Woman loses 400 pounds thanks to Gastric Bypass
A Durham woman is starting over after losing 400 pounds. Her name is Jackie Finley and she credits doctors at UNC Hospitals with saving her life.
Just 21-months ago, Jackie weighed 627-pounds. She was bedridden and could barely move.
Now she's celebrating her 400-pound weight loss with family and friends.
Jackie had high hopes after undergoing gastric bypass surgery in Virginia in August 2004, but serious complications put Jackie back in the hospital for 16-months. Trouble with absorption, diarrhea and very rapid weight loss.
After several infections and nine days in a coma, doctors at UNC Hospitals performed a second surgery. They maintained the small pouch and bypassed some of the small intestine, but reversed some of the bypass that she had.
As a result, Jackie is now out of the hospital and getting stronger. Her friends are cheering her one.
Jackie's progress is being featured in a special on the Discovery Health Channel. She hopes people will see the show and know there's always hope. "At 600 pounds you don't believe that there's anyway out," Jackie said. "You just assume that that's your lot in life and that other people might get well, and your recovery is impossible. But now I'm here to testify anybody can do it."
Jackie says she plans to have more surgeries in the future to remove excess skin and maybe a face lift.
I love you Jackie!!
Posted by: | June 03, 2007 at 02:55 AM
Jackie, I have just watched your show and i have to say i am blown away by you. I am in australia and have had a lap band for 5 months. You are an absoloute inspiration and i dearly hope to see another show of your progress.
Posted by: Nicole | June 07, 2007 at 08:31 AM
Its amazing that a person could stay so optimistic in a condition like that. I'm glad to hear everything went well with her.
Posted by: AH | June 13, 2007 at 08:46 PM
YOU HAVE SUCH A BLESSED PERSONALITY, I AM SO PROUD OF YOU AND YOUR PATIENT WITH MEDICAL PEOPLE IN THE MEDICAL FIELD. GOD BLESS YOUR SITTER YOU IS A BLESSING. I WORK IN THE MEDICAL FIELD AND TO SEE HOW MUCH YOU APPRECIATE ALL THOSE WHO HELPED YOU REGARDLESS WHAT LEVEL OF MEDICAL ABILITIES IS JUST REMARKABLE, SO MANY PEOPLE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS TYPE OF HELP AND CONCERN. GOOD LOOK IN YOUR CHALLENGE AND I HOPE ALL GOES WELL FOR YOU. MY FAMILY AND I SAW THE TV PROGRAM AND WE ARE JUST OVERWHELMBED IN YOUR COURAGE AND STRENGTH. STAY IN THERE AND GOD BLESS YOU
Posted by: SHIRLEY | June 14, 2007 at 01:44 PM
YOU HAVE SUCH A BLESSED PERSONALITY, I AM SO PROUD OF YOU AND YOUR PATIENT WITH MEDICAL PEOPLE IN THE MEDICAL FIELD. GOD BLESS YOUR SITTER YOU IS A BLESSING. I WORK IN THE MEDICAL FIELD AND TO SEE HOW MUCH YOU APPRECIATE ALL THOSE WHO HELPED YOU REGARDLESS WHAT LEVEL OF MEDICAL ABILITIES IS JUST REMARKABLE, SO MANY PEOPLE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS TYPE OF HELP AND CONCERN. GOOD LOOK IN YOUR CHALLENGE AND I HOPE ALL GOES WELL FOR YOU. MY FAMILY AND I SAW THE TV PROGRAM AND WE ARE JUST OVERWHELMBED IN YOUR COURAGE AND STRENGTH. STAY IN THERE AND GOD BLESS YOU
Posted by: SHIRLEY | June 14, 2007 at 01:44 PM
Jackie, I watched your show a couple of times, and I want to say what a marvelous and kind person you are. You have such a sweet personality and really appreciate everything that paramedics and drs. and even your aide
give you. Hang in there. You are a "special" lady and God is taking extra care to watch over everything that's happening. Looking forward to updates on your success from weight loss surgery.
Posted by: Del | June 28, 2007 at 07:06 PM
Dear Jackie,
Your story is so much to my life story. My grandmother nhad so many problems, she got to be 511 pounds and has Diabetis and back and leg problems and I saw how much you were in pain last night when I watched you get into the van and you are just like how my grandma was..watching you made me cry so hard because I wich my grandma would have gotten the treatment you did form the doctors and from the paramedics that helped you. She was treated so bad and looked at like she was a huge creature that nobodys seen before. My grandma suffered Hell on Earth and now Im so happy to say that she is with her Lord in Heaven watching down on people like you trying to make your stay down here a little better. Everyday I think of my Grandma and now I will think of you too. Thank You Jackie!! God Bless You and Write me back!! :)
Posted by: Kaitlyn | September 10, 2007 at 10:48 AM
Jackie, you are an inspiration!! I hope you can lead a healthy and happy life and be the best you can be! I will be sending you great thoughts along my lifetime!
Susan
Posted by: Susan | September 16, 2007 at 08:50 PM
Jackie,
Your story was absolutley amazing. Your spirit, your personality...everything about you is wonderful. I have watched your special several times and recently viewed the follow-up story. Wow. Keep being an inspiration. Keep your faith in God. Keep being the wonderful, beautiful woman that you are.
Live life to the fullest, and God bless!
Posted by: Shantel | November 04, 2007 at 08:15 PM
Jackie,
I watched your story last night and was so touched by it. I hope you are doing well and continue to get your life back. Your personality was so great, you really had a rough recovery. Praying for you to have the faith and strength to continue.
Posted by: Terri | December 10, 2007 at 02:49 PM
It's January 1, 2008 - does anyone know how Jackie is doing as of now? Her story is amazing and I would like to know if she is still okay.
Posted by: Sharon | January 02, 2008 at 02:45 AM
Jackie,
My nine year old son and I watched your show and were touched by your story. How are you? Is the follow up story airing any time soon? We just saw the first one. Your an inspiration to all. Good luck to you.
Posted by: Ruth | January 03, 2008 at 02:23 PM
Go here: http://www.figure8films.tv/shows/6ps.htm and then scroll down to where it says "Contact Jackie" and watch the video!
I'm not sure when the followup show is going to be on again but I would LOVE to see it!
Posted by: Karrie | January 09, 2008 at 11:10 PM
God bless you Jackie! My wife and I saw the show last night and we are so glad that you are doing better.
Posted by: John | January 10, 2008 at 02:24 PM
Jackie has lost 425 pounds, she and a girl Robin have a show coming out on discovery health in May, she had to get opened back up and get re-bypassed, was on a coma, lots of things.
Posted by: Clare | January 17, 2008 at 02:52 PM
Jackie, I am so proud of you. You have been such an inspiration and your story made me cry for you.
I hope your life is much better now, I really feel for you.
I hope you are well.
Posted by: Andrew | March 10, 2008 at 08:16 AM
Jackie
I hope you're having a happy, healthy life.
Posted by: Evelyn | April 24, 2008 at 04:00 PM
Jackie - I just watched your story on Discovery. You are so amazing! You are always kind to those around you and remind me why God put us all on this earth - to be kind and compassionate of all people. You inspire me. I will keep you in my prayers and may God bless you, your sister, and all your helpers.
Posted by: Lynn | July 27, 2008 at 10:23 PM
Jackie,
I just saw your special on Discovery Health Channel. My heart went out to you when I watched you get in the van--I was cheering you on because I know how badly you wanted this. With your determination I knew you would be okay. Your story is an inspiration to others. I would like to know how you are doing now--I see you have lost 400 lbs. WOW! I am so glad to see that you have achieved your goal! Congratulations on your success and good luck to you in the future.
Posted by: Robin | July 28, 2008 at 12:27 AM
Hi, Jackie,
Wow, what a testament to human ability! I hope you have regained your womanly feeling! Good luck for a healthy life!
Posted by: Laura | September 10, 2008 at 11:29 PM
Jackie, your story was so inspirational. I wish that I could know you in person, because you seem to be on the nicest, most gracious, and most beautiful person in the world! I hope that you are still doing great!
Posted by: Beth | September 17, 2008 at 07:26 PM
Dear Jackie,
Your story is such an inspiration to me! You have such courage. I am a large lady and would like to overcome my obesity...your story has inspired me so much to try, to stay strong, and keep a sense of humor in it all. It would be a wonderful thing to know you in real life because you are such an amazing lady that you could be a role model to me as I go through my try to loose the weight and become more healthy. God Bless You Jackie! Thank you for sharing your amazing story!
Posted by: Vicki | November 17, 2008 at 03:10 AM
God Bless you Jackie! You are an absolute inspiration! The fact that you faced and BEAT such a huge challenge like that is a testimate to your character. It makes me so happy to know that you can now enjoy life! You deserve it! Much much love!! God bless!!!
Posted by: | November 17, 2008 at 03:16 AM
I'm sorry, having just watched this story on Discovery i have to ask why on on earth is she an inspiration to everyone? C'mon people!!! Is she an inspiration to eat yourself to such a size that you no longer class yourself as human? She hasnt done anything independant herself, and has let the hospital staff, doctors and carers do everything for her, from the surgery to the rehabilitation three times a week (why oh why is she is in bed the other 4 days and not doing things for herself?). Prior to the operation, if she was able to walk to the car for her operation, why then could she not have walked more often rather than lying in bed for a year? I tell you why, laziness. Easier to lie in bed and reach over to the microwave than walk to the kitchen and make yourself something to eat (and not a fried cheese toastie). This operation is not the quick fix everyone (including Jackie) thinks it is. Most likely, Jackie will suffer malnutrition for the rest of her life. I also see from recent pictures she is still in a wheelchair even 4 years after her initial operation. This video should serve as a warning to others and not glorify this operation which shows that the short, medium and long term effects are still not fully known.
Posted by: S. Jim the realist | November 25, 2008 at 06:41 PM
Yes S. Jim the Realist...you are sorry...a sorry excuse for a human. Get off the planet fool.
You rock Jackie & are a kind and gentle soul. Take care of yourself.
XXXXOOOO
Posted by: Fool Fighter | December 02, 2008 at 09:36 PM