“The weight loss has given me the ability to really live my life again.”

My name is Eveleine Currier and I am a Patient Facilitator for Dr. Kuri. I want to thank him for helping me to make the best decision I could have ever made. The LAP-BAND has given me my life back. The weight loss has given me the ability to really live my life again. To be able to share my story and help others achieve their goals is the greatest gift I can give in return.

My story, hmmm…. well it seems one day I just realized I got fat, and I couldn’t help but think, “how the heck did that happen?” I had never had a weight issue as a child. I was always active and had a high metabolism. I guess I took that for granted when I met my husband and life just seemed to slow down. Being married, I started making dinner with desert to follow and staying home instead of going out dancing. Every time clothes got a little tight I would just go shopping. Then, one day I woke up and I wasn’t a size 3 anymore… I was an 18+.

I started to go through the diet fads one-by-one. You name it, I tried it. The weight would start to come off and then I would lose interest. Yo-yo dieting was hard on the mind and body.

At 31 I decided enough was enough, surgical intervention was going to be the answer. In doing my research, I felt I was too young to go the rest of my life with the side effects of gastric bypass.

Then I saw a medical program about the LAP-BAND procedure. All I could think was, “WOW this is for me!” A friend and I did months of research, but we still had so many questions. It was so great to learn about a gastric weight loss tool that is adjustable and even removable. We found Dr. Kuri and knew that his experience and success with so many patients would help us. Of course I made her go first, and we were on our way.

The day of surgery I weighed in at 242 pounds. At 5’8’’ that was a reality slap from the 120 pounds I was used to. The surgery was very easy for me; after a few days of being sore, I was back to work. The hardest part was making the decision to take control of my weight and eating habits. No longer was a large pizza going to be the answer! Feeling good and looking good was going to be the reward.

I was banded on August 12, 2004 and lost 50 pounds by January 2005. I found out a month later that I was pregnant with my second child. Dr. Kuri drained my fill to 1.0cc and said to watch my eating and exercise and that I should only gain healthy 25-30 pounds. “Yeah, right” I thought. With my first pregnancy I gained 65 pounds! Well, he was right I gained 28 pounds over the whole pregnancy and lost 38 pounds about six weeks later. And not even three years out and one pregnancy later I have lost over 100 pounds and feel great.

he best advice I can give to anyone feeling trapped with their weight, is do your research but don’t waste valuable years before you to do something about it. Stays focused on your weight loss goals and remember that the band is simply a tool to help you achieve those goals. You will still have to do your part with proper diet choices, self-control, and exercise. The LAP-BAND has so much to offer as a weight loss tool.

To Dr. Kuri, once again, thank you. Thank you for being a great Doctor and sincerely a wonderful spirit to know and call my friend. To make everyone feel special and capable of success is a gift you gives us all.

Eveleine Currier
Patient Facilitator
Banded August 12, 2004

* Results may vary.