Megan Smith

"It has been a life changing event and I am so much more confident," said Megan Smith, who spent most of her life as a heavy child. On April 14, 2008, she had a life-changing operation. Inspired by Gail Eubank, a mathematics teacher formerly of Central Academy Middle School and of late at Read Mountain Middle School, Smith decided to have her stomach stapled. Eubank had a gastric bypass operation several years ago, lost a great amount of weight and is now a fitness trainer and advocate to the those who have a lot of weight to lose.

It was not an easy decision for Smith, who is 21 years old, and a 2006 graduate of James River High School. At first her mother feared the operation and for her safety but after research and support from her stepfather and father, Smith began to look for the right surgeon. There was a misstep with a doctor in Lubbock, Texas, and then Smith found a surgeon in Roanoke, Dr. Tanachi Lucktong, at Roanoke Memorial. For two weeks prior to the surgery she drank only Slimfast and lost 20 pounds so she could under go a laparoscopy procedure rather than a major surgery. The surgeon placed three titanium staples to band her stomach. After a three-day stay in the hospital she was on her way to a new life.

"Stapling limits the amount of food consumed and if you eat too much it comes back up," said Smith. She had to learn that a cupful was going to be the meal -- no more picnic plates of food. Since the surgery she has lost 163 and a half pounds and continues to lose. People are amazed by her new look.

"I have no definite goal," she said of how much she will lose. Some of the changes? "I have cheeks now, I also have collar bones!" she said with a laugh. A very pretty girl always, but now her striking light blue eyes are smiling as well as her countenance. "It has given me so much confidence." She has a new boyfriend, Ben Craft of Roanoke, and she is having a good time being a young adult.

She is no longer on any medication for a pre-diabetic condition and said, "I feel 10 times better now." Certain smells make her feel nauseated. "Things like frying hamburger and egg salad -- anything with a strong odor," she said.

She works on her feet at Fincastle Pharmacy and walks around town for exercise. Advice to someone who might consider the stomach staple operation? "Think about this long and hard because it can be a life-changing event." She knows that people have to see ahead of time how it will change not only eating habits but perception and self-esteem. For Megan having the procedure has been a really great and inspirational change in her whole life.