Lisa Fredricks, a patient of Saint Mary’s surgical weight loss program, underwent Duodenal Switch surgery performed by Dr. Paul Kemmeter in August 2009. She saw remarkable results, losing 103 pounds in just six months. Lisa shares the difference that her weight loss has made in her life:
- I no longer need my blood pressure medication.
- Exercising for 20 minutes is now attainable, no longer impossible.
- Summer planning was never exciting; now I look forward to hiking and canoeing.
- Strangers now open doors for me, instead of ignoring me.
When did you consider surgery as a possibility?
I’ve struggled with my weight my entire life, but at 39, I started considering bariatric weight-loss surgery after I visited with my doctor. We were talking about the negative impacts my excess weight was causing, including my arthritic feet. I needed Cortisone shots to manage the pain. I was at a loss of what else to do. While driving home from the doctor’s, I saw a surgical weight-loss billboard and thought, “Why not look into it?”
Why Saint Mary’s Health Care?
I opted to have my surgery at Saint Mary’s after a lot of online research. Then, I attended a free seminar hosted by Dr. Paul Kemmeter and Cathy Mooney, the program’s bariatric nurse navigator. After the seminar, I consulted with my friends. Everyone talked about the more personal care offered at Saint Mary’s; that’s what I wanted. I talked beforehand about all my surgical options with Dr. Kemmeter, who advised me that his patients had the best long-term results with the Duodenal Switch. And I wanted the best of the best.
How was your recovery process?
I describe it as uneventful, but the results are great! I feel so much better, especially since I also had surgery on a ligament in my feet a couple months ago. I feel like my attitude has gone through a transformation. I’ve always been an outgoing person, but now I feel even more so. I’m so much happier, more outgoing and excited about life in general. This summer we are making plans to go canoeing and hiking. Last year, the heat would have gotten to me; I never would have dreamt of doing these things.
Were you concerned about how your decision would affect your family?
I didn’t want my young daughters to think I was having weight loss surgery just because of vanity. There are so many health benefits to losing this weight. Although I wasn’t pre-diabetic, I knew I was headed down that path with my old lifestyle. It was only a matter of time. Now, I take vitamins and supplements instead of my blood pressure medication. Being 103 pounds lighter, my arthritic feet have less weight to carry, so they hurt much less, and it’s much easier to move and hopefully keep the weight off.
What changes have you made?
This is a lifelong commitment. I monitor and regulate what I eat, and make sure I get enough vitamins, protein and water. And now I can work out up to 20 minutes on the elliptical machine, whereas before five minutes would have been unthinkable. I’m excited to work up to higher levels, which will definitely help me manage to lose more weight and keep off what I’ve already lost.
What can you do now that you couldn't do before?
I always wanted to sell cars. But at my pre-surgery weight, I didn't feel confident that I could handle working with the public. Following my weight loss, I felt confident enough to follow my dream, and I'm now a sales consultant at a major auto dealership.
How is your personal downtime different?
When I'm on vacation with my family, I can do things now that I just couldn't do before, like walking for a long period of time. I know it sounds simple, but my mobility level really affected the way I experienced life.
Any regrets from the surgery?
No, I wish I had done this 10 years ago! My family and I are so happy with the surgery and its results.
