Hello, 

My name is Trisha Wallen and this is my journey! 

            In 2003 and 2004 my doctor, Dr. Eric Yoon, kept on me about smoking and being over weight. He mentioned this weight loss surgery that I should have! I would not even talk about it! I told Dr. Yoon that I really did not need to go through all of that stuff!

He got really serious with me and said, "If you do not have this surgery, you will see an early death and I, as a doctor, refuse to bury a patient younger than me!" My visit was over with him and, in the privacy of my car, I started to cry!

           Then, late in '05, they found a leak in my heart and 2 small tears. That scared me a lot. So, with all of what Dr. Yoon said and now, with what the cardiologist's is telling me, I decide to take Dr. Yoon's advice to have the weight loss surgery and to stop smoking. I was 480 lbs. at that time, very diabetic (insulin and pill dependent). I was on all the blood pressure meds, cholesterol medicine, aspirin, and some meds for anxiety! 

          So, I went to a presentation where I met Jean Dugger. I was very interested in her story and, at the same time, a little leery and afraid of this.  With the information from the presentation, I started researching all about gastric bypass surgeries. Then, I made an appointment for April 3, 2006! Like all newbies, I also canceled it due to fear and insecurities from myself and family members. I finally made the decision to have the surgery about a week later due to not being able to breathe.  I called the Dayton Bariatric Center and made my 2nd appointment, June 16, 2006. 

The night before surgery, now don't laugh at me, I took a long look in the mirror. I studied every roll, every chin, and every inch of this fat that I had (all 480lbs)! I remembered every orca name I had been called, every nasty look that was given to me, and every whisper that was whispered! Then, I studied my eyes, nose, ears, hands, arms, legs, and well yes, even the parts that made me get into some funny looking positions in front of that mirror (mind you I was home alone). As I sat there in front of that mirror I told all of my fat goodbye and to never ever return! That was the last time I looked into a mirror. It is now almost 2 years and I am now at 190lbs, a gallbladder lighter and a whole lot healthier! Yes, I have looked into the mirror and I really can not believe that that's me looking back.

This has been my journey and, if I could find Dr. Yoon, I would hug him and thank him for waking me up and saving my life!

                                                                               Trisha Wallen

190 lbs June 11, 2008