Bariatric Surgery Results
Patient Success Stories
Read how some of our patients have successfully lost weight through our program!
Alfreda’s Story
Alfreda couldn’t believe that she was only two pounds away from weighing 300, but it was true. She was hopeful about someday losing weight; so long as she stayed under 300 pounds. So she tried every diet and weight-loss method she could find. Despite her efforts, the dreaded day arrived when she stepped on the scale and topped out at 302 pounds. It was then that she took action.
She recalled a friend of hers who had gastric bypass surgery 12 years ago and thought about how happy and healthy this friend was now. Alfreda imagined herself as a “Before and After” model and believed that surgery would provide her with the tools she needed to get there.
Alfreda had a gastric bypass on March 19, 2007, forever changing her life. Today, she is a sliver of her former self, having lost 162 pounds. She is very thankful that her decision to have the surgery turned out so well and that she can enjoy her life and her health. “I have realized my dream,” laughed Alfreda. I am now a “Before and After” model!” 
Linda’s Story
Linda didn’t have a weight problem until she stopped playing sports in high school. She continued to gain after two pregnancies, and before she knew it, she had reached 370 pounds. She tried diets and weight-loss programs but could never get under 350 pounds.
Her physician recommended weight-loss surgery. Although Linda didn’t have the health problems common among obese people, her physician warned her that it would only be a matter of time before she developed such diseases as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.
On September 23, 2004, Linda had bariatric surgery and has since lost 155 pounds. Linda’s dress size has dropped from a size 28 to a size 12.
Linda is thrilled with the new life surgery gave her. She loves that she can go on an airplane and not need a seat-belt extension, or that she can walk into any clothing store and shop. And she spends a lot of time encouraging other bariatric patients so that they may find the happiness and joy she has found through weight-loss surgery.
Melvin's Story
Melvin is ecstatic about his new life after his February 2005 surgery that resulted in his 145-pound weight loss. He is living life to the fullest, enjoying riding roller coasters, bicycling and playing basketball with his two teenaged sons. And he is thrilled to walk into a regular clothes store and buy something right off the rack.
But life wasn’t always this good for Melvin. He had suffered since he was a child, always big, always husky. As he grew older, he got bigger and began experiencing the medical complications obesity can bring, including adult-onset diabetes that put him in intensive care for two weeks and nearly killed him.
Thanks to the recommendation of a friend who had had the surgery, Melvin sought help through the Bariatric Care Program. It was the right solution for him, and he is happy to be finally living the life of his dreams. 
Kathy's Story
For Kathy, choosing to have weight-loss surgery was a quality-of-life decision. Kathy had advanced arthritis that made it extremely difficult for her to walk. She’d had knee replacement surgery several years ago, but had little hope of ever being able to walk without pain again. She knew her arthritis was a direct result of being overweight, but she had been unsuccessful in finding a way to lose weight and keep it off.
But that all changed on December 11, 2003, when Kathy had a gastrointestinal bypass at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center.
Just 6 months later, she already lost more than 50 pounds and experienced a tremendous improvement in her health. “My legs are 80 percent better,” said Kathy. “I can walk now with relatively little pain. I even went to Hawaii and had a fantastic time. This never would have been possible had I not had weight-loss surgery.
“I think it’s important for anyone considering this procedure to talk with others who have had it to get an idea of the entire process – the ups and the downs,” added Kathy. “This will help manage expectations and make for a more positive experience.”
Jackie’s Story
Jackie had been obese since the 4th grade and started having health problems at the age of thirty-five. At the time of the surgery, she was taking seven different medications and realized that bariatric surgery was her last resort to stay alive. Her father died of a heart attack when he was 56, and Jackie worried that she would also die young if she didn’t lose weight.
The problem was that diets didn’t work for Jackie. So in October of 2004, she had Gastric Bypass Surgery and has now lost 110 pounds. “I am thrilled with my new life,” said Jackie. “The surgery changed everything.” Jackie can now walk just about anywhere without becoming short of breath. She has tons of energy for her husband and her job working with kids in juvenile hall. Her labs are perfect now and she is down to only two medications. And her self-esteem is much higher now – she feels very confident in her new body.
“I’ve had some great experiences so far, but the best one was when I flew to New York,” said Jackie. “I fit comfortably in the seat and I wasn’t squishing the people next to me or bumping the flight attendants in the aisle. This never would have happened if I hadn’t had the surgery. I know I made the right decision to have the surgery, and although I don’t believe the surgery is right for everyone, I would highly recommend it for those who believe it’s their last option and who have thoroughly investigated it. The more prepared one is, the better the outcome.”
Angie's Story
Angie felt helpless about her weight her whole life. She started her first diet in the third grade and went up and down the scale throughout her childhood and adult life. But she would never lose more than 50 pounds and would always gain it all back. She weighed 343 before her surgery in December 2003.
“I decided on surgery because there was nowhere else for me to go,” said Angie. “I had tried just about every diet and weight-loss program available to me and felt that surgery was my only chance for permanent and lasting weight loss. I was a little bit afraid of having surgery, by my complete confidence in my surgeon helped me to move forward with the process.”
Angie wants to lose a total of 200 pounds and has already reached her 6-month goal to lose 100 pounds. “I’m feeling great now,” said Angie. “I’m super happy. I exercise and I have tons of energy for myself and for my family. And my health has improved, too. My cholesterol has dropped 100 points and I have been able to cut my asthma medication in half.
Best of all, I was able to go on the roller coaster at Marine World with my daughter and can participate in activities with my husband and children that I never thought I could,” she added. “If I had it to do all over, I would have this surgery again in a heartbeat. The benefits are unbelievable.” Angie is well on her way to reaching here goal - she is shown above on the right 18 months after her surgery!
Armine's Story
When Armine visited her doctor in July of 2003, he informed her (again) that her high cholesterol, borderline diabetes, and thyroid problem were taking a huge toll on her health. At 245 pounds, Armine was also having trouble breathing and walking, and her depression about her condition was growing. Although she had been on numerous diet and exercise programs, she had had no luck in losing weight.
Armine’s last hope was to have gastric bypass surgery. On October 13, 2003 she underwent the procedure laparoscopically. Her life hasn’t been the same since. Weighing in on July 15, 2004 at 150 pounds, Armine can now fully participate in her life. She can play at the park with her two daughters, and her husband likes taking the family on picnics and camping trips. "I can’t explain how wonderful it is to have my life back," said Armine. "I missed so much when I was physically unable to participate in activities with my family and friends."
Armine has just 20 pounds left to lose and hopes to reach her goal weight well before the one-year anniversary of her surgery. In the meantime, Armine is getting plenty of exercise and is enjoying her ability to eat small portions of healthy foods.
Please contact us if you have any questions or would like more information about the program.
Bariatric Care Program
Location: Summit Campus, Oakland
Phone: (510) 869-8972
Email: ABSMCWeight@Sutterhealth.org
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