Carol Poe, of Morgantown, told television host Oprah Winfrey that she never thought shed have experimental brain surgery to help her lose weight.

But its the best thing Ive ever done,Poe said Thursday during taping of a segment for Winfrey’s popular talk show.

Poe and West Virginia University neurosurgeon Dr. Don Whiting are guests on the Oprah show scheduled to air on Tuesday, April 28. They appear with Oprah health expert Dr. Mehmet Oz.

WVU neurosurgeons Drs. Whiting and Michael Oh are conducting a pilot study to determine the efficacy of deep brain stimulation for the treatment of obesity. Surgeons operated on the first patient in November 2008 and on Poe in early February of this year.

Poe told Oprah that she has lost more than 11 pounds so far and has noticed changes in her appetite and desire for food. She is making better food choices and has joined a gym.

Whiting said surgery for a third patient is scheduled for early June. He said the success of the first three patients in sustaining significant weight loss will determine whether the study will be expanded beyond the initial three patients, as approved by the Food and Drug Administration.