Patient Success Stories

Bob O. Lost 226 Pounds

“Sometimes there comes a time in life when you’re unhappy with the way you look and feel. You can do nothing and be miserable, or you can take control and start over again. Its your choice; there is help out there that really works if you are willing to change your life style.

After researching everything I could find on the web I selected the Saint Francis Center for Surgical Weight Loss. Their weight loss program and professional staff had the answer for me, the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass surgery. The surgery is not magic, it will not work on its own! It is successful if you totally commit to the program. I had this procedure March 26, 2006. I have lost a total of 226 pounds and I’m keeping it off. It’s not an easy way out, but by eating the right foods and with 100% commitment to meal portions, protein, vitamins, and exercise it will work for you just like it did for me.

I feel great, I look great and I can keep up with the best. Please take the first step, educate yourself and enjoy the success with me.”

Kerry G. Lost 204 Pounds

“Deciding on bariatric surgery was one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself.

Not only do I look and feel like a new person, but I also feel like I have been given a second chance with my life-to live every single day uninhibited by the extra pounds that weighed me down before”

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Lee C. Lost 96 Pounds

Larry Lost 100 Pounds and Susan Lost 152 Pounds

“The best thing we have ever done! WOW- look at us then and look at us now! We realize that making the decision to have surgery does not come easy. There are many, many questions and concerns and yes, there is fear.

We can only assure you that the wonderful staff will answer all of your questions, calm all of your fears and concerns and hold your hand if the need arises. We have experienced the obvious-we feel better, look better and are much healthier. The fact that we were able to relate and give each other support has been a life changing experience. We fondly call it OUR GREAT ADVENTURE!

Both of us have worked and been involved in the medical field for many years. That fact has allowed us to be on both sides–as caregivers and as patients.

We truly feel that the care and knowledge is the GOLD STANDARD that all medical practices should strive for.”

Stephanie B. Lost 105 Pounds

There are no words sufficient to thank Dr. Wegner for how he has impacted my life. I am a brand new person; my life has begun again at age 45. The excitement and exhilaration I am feeling of an improved mental and physical image is beyond words.

I struggled with my weight for almost 25 years and now, thanks to Dr. Wegner, those days are over. I have a new outlook on life and a new found self-confidence. I no longer take any medications – No blood pressure or cholesterol medications and diabetes is in remission. I recently participated in my first 5K and have dropped from a size 22 to a 8/10. I can even wear some of my old high school clothes from the 80s!

Evelyne M. Lost 82 Pounds

11/11/11 this was the day that changed my life. I went to weigh my self on the scale and it read 308. I was told “you have such a pretty face”, but some men like “big women”. I could not tie my shoes, I was a type 2 diabetic, had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and was on my way to an early grave if my habits continued. My doctor suggested Gastric Bypass surgery as a tool to reduce diabetes and start a healthy journey. I went to a seminar where Dr. Wegner spoke about the surgery, and it’s advantages. In the seminar, it was explained that you have to make lifestyle changes also.

After an insult or shall I say uncensored comment by a retired school teacher calling me a “barrel”. This comment cut like a knife, but was true. I made the decision to start the process and change my lifestyle. I joined a gym, started working out, and started going to nutrition classes. On my surgery date, I had lost 45 pounds, and now I am 108 pounds down. I had the surgery on July 17, 2012, and do not regret my decision. Since my surgery, I have more energy, I had done several 5k’s , something I could have never done in the past, I attend fitness Bootcamp once a week, Zumba, and now and setting my goal to do a 10k then 1/2 marathon.

I am no longer a diabetic, my blood pressure and cholesterol are within normal range. The surgery is a “tool”, but you still have to make a lifestyle change towards your new journey. And yes ladies, it feels great to go into a store and can by something off of the rack without and “x” beside the size.

Jed W.

I will be brief but please allow me to share my experience and support for this life changing decision you are facing.

I didn’t grow up overweight because I was involved in sports. My struggle began around 2002. I carried an extra 15-20 pounds when a series of challenges in my life manifested as a serious eating problem. I didn’t eat very healthy because both my parents were overweight all of my life. My football coaches wanted me to bulk up all the time so I learned to eat lots of carbs. Unfortunately, those habits do not go away as you get older.

I struggled all the time and jumped from one diet to the next. I was able to get my eating habits much healthier through the years but I still ate constantly from the time I woke up until I went to bed. Each year I would drop around 40 pounds but when the holidays came around I would put the weight back on.

In 2014 I went to the doctor after I returned from a three week business trip. Usually I eat much better when I’m out of town because I don’t have snacks around. Well, I gained 6 lbs. Not only that but even though I always stayed active my body was giving up on me. My joints were starting to hurt and physically it was getting harder to do everyday activities. I was a type II diabetic and I was on two blood pressure medications. My doctor told me that my triglycerides were too high so he suggested I attend Dr. Robert Wegner’s seminar. My wife attended with me and we were very excited when we left. I wanted a re-set button and to get my life back. I wanted to make sure I would be around to see my son get married one day and watch him live his life.

I attended the seminar in November 2014 and was scheduled for my surgery January 15, 2015. I was so nervous and excited.

My first challenge:

I had to complete a two week liver shrink diet before surgery that started on New Year’s Day. It was challenging but the doctor said time and again that he would not perform the surgery if he saw that we did not follow this diet. It was important to follow and I lost my first sixteen pounds during that phase. It will be the last struggle you have with a diet so stick with it!

Post-Surgery:

I had to get back to work a little quicker than normal but I did exactly what I was told to do. I walked around the hospital floor and continued walking when I got home. Every day I got out and walked. Some days I went further than others but I didn’t miss a day. After a couple of weeks when the doctor released me for regular workouts, I started some simple ab workouts on a yoga ball. Believe it or not, you can really work your abs without much stress using one of these. I would sit and do simple movements while watching TV and I continued to walk. After a month, I started lifting weights and my weight just kept coming off.

Eventually I worked up to working out 5-6 days a week. I loved it! I went to strength class with my wife twice a week which brought us closer together. In October of 2015 I started doing T-25 workouts five days a week. This is a 25-minute workout that I could do in my hotel room when I traveled. I did the Alpha for 5 weeks, the Beta for 5 weeks and now I have been on the Gamma Extreme for 7 weeks. I haven’t missed a day. I learned from the past that it’s too easy to give up a habit.

My results: 

• I lost 107 pounds in 6 months (Exercise is huge)
• I lost 124.5 pounds at my one year checkup
• Starting weight – 298.4
• My weight now – 170
• Starting waist – 55”
• My waist now – 33.5”
• I’m down to one very low dosage of blood pressure medicine which is because of my family history.

Please let me encourage you to change what you eat and make sure you get exercise to maximize your results. This will be a new chance for us to make the right decisions and I plan to make all the right ones. I hope you will join me and please feel free to contact me anytime if you have any questions, or just need some encouragement or someone to work out with.

Tina C.

On January 17, 2012 I was wheeled down a hall way with Dr. Wegner by my side. I weighed over 283 pounds. Little did I know my life would change forever that day. I knew my quality of life was not good. I lived my life from chair to chair. Not only did I need to be healthy, I had a child I needed to be healthy for. God and Dr. Wegner never gave up on me and I am here to tell you, if you do what Dr. Wegner says, you can do it. I am down 138 pounds. I now weigh 145 pounds and am still losing. I have almost lost what I weigh now.

God and Dr. Wegner changed my life. Life is fun now. My child looks up to her healthy mother. This surgery is something you have to be all in or all out. There is no room to be on the fence. If you follow what Dr. Wegner tells you to do and don’t miss your meds you will do great. I have gone from a size 28/30 to an 8/10.

Take your life back because you are the only one that can. Stomp out obesity, one person at a time. Dr. Wegner can give you the tools. It is up to you to use them.

Travis

I began my weight loss journey at the beginning of January 2013. I was weighing in at 435 pounds and had a lot of health complications. My true light bulb moment was when my young children expressed to me that they thought I was going to die because of my weight and my health. That is when I decided to sign up for the seminar at Saint Francis Hospital. It has been a long and successful journey for me and I could not be happier. I have now lost an amazing 235 pounds and weigh in at 200 pounds. I now feel like I can accomplish anything. As I journey forward I take with me happiness and spiritual joy. The small things that normal weight people take for granted like walking, running, riding a bike and playing with your kids are no longer a challenge for me but rather hobbies. It is easy to do anything I need to do. I enjoy shopping for clothes and looking in the mirror. I will be the first to tell people that if I can do this, anyone can. Don’t sit at home trapped and feeling like there is no way out. It is time to enjoy life to the fullest, this is my testimony.

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Brandy

I have been obese since childhood and I have never known how it feels to live without constantly worrying about my weight, health and appearance. After going through 2 high risk pregnancies because of my weight and then developing type 2 diabetes, I knew I couldn’t continue down this path. I had to change my life in order to make sure I would be there to raise my children. April 2013 is when my journey started after attending Dr. Wegner’s seminar. In July 2013 I had gastric bypass and haven’t looked back since. I have currently lost 100lbs and am still losing. My diabetes is in complete remission and I no longer have high blood pressure. I am able to actively participate with my toddlers instead of just watching. I attend a boot camp and fitness kickboxing class 4 to 5 times a week. I have gone from a size 24/26 to a 12. For the first time since I was 8yrs old, I don’t have to buy clothes in the plus size section. It is AMAZING! Living a happy, healthy, and active preschool mom life!

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Valerie

I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus in 1994. After years of treatments, medications and pain, my body became weak and disfigured due to obesity. Through the years, I developed high blood pressure, high cholesterol and my lower extremities were swollen all the time due to fluid retention. In 2013, I was thrown another curve ball. I was told that I have Type II Diabetes. At that point, I knew that I had to do something. After all, I have 3 small children to care for and I knew that I need to be here for them. So I made the decision to make this lifestyle change. In July of 2013, I had gastric bypass surgery. I knew that once I got the other person off of my back, my life would be a lot better. My weight at the time was 315 pounds. I am now 2 years post-op I’ve lost 150 pounds. The good news is, I don’t have diabetes anymore, I don’t suffer from high blood pressure, my cholesterol is good, I am not wheelchair dependent anymore and most importantly, I am more physically active with my children. Having the gastric bypass saved my life and it allows me to not let life pass me by.

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