Before & after results
Less to Love
Couple chooses life-changing bariatric surgery to lose 265 pounds
Pat and Ann LaCourse have spent most of their married lives taking care of others. They have three teenage daughters and have been foster parents to 37 other children. Now, they are taking care of themselves.
In December 2005, Ann LaCourse, an elementary school principal, had Roux-en-Y gastric bypass weight-loss surgery at Unity Hospital by Daniel Baker, MD. A few months later, Pat LaCourse, a trucking company dispatcher, also had the procedure performed by Dr. Baker of the Unity Hospital Bariatric Center. In a little more than one year, the LaCourses have lost a combined 265 pounds.
Because they experienced the surgeries together, they have been a great source of support to each other.
“Pat is my motivator,” Ann said in a recent interview with her hometown newspaper, Sleepy Eye, Minn. Herald Dispatch. “I can come home and be tired and he's telling me ‘Let's go for a walk.' I couldn't have done this without him. He is my incentive. He gets me going.”
Although weight-loss surgeries are popular options for obese individuals, it is rare for a husband and wife to both have the procedure. The couple appeared on the Fox 9 Morning TV Show on Valentine’s Day to talk about their experience and the fact that they now have “less to love” about each other.
“I run into people all the time who don't recognize me,” Pat said. “Some of them have asked me if I could have lost the weight without surgery. I say, yeah, maybe short-term. Now I've reached this point and I don't ever want to go back to the way I was.”
“So many people have told me that we look so much happier, and we are. We feel so much better than we did,” Ann said. “It's been an exciting journey and certainly life-changing. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.”
To learn more about bariatric surgery, attend a free seminar; they’re scheduled weekly at Unity Hospital. For more information, call Medformation at 612-262-3333 or 1-800-877-7878.
Photo: Today, Ann can fit into one leg of the jeans Pat wore before surgery. Photo credit: Doreen Tyler, Sleepy Eye Herald Dispatch
Rich’s journey
“The surgery will change your life.”
Richard Izzo of Ham Lake is happy to tell anyone considering weight loss surgery: Don’t wait. It will change your life.
“I tried to lose weight with diets, but those just didn’t work,” said Izzo. “This was the easiest and best way to lose weight. I am happy to tell anyone who is struggling with too many extra pounds: Have the surgery.”
At 360 pounds, Izzo had achy knees and hips that were stressed by his weight.
Izzo knew friends who had had weight loss surgery at Unity Hospital. And his wife, a nurse, knew about Dr. Daniel Baker and his reputation as a first-rate surgeon with a compassionate bedside manner.
“I had Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery at Unity in October 2005, when I was 52 years old,” said Izzo. “The procedure went so well, I was back to work in only a few days.” During the surgery, performed by Dr. Baker, Izzo’s stomach was reduced from the size of a small cantaloupe to that of an egg. He eats less, but feels full and satisfied – while absorbing fewer calories.
Izzo was careful to follow the Unity Hospital Bariatric Center’s instructions to exercise, take the nutritional supplements required and eat the suggested amounts of protein, vegetables and other foods. As more and more weight came off, Izzo was able to realize a life-long dream: A canoeing vacation with his family, something he would not consider when he was heavy.
Now at 182 pounds, Izzo says his friends have to look twice when they see him. “People don’t recognize me anymore,” he said. He enjoys a new hobby, waterskiing, and has more energy to do his woodworking projects or play on the floor with his 10 grandchildren.
Karie’s journey
Lap BandŽ surgery gives Karie Henderson “the lifestyle I had always wanted.”
Karie Henderson was never overweight as a child or adolescent. But after she married and had her only child, a son, everything changed.
“I just kept gaining more and more weight – and very quickly – after I had my son,” said Henderson, who lives in Mound. “My son has always known me as a heavy person. I felt badly that I couldn’t be more active with him when he was little.”
At her heaviest, Henderson was 250 pounds. She had frequent back aches and muscle soreness. A bigger concern for her was that her family history includes serious heart problems and diabetes.
Henderson had talked with family members who had had weight loss surgery at Unity Hospital, known to be a pioneer in treating folks with obesity. As one of the first bariatric surgery programs in the state, Henderson was pleased to learn that Unity Hospital Bariatric Center was offering the new Lap Band surgery option where a gastric band is surgically placed around the stomach to limit how much food can be eaten.
Henderson had her Lap Band surgery by Dr. Jeffrey Baker in December 2005 when she was 34 years old.
“It was a complete success,” she said. Henderson recovered from the laparoscopic procedure quickly and was anxious to “start the lifestyle I had always wanted.” Her employer, G & K Service of Minnetonka, allowed her six weeks of recovery time, which gave her the chance to concentrate on her health, adjust to her new nutritious and balanced diet, and start an exercise program.
The Lap Band is adjustable and Henderson had Dr. Baker adjust hers four times in order to find her “feeling-full sweet spot” and to tailor the rate of weight loss that was the best option for her.
The result? She has achieved her goal of losing 100 pounds. “I just recently took a trip by plane and was so happy to sit comfortably in the seat,” she said. “I was even able to put the tray down all the way!”
As a smaller and more trim person, people don’t always recognize Henderson. “Even my husband will lose me. If we separate in the grocery store, he can’t find me unless he remembers what I’m wearing!”
Tracy’s journey
"What you're supposed to do when you don't like a thing is change it.
If you can't change it, change the way you think about it."
- Maya Angelou
I have tried just about everything to lose weight permanently, but I always failed. So I thought I was fine with my weight, but my quality of life started to deteriorate. Then I had to face the possibility of back and knee surgery. I was already taking medication for my blood pressure and cortisone shots for my heel. But I still thought I was okay, just a little overweight (not a realistic self image). You see, I could still walk two miles (really slowly), do aerobics (panting), and I felt I was pretty active. But in some of my relationships I was over accommodating, allowing others to take advantage of me.
Then I read a medical report that my doctor sent to me about a test or exam I had taken. It had stated that my complications were due to my "morbid obesity". Just the reading of those words put me in a state of shock. Until I said those words in my mind I really did not think I was that overweight.
Then one day I decided to research weight loss surgery. I sent for written and documented information on the gastric bypass. After two years of mulling things over I decided in 2001 to have the surgery.
I discussed it with my primary physician and he was all for it because he thought it would help me put a stop to and even reverse the complications I was having as a result of morbid obesity.
It has now been nearly four years and losing the weight for a healthier life style has helped me reshape my own destiny and make better choices for myself. I do not feel that I deny myself any food – I have to decide and I am willing to deal with that particular consequence. I am far from perfect, but I feel I am learning each day that I am on this weight loss journey. I believe I am an example to others who are thinking, planning or have had the gastric bypass surgery.
Rebuilding my life with a new image was and continues to be met with challenges and expectations from others (and myself) to accept the new me. My confidence relies upon my mental health aligning with the change in my eating pattern: my body image and adaptation to the spiritual and physical energy I have internally.
I have realized that my weight loss is inspirational and it's essential to identify the contributing factors to your real desire to consume food, refocus your attention to the things that matter most in your life - "YOU", reshape, redesign and cultivate the new you".
"No matter what you accomplish in life, someone helps you."
-Wilma Rudolph
Greg’s journey
“There is so much freedom in not being overweight.”
I have so much energy now. I can run flights of stairs and not get winded. I even play softball again like I did when I was twenty. Even better is being able to run the bases and slide without thinking about how much I will hurt myself.
I appreciate the simple things like fitting into a regular airplane seat when I travel and sitting in any chair or restaurant booth that is available. The worry is gone!
There is so much freedom in not being overweight. I can bike, fish, travel and explore new activities that I physically could not do before.
Janelle’s journey
“Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels!”
Before Gastric Bypass Surgery in March 1980, I tried every diet plan known to
man. I thought I felt better about myself while dieting. The grand total of
what I needed to lose, however, looked so enormous when compared with what I
was losing. So, each diet plan would fail.
Depression about my weight set in and I was not a happy person. One day I noticed
a lady from my church who was just melting away and I couldn’t believe how great
she looked. I remember secretly watching her one morning during church and wondering
what she was doing. It took me a long time to get up the nerve to speak to her
and find out that she had had a Gastric Bypass. She gave me the name of Dr.
Dan Baker – and from then on, a new life opened up!
I have learned in the 26 years since my surgery that nothing tastes as good
as being thin feels! Compliments are a part of my life now – something I never
heard before. People made comments to my husband thinking he had gotten a divorce
and gotten a new wife. He had – really!
I have been a church organist in the Twin Cities for 28 years. My family and
I always sat in the second pew of the sanctuary and I would need to leave my
seat and walk to the organ at the appropriate time. One of my friends once said
to me, “You know, I used to watch you waddle up to the organ, now I just watch
you!”
"Size 24-1/2 to size 10 is a big change -- but a great reward."
Shopping is a favorite thing to do. I could shop everyday. At first, after losing
the weight, I was afraid to try on smaller clothes. Size 24-1/2 to size 10 is
a big change – but a great reward. Styles are so different in smaller sizes
that it is really fun to try them on.
Life after surgery has not always been an easy road. There are many adjustments
to becoming a new thin person. People thought I was ill and would make comments
that I was looking too thin or that I looked drawn.
Breaking old habits is not an easy thing to do. I think I am hungry, but really
I am not. I have always said, “Dr. Baker operated on my stomach and not my brain
– my brain says I want to eat, but the stomach really isn’t hungry.” Changing
mental attitudes about food and eating is a daily challenge, even 26 years later.
It is well worth the effort!
I have become a person who enjoys life so much more. My professions as a fulltime
secretary and part time diamond consultant keep me in the public eye all day
long. I now have the self-confidence to approach people for sales and know that
I look good. I don’t believe I could have been as successful at either of these
jobs as my former heavier self. Many other opportunities are possible for me
in life thanks to Gastric Bypass Surgery. My life is truly enriched, and I am
truly thankful.
Larissa’s journey
"Gastric bypass surgery helped me to lose 120 pounds!"
I continue to lose weight through sensible eating and aerobic exercise. I don't feel invisible or forgotten anymore!
I was so scared the morning before my surgery, but it is the best decision I ever made. It quite possibly saved my life.
I can't explain how fun it is to be able to shop in the "juniors" section of ANY clothing store. I don't feel like I have to hide inside oversized clothes after losing so much weight.
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