Leslie Hickle and Sylvia England Weight Loss

Looking at before photos, you would never expect that the person sitting before you now was the same person. It’s not just the 130 pound difference, although that is obvious, but the spark in her eyes that is such a stark difference from before. Although a happy, friendly person, Leslie Hickle (now 38) was never fully satisfied with herself. Until now.

But she is not the only one with that newly acquired spark – her mother, Sylvia England, now also has a shine of her own. Sylvia has lost 81 pounds and says she owes a huge thank you to the team at the Tennessee Weight Loss & Surgery Center at The University of Tennessee Medical Center not only for her but her daughter as well.

Both women faced obstacles that kept them from making better choices in their lives. Leslie works in the corporate office of a fast food chain, and Sylvia transports cars, which puts her on the road a lot. Both with hectic lives and poor food options put before them each day. Together, both mother and daughter began the journey that changed their lives.

In September 2007, Leslie supported her mom by going to a weight loss surgery seminar at UT Medical Center. Not intending to go there for herself, Leslie ended up really liking what she heard and already was familiar with the Lap Band® procedure. “Right away, I knew it was something I wanted,” she says. “I had joint pain, foot pain, asthma and high blood pressure and cholesterol. It was really bad that I had to start taking blood pressure medication at 26 years old. All of these health issues continued as I got older.”

Although her husband, Brad, was a little nervous, he supported Leslie’s decision. She had struggled with being overweight since she was 12 years old. And, at 5’2” and 309 pounds, she was done. Leslie met with Dr. Greg Mancini, a surgeon at UT Medical Center, about her health issues. Her treatment would be weight loss with exercise and dietary changes and then the Lap-Band® procedure. She was ready and even purchased a kayak that would be her reward for losing weight.
Dr. Mancini performed the Lap-Band surgery with much success on March 11, 2008. Now celebrating her 2-year mark, Leslie is thrilled with her 130-pound weight loss and feels like a new person. “It was the best decision I’ve ever made for myself,” she says with a huge smile.

Sylvia, on the other hand, inspired by the same seminar in 2007, took a little longer to have the surgery due to other health issues. “I met with Dr. Mancini about having an appendectomy and cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal),” she explains. “I spoke with him about my weight concerns, and after that I went to the first seminar and knew it was for me. And, of course, my daughter had made the decision for her, too.”

Sylvia began gaining weight in her late 20s after a hysterectomy. Sylvia already had appendix and gallbladder problems, but she also faced new medications regularly and was borderline diabetic. “I thought, ‘I’ve got to do something,’” she reminisced. “I couldn’t even walk up steps. I had tried just about every diet that existed, but I had a lot of stress, did a lot of emotional eating and now have a job where I am on the go and in need of quick meals. A lot people have a fear of surgery, but I had to weigh the price of keeping on this same road and wondering what kind of life I would have later. I wanted the rest of my life to be healthier.”

Dr. Mancini began Sylvia on a medical weight loss plan that included meal replacements. On Dec. 16, 2008, Dr. Mancini successfully performed the Lap-Band procedure that lead to big changes in Sylvia’s life. “It was the best thing I’ve ever done for myself as well,” she says.

One year after her surgery, Leslie joined a gym and continues to work out several times a week. She also found great support online and through support groups. At 179 pounds, her greatest thrill, she says is, “I can wear jeans and cross my legs. Such simple things really, but I appreciate them now.” Sylvia loves being able to walk more than just a few steps at a time, tying her shoes with ease and the long future she has with her grandchildren.

Leslie and Sylvia both say they would caution anyone that jumps into surgery blindly. They recommend doing the research, making sure it is right for you, getting support and then dedicating yourself to the decision and the changes you will need to make before making the lifetime commitment. “Weight loss surgery is not a magic pill,” Leslie explains. “It is a tool. If you don’t work it, it won’t work for you. There are obstacles out there, but it’s up to you to make the right choices. It’s an elective surgery, but it really saved my life.”

Sylvia and Leslie both have changed their lives, and they continue to live up to their end of the deal: making healthier lifestyle decisions. Sylvia walks everyday (about 5 miles), and Leslie? Well, you can find her in her kayak on Little River.