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Success Stories Kathy and Robin "More Benefits of the Lap Band!"
After a year out we ( Kathy and Robin- both Lap-Band recepients) are training for and finishing some pretty significant bike tours like the St Paul Classic -15 mile and the St Croix tour- 25 mile rides. Not shown this year is our friend, Laurie, also a Lap-Band patient, who trains with us weekly. One of the many benefits of the Lap-Band is meeting new friends as well as having the energy and fitness to take on a commitment to exercise and health. We can't wait to see what next year brings! The three of us in our first year have lost 220 lbs combined! The only regret we have is that we didn't do this years ago, but then we might not have met each other. We attend the Sunday night Lap-Band support group where we became friends and support partners. We plan to work out at the "Y" two days a week together in our "off "season and to be back out on the trails next summer! Maybe even at goal weights! Thanks, Dr Jeff- we wouldn't be able to do these things without the Band! Rick "I feel better than I have in 20 years. "
I passed the one year mark last week and I feel great. I am down 145 lbs from where I started. My weight has been stable for the past 6 months or so, although my waist and thighs are smaller...which means I must have gained some muscle mass. About a month ago I had my fat % checked at the bariatric clinic because, by looking at standard BMI charts for my height, I am still over 30% body fat. The actual measurement indicated 16%, which I took to mean that I have 35 lbs more muscle and bone mass than most men who are my height. I have been Karen "I feel better at 50!"
This was me in September of 2006 at my heaviest weight ever…412 pounds. Walking to the end of the driveway to get the mail was a huge excursion, I needed two seats and a seat belt extender when I flew for business, I had to sit in the handicap section in a folding chair when my daughter and son graduated high school because I didn’t fit in the regular auditorium seats, on family trips while the others hiked, I sat at a picnic table and read. Not only was weight obviously an issue (duh!) I was also taking pills for high blood pressure and diabetes and had chronic back and knee pain. Life was going by but I wasn’t really taking part. I’d thought about bariatric surgery for about 5 years and finally in September 2006 I began my journey to a new life by attending an informational meeting at Unity about bariatric surgery. During my psychological evaluation I was asked to list 5 things I was looking forward to post-surgery.
On May 15, 2007 I had laparoscopic Roux en Y Gastric Bypass surgery. This is me in May 2009 – 2 ½ years later and 200 pounds lighter. I literally lost ½ of myself and gained a WHOLE life! I feel great!! I’m walking 2-3 miles almost every day and have realized all 5 of my post-surgery ‘wish list’ items. Oh yeah, I also have a whole new wardrobe!!! This year I’m actually going to venture into the Boundary Waters to canoe with my family…another one of those things I had never been able to even contemplate doing before! Dr Jeff Baker, Brenda Montei my nurse contact, Marianne and all of the people at the Coon Rapids Images Group have been my miracle workers! I am living again and having a blast – who says 50 is old!! I feel better at 50 – both physically and emotionally – than I felt at 30 or 40! The “honeymoon” period from surgery is over, and those old habits are still ‘lurking’ out there, but I’m determined NOT to let them get the better of me. I like my life too much to ever go back! "Chavi"
Athlete: 'Someone that is active in cardio exercise as a minimum of 10 hours per week.' As I research the meaning of the word, I am astonished by the meager fact that, at the age of 42, (almost 43), I am, in every true manifestation of the word, an athlete. I am powered by this fact because, just 9 months ago, I couldn't even walk up a flight of stairs without feeling as if my lungs were going to pop right out of my chest. You know the feeling. You allow everyone to "go ahead" of you on the way up. You pray that no one will come up behind you, for then you would have to make an excuse for your lack of stair climbing abilities. I remember how, during my house hunting, I would make sure I viewed the upper level first. This way, I really only had to walk up one flight before taking a break on the main level. Then I would work my way down to the basement. There was no way in this world that I could start at the bottom and work my way up!
What changed for me? Oh that's easy...ME! I got so tired of wearing coats in the summer time. I wore a mid length tan breaker type jacket the entire summer. It gave me a false sense of "they can't see what I really weigh." Well, I hate to break the bad news...THEY can see how much you weight. Infact, the reality that you are wearing that coat attracts more awareness to you then if you didn't wear it. I was truly the victim of my own body. My mind would say "Yes, yes, you can do this thing!" My body would say, "Hmmm? I don't think so." And then one day, it clicked! The old light upstairs, that once bared a dim glow, lit up like Las Vegas! What was I doing to myself? What was I doing to my family? Would I be alive to see my youngest grow up? I took the initiative. I went to see my doctor and told him I was ready to make a change into health. His advise...Don't take the easy way out. Just put down the Little Debbie and get off the sofa. I was disheartened, at best. Shortly after, I came across a flyer about Unity's Bariatric Weight Loss Program in my junk mail. I read it, then days later, read it again. Was it really this easy? The answer was, "Yes." Two weeks later I found myself attending the introductory meeting. Soon after, I had my first meeting with the nurse clinician. At that point, I weighed in at 214. For the next seven months, I plowed forward like an eager beaver. I was told I had to only loose 5-10 pounds to qualify for the surgery but I went well above and beyond that. If they told me to exercise 30 minutes a day, I did 60. Whatever foods they told me to cut out, I went home and immediately tossed them into the trash. I finally met with Dr. Jeff Baker following my insurance approval and, two weeks later, I had my surgery. I remember, two days following surgery, how delighted Dr. Baker was with my attitude. I recall him telling me that I looked like I hadn't even had surgery and that there was a big likelihood that I'd never need my high blood pressure or kidney meds again. He was right. And today, one year later, I truly am an athlete, by every definition of the word. I am that person who took what was given to me and applied it to my life. I grabbed a great big handful of the support from the Unity Bariatric Center and placed it within me. Whenever I felt like giving up, I resourced that support and pushed forward without hesitation. I do exercise at least 10 hours a week. I went from not being able to walk up a flight of stairs to being able to run 10 miles several times a week. I went from a size 24 pant to a 0! I am not saying that you have to run 10 miles or wear a size 0, what I am saying is that if you are given a wonderful chance to change your life, do it. It is your chance to be all that you can be. Take the tools given to you and apply them in the best physical and positive manner possible. This is it! What other surgery can offer you such a new chance and a new lease on life? I hate to be the one to inform you but...there just isn't any. Josh Weighing in at nearly 315 pounds, and seeing the scale fly past the 300 mark,
I knew that I needed to take a drastic step in the direction of change, because all other diets were failing me, and only cause that Pati
I was a 49 year old woman who felt more like I was 94. I had been overweight as a child and as a teenager. During my 20’s and 30’s I tried many different diets to try and slim down. With concerted effort, I would usually see some success, but it was just a matter of time before I managed to put those extra pounds back on, plus a few more besides. Being only 4’ 11” in height, each extra pound to my frame had nowhere to hide. I have always been called “short,” but never “little.”
My dear mother was diagnosed with a disease that left her housebound and in need of my constant help. I ate my way through those difficult years and then, following her death, I put on another 25 pounds in my grief. My BMI was so high that it was not even written on the charts in my doctor’s office. I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes and the Lantus insulin I was prescribed added another 40 pounds to my body. I had asthma, high cholesterol, arthritis in my knees and constant lower back pain, sleep apnea and low energy. I was depressed and had very low self esteem. My prescription medications were costing me so much money that it put a financial strain on me each month. I felt hopeless and started to withdraw from all of the things that I had once enjoyed doing. There came a day when my weight became such an overwhelming burden to me, that I was finally ready to face my disease of morbid obesity. I will never forget that terrible, but transformational day. I had been traveling for work as a Storyteller all day through airports from Minneapolis, to Chicago and to Detroit. That night I found myself completely exhausted and alone in the hotel room. I had come to the end of a lonely road. In desperation and with many tears, I knelt on my aching knees and sincerely prayed, “Loving God, I need Your help. I don’t want to live this way anymore. I can no longer manage my life when I am in so much physical and emotional pain because of my weight. Please give me a plan. Show me a way out of this prison that I have put myself in by my overeating.” Upon my return to the Twin Cities, God began answering that prayer through the special people He had surrounded me with in my life. Several close friends asked me to consider having Bariatric surgery. I finally mustered up the courage to take that big step forward and to attend the Introductory meeting where many gastric bypass patients shared their success stories. Dr. Jeffrey Baker was also there to answer my questions and to address my concerns. I came to understand that Bariatric surgery was only a tool and not a cure-all. If I wanted to lose weight and keep it off, I would need to make some major lifestyle changes along with the surgery. I was now on a personal mission to get well and start feeling better. My nurse clinician, Brenda Montei became my personal coach and accountability person as I prepared for the surgery and what was to follow. Brenda had also had the surgery and she had been able to keep her weight off and maintain a healthy lifestyle for several years. This gave me hope that I could, too! Today, with God’s help and the support of my family and friends, I am 120 pounds lighter than when I began this life changing journey. I am still losing weight even in my 15th month after surgery. I am not skinny, and probably never will be, but I am now healthy. Presently, my BMI is 29. I no longer have Diabetes, depression, asthma, high cholesterol or sleep apnea. I now only take one prescription medication. Even though I will soon be turning 51, I feel more like I’m 31. Most importantly, I now have the energy and stamina to enjoy doing the things I once loved again. My closest friends and family say that I’ve got my “spunk and sparkle” back! I want to once again thank my surgeon, Dr. Jeffrey Baker, and his capable staff for the excellent care that I have received as their patient…pre-surgery, during surgery, and in my aftercare. Now I have great hope for a healthier and happier future. I am so glad that I had this life-saving surgery. I feel great! I guess the best ending for my story would be… “And she lived happily every after her Bariatric surgery.” ~Pati Bill I walked like an “old penguin” I live in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota with my wife and 3 sons - ages 18, 19 & 20. I have always been heavy weighing 225 when I was married 25 years ago this August, after which I gained an additional 153 pounds.
Marla "Life saving procedure”In the medical profession, the term “life saving procedure” is used and that is how I would describe what the Lap Band did for me. It saved my life! I know that I would have struggled with weight and its related issues until the day I died and the decision to have surgery was the best one for me.
I don’t remember a lot of the details now that I am two years out and I think that it’s because I feel like it was a different person that went through the process. Everything about me, now, is different and I feel like a new woman. I went from a size 24 to a 12 in two years, losing an average of 1 pound per week. My health issues have normalized and I only see a brighter future and a longer life than my parents and grandparents faced. My children and grandchildren will have me around longer and my quality of life is, and will be, better. I, now ride my own motorcycle, exercise without exhaustion, play actively with my grandsons, have the energy to do my housework, love getting up in the morning, love to shop for clothes (at the Thrift Store, of course), love to get out and dance and my next goal if to get back up on a horse. Dr. Jeff Baker is my doctor and my employer. After the surgery, I decided that I wanted to be in a position of mentoring others who are going through what I have gone through. I love my job and enjoy meeting all of the wonderful people that come into his clinic. Although weight loss surgery isn’t for everyone, I know, without a doubt, that it was for me. Penny Slow and Steady, Like a Turtle! I started my weight loss journey in March of 2006, weighing in at nearly 290 pounds on a 5’2” frame. My BMI was over 52. I got to work on losing my pre-op weight and practicing my new lifestyle changes (post-op behaviors) right away. I was successful from the get-go. I met all my requirements in 5 months and I was ready to go,. My insurance had other plans though and I was left with a big choice. I could leave Unity’s program and start somewhere else, I could switch from my surgery choice of Lap-Band to gastric bypass and have surgery right away, or I could wait an undetermined time for Dr. Jeff Baker to complete his 50th band placement. I chose the latter and have never looked back. Even though that wait turned out to be 8 more months, it was a blessing in disguise. I was able to learn so much more about how to live with a band, the ups and downs of what to really expect and get my head in the right place to be successful. In the 14 months between the Introductory Meeting and my surgery date, I lost a whopping 68 pounds. I dropped my BMI from 52.5 to 40 before even having surgery. I am sure you are thinking to yourself, “If you can do that, why even go through with the surgery?” Well, I’ll tell you, because I have lost and gained the same weight over and over many times. I wanted to lose the weight and keep it off for good! What kept me on track during that time was the fact I had a goal. I knew my band was on the way sooner or later. If I kept working toward a goal, I’d have that much less to lose after I get my band and I had a better chance at a healthier surgery. The plan paid off! Surgery was a breeze, thanks to Dr. Jeff’s skill and my preparation.
At my first “Bandiversary” (one year anniversary) I had lost another 49 pounds. It’s hard to believe that in two years I have lost over 100 pounds. I’ve never had success for that long before. I still have a bit of weight to lose and it is coming off slowly. Those last pounds seem to be the hardest to get rid of. I like to think of myself as a turtle. Slow and steady wins the race. I’ll see you at the finish line. Dr. Jeff and his staff are absolutely wonderful. They are supportive and truly care about me and my success. Thanks to them, I have my life back and it IS a wonderful life at that. Penny S. Pat Enjoying life at 70! At my heaviest weight, I weighed 257 pounds and that was in 2006. Today, 1 year following surgery, I have lost 112 pounds and now weigh a healthy 145 pounds. There are many things that I am thankful for…50 years of marriage and 6 children among many other things. At my heaviest weight, my medical problems included Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, Arrhythmia, shortness of breath, and Arthritis. I am today only taking ½ of a pill for my blood pressure, not two as I had been on for years. My arthritis is improved and everything else is RESOLVED! My self esteem has skyrocketed. I am a new person.
My only regret is that my insurance didn’t cover weight loss surgery years earlier. I suffered over 30 years with loosing weight, often close to 50 pounds at a time, and then regaining it within months. My personal, out of pocket, medication expenses were high. I can only imagine how much my insurance company paid out for those medications over the decades that they were prescribed for me. My success has motivated two of my friends to also have the surgery and today, they too, are doing great. Today, I am happy, I am healthy and I am now truly enjoying life at 70! Pat Annie Life is really shaping up for me now!
My journey to my new and improved life started on January 3rd 2008. This was my first meeting with Nurse Sandy. I just knew I was in good hands just from the first time meeting Sandy. I also knew I needed to do something about my health. I wanted to be able to see my son graduate or even get married! I tried everything to lose weight, from doctor supervised diets to joining a fitness club. I was at my wits end! I am a very energetic person but as the weight kept adding up especially after my pregnancy, I knew something had to be done soon. My health and life depended on it. My energy was diminishing very fast, I was always out of breath and I was experiencing swelling in my feet and legs. I had my surgery in May of 2008 and it was the best decision I had ever made. Dr. Baker was very pleased with the weight I lost before surgery and I knew the best was yet to come. After coming home from surgery, I just remembered I wanted to get out and start my walking right away. Within days after surgery, the weight was really dropping off. My son was my biggest supporter of all that has happened at this point. My husband even started to change his way of eating, making the right choices really makes a difference. With the support of my son Kody, we have kept up my walking EVERY day. My family and friends just cannot believe the new me! I told my son that mommy will be able to go sledding with him and bike riding now without having to make up excuses. I am able to walk for miles without running out of breath and having no more Charlie horses in my legs. I just sit back and reflect on what I was dealing with a few months ago to what I have accomplished now. It brings tears to my eyes! As of Oct 17th 2008 I am down 103 pounds and going strong! I am here to say if anyone can relate to my life before surgery, I truly believe you should do all the checking into having this surgery. It does take endurance and determination to accomplish your goals. You will have to make so many life changes (for the better) for this to work for you. Life is really shaping up for me now, I believe it’s not just you that benefits from this experience, it’s everyone around you. Cheri Changes
When I went to the orientation session for bariatric surgery I was feeling desperate but also a bit skeptical. I was heading towards the end of my master’s program in food and nutritional science but my weight was fast approaching a number I thought I had left behind for good. I wasn’t sure bariatric surgery was what I wanted to do. In 2002 I had lost close to 150 lbs but in 2004 I started having back problems and discovered that I had a genetic condition that would require surgery in order to relieve the pain in my leg. Timing (I was in the first year of my master’s program), depression, and medicating the pain in my leg and back with food I found my weight beginning to creep back up. Seven months after the first back surgery I was faced with yet another back surgery. More weight gain. The back problems worsened with the weight gain making it more difficult to exercise. Pressures from being a full time student, a part-time employee; a mom, a wife, and a thesis left me little time for anything remotely resembling exercise. When I found myself 50 lbs short of gaining back every pound I had lost I knew I had to do something about my weight. My sister-in-law told me about Unity Hospital. She told me that two of her sister’s had had surgery at Unity hospital and were experiencing great results. But there were obstacles in my head that I had to get around before considering bariatric surgery. I was going to school to be a registered dietitian, and I wondered how I could have this surgery when I lectured to people that if they ate better and exercised they could lose the weight? Why couldn’t I practice what I was teaching? Was I being true to my profession? My first visit with Dr. Jeff and the bariatric nurses made me feel much better about considering bariatric surgery. Dr Jeff told me that I would make a great dietitian because I would be able to relate to my patients on a level that not all dietitians could. Dr Jeff and Brenda (bariatric nurse) together made me realize that it was okay to move forward with surgery – I was just gaining a tool to use to help me be successful in keeping the weight off. I would still have to work hard for this to happen – eating correctly and exercising regularly. I decided to move ahead with the surgery - I was up for the challenge. One year later - the pain in my back and legs is almost totally gone and I exercise 5 to 6 hours each week. I’ve started Nordic walking and recently got my motorcycle license and my husband and I tear up the countryside of Wisconsin on the weekends. I feel brand new again. My head is in a good place and my body is the strongest and the lightest it has ever been in my adult life. I am a registered dietician now working in two different hospitals and have recently started facilitating a weight loss support group in Wisconsin (greatly needed). It’s never too late to change where you are in your life – I started my second career at 48 and love every minute of it. My body is strong and able to keep up with all the new things I’ve yet to do! Thank you Dr Jeff, Kris, Marva and all of the bariatric nurses for your great support and care. Cheri Rott MS RD CD For information on the Polk County Weight Loss Education and Support Group – contact me at 15-268-0597 We'd love to hear from you as well and to relate your success to others. Please email us your story as well as jpeg photos to be included. Testimonials truly speak to all those about to take the step into their own weight loss journey. We'd love to hear from you! Kris@BakerBariatrics.com. And if you're wondering... could be you? The answer is, YES! And the why's just keep getting better. July 30, 2009 - New England Journal of Medicine
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