Darlene Pierson of Modesto opted for gastric bypass surgery for medical reasons.

Her osteoporosis caused so much hip pain that her husband almost had to lift her into the passenger seat of their motor home. Her doctor suggested that dramatic weight loss would relieve the pressure on her hips.

Starting at 235 pounds, all of the weight came off within nine months of the 2004 surgery at Memorial Medical Center. Today, she maintains her weight at 130. The joint pain is gone and she goes on motorcycle rides with her husband, Ken.  Click here for full article.