Joan Wilson before and after weight loss surgery.

As recently as 2009, Joan Wilson was one of the 17 million Americans with diabetes.  At 5-feet-tall and 217 pounds, she was a common Type 2 candidate, obese and physically inactive.  Type 2 diabetes can cause heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and leg and foot amputations.  If Joan, now 70, didn’t make some changes, she ran a huge risk of suffering from any of these afflictions, or worse, becoming one of the over 200,000 people who die from diabetes related complications each year.

Joan did not want to be a statistic.  She was tired of people looking down on her, tired of being unhealthy and tired of having no energy.  But Joan wasn’t tired enough to go down without a fight, refusing to allow poor health to rob her of her senior years.

After months of researching, Joan took the first step toward positive change and met with Dr. Timothy Hipp at North Florida Regional Healthcare’s Center for Obesity Surgery and Treatment.  After discussing her options, Joan elected to have the least invasive form of bariatric surgery, adjustable gastric banding.

Dr. Hipp performed Joan’s surgery in December of 2009 at North Florida Regional Medical Center.  By November 2010, she was 52 pounds lighter with plans to lose 20 more.  She is off of her diabetes and blood pressure medications.

“My life has changed so much,” Joan says.  “I feel like I have more energy.  I love shopping for smaller size clothes, and my health has improved so much.  I love life now.”

Not one to sit still, Joan is taking full advantage of her heightened energy, fulfilling her two passions of working and helping people.  She works part-time as a bookkeeper for a CPA and serves as treasurer for two community groups – Lake City Newcomers and Marion Place Homeowners Association.  No matter what, she makes time for exercise, and nearly every day she walks or rides her stationary bike. 

“I’ve never been happier,” she says.  “I’m proud of myself.”

Her advice to those considering weight loss surgery is to learn their options.  A decision to have the procedure must be followed by sticking to the program carefully.  More than anything, it’s key to remember gastric banding is a tool for losing weight and still involves commitment and work.

Jill had gastric bypass surgery at the Center for Obesity Surgery and Treatment.

Jill Johnson is a great dieter.  Numerous times, she lost 100 pounds on a single diet and exercise plan.  While she had little problem losing the weight, she struggled to keep the weight off.  Within a year or so, she would manage to gain back all those hard-shed pounds.  At her heaviest, 5-foot-7-inch Jill was 273 pounds and wore a plus-size 24.

After a lifetime of a wild roller coaster ride of gaining and losing, Jill had enough.

“I finally admitted it to myself,” Jill says.  “I was incapable of losing weight and sustaining the weight loss with diet and exercise alone.”

As an advanced nurse practitioner, Jill realized that weight loss surgery, coupled with diet and exercise, would offer her the best chance of losing the weight and keeping it off.

In September 2007, Dr. Timothy Hipp performed gastric bypass surgery for Jill.  At the time of her surgery, she weighed 230 pounds.  Post-surgery, Jill reached a normal, healthy weight with ease.  But more importantly, she has not regained any of the weight.  In January 2011, Jill weighed 130 pounds.  Now a size 4, she has dropped more than 20 sizes from her heaviest.

Beyond her improved health and newfound energy, weight loss surgery has affected her love life.  She was single for 30 years prior to having surgery.

“I had resigned myself to the fact that I would probably live out the rest of my life with no partner,” Jill explains.  “This was because I had such a poor self image due to the constant fluctuation in my body size and the resultant changes in my appearance.”

In one of her most dramatic life changes yet, Jill started dating after her three-decade-long relationship hiatus.  She met Brian, discovering that it was possible for her to be in a loving and lasting relationship.

Although she appears to be younger, Jill is now 62 years old and has retired.  Ironically, she now how more energy than ever before.  Her son and daughter-in-law are avid cyclists, so despite the fact that Jill hadn’t been on a bike in 50 years, she bought a bicycle.  She and Brian, both fresh-air junkies, spend their free time in the great outdoors.

Jill’s advice to those considering weight loss surgery is to take action now.  Weight loss surgery is not a magical solution, she says, but it does make what was once impossible become possible.

We all know that losing weight can be a struggle. Even after you undergo your bariatric procedure, you will need to stay focused and face your weight-loss goals head on. Without the right mindset it will be very difficult to lose the weight and keep it off down the road. But don’t worry, you are not alone in the fight. There are several resources that you can use to make your weight loss experience smoother.

North Florida Regional Medical Center Patient Guide

We know that you have seen the Patient Guide before. It is not only a great resource to use when you are learning about a bariatric procedure, but it can help you afterwards as well. Any time that you need a reminder as to exactly what you need to do to stay on track you can look in the patient guide. When you use this resource you will find:

• A full explanation of the required diet and nutritional information.
• Answers to frequently asked questions.
• Explanations of physical complications you may experience
• Guidelines that explain in detail the lifestyle changes that you will need to make.
• All of the telephone numbers that you will need to get a hold of us here at North Florida Regional Medical Center in the event that you have a problem adjusting

Organized Support Groups

Human beings are social creatures. It is in our nature to want to be around others who are like us. We especially need such social outlets when we are working towards a goal. Why not put yourself into a social setting where you’re surrounded with other people who are in your same situation? We offer support groups twice a month. You can come and meet other people who are going through the same thing that you are. You can get advice, share your accomplishments or just have a conversation with someone who is having the exact same experiences that you are. You may be surprised how much a little social interaction can help you focus on goals and provide you with motivation.

Go Online

• The internet has a wealth of information. You can find websites that are geared specifically towards people who have undergone bariatric procedures. We do want you to be careful though. Always check your sources to be sure that you are on a website that is maintained by a reputable source. Some websites are designed solely to sell products and others flat out have incorrect information. One way to make sure that you are on a good website is to look at the end of the web address. This is the part that generally says “.com”. There are many good websites listed as “.com” but if the web address ends in “.gov” then it is likely a good resource because it is maintained by the government and will not be biased. Also, ask one of our staff here about the recommendations made on a website that is not a .gov, the official LapBand website, or a site maintained by North Florida Regional Medical Center before following them yourself. For a list of websites that we approve and agree with, visit (LINK TO BLOG) or check out the “Resources” Tab in your Patient Guide.

Family and Friends

Your direct social network is a great resource. Family and friends can provide you with physical and emotional support. They will be there for you when times are hard and you need someone to talk to in order to stay on track. They can provide you with motivation and a little push when you need it. You never know: you might even find a great exercise partner in the group. Having an exercise partner makes working out more fun and generally helps people stay accountable for working out.

Staying on track after your procedure is important. Only you can make sure that you reach your weight and health goals. Remember bariatric procedures are excellent tools in your journey but they will not do all of the work for you. It is up to you to use your resources to your advantage. Gaining momentum and getting used to a new lifestyle can be a challenge at first, but with the right support, you’ll be sure to reach—and maintain—your weight-loss goals.

If you are facing challenges after your bariatric surgery, or if you would like to find out more about the procedures and how they can help you, visit us online.

SOURCES
National Institute of Health
Journey2aNewYou Support Groups
MedScape Today

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!