Real Patient Transformations

Describe your life before you had Weight Loss Surgery?

Was always tired. No energy or at least able to sustain my energy.

How long were you considering Weight Loss Surgery before you came in?

A little over a year

What was it like to work with our team?

Very comfortable and relaxing

Describe your life now, after Weight Loss Surgery.

Definitely a lot more active. I notice a lot of little things I didn’t realize my weight was holding me back from. I was 285 at surgery, I’m 7 months out and at 190 now. A1C went from 8.8 to 5.8. Feeling great.

Describe your life before you had Weight Loss Surgery?

Life before surgery was all around difficult. I hated the way I looked and felt. I was very uncomfortable in my own body. Being almost 500 pounds really stopped me from living life and doing anything because I always felt like people was judging me and people were making fun of me because of how big I was and how I looked. I was pre diabetic and my blood pressure was through the roof and I would just blame the high blood pressure on it runs in the family and I didn’t want to change my ways.

How long were you considering Weight Loss Surgery before you came in?

I honestly didn’t want the surgery because I saw it as an easy way out and I wanted to do it the “natural” way. What made me go through with the surgery was I didn’t want to die when I was 30. Plus I knew I had to make a change because I was only in my 20s but felt like I was 40 plus. Everything was hard to do simple task like walking and walking up stairs took so much energy and effort I would be so tired and gassed I was just tired of always feeling like that.

What was it like to work with our team?

Working with the team was amazing. Everyone was very supportive and encouraging during my journey. And even 6 months after surgery they are still supportive and still proud of the progress i have made.

Describe your life now, after Weight Loss Surgery.

The one thing I love most is how my confidence has me feeling. I have never felt this good about myself ever in my life. I no longer talk about myself in a negative way, I love taking pictures now, I no longer worry about people judging me and making fun of me. Life has just gotten so much easier and better for me it has been a complete 180 change. Everything is so much easier and doing things don’t take all of my energy and effort. I am almost down a total of 200 pounds and going through life 200 pounds less has
been amazing. My body feels amazing, my mood is always positive, I have confidence now, I love looking in the mirror. All around the weight loss surgery has made me find myself and showed me that I can do anything I put my mind to.

Describe your life before you had Weight Loss Surgery?

Before surgery, I was afraid to do anything. Would I be able to walk that far? Would I fit in the booth? Will there be stairs? At just 27 years old, I was 405lbs with arthritis, sleep apnea, binge eating disorders diabetes, and high blood pressure.

How long were you considering Weight Loss Surgery before you came in?

Around age 22 I really started to think about it. At that age I wasn’t at my biggest and the affects of obesity haven’t really started yet. my family disapproved, I was young, and I didn’t know where to even begin.

What was it like to work with our team?

I am so thankful for Grand Health Partners. They truly did save my life. Unfortunately, nobody can really pinpoint if you’ll have complications post surgery, and it is just a risk you have to take. I’ve had some major complications and have endured hell the past 7 months, but luckily Grand Health Partners has caught the
major issues and done their best to fix them.

However, I have learned how disappointing our medical system is in the US is as a whole. This is NOT just Grand Health Partners, and I am very understanding in the fact you can only do what you can do, but SOMETHING has to change. I am only one person and don’t have the resources to change things, but maybe your office can set the foundation for change by advocating and pushing for those in your care.

A little background and specifics: I just had my second surgery due to post Roux En Y complications (three total surgeries – My Roux En Y in March 2024, another surgery in July of 2024 due to complications, and my latest surgery on October 17th of 2024.)

I have advocated, pleaded, and cried to numerous doctors to please admit me and to help me. I am only able to eat a few bites and take a few sips. I have been told by multiple doctors I am unbelievably dehydrated and my body is in starvation mode. I am doing everything in my power to eat and drink as much as possible with no success. I am unable to help myself and Grand Health Partner doctors and other ER doctors are unable/unwilling to help me. If my body continually fails me by not allowing me to eat or drink enough or I am not admitted for continuous IV fluids, I am afraid this will be a never ended revolving door. My body has nothing left to give.

I am a 28 year old woman who has passed out from dehydration and starvation, temporary being taken care of by her parents, cannot work, cannot drive, and can only walk from point A to point B.

I want to emphasize my gratitude towards doctor Baker. He has done his diligence to make sure all severe and life threatening issues were taken care of immediately and I will always be grateful for that. Now it’s time to work on the behind the scenes for patients like me who are slipping through the cracks and
struggling with issues that are not immediately life threatening but either have the potential to be, or get severe enough it is affecting someone’s quality of life.

Describe your life now, after Weight Loss Surgery.

* I was able to fly economy! Not only did I fit in the seat, but I didn’t have to ask for a seatbelt extension either!

* I can sit in booths, chairs with arms, fit in smaller spaces, etc.

* I am more confident! I am not afraid to meet new people or see people I haven’t seen in a long time!

* I can walk into pretty much any store and find my size!

* I feel more included because I’m able to do more!