Christine Hunker

"In the summer of 2009 I had reached my lowest point. I weighed over 325 pounds and had recently been diagnosed with high blood pressure, diabetes and severe sleep apnea. I had begun researching multiple weight loss surgery options and decided to have gastric bypass surgery after attending a seminar provided by Brandon Hospital."

"I had been a typical yo-yo dieter for years and always re-gained the weight I had lost and added a few pounds after every attempt. I felt like this was my best option to finally be successful and healthy. I was unable to have an enjoyable life. I would go to work, come home and go to bed. I couldn't even tie my own shoes without being out of breath. My husband was left to complete all of the daily chores of shopping, housekeeping, laundry and cooking. He never complained, but I knew how tired he always was and I harbored huge feelings of guilt and shame. How could I have let this happen to me? When I was a teenager, I was a normal, healthy young woman. After marriage, I abused my body with the mass quantities of food I would consume on a daily basis. After my doctor told me I was slowly killing myself, I decided enough was enough. I needed to take control of my life and get healthy. I had gastric bypass surgery in August of 2009. This was the tool I needed to gain control of my hunger and begin the journey to taking my life back."

"I lost 186 pounds in 14 months and began a healthy lifestyle which included exercise, water, supplementation and portion control. The result is incredible. I am finally living a normal life. No longer do I feel leg, back and joint pain. I no longer have diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea. I can finally enjoy getting up in the morning, going for a 5 mile run and I love being able to go to work without total exhaustion."

"It has been a lot of work, dedication and the results have been phenomenal. This surgery has provided me with the hope of living the rest of my life with my wonderful husband, family and friends; being happy and most importantly, healthy!"

"I will always be grateful to the wonderful staff of Brandon Hospital, Dr. Alfredo Fernandez and his staff and the support group which I attend. Without all of their help, I wouldn't have become the success story I am today."

"You can view my story in a pictorial at: My Incredible Weight Loss Story"