Stories of Success

Sparkle Hill

After a full day working with senior citizens and special needs kids and adults, Sparkle Hill would come home from her job at the Decatur Park District thoroughly exhausted. Her first stop was the bedroom, where she would lie down and wait until the pain went away. She knew the culprit was her weight, an issue she had struggled with most of her life. By March 2015, she weighed 358 pounds. She was tired of being in pain. She knew something had to change.

Nichole Jones

Cassie Pollard

Cassie Pollard's weight steadily increased into her 30s. Fearing diabetes and other health complications, she underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery in 2005. She now enjoys a healthy, active life and is an accomplished runner.

Shirley Black

After coloring on the floor with her 2-year-old niece last September, Shirley Black knew it was finally time to get serious about knee-replacement surgery. She couldn’t get up without help.

Greg Mayes

At 31, Greg was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Three years later, he was still having trouble regulating his blood sugar, and he was beginning to notice increasing health complications due to his diabetes. He knew something had to give.

Margarita Martin

Margarita Martin was tired of excess weight wreaking havoc on her health and underwent a gastric bypass procedure through Memorial's Bariatric Services Program. Now she participates in 5K fun runs, biathlons and even completed a half marathon.

Linda Marr

No matter which diet plan Linda Marr tried, the weight always came back. Linda followed the program the Memorial Bariatric Services team outlined for her, which involved undergoing bariatric surgery in August 2012 and changing her mindset about eating and exercise. Now her self-esteem is back, she's not ashamed of how she looks and she's enjoying exercising with her daughter.

Ginny Fahs

The toughest challenge for Ginny Fahs on her weight loss journey was beating cancer. In 2005, she had begun working with her insurance company to start the approval process for bariatric surgery. Ginny worked with her primary care physician to meet the requirements to have the surgery in 2009. Today she is happier, more outgoing and enjoying life.

Marc Brown

Marc Brown struggled with his weight for much of his life. After undergoing the laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding procedure in 2008, Marc regained his health and reached a healthy weight.