the hospital on the first or second day following surgery, and many patients take no pain medication by the fourth post-operative day." Humphrey attended one of Dr. Quebbemann's informational seminars in spring 2002 and liked what she heard. Humphrey says, "I found the weight-loss surgery concept intriguing, and my husband was also extremely supportive. He is the epitome of health - throwing the javelin, running and lifting weights - and the only thing he said to me was, 'I plan on living a long time, and I want you to live a long life with me.'"
After a comprehensive evaluation, Humphrey underwent minimally invasive gastric bypass on May 19, 2002. Right after undergoing the procedure, she flew to Hawaii to "recuperate" and visit her granddaughter. She has now lost 115 pounds, going from a dress size 3X to 14 petite - and she is determined to lose 20 more pounds. "Today, none of my friends recognize me - my body is so different," she says. "Even more importantly, my health has improved. Without a doubt, the surgery saved my life. The entire experience has given me a whole new lease on life." And now Humphrey can indulge in her favorite activity any time she likes - getting down on the ground to play with her grandchildren.