Testimonial
Where to begin, where to begin! As the old story goes, very over weight all of my life. Yes, I was the fattest in my family, fattest kid in the class, fattest on every job, fattest everywhere I went and so on and so on!! I could sit and describe all I have been through and how terrible life has been and how I felt like a prisoner for years because of my obesity. I feel like this is all I ever do, so I decided to share all the good things in my life. These things I want to leave in the past, although still very painful if I let myself dwell on them too long. I am a very positive person. I want to share with the world what the good Lord has done for me. I have been healed. I have had a "MIRACLE" take place in my life. I hope what I have to tell you will both bless you and lift you up.

First let me begin by saying that I am married to the most wonderful man. We have been married for 15 years. He (Brent) has given me so much support in my weight loss surgery journey. I want to thank him for always being there for me. I love him deeply!! What a guy I have!!

My weight loss surgery journey began in January 2001. I started researching Gastric Bypass and knew from the very beginning I would be living again very soon because of this wonderful thing taking place in so many peoples lives. I was in a grocery store one night and saw Carnie Wilson on the cover of a magazine. Something inside me just knew this was for me. I started on www.spotlighthealth.com, which lead me to www.obesityhelp.com. What wonderful web sites these are. I started gathering all the information I could possibly find. Before I knew it I was so hooked, weight loss surgery was all I could think about. It totally took over my life. I contacted as many people in my area as I could find and was given the name of one of the most wonderful men God ever created, Dr. John Husted in Nashville, Tennessee. I called him up, made an appointment and was off to Nashville. I saw Dr. Husted on October 18, 2001 where I attended one of his seminars. He talked of a new surgery procedure he was now doing, Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch. This was the procedure my husband and I were sold on right from the start. I wanted to live as normal as possible after surgery. BPD/DS sounded like it would give me a very normal future.

So, I turned in everything to my insurance company and there was where my world came crashing down around me. I had already been writing letters to my insurance company and trying to convince them that this was my only hope for survival. After I saw Dr. Husted in October, I got down to business. After receiving denial letters, one right after another, I was at my wits end. I will never forget the day I got that last absolutely no, positively no way, stop bugging us denial letter. I cried until I knew I would just burst.

I called my family and friends and told them of the horrible news. Needless to say they were not ready to give up and neither was I. That very night "The Rissa Fund" was born. My family, friends and I came together and set out on a quest that has changed my life forever. After calling the doctor and getting estimates of the BPD/DS cost, we set out to raise the needed funds, $30,000.00 was the goal with only 3 months to raise it. I booked a surgery date, May10, 2002. Not knowing how, when, or where the funds would come from, we stepped out on "FAITH" and began what I now know will be one of the most precious things that could ever happen to a human being. In 3 months I saw family, friends and strangers, "Rissa's Angels", come together to help a very desperate woman in need. By May 9, 2002, we had not raised $30,000.00. Through Faith and a lot of powerful prayers, we raised $35,000.00. Isn't that awesome? God is so good!!

May 10, 2002, I had my surgery!! I had absolutely no complications!! I spent 6 nights and 7 days at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. I had family and friends and the prayers of God's people all the way! I remember asking God if He had a work for me to do and if there were people out there that was going to need me, let me wake up. If He was finished with me, let me go on to heaven, I was ready if He needed me. Needless to say, after I woke up, I knew God had a plan for me. I had a great work to do. Since the day I woke up, I have been sharing my incredible story, motivating others and helping those in need of some encouraging words. I know this is my mission in life. Few people in the world ever find their true calling. I pray my journey will always inspire others to never give up on God. He may not come as soon as you call Him, but He always comes on time!!

Since May, I have begun writing a book of my struggles with obesity. I want to share all the hurt, pain, and now my success. I am hoping to have it finished by May 2004. Although not very educated, I feel God is helping me put into words what I know will come to help others realize there is hope. If it can happen for me, it can happen for anyone!!!

UPDATE!!!
5-10-03 Happy 1 Year Anniversary to me, Happy 1 Year Anniversary to me!!!! What a difference a Year makes. Let's compare, shall we. May 10, 2002 568lbs. May 10, 2003 393lbs. May 10, 2002 BMI - 95, May 10, 2003 BMI - 65. 105 inches gone bye bye!! This is a total of 175lbs. lost in only 1 year. Not bragging, just stating the facts!! LOL May 10, 2002 I was in a wheel chair, May 9 & 10, 2003 walked in a charity relay. I walked 2 1/2 miles. May 10, 2002 doctors said I have 5 years to live (maybe). May 10, 2003 very alive and couldn't kill me if you tried!! LOL May 10, 2002 couldn't walk from my living room to my bathroom without gasping for air. May 10,2003 working out at the gym 5 days a week, 3 to 4 hours a day, walking 45 minutes on the treadmill and riding a bike for 20 miles, lifting weights and getting buff I might add!! LOL This past week I mowed our yard, how about that? This past week I started a support group and had a great turnout. Can't wait until next month. I could ramble on for at lease 10 more pages, but I don't want to lose you!! LOL This WLS has been a miracle!! If you are visiting my story for the first time and you can not make the decision to have WLS or not, GO FOR IT BABY!!! If you are visiting for the umpteenth time, welcome back to my wonderful life!!! I would love to hear from you guys. Please drop me an email and let me know what is going on in your life. Oh yes, I forgot to put in my size of clothing. May 10, 2002 6x. May 10, 2003 3x. I am so skinny bound!! Yeahhhhhhh me!!! Keeping the Faith & never losing sight of a wonderful future, Rissa

UPDATE!!!
9-26-03 200lbs. and 125 inches gone forever!!! My weight is now 368lbs!

UPDATE!!! February,2004
Hi everyone! Just wanted to give a quick update on my progress thus far. It has been 21 months since "My New Life" began. I have lost 218lbs. and 133 inches. My weight loss has slowed down a great deal and it scares me. Jennifer assured me that it was just the 3 melon size hernias that I have. As soon as those come out.......the weight loss will return. Of course, with me, it's the old insurance issue. But, I have Faith that help is on the way!!! Keep me in your prayers.

PS If you are in the Clinton, Knoxville, Oak Ridge area, I have a support group "Angel's of Obesity Support," at The Clinton Physical Therapy Center. We meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6:00pm. You are very welcomed to attend.