May 09, 2005

Getting Their Lives Back

More than 100 lives changed by Genesis Center for Bariatric Surgery

Chasing a child. Walking a dog. Riding a roller coaster. Dancing at a wedding.

Those simple pleasures can become nearly impossible if the person trying to enjoy them is obese and is experiencing serious conditions and pain related to their weight. Every activity can be painful and exhausting.

There is also the social factor of obesity. Walking a dog can mean stares. Riding a roller coaster, or attending a sports event, can mean not fitting into the seat. Traveling by airplane can mean asking for an belt extension.

The comprehensive bariatric program offered by the Genesis Center for Bariatric Surgery has helped more than 100 individuals from as far away as Sterling, Ill., and West Burlington, Iowa change their lives and in some cases, save their lives.

They can dance again.

On a recent night, 30 of the first 100 patients of the Genesis Center for Bariatric Surgery gathered. They laughed. They told their best stories. They talked about shared experiences.

The individual stories are remarkable.

Geraldine Webb of West Burlington, Iowa was taking four shots of insulin every day for her diabetes before her surgery on Sept. 27, 2004. Gone are 100 pounds and the need for the insulin. "I had full-blown diabetes. Now I don’t take even one shot. I don’t need to.’’

Kelly Willet of Davenport was also taking insulin for diabetes. After losing 127 pounds, she no longer needs insulin and is no longer seeing endrocrinologist Catherine Weideman, M.D.

Andrea Denger of Long Grove has lost 144 pounds since her surgery on Dec. 8, 2003. She has become an enthusiastic advocate of exercise. She runs, cross trains, takes spin classes and lifts weights. She often works out six days a week. She can run four miles.

Nicole Akers, one of the youngest Genesis bariatric patients at 26 years old, no longer has dangerously elevated blood pressure. The damage to her kidneys caused by hypertension is being reversed.

There have been instances where a Genesis gastric bypass patient required medication for diabetes on the day of surgery. By the time they leave the hospital after only a few days, doses have been reduced or eliminated entirely.

Changed social lives

There have also been social awakenings. Patients are amazed at how approachable they have become for total strangers. "It’s astonishing. I have perfect strangers smiling at me and saying, ‘Hello.’ My friends say it’s because I just glow,’’ said Jeri Ellis of Sterling, Ill., who has lost 60 pounds since her surgery on Nov. 8, 2004. "I can be an active part of my daughter’s life. I can volunteer and not be afraid to embarrass myself, or her.’’

Jane Huitt, who has lost 107 pounds since her surgery on March 22, 2004, said, "I’m a new person. Before I didn’t want to do much or see people. I was ashamed of myself. People who wouldn’t even make eye contact with me before now hold the door open for me.’’

Deb Fox, an employee of Genesis Medical Center, DeWitt said she has been transformed from a self-conscious, cautious woman into a woman who doesn’t have to worry about feeling out of place. Fox said, "I no longer feel as if people are staring at me, or either pitying me or berating me, for my weight.

Mary McDonald of Maquoketa, who has lost 140 pounds since her surgery on Sept. 22, 2003, said, "I got my life back. It is as simple as that.’’

There are wonderful success stories, but the surgery is not for everyone who is overweight. Gastric bypass surgery is not cosmetic surgery. The procedure is major surgery with an accompanying level of risk. The level of risk is acceptable for gastric bypass candidates who often are confronting a reduced life expectancy because of co-morbidities related to their weight; for example, heart disease, diabetes and sleep apnea.

Matthew Christophersen, M.D., FACS, and one of the three surgeons affiliated with the Genesis Center for Bariatric Surgery, said there is increasing medical evidence that gastric bypass surgery lengthens lives. He added that there are also tremendous non-medical benefits. "You read about the medical benefits of this surgery to some people, but when you see the other benefits first-hand, and see how it changes their lives in so many ways, it’s very rewarding.

"I think our successes so far are just the tip of the iceberg. We have the opportunity to improve health in this region. I think we are hearing these wonderful stories because we do this program the right way. I truly believe we have a better, more comphrehensive approach than other programs.’’

Genesis bariatric surgery patients receive thorough evaluation, education and planning before they undergo surgery. There is also extensive followup available after surgery. Support groups open to pre-operative and post-operative patients are available.

Teresa Fraker, R.N., B.S.N. and manager of the Genesis Center for Bariatric Surgery, said, "I’m surrounded by people who are experts at what they do. We have three surgeons, a dietitican, recreational therapist, physical therapist, pharmacists and a psychologist who are all available to the patients and who all want to see the patients become healthier.’’

Genesis offers laparoscopic procedure

The Genesis Center for Bariatric Surgery is the only Quad Cities program offering laparoscopic gastric bypass. The surgical procedure to create a smaller stomach or "pouch’’ is the same as the Roux-en-Y procedure used when the abdomen is opened, but the recovery period is shorter for the laparoscopic procedure, there is a decreased risk of complications and, there is less visible scarring.

The results for Genesis bariatric patients have been consistent. Fraker said the average weight loss for patients is approximately 100 pounds. There have been Genesis program patients who have lost as much as 160 pounds.

The rewards for the doctors and staff of the Genesis Center for Bariatric Surgery are witnessing and being a part of the transformation of lives. Emotional phone calls and letters from grateful patients are reminders of the difference that has been made in lives.

At Christmas, Kelly Willet sent a card to the bariatric surgery staff. Willet wrote, "you help people reach for the stars and help them live their dreams.’’

Genesis gastric bypass patients are able to dance again.