Robert Lee is a man who appreciates the value of tools.  He uses very large and powerful tools in his work as a mechanic at a very large industrial facility not far from his home in Starke, Florida.  When Robert first met the surgeon who would perform bariatric surgery for him, his doctor made it clear the procedure was a tool — not a magic pill.  “I will always remember what Dr. Sarantos told me when I had made up my mind to have weight loss surgery,” Robert Lee says.  “He told me he could give me a great tool to work with.  If I used it properly and worked with it, it could change my life.  I made up my mind that I would do whatever they told me to do, and it has really worked well for me.” 

It was July 2008 when Dr. Pete Sarantos performed adjustable gastric banding for Robert Lee.  At his heaviest, Lee weighed 293 pounds.  In February 2010, Lee weighed 192 pounds.  After losing 101 pounds, he is nearly at his goal weight.  The significant weight loss has translated into improved health for Lee, who is now 52 years old.

“I had sleep apnea before, and now I do not.  I took medicine for high cholesterol, and now I do not.  I still take some medication for high blood pressure, but much less than I did before,” Lee explains.  “My goal is to get off all medicine for high blood pressure, and I believe that is possible.”

Robert’s wife, Robin Lee, has been by his side through the weight loss journey.  Her husband, she says, once came home each day from work utterly exhausted and too tired to do much of anything other than rest until bedtime.

“Robert’s job requires him to work with large and very heavy tools,” Robin says.  “On top of that, he had to carry himself, and all that weight literally wore him out.  It also was very hard on his joints.  Once, he was in a good deal of pain in his knees.  That is no longer the case.”

As he hears his wife talk about the pain he once felt in his knees, Robert nods his head and remembers how his excess weight affected one of his favorite hobbies. “My friends and I love to hunt,” Robert says.  “A couple of years ago, I would have to tell my friends to go on without me, and I would just wait at the truck.  I was too tired, and my legs hurt too much.”

More than 100 pounds lighter, Robert has plenty of energy again and says he feels like a new man.  Although his decision to have weight loss surgery was a choice he made because he wanted his health back, his wife also points out another result of the procedure.

“Robert looks like he did when we first got married 35 years ago,” Robin says.  The couple say they believe Robert’s decision and his success will give them a chance for many more years together in a lifestyle that is active and healthy.   “Actually, I wish I had done the surgery 10 years ago,” Robert says.  “I feel so much better now.”

“Why should I let my age stop me from doing something that could help me have a longer and healthier life?”Judibeth Taylor, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother and an NFRMC weight loss surgery patient 164 pounds lost!



Looking back a few years ago, Judibeth Taylor was happy about most things in her life. Happily married for nearly 50 years to the same man, she enjoyed supporting his work as a United Methodist minister and was proud of their four grown children, 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. But there was one thing still troubling her. She weighed 307 pounds.



Judibeth explored the possibility of weight loss surgery and decided it was the best choice for her. In March 2007, Dr. Bruce Brient performed her laparoscopic gastric banding at North Florida Regional Medical Center.



Now, Judibeth weighs 143 pounds, a weight loss of more than 160 pounds and one that has resulted in considerably improved health. Whereas she once needed 160 units of insulin daily for her diabetes, she now requires no insulin at all and can completely manage her diabetes on her own. While she still needs some medications for other conditions, the amount of medication has been significantly reduced.



Like so many other patients who struggle with obesity, Judibeth Taylor remembers being overweight her whole life and how she had simply accepted it as a condition she would have tolerate. When she made the decision to undergo weight loss surgery at age 64, she knew others would question such a decision so late in life but she did not let that stop her. She’s become an example to other patients considering bariatric surgery past age 60, and it pleases her that this success may help someone else accomplish the same result that has changed her life.



This is Judibeth’s story in her words:



My health and my life changed because I was so heavy. I couldn’t walk and move around.  I had diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. My weight put my life at risk, andI had to do something.  I feel so much better now. I am very active, and I enjoy spending time with my grandchildren.
I enjoy my life. I felt that – if I changed my life – I had a chance for many years to come to be with my husband and family. Why should I let my age stop me from doing something that could help me have a longer and healthier life?



I know how it feels to be so heavy for so long and to lose hope. My advice to others is to have faith that things can change. I think I would not be here today without the surgery.  It is as simple as that.



— Judibeth Taylor, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother and an NFRMC weight loss surgery patient
164 pounds lost!

“When I get a chance to talk to other people who are where I once was, I encourage them.”
Brenda Bagan, Lake City, Fla. correctional officer and an NFRMC weight loss surgery patient
186 pounds lost!



According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one third of all Americans are obese. Brenda Bagan of Lake City, Fla. is well aware of those startling statistics because she was once a member of that population. At her heaviest, Brenda weighed 308 pounds. She was tired of the way she felt and fearful of what the extra weight could be doing to her health and lifespan. With the support and encouragement of her husband, Brenda searched for an answer, and that search brought her to North Florida Regional Medical Center.



By late 2009, Brenda had lost over 180 pounds and attributes her success to carefully following the medical staff’s guidelines and suggestions throughout the journey. Deciding what to eat, how much and when are simply part of her daily routine now, and she is committed to sticking to her new healthy habits.



Brenda says that losing the weight also has helped her on the job as a correctional officer, a role that requires her to stay active and mobile, something she is now very capable of doing with ease. Nearly two years later, even talking about her weight loss success is still an emotional experience for Brenda. Seeing photographs of herself brings tears of joy to her eyes as she shares what major changes have taken place in her life, what the weight loss means to her and how she wishes the thousands of other people who feel as she once did could experience the same energy and gratitude that she does now.



Brenda’s story in her own words:   



My surgery was in late April 2007, and I have never looked back. I have nearly reached my goal weight and will not stop until I get there.  Exercise is now part of who I am. It is not a chore to me. I actually enjoy it, and it makes me feel good. When I get a chance to talk to other people who are where I once was, I encourage them. It is a chanceto give back and help someone else who needs to hear the same kind of encouragement I got to help me get where I am today.



     — Brenda Bagan, Lake City, Fla. correctional officer and an NFRMC weight loss surgery patient 186 pounds lost!

“People look at me as an example of what is possible.”
Anetra Dexter, Florida mother of four and an NFRMC weight loss surgery patient 158 pounds lost!



Anetra Dexter is a busy woman. With an 11-year-old son, 9-year-old daughter and 4-year-old twins, Anetra has enough of a challenge simply keeping up with her kids. These days, she is finding it easier to do than in the past and credits that to shedding more than 150 pounds following weight loss surgery at North Florida Regional Medical Center.



For Anetra, obesity has always been a problem common in her family along with the medical conditions that often accompany it – high blood pressure and diabetes. Having lost family members to heart disease and diabetes, she didn’t want to continue in the same footsteps. By losing weight, Anetra says she can better care for her children and set a healthier example.



Anetra’s gastric banding surgery was performed laparoscopically by surgeon Timothy Hipp at North Florida Regional Medical Center in March 2008. She has since reached her goal weight of 140 pounds, wears a size 6 and now works toward maintaining her weight.



I can now do things with my children that I just couldn’t do before because I weighed 298 pounds..go for long walks with the children
and even play basketball with my son. When we go to places like Busch Gardens, I can actually get on the rides with my children.
I feel great.



When I was younger, I was always on the chunky side. After I had my children, everything ballooned and got out of control. I
made the decision to do something about it, and I am so glad I did.



What I love now is that people look at me as an example of what is possible. I have had many chances to talk to people and
give them encouragement and hope that they can get rid of the weight and live a healthy life.



The band won’t do it all by itself. You have to work and do your part by watching what you eat and how much and by
becoming active. If you do your part, it works.



It can change your life. It changed mine.



— Anetra Dexter, Florida mother of two and an NFRMC weight loss surgery patient
158 pounds lost!