Metro woman shares dramatic weight loss success story; How did she do it? – kfor.com

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NORMAN, Okla. – Last fall, we first told you about a brand-new way to trim your waistline – the Orbera weight loss balloon procedure, which promised great results without invasive surgery.

To see how the method worked, Rhonda Hickman agreed to let us follow her on a pretty personal journey to lose weight and change her life.

When we first met Hickman, she told us her goal was to lose around 40 pounds.

Losing weight had always been a challenge for her.

“I’ve done Weight Watchers. I’ve done low-fat, high-protein diets. I have actually done weight loss pills, but the weight has actually always seemed to come back,” Hickman said.

This time around, Hickman decided to try something different.

It looks like a small balloon filled along with water.

Once placed in the stomach, it makes you feel full.

“It kind of feels like you’ve had a partial Thanksgiving dinner all the time,” said Dr. Ronnie Keith, who performed Hickman’s balloon placement procedure at his clinic, Dr. Keith’s Wellness Options in Norman.

The method is designed to help those wanting to lose 40 to 100 pounds but do not want traditional weight loss surgery or the down time that comes along with it.

“It’s a reasonable risk procedure. Again, it’s not for everyone. Your patients that are bigger, that have actually indications for weight loss surgery, that’s still going to be the better option,” Keith said.

Hickman was among the first patients in the country to try the procedure, but that did not scare her at all.

She thoroughly researched the Orbera balloon and put her faith in Keith and his staff, hoping for great results.

Her goal was to lose around 40 pounds.

So, how did she do?

Last fall, after having the balloon placed, Hickman lost twelve pounds the first week.

After one month, she was down 16 pounds but did not stop there.

It’s now been six months.

Hickman is down four dress sizes and has actually lost 37 pounds, just shy of her original goal.

“Rhonda’s been a champ, though. She’s worked real hard,” Keith said.

The day we met up along with Hickman for her big reveal, she was having the balloon removed.

“I feel like a brand-new woman today,” Hickman said.

She had to go under for the short, out-patient procedure, which lasted a couple of hours.

Hickman tells us she is not worried about the weight coming back, and she hopes to motivate others.

“There’s a lot of people that have actually had the same struggles I’ve had, so it’s been rewarding to be able to help,” Hickman said.

Hickman’s big smile as she steps onto the scale at Keith’s office tells us she is pretty happy along with her brand-new figure.

She gives her husband, Eddie, a lot of credit for standing by her all the way.

In fact, he is a little lighter too, thanks to Hickman’s total diet and exercise makeover.

“He’s lost about 20 pounds, and he’s working out at the gym along with me as well, so we’ve been able to do that together as a family,” Hickman said.

Hickman is now focused on her family and her more healthy lifestyle.

“It’s just been an amazing journey,” Hickman said.

And, for Hickman, it does not end here.

She will continue to follow a healthy diet and check in regularly along with Keith and his staff for the next months to keep her on track.