Our patients and their stories

These stories paint a picture of the expert medical care and excellent experience we provide to our patients and their families.

Less to love

Couple chooses weight loss surgery to lose 265 pounds

In December 2005, Ann LaCourse had Roux-en-Y gastric bypass weight-loss surgery at Unity Hospital by Daniel Baker, MD. A few months later, Pat LaCourse also had the procedure performed by Dr. Baker of the Unity Hospital Bariatric Center. In a little more than one year, the LaCourses lost a combined 265 pounds.

Lap Band® surgery

Lap Band® 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.

Alison's journey

Alison was unhappy with her weight since childhood

As a young girl, Alison felt awkard and self-conscious about her size. "I tried dieting for years and I often lost weight, but I always gained it back, said Alison. "I was extremely discouraged and frustrated.".

Gastric bypass surgery

"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.

I lost 120 pounds!

"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!

Couple enjoys new life together

After weight loss surgery, couple enjoys a new life together

Mary Murck and Michael Knott were both chubby kids whose excess weight followed them into adulthood. When they met in their 40s, both weighed more than 300 pounds.

Small victories

For Jack Holmes, the small victories keep adding up

For most people, having to wear someone else's clothes after getting caught in a rainstorm would be an annoyance. For Jack Holmes, fitting into his younger and always thinner brother's clothes counted as a small victory.

Less to love

Couple chooses weight loss 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 Allina Class Registration at 1-866-904-9962.

Photo: Today, Ann can fit into one leg of the jeans Pat wore before surgery. Photo credit: Doreen Tyler, Sleepy Eye Herald Dispatch

Life changing surgery

"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.

Lap Band® surgery

Lap Band® 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!"

Alison's journey

Alison was unhappy with her weight since childhood

As a young girl, Alison felt awkard and self-conscious about her size. "I tried dieting for years and I often lost weight, but I always gained it back, said Alison. "I was extremely discouraged and frustrated."

Alison knew she desired a more fulfilling life. Obesity led to low self-esteem and difficulty sleeping and put her at risk for heart disease. Unable to enjoy life's most simple pleasures, Alison placed her trust in United Hospital and surgeons Dr. William Rupp and Dr. Peter Kelly.

"After my bariatric surgery, my energy levels increased, my overall health improved and I have the ability to truly enjoy my life."

Gastric bypass surgery

"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 30 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 profession as a full-time 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.

I lost 120 pounds!

"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.

Couple enjoys new life together

After weight loss surgery, couple enjoys a new life together

Mary Murck and Michael Knott were both chubby kids whose excess weight followed them into adulthood. When they met in their 40s, both weighed more than 300 pounds.

They began their married life 11 years ago with many shared interests – cooking, traveling and attending concerts – and a strong desire to lose weight.

"We tried many things together to lose weight, but eventually we'd fall off our exercise or diet program and have trouble getting back on," says Murck.

They also began to suffer the medical consequences of obesity, including diabetes, heart disease and joint pain. Activities they enjoyed were overshadowed by more practical concerns, like how much walking was required and whether the seating would be comfortable for them.

Everyday activities also became difficult. "I had knee replacement surgery and was walking with a cane. Even going to the grocery store was too much walking, so I would wait in the car," says Murck.

In desperation, Murck began looking into weight loss surgery, and Knott also became interested. She had her surgery in September 2009 and he had his in March 2010. Together they have lost more than 225 pounds and are continuing to work toward their weight loss goals.

Now the couple enjoys shopping, walking, dancing – and even a day of yard work together. "Before we would struggle to get one little job done around the house. Now we can spend the whole day outside raking and playing with the dog," says Murck.

Along with having more energy, the couple is experiencing a return to good health. Murck is completely off her diabetes medications and Knott no longer needs insulin for his diabetes.

"Weight loss surgery has given us a new life," says Murck. "I've always had a rich, full life and I've been blessed with family and friends – but now I have this too. You don't realize how much the excess weight holds you back from life."

Small victories

For Jack Holmes, the small victories keep adding up.

For most people, having to wear someone else's clothes after getting caught in a rainstorm would be an annoyance. For Jack Holmes, fitting into his younger and always thinner brother's clothes counted as a small victory.

That happened last summer, three years after he had gastric bypass surgery.

When Holmes played high school football more than four decades ago, he weighed 260 pounds. "It just kept going up from there," he says.

By the time he had the surgery at age 61, he weighed 375 pounds, had two artificial hips and was considering knee replacement surgery.

"I had tried every diet in the book. I would lose 60 or 70 pounds and gain it back," he says.

When he lost his sister to a massive heart attack, Holmes decided he needed to consider weight loss surgery.

He began by attending the Introduction to Weight Loss informational session.

"I was so determined that I started losing weight right after the class, partly because of what I learned there. One of the biggest things I learned was to simply put my fork down and enjoy chewing my food," he says.

Holmes was able to have laparoscopic surgery, which means his surgeon used special instruments to do the surgery with several small incisions.

"The surgery was unbelievable. I went in on a Thursday morning for surgery, walked out of the hospital at noon on Friday and was back at work on Monday," Holmes says.

Since the surgery, Holmes has lost 150 pounds, and the small victories keep adding up: hunting, playing 18 holes of golf and crawling around on the floor with his grandchildren.

"The important thing to know about weight loss surgery is that it isn't a quick fix. It's a tool," he adds. "People who learn to use it as a tool will be successful."

Gastric bypass surgery

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery changes the size of your stomach as well as your ability to absorb calories to help you succeed at long-term weight loss.

Learn more about Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.