Confidence and energy restored

LAKE LINDEN -- After finding herself 146 pounds overweight, Kim Hicks of Lake Linden decided to undergo gastric bypass surgery.

Kim's stomach was redesigned so it's now about the size of a walnut.  It's been eighteen months since the operation, and although Kim has lost well over 100 pounds, eating is still a challenge.

"Trying to get the minimum protein requirements and just overall finding things--foods that I can tolerate--it's been a challenge.  One day something will agree with me and the next, it just doesn't," explained Kim.

And now it's more important than ever for Kim to get the necessary nutrients because she's thirteen weeks pregnant.

After starting off eating only liquid and pureed foods, Kim is now eating the same things as the rest of her family, just in much smaller portions and with much less sugar.

But even though eating may be difficult, her family is still pleased with the results.

"Oh I'm very happy that she had the surgery done.  At first I was a little skeptical about it; you hear some nightmare stories, but the progress has been wonderful," stated her husband.

Increased energy levels, more confidence, and being treated better by the public are some of the positive results from the surgery.

"I've noticed that I'm treated differently since I've lost the weight.  People are faster to open doors for me and hold doors open than before, so I've noticed a big difference in the way I'm treated," Kim stated.

It's been a difficult journey for Kim and her family, but a decision that she would make all over again.