Patient Success Stories

At the ProMedica Toledo Hospital Metabolic and Bariatric Program, we take great pride in providing skilled medical care and pre- and post-surgery support for our patients. However, that pride can’t begin to compare to the pride we feel for our patients whose bariatric surgeries have helped them make positive changes in their lives. We feel inspired by our patients’ hard work and success, and we hope you do, too. Please take a few moments to read about patients whose lives changed dramatically with the help of bariatric surgery:

Raquel

I’m Raquel, the 1000th patient of the ProMedica Toledo Hospital Metabolic and Bariatric Program. After only five months, I’ve lost 85 pounds! I’m off my diabetes and asthma medications, and no longer have the aches and pains in my knees and back like I used to. I can even carry the laundry up and down the stairs without getting short of breath. Instead of fat and frumpy, I feel like the person I used to be, fit and fun.

At 42 years old, I weighed 260 pounds. I can’t believe I allowed myself to get that heavy. I was embarrassed to see people I knew from high school or people I hadn’t seen in 10 years. They would always say, “Wow, I didn’t even recognize you.” This was their way of saying, “Wow, you’ve gained so much weight. You don’t look anything like you did before.” I knew exactly what they meant. The worst comment was, “You’ve really packed on the pounds. Where did the pretty Raquel go?”

When I looked in the mirror, I barely recognized myself. My children would point out when my clothes were too tight. I knew that I needed to lose weight but the thought of how much I needed to lose was overwhelming. I felt defeated even before I began.

I wasn’t always overweight. In fact, I modeled bridal gowns when I was in my 20s. In my 30s, I was busy raising three children and working as an ER nurse at ProMedica Toledo Hospital. As time went on and emotional stress from difficulties in my personal life (including a divorce) increased, so did my waistline. For eight years the pounds kept adding up. I tried dieting every now and then, but I was never able to keep the weight off.

I had been thinking about bariatric surgery for about six months. I talked with numerous co-workers around the hospital that had the surgery. Everyone was so positive about their experience. The more I saw how successful they were at losing and keeping the weight off, the more interested I became. I attended a free bariatric seminar by Dr. Patrick White. It was the best two hours I’ve ever invested in myself. He presented all of the information and addressed all the life changes and possibilities of risks associated with those changes. I knew that day that the surgery was the best option for me. The seminar seems to be the starting point for everyone. My only regret is that I didn’t have the surgery sooner! This surgery has helped me to become healthy again so I can be around my three children and have fun with them.

Bottom line, I feel great and have much more energy than before. I still love food and enjoy eating but make better choices now. I feel better and better every day.

Rachell Martin

Three years ago, Rachell was 345 lbs. She suffered from extreme exhaustion and shortness of breath during the day, and sleep apnea by night. She was unable to do everyday activities such as drive or even stand for more than a few minutes at a time, leaving her unable to work. Congestive heart failure and edema in her legs and feet were also present, and she even suffered panic attacks when she tried to leave the house to go into public. However, perhaps the worst of all these side effects was the extreme depression and low self-esteem that she faced because of her weight. Rachell decided that it was the time to consider bariatric surgery.

Dr. Patrick White and ProMedica Toledo Hospital Metabolic and Bariatric Center gave Rachell another chance at a happy and healthy life when she had her surgery. She is now currently 155 lbs. and could not be more thankful. “It has not been an easy journey to get here, but it has been a journey worth taking nonetheless,” Rachell said.

These days, she just enjoys living. She can walk, breathe, sleep, shop, and do just about anything else that she want to do. Rachell enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, and is even planning to do some traveling soon. She never envisioned any of these things being possible prior to her surgery.

“Now, I can sit on any chair I want to sit in and it won’t break. I can drive wherever I want to go. I can sit on the floor and get up. I can take a bath and not ask for help. If I want to walk around my yard or around the block, I can. I want to sincerely thank the ProMedica Toledo Hospital Metabolic and Bariatric Center for helping me to realize this before it was too late,” she said.

Christina Alvarado

In 2010, after many years of being overweight, unhealthy and very unhappy at 326 pounds, Christina decided to move forward with bariatric surgery to better her life. She no longer wanted to be an active, full-of-energy individual trapped in an overweight body, unable to be the person she was truly intended to be. With borderline diabetes, bad knees and lower back pain, it made it very difficult for her to enjoy time with her family and friends like she wanted to. Although Christina did attend family and social functions as well as her daughter’s extracurricular activities, she was always embarrassed and would wonder what others thought of her. At times, she didn’t want to go out in public.

After attending the ProMedica Toledo Hospital Metabolic and Bariatric Center weight loss seminar and receiving the educational information from Dr. Patrick White and his staff, her decision to have gastric bypass was even easier.

April 21, 2010 was the date of her surgery and when her new journey in life began. There were some challenging times during this process, but with the help of her family, Cathy Uram, Dr. White’s staff, and attending the support group meetings, Christina was able to move forward excited about her future results. A year and a half later, she is down more than 180 pounds and completely loving life!

“This surgery may not be for everyone, but hands down this was the best decision I have ever made, not only for myself but for my husband and our children. I look forward to a long, happy and active life,” Christina said.

Michael Carr

At the age of 26 and weighing 350 pounds, Michael was suffering from severe health issues as a result of his weight. In addition to being morbidly obese and having Type 2 diabetes with an A1C of 10, Michael was also plagued with high blood pressure with a daily reading of 190/140 with medication.

Thanks to ProMedica Toledo Hospital Metabolic and Bariatric Center, led by Dr. Patrick White, Michael found an effective and clinically proven surgical solution to his health woes. In fact, bariatric surgery helped him lose 100 pounds in six months.

Michael decided to have bariatric surgery after he realized that his eating habits and health were leading to an early grave. After the surgery, Michael is no longer on medication for diabetes, his A1C is 5 and his blood pressure is within a healthy range. He is now able to enjoy walking, jogging and sleeping soundly through the night. Michael also has the energy to do things he couldn’t do before bariatric surgery. “I would recommend ProMedica Toledo Hospital Metabolic and Bariatric Center to anyone who desires to be healthy, lose weight and enjoy life. This is a new life and a new me,” he said.