For people who are morbidly obese, one of the only options for a healthy lifestyle is gastric bypass surgery or banding. For one Sioux Falls woman in her 40's, it was a life altering decision and one she is so glad she made.

Three years ago, walking down the hallway at work at Galland Law Firm in Sioux Falls at a quick pace would have been impossible for Vicki Tucek. At the age of 44 she made what she calls one of the biggest and best decisions of her life. She had gastric bypass surgery. It changes the anatomy of the digestive system to extremely limit the amount of food you can eat and digest.

Vicki says, "The first 100 lbs came off by December. So from June to December 2004 it came off fast and then it slowed up. At my present weight the doctors told me my life expectancy would be 55 years old. You don't see fat people in nursing homes."

After years of yo yo dieting and trying every diet program, she decided to go under the knife. She had high blood pressure, pre-diabetic plus had trouble walking and getting up and down. She just didn't feel well and certainly didn't feel good about her body.

"I don't think it's for everyone but if you are willing to make a commitment for major change and follow the program it's great, " she says. 

She's lost 135 pounds and has gone from a size 24 to a size 8. The 47 year old is a whole new, smaller, happier person. She says the only things she can't eat are super sweet foods.. like cheesecake.. or really fatty food. If she does she gets very sick.

For more information call 877-at-AVERA or go to www.averamckennan.com