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Surgical Success Stories


 

Sandra K., Emmett, MI

Having gone from 270 to 146 lbs. after bariatric surgery with St. John Providence Weight Loss, Sandra has learned how to “eat to live.”  As a heavy child who regularly hit the 98th percentile on the weight chart, Sandra adopted a dangerous diet early and continued it on into adulthood.  As she entered her 20s, she tried all the fad weight loss options on the market, but still obsessed about food.  Her gastric bypass changed that, and today Sandra spends more time in the kitchen than ever,  finding it easy to avoid the bad habits of her  past. See her story here.

 

 

 

 

 

Click HERE to listen to Sandra's story.

 

 

 

Taquitta C., Redford, MI

After a life of bad eating habits, Taquitta had gotten to 262 lbs. before considering weight loss surgery. Tired and unable to share activities with her kids, she researched her options, and in 2007 chose to undergo a gastric bypass at St. John Providence Weight Loss. Today, having maintained a 120 lb. weight loss, Taquitta enjoys a “beautiful new life” filled with energy and confidence. Her kids, family members and friends love the person she’s become, and Taquitta shares more of her story here.

 

 

 

 

 


Listen to Taquitta tell her story HERE.

 

 Sandra Hightower


On March 28, 2007, I had bariatric surgery. And, from that day forward, my life has been positively changed. Although the first month was a hard adjustment, every day got better and the reward is that I am happier and healthier than I have been in years. I was almost 250 pounds at my heaviest and only 5’4”. I had two children within 1½ years of each other and it seemed like I could not lose the weight.

I tried many diets over the years but weight loss was never permanent. I checked into the surgery, went through the process and was accepted. Once my surgery date was set, I was nervous and excited but it was the best decision I have ever made.

 In the past year, I have lost 92 pounds and feel and look better than I have in years. I have stayed the same weight for a few months and have continued to make good food choices.

 

The best part of the surgery and follow-up process was that it taught me how to make good food choices and get better in-tune with my body. I know if I am feeling tired, I don’t need caffeine—I need some protein to fuel my body. I eat small meals several times a day and do not have large meals.

 

I am happy with my new habits and it has helped my family gain better eating habits as well. Having four daughters, I hope that they keep these good nutrition habits throughout their lives and do not have to go through the ups & downs of dieting. My husband has also benefited from the new healthy lifestyle we live.

 Additionally, the monthly support group is a great tool to help keep you on track and learn. I attended before and after surgery and I make it a priority in my life. The staff at St. John Providence Weight Loss was so supportive from the first day. They take you through the steps, one-by-one, so that you are not overwhelmed and can focus on what you need to do. They are a wonderful group of people and care deeply about what they do.

 

Kim Guzzo

Hi my name is Kim Guzzo and I have a whole new life to live thanks to weight loss surgery. When I decided to start this journey, I was 355 pounds and had sleep apnea, high blood pressure, acid reflux, knee problems, and walking took my breath away.

Life seemed harder to live and I was always depressed.

I fought with diet after diet. I did Weight Watchers, Herbal Life pills, and MIHE, to name a few. I would lose weight but gain it all back and then some. Nothing seemed to work and, because of my knees, exercise was not easy to do either. I had all but given up when my boss suggested the LAP-BAND. I checked into it and felt it wasn’t for me, so I didn’t do anything for about a year. I got tired of being fat though and not enjoying myself, so I checked into gastric bypass. After I made my decision to do the surgery, I had to find a doctor. My family doctor recommended St. John Providence Weight Loss, and I am glad they did.

The surgeons and staff were very supportive of my efforts. They walked me through each step and helped me through the days when I wanted to give up. They kept in touch with me through a year of ups and downs. I had no idea what I was up against in trying to get approved from the insurance company. First I had to go through different tests and have a psychological evaluation. The doctor sent everything in and I was denied. I wanted to give up right then, but I couldn’t do that. I filed an appeal and that took time. Again I was going to give up when the second denial came. What was I supposed to do?

I called the insurance company with many questions. I had my family physician write a letter of recommendation and filed another appeal. I had to go before the board at the insurance company and answer a lot of questions in order to get my approval. I guess I handled it right because after one year of fighting I finally won my approval. I advise anyone who gets denied by their insurance company to keep fighting—it’s a matter of life and death. That is, your life or death, and the outcome should be your decision—not the insurance company’s. Make them see how much you want to live to see your future and the wonderful things you really want to enjoy as a healthy person.

 

Once I obtained approval, it was time to schedule my surgery. I couldn’t wait but I was also a little afraid. The surgery went great, and I can say that I am very satisfied. I continue to go to the support group every month because it keeps me in line. There is always helpful information handed out at the meetings and you get to hear how others handle situations you are experiencing.

 

I can call the clinic any time I want to and someone helps with my questions. It is good to know that there are many avenues to take when you feel you need some extra help. It has been two years now since my surgery and I’ve lost 136 pounds. I no longer have acid reflux, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure. My knees feel much better and when I walk, I’m not short of breath and I can exercise without fear of hurting myself.

 

I used to take 15 pills a day and now I take one plus my vitamins. I socialize more now and I am proud of my appearance. Yes, I’ll say it again: I have a GREAT NEW LIFE. Thank you St. John Providence Weight Loss for your help and guidance and a new chance to see the world through a healthy person’s perspective.

 

Dawn Eckhart
Lost 130 pounds

I decided to have gastric bypass because I had gone for a sleep study and the doctor told me that I was obese. He said the weight around my neck was crushing my airway at night and I was not breathing for periods of time. That was a moment I’ll never forget. I had to do something to get the weight off for good.


I had high blood pressure, sleep apnea, I was pre-diabetic, and at 5’6,” I weighed 291 pounds. I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel and felt sure I would die at a young age because of the health issues I developed by being overweight. I was constantly tired and I felt the excess weight was holding me back from being the person I wanted to be.

Now that I have had surgery and have lost 130 pounds, I feel fabulous! I have energy, I look forward to being involved in activities, I’ve made more friends, and I feel so much more confident. Gastric bypass surgery was a gift I chose to give to myself, but the results benefit my entire family as well.

The staff at St. John Providence Weight Loss is awesome. They are caring, competent and thorough. They have always been there to answer the questions and concerns that I have had.
(Dawn Eckhart,11/07)

Sue Goll

My weight problem began at an early age. I was never very small. My one uncle would always tell me that I would make a good football player because when I would tackle the other team players, they wouldn’t stand a chance against me.

I had no self-esteem, I was just existing. I decided that no one would want anything to do with a heavy person like me so I just kept on eating. Every time I would go to see my doctor, he would say: "you have got to lose weight." So, for a few weeks I would go on what I called a diet and I would get frustrated because I wasn’t losing weight fast enough--so I would start eating again. Every time I went for my physical, I would have gained 10, 20 and sometimes 30 pounds.

Soon, I was now well over 300 pounds. My sleeping habits had changed. My doctor informed me that I now had high blood pressure, my sugar was sky-high and I had aches and pains in my joints. I couldn’t even last three minutes on a treadmill when I took a stress test. It wasn’t until my godchild asked my mother one day, “why does Aunt Susie smell all the time?” that I decided to do something about my weight.

I talked with my doctor who said he had heard about the gastric bypass but he didn’t know much about it. We both did some research and I decided to have the surgery.

My life has completely turned around. I no longer have any medical issues. I have more confidence and self-esteem. I can now exercise and walk without any problems such as sore legs or back. My family doesn’t like the fact that I’m not around so now they have to help out, whereas before I was always there. The best part about having the surgery is that a guy who I met over 30 years ago at work has come back into my life--and I couldn’t be happier. I now know what it is like to be loved and to have someone to love.

So if you someone asks me, “would I do it again?” My answer would be “YES! I’m sorry I didn’t do it sooner.”

(Sue Goll 12/04/07)


Brenda Krajewski

Age 40
Lost 155 pounds

I was raised in a big Polish family. My mother worked as a cook and she could cook. I never had store-bought anything. Everything I ate was homemade. As a child, I was not fat. When I turned 30 my father took sick and I became his caregiver. I learned fast that I had no control over my life anymore. But I also learned that the only thing I had control over was my eating. So I ate and ate until I got to 350 pounds. Then, my father passed away.

 

At 350 pounds, I was not happy and I became depressed so I ate more and more until I got to 415 pounds. My life became harder and harder to live. It was not easy for me to get around. I had a hard time cleaning the house, taking a shower, going shopping--just doing everyday stuff that most people take for granted. I found it hard to socialize (meaning that I did not socialize at all). It hurt to walk and forget about the seating-- I could not fit into booths or seats.

 

I never though about what the weight was doing to my health until I was diagnosed with hypertension and I started having knee and back problems. I became handicapped by my weight. I was missing days at work because it was a chore to get up and get dressed. My doctor told me that if I did not take some weight off that it would kill me. I tried to exercise and diet at my doctor’s suggestion and that lasted about two or three weeks. It was hard to exercise with an extra 200 pounds of body fat. So I would stop. I tried Weight Watchers and that did not last but one week. I tried all the weight loss fads--from pills to drinks to weight loss programs--and none worked for me. I would lose weight but I would gain it back plus another 20-30 pounds.

 I thought that life was over for me. Then a co-worker gave an article about someone who had gastric bypass surgery. After that, I was on a mission--I had to find out all that I could about this surgery. So, I researched all the options in weight loss surgery. I spent two long years researching and decided to have the surgery. I made three different appointments with doctors who perform the surgery. When I met the doctors and staff at St. John Providence Weight Loss, I knew that I wanted to have my surgery done there. So on April 4, 2005 my life began again.

 

I have lost 155 pounds to date. What a difference the surgery made--I have a life again! I have so much energy now. I don’t watch TV anymore. I can’t sit still. I walk every day. I enjoy life again. Life is great and I owe all my success to the staff at St. John Providence, my family and my co-workers for all their support and encouragement through my journey. I have discovered me again and I thank God every day for that and all the caring people who helped through my surgery.


Thank you all for everything.
(Brenda Krajewski, 11/07)


Janice Locke
Age 48
Lost 125 pounds

I have been overweight for as long as I can remember. Food has always been my source of comfort. Over the years, I have joined many weight loss groups (multiple times). I have sought psychological counseling, tried hypnosis (several times) and consulted many different physicians for help with my weight problem. I remember even trying liquid protein (physician-supervised) when I was 15 years old. The protein tasted absolutely horrible and I had no help in dealing with the emotions of not being able to sit down and have a meal with my family or friends. I managed to last about three months on that program.

 

 I was able to find some success at times, I actually lost 100 pounds--twice. Both times, as soon as I let my guard down for a few minutes, I found that I gained back all of the weight that I had lost, as well as at least an additional 50 pounds, each time.

 

 A friend of mine had bariatric surgery and I started thinking about it. I just couldn’t imagine doing it—all I could think about was all of the things I would be giving up (Diet Coke was a passion of mine). I was miserable in my body but didn’t know what to do. I finally made an appointment at St. John Providence Weight Loss on July 11, 2006. I consider that to be the first day of my new way of life.

 

I was so impressed with all of the staff at the center. All of my questions were answered. I felt as if I was the only patient that they were seeing that day—not rushed at all. The Bariatric Counselor was a great inspiration as she was able to share her experience as someone who had the surgery and kept the weight off for eight years. The answer to my prayers—the way to lose weight and keep it off! The entire staff was very kind and treated me with compassion and respect. The dietitian was very non-judgmental and my monthly sessions with her in the 6 months before my surgery helped me to lose over 11 lbs.--before I even had the surgery. I felt the steps leading up to the surgery helped me understand what I was getting into and made me confident that I was in the right place! The six-month prep time seemed like a very long time, but looking back, it really went fast. Before I knew it, I was scheduled for surgery and going though the pre-surgical testing and instruction. The surgery went very well. I was out of the recovery room by noon and up walking in the hall by 3 p.m. Everything went like clockwork and I was home with my cats to recuperate.


In the nine months since my surgery, I have lost 125 lbs. I feel FANTASTIC! My knees and feet don’t hurt and I have so much more energy. I actually have the energy to walk 3.5 miles when I get home from work! I was taking multiple medications prior to surgery for diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I no longer take any of them and my lab work looks great. The staff at St. John Providence Weight Loss continues to provide support through my post op visits and the monthly support group meetings.  I feel like I have a whole new life and I am so grateful to the entire staff for helping me get this far.

(Janice Locke,11/07)


Roger Long
Age 64
Lost 145 pounds
Hi, my name is Roger Long and I’m 64 years young.

I weighed 360 pounds before I had my surgery on March 13, 2006. It is now March 7, 2007, and I have lost 145 pounds. I was on my way to death row, taking 180 units a day of insulin. I also had sleep apnea, was always tired, had trouble walking or doing anything.

Since childhood, I have always had a weight problem, trying many different diets, weight loss organizations and clubs-- but none of had any lasting effects. I decided to have the surgery at St. John Providence Weight Loss, and I am very pleased with my experience there. I was treated very well at the hospital and would highly recommend this place for anyone who is considering this surgery.

 I was released after four days and went back home to Ontario, Canada. If I needed to call my doctor, I knew he would answer my call. I was a bit sore for a couple of weeks, had no complications and am doing fine now. Feeling 20 years younger, the diabetes and sleep apnea are gone and, overall, I'm just really feeling great. I can eat just about anything now--but in small amounts. It really surprised me how little food one can survive on after experiencing constant hunger and waking up in the middle of the night hungry.

 

I now walk into places and they will ask my wife where I am.  When she tells them, they just can’t believe that it is me. I would like to thank St. John Providence Weight Loss for saving my life.

(Roger Long,11/07)


Rachel McClure
Age 36
Lost 75 pounds


When I was asked “How did bariatric surgery change your life?” so many things came to mind right away. First I want to say that if you don’t love yourself fat, you won’t love yourself thin. This was not a quick fix to a lifelong problem. This was a permanent decision to fix what I had been doing to myself for a lifetime. This was not “I hate my body, so I’ll have weight loss surgery, then I’ll love myself, and so will everyone else” situation. Let me make it very clear that I love myself--always have. I have never had a lack of friends, or boyfriends, and I refused early on in my life that a scale was not going to dictate to me who I was, or what my worth was.

 

 This surgery will not take your love of food away, but it will help you manage it. If you disobey your body, you will pay the price of being very uncomfortable or having your head in a toilet. I guarantee, there are only a few times of that before you realize, “Gee, that was a bad idea.” I am a person that needs consequences if I am doing something wrong, and I need to change it. This surgery does just that. I am empowered and enabled to make sound decisions about my body, more than ever before.

 

This surgery saved my life. A life of diabetes, heart trouble, blood pressure issues--the list goes on and on. I love buying clothes, rather than leaving stores frustrated and upset because things just didn’t fit right. I’m a girl, so the vain side of me says, yes, it’s great to look better and it’s fun to shop for new clothes. The sensible side of me is so grateful that I will live longer with less physical problems because I put my fear aside and trusted that this was the right decision for me.

 

The staff at St. John Providence Weight Loss is just what I needed. I am a big cry baby. Pain is difficult for me to tolerate because of a past leg injury I had. I have come dangerously close to amputation three times, so I am highly sensitive to pain and infection. Everyone at St. John Providence Weight Loss was so good to me through the tears and helped calms any fears I may have had. They will not tolerate their patients being in pain and they want to know how you are doing every moment--even after you go home. Never in my life did I or anyone I know have a physician that called our home! Not a secretary, but the surgeon called to check on me. And, he answered any calls I made to him immediately--regardless of the time, day or night, he was available. I was so very grateful to have that kind of personal care.

 

I will also be getting a tummy tuck in a few months. I am very nervous, but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I am in the best care possible. The staff at St. John Providence Weight Loss are so encouraging and supportive to me, any time that I call. I will start college in the near future and I want to take courses that will help and prepare me to work with other bariatric patients in the future, because I want to be able to help people through this transition, just as the team at St. John Providence Weight Loss has helped me through mine.

 

I am officially 10 months out of surgery and have lost 75 pounds. I have had people walk right past me as if they didn’t even know me because I look that different. I love that my back is not hurting all the time. Simple things like back pain, I no longer have to deal with. Heartburn! Oh my goodness, I had heartburn for years and even with the drugs, I couldn’t touch juice, lemonade or anything citrus--or the pain was unbearable. I now enjoy juice and lemonade all the time (sugar-free of course) because the procedure basically removed the area of the stomach that causes heartburn. YEA!

 

So did I give up Little Debbie snack cakes and sugary treats? Yep! It’s a trade-off. I traded some yummy treats that were horrible for me for a lifetime of enjoying my husband, my kids, and better health. It’s worth the trade, believe me.

(Rachel McClure, 11/07)


Robert Michon
Lost 120 pounds

I had struggled with my weight for years, realizing only limited success from any number of diets, fads, pills, etc. Sure, I had managed to lose about 40 pounds on a low carb diet and felt better, but I had reached a plateau and just could not lose any more. I also feared the long-term effects of the low carb diets.

It was the beginning of summer 2006 when I finally made the decision to seriously consider surgery as a means to an end. I was 39 with 40 on the horizon and a future of uncertainty (due to being overweight) looming. There is a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart problems. My grandfather had both legs amputated below the knee from the effects of diabetes. My dad had been struggling with similar problems for years and was on the brink of losing one of his legs for the same reasons. It seemed to me that 40 was that magical age where the health problems just seem to spring up. Having six children, ages 7–21, I had a lot to live for and wanted to do so without a wheelchair, walker, or artificial limbs, and I knew that these things were very real possibilities if I didn’t do something.

 

I spoke with my family doctor about surgical procedures for weight loss and, though hesitant to refer me to anyone, he put me in contact with St. John Providence Weight Loss. My initial consultation was quite an experience.  The surgeon and staff questioned, cautioned, educated, and made sure that I fully understood all there was to know about gastric bypass surgery--being very careful to explain that this procedure was merely a tool to assist with what would be a major lifestyle change.  And, what a change it was!
The surgery itself wasn’t that bad, and to tell the truth, the worst part of the whole ordeal was the day before and the horrible tasting laxative I had to drink. That is not to say that it was all fun. In fact, up until the point I was sedated and could no longer speak for myself, I contemplated getting off the gurney and leaving because I was not sure this was the right thing to do. Simply put, I was scared. I was afraid of the changes that I would face, I feared the pain I had been warned about and I feared the “feedback” or “dumping” that I was assured would happen. I was afraid that I would never be able to eat foods I liked again. As good as the staff at St. John Providence Weight Loss had been at preparing me for all the changes, I was scared to death.
Surgery went without any complications and I was released from the hospital a day earlier than expected. I returned home to face a new challenge: liquids. This wasn’t so bad either, as I found that I simply was not hungry anymore. I drank my water, I drank my soup, I felt full and was losing weight! I continued following the diets and guidelines thoroughly through the first six months--carefully weighing, measuring, and counting. The weight continued to fall off, I continued to feel better than ever and it seemed the lifestyle change was taking place without much problem.
The first year is now behind me--I have lost 120 pounds and reached my goal in just over nine months. I have to admit that I couldn’t be happier with my decision. I constantly run into people I have not seen in a number of years who don’t recognize me. Sometimes it is fun, other times it is awkward and uncomfortable, but almost every time, I walk away with a smile on my face. I am able to eat just about anything I want--just MUCH smaller portions.
Benefits: well, there are a lot of them. Besides the obvious health benefits of much improved blood pressure, feeling more rested after a night’s sleep, and drastically reducing my risk of being affected by diabetes and other illnesses that prey on the overweight, the most satisfying benefit is the one of self-confidence. No longer will I be embarrassed for being asked to get off of a ride at an amusement park because I cannot completely engage the safety belts or mechanisms. No longer will I see expressions on the faces of other passengers when boarding a plane that seem to yell, “I hope that fat guy isn’t sitting next to me.” I don’t know anyone that would admit to actually thinking that, but I am sure this has happened. I can tell you from experience that I now board a plane with confidence and no longer fear ridicule.  And, I have gone on all but three coasters at Cedar Point--with those three on my list for this spring.
While the benefits of the weight loss abound, there are some drawbacks. The clothing bill takes a huge hit and you will have that favorite coat or shirt that you will no longer be able to wear that will break you heart to give away or pack up just because you can’t get rid of it. You will also find yourself running into someone that says you look great now and you have to wonder what they thought of you before the weight loss. Sometimes I ask them, “If I look so great now, what did you think of me a year and a half ago?” This usually renders them speechless and then dancing for words. It is kind of funny at times, but you assure them that you understand and go on with the conversation. Then the most awkward of all things is the person that insists you are ill because of the drastic weight loss. I have had to explain on countless occasions that I am not terminally ill or stricken with some life threatening disease. These experiences can also be rewarding when the person congratulates you for losing the weight.
I cannot find the word to describe the amount of gratitude I have for the staff at St. John Providence Weight Loss --they have been wonderful and I am forever thankful for the “new me.”

(Robert Michon, 11/07)


Mary Beth Asher
Lost 80 pounds


My whole life I’ve struggled with my weight. I’ve always been good at losing the weight, but was never able to maintain it. Each time I gained more than I lost, and each time I became more and more depressed. It got to the point where I didn’t even want to try anymore, and that’s when the weight really began to pile up.

When I found out that my insurance was beginning to cover the surgery, I felt as if I was given a second chance. Without the coverage from my insurance, I never could have afforded the surgery. At first, my family and friends tried to discourage me from taking such a drastic step. They kept telling me, "you can lose the weight yourself, you’ve done it before, you don’t need to have surgery." But what they didn’t realize is that I couldn’t afford to fail again. I know this surgery is not the magic bullet. It’s not a guarantee I’ll keep the weight off. But I feel it’s my best hope at losing the weight and being able to maintain it. They were worried that I was giving up my health to be thin but the fact is, after losing the weight, I’m finally healthy.

I had a wonderful surgeon at St. John Providence Weight Loss who I had complete faith in and trusted without question. Most people having surgery--regardless of what type of surgery it is--are apprehensive for the simple fact that they have to go under anesthesia. Not me--I was so excited I could not wait for my surgery day! God gave me life on November 13 and St. John Providence Weight Loss gave me my life back on May 7, 2007.

As of today, I’ve lost approximately 80 lbs. I feel great and now I’m finally looking great.


(Mary Beth Asher, 11/07)


Mary M.
Lost 125 pounds

 

Mary M before When Mary looks at snapshots from her childhood, she has an easy reference point to when weight gain became a problem in her life. “There are pictures of me as an 8-year-old kid with skinny arms and legs,” she says. “And then at about 9 or 10 the weight started coming on.” It’s these pictures that foreshadow her lifelong struggle with weight, culminating in her decision in December 2007 to have bariatric surgery.“In the past I’ve had several episodes of losing weight, but I always gained it back. I realized I couldn’t stop this process by myself,” Mary says. “I had high-blood pressure, high cholesterol, and arthritis and I was afraid I was heading to a place of being deeply unhealthy.” So, she finally asked her physician about the surgery, thinking he would answer, “Are you kidding?” But he didn’t. He replied, “That’s not a bad idea.” And soon after Mary was on a different path in life.

Fast-forward to today and there’s a new picture of Mary. A picture of her 125 pounds lighter and crossing the finish line of a mini-marathon approximately 10 months after her surgery. She remembers how she felt on race day: “I started crying as we were heading out. And I started crying again when we got to the finish line because I couldn’t believe that it was me. I was thinking, ‘I did this, I walked 13 miles’ and this time last year a flight of stairs would have done me in.”

 

Of course, there was a lot of hard work involved between the decision to have surgery and losing 125 pounds, including pre-surgery evaluations and stress tests and post-surgery diet changes and support group meetings. “Surgery isn’t a magic cure,” confides Mary. “It’s a tool. I hope people understand that if you go into it with the right attitude and the right effort it can help.”

Hopefully, Mary will be taking new snapshots of herself in the future because her goals include walking in more races and beating her time in next year’s mini-marathon.