Melody Thomas
Before |
After |
"Instead of writing about an adventurous life, now I'm able to experience it first hand due to the weight loss surgery I had at Silver Cross Hospital," said Melody Thomas, Channahon resident and three-time nominated author by Romantic Times. "Since I lost 120 pounds, I have been able to be more active. In fact while vacationing in Hawaii this past summer, I was able to scuba dive and jump off of a waterfall."
“Prior to my surgery, I suffered from high blood pressure, sleep apnea and painful joints and knees,” said Thomas. “After losing the weight, my blood pressure has lowered, I sleep through the night and I can walk up stairs pain free.”
After watching a friend in her writers’ group who underwent the surgery progress into a healthier person, Thomas was inspired and attended an educational seminar held at Silver Cross. Melody says, “The seminar was a great way to become educated on the entire process of bariatric surgery. Once I learned what my options were with the surgery, my apprehensions were alleviated and I became more determined to live a healthier life.”
Melody underwent laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery in late summer of 2006. And since then, she has gone from a clothing size of 24 to 2.
"Dr. Joyce was the answer to my prayers, I wouldn't have been so successful in my weight loss if it were not for him and his extremely personable staff," said Thomas.
“Melody is a wonderful example of how life-changing bariatric surgery can be,” says Dr. Joyce. “Her new passion for life truly shows when you talk with her.”