Read our Grand Rapids Bariatric Surgery and Medical Weight Loss Patient Stories

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I would like to thank the staff and Dr. Kemmerter for the great job they did . If not for them I came though with flying color. And I hit the ground running and I have not stopped. I was in a wheelchair for about 7 years. But after my surgery I got so much better. My sugar is almost goen, and all the pills have stopped. Thank you for my life back. I fought for many years to live and with your help I have made it and I thank god for all of you . I went from starting weight in Dec. of 08 at 357 and was 341 day of surgery and now I'm 214 and still not doen . Once agian thank you all. Sandy pictures to flow.

Now I can enjoy life, now I can be in the game, no longer do I just sit and watch!! I have struggled with weight for as long as I can remember. If I wasn't being told to "eat more" because I was "too skinny" and "ate like a bird", I was being told "don't eat so much, you'll get fat like everyone else in this family". Either way, it's a struggle, believe it or not. Unfortunately, being morbidly obese won. I tried multiple programs and even medications. I sat on the sidelines all of the time, not enjoying life or my beautiful children. Painfully, my health deteriorated, my hygiene was not the best which is absolutely humiliating and all my relationships began to suffer. I had Metabolic Syndrome; high blood pressure, high cholesterol and borderline Diabetes. I hated me. My husband and I started seeing Dr. Kemmeter and all the wonderful people at GHP in 2008. My husband had his surgery approved first. On March 6, 2009 he had his Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy and on April 2, 2009 I had mine. What a blessing. The pre-op diet made me realize that I was a worse food addict than I knew. Prior to the surgery, I shuffled around in the morning like an extremely old person, the weight on my joints caused so much pain. I began staying home, isolating myself from others. At 33 years of age, I was physically the age of a 90 year old person. I was not only an emotional eater, I really loved the taste of food. The legal drug. I am almost 140 pounds lighter 18 months after my surgery. This year we participated in the 2010 "Walk from Obesity". What an emotional experience that was, who knew it would be? Exercise isn't a punishment to me anymore. Now, I won't lie, I will be a recovering addict the rest of my life. Everyone thinks because the vast majority of your stomach has been removed, you should never overeat again. Well, I'm here to tell you....they don't remove the part of your brain that contributes to overeating, whatever the reason. It's a journey. Everyone at GHP will tell you the surgery is a tool. They are correct. But, the thing is, I use the tool daily and it is a rewarding tool. I won't go back to what I once was, I refuse. I have amazing support at GHP, whether it be over the phone, e-mail or in-person, everyone there is part of my support system. I felt fortunate to first be approved for the surgery, then to have the means and insurance to pay for the surgery but the Physicians and Staff at GHP are bigger blessings than I can verbalize. I like me now....a lot. My husband has lost nearly 180 pounds. We joke that we've lost two of the four people in our marriage. I can run and play with my children. They look at old pictures of us and don't recognize us. I don't recognize the people in the pictures either. My husband and I engage in so many physical activities now. I have met two very special friends through GHP who have also had the surgery. I have an amazing support system and I encourage everyone to have the same. I cannot say enough good about my experience. If I had to do it all over again, knowing what I know now, I would, in a heartbeat. I now have the blood pressure of a healthy 17 year old (so I'm told), cholesterol is within normal range and the threat of Diabetes is gone. It used to be a struggle to get up and walk a few feet, currently, I'm planning on running a 5K. I won't end up in first place but even completing it will be huge for me. I will rock the Sleeve for the rest of my life and forever be grateful for the tool that GHP gave me!! My first picture was the day of my surgery, I had lost 13 pounds. The second one was 10 months out, I could fit my entire body into one leg of the jeans that were tight on me the day of surgery.

NOW I CAN .... walk over 3 miles daily without stopping, take the stairs without becoming breathless, ride the Blue Streak without the extender, feel extreme pride in achieving this 100 pound weight loss and ENJOY life to the fullest once again! I have been "heavy" since kindergarten suffering with the "fatty, fatty 2x4" label for all of my school years. I was always open to dieting and did lose weight my senior year of high school with my mother's help. I then gained weight in college and weighed 200 pounds through most of my 20s and 30s. Giving birth in my mid-thirties added an extreme amount of weight to my frame. Weight that just never seemed to come off no matter what plan I considered. I could not stick to a "diet" and really just did not "see" the weight as it increased to almost 300 pounds by age 50. I was challenged by my primary care physician to attend an orientation at GHP or become diabetic in the course of the next 12-18 months. With tears in my eyes from fear and shame, I walked into my History/physical appointment at GHP in April 2009. I did not want to be there and did NOT think the Medical Weight Loss Program would truly work. So, thus began my 24 week journey to the new, healthier ME! I lost 80 pounds from the end of April to Halloween on the product and was soooo pleased!!!!! I was so impressed with Kathy, Yvonne, Niki, Andy, Kristine but most especially Lora Grabow. Without Lora and her extensive behavioral exercises and training, I would not have stuck with the plan nor had the success I did. I AM AN EMOTIONAL EATER. I so needed to do the "head" work in order to succeed. I also highly recommend attending the Beck Diet Solutions class GHP offers to clients. I lost an added 20 pounds from October 2009 to May of 2010 on "real" food ... thus proving to my myself I could return to food and maintain my weight.. I recommend attending meetings and support group regularly to keep a "check" on your weight and to benefit from the extensive tools GHP has to offer the obese person. I am a happier, healthier, more focused, more energized, more spirited individual because of Grand Health Partners! Sincerely, Lori Morse

I want to thank GHP & Dr. Foote for allowing me control over this vicious cycle of obesity thru having the Roux-en-y. I have gotton my mobility back, as well as my dignity. It's like a second chance at life. I feel good about myself & can buy clothes in regular sizes again. I have lost 75 lbs in 3 mos & am half way to my final goal! Thanks!!!!!!

I was at my highest weight in December 2008 when I weighed 333 pounds. For years, while severely morbidly obese, I refused to let people take photos of me from the neck down. I love to travel, but took two seats to fly in an airplane. I love rollercoasters, but could no longer fit into most of the seats. I love shopping, but couldn't find anything to fit in the stores, so had to order online. At my highest weight, I wore a size 32 pants and size 28 top. I was single and had not dated in 14 years - I didn't find myself remotely attractive, so how could anyone else? I attended an orientation session at GHP in February 2009. When I consulted family and friends, I received a 50% "don't do it" versus a 50% "go for it" response. So, I did some research and made the decision for myself that I felt was best for me. I had gastric sleeve surgery on May 8, 2009. I had the gastric sleeve procedure, which went smooth from day one. I took two weeks off work, but could have easily returned after one week. I started seeing progress almost immediately - my change in diet, especially the high protein, increased my energy significantly. As I started to lose weight, I was able to comfortably engage in physical activity again. In November 2009, I started training to walk/run the Disney Princess Half-Marathon in March 2010. I was still quite out of shape and was fearful that I wouldn't be able to maintain the 16-minute mile pace required to finish, but that ended up being no problem! I started dating again this past spring. I went to Cedar Point and was able to fit in the seats on every ride. I've lost 208 pounds, weigh 125 pounds currently, and I'm wearing size 4 pants and small shirts. I never even dreamed of being this weight! I love my body and the way I look, even with the loose skin I have remaining. The best thing is that I feel healthy - physically, emotionally, socially, spiritually! I have a life now that I couldn't live before. I am extremely happy with my decision to have surgery and have never regretted or questioned it.

Now I can LIVE! Like most people, I have struggled with weight all my life. I was average size all through school, but in college, I didn't just gain the "freshman 15", I gained 40!! That was the start of my yo-yo fad diets, everything from pills, starvation, diet plans, counting points - you name, it I tried it. I was never successful in keeping the weight off. In 2007 I was at my heaviest weight ever - almost 300 pounds. "How did I let myself get this big" I would cry to myself. I was addicted to food. I had to make a major lifestyle change. I had sleep apnea, high blood pressure, arthritis and was miserable!! Then God opened the door at Grand Health Partners. My new life started on May 8th, 2008. I am so blessed to have Dr Kemmeter and his awesome staff in my life - I am a different person on the outside for sure, but my gratitude for all that you have done to make this possible in my life will never change. I was wearing a size 26 and now am in an 8-10. I want to first thank God for His undying love and provision in my life. I am forever grateful!! I want to thank my husband, Eric, and my kids Jace, Emma & Seth, family and friends for loving me and thinking I'm beautiful at any size. Your support has been the most important. Please feel free to email and ask anything - Blessings in your life journey's. Amy Harrington

NOW I can!! For years I was in knee and hip pain due, according to my doctor, to my weight. I can now walk and climb stairs without having to stop and rest! I have been heavy most of my life, got to the point where I gave up dieting (tried every diet known to mankind) and resigned that I would be fat until I died. My daughter, Amy, had gastric bypass surgery from GHP in May of '08....had dramatic results and from then on, encouraged me to look into the surgery for me. Thank the Lord, I was approved and had my surgery on May 26, 2009! The staff at GHP are awesome! I was treated with the upmost respect and care. At 61, I have my life back and feel 20 years younger!!! I now look forward to living a healthier and happier life...thank you Grand Health Partners and Dr. Kemmeter for all you have done to make me a better me!!!!

I only have one regret. That is not having the surgery sooner. I had the ds surgery. Today makes exactly 16 weeks from the day of surgery. Over Memorial Day weekend I got invited to Mackinac Island for a three day bachlorette party, with seven young women and a woman my age. I will be 53 next month, and I feel like I am living again. I would not have been able to walk the Island like I did. I kept up with the young women, went on a sailboat ride, put a bathing suit on in public, and walked at least 5 miles a day. Before surgery, I was too short of breath and tired so easily. THANK YOU GRAND HEALTH PARTNERS, for giving me my life back. Joan Austin.

NOW I CAN have my husband to share my life. NOW OUR KIDS can have their father to watch them grow up. NOW WE CAN grow old together. I am writing this from a different perspective. My husband had gastric bypass surgery 6 months ago. His weight at surgery was 415 with many comorbities, his highest weight was 468, his liver and kidneys were shutting down, he is currently at 228. He has his life back and I have my husband back. He no longer has high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol or countless other health problems, his liver and kidneys are coming back and he has a chance to live out his life. He has gone from 8 meds to 3 and I am sure soon will be off some if not all of the 3 remaining meds. I have noticed so many positive changes in him, he is so much more outgoing, enjoying his old passion of golf, riding a bike, being active with the kids, being more romantic, just generally HAPPIER. Ric had the Duodenal Switch procedure in October of 2009 with Dr. Kemmeter and he and his staff were amazing. My husband has never felt better. Thank you for giving me my husband back. I was so encouraged and proud of him and his progress that I had gastric bypass surgery as well with Dr. Kemmeter in December, I am doing great too and will post my story soon. Amy Collins, proud and happy wife

NOW I Can! I am 63 years young and now I feel even younger. The energy I have is just unbeliveable. You don't have to be young to do this, you just need a "want something better out of your life" attitude. Dr. Foote preformed my operation and I'm so greatfull, it is hard to express how I feel. I started my weight loss at 293 and as of 05/16/2010 I have lost 123 pounds! By this fall I will be at my goal weight of 140 to 150 pounds. I dropped weight so fast I couldn't keep up with my clothes, so I quit buying them at department stores and started to get everything from Goodwill to keep down the spending. I found you can get a lot of "almost new" clothing for close to nothing. This summer my husband and I plan to hit a lot of yard sales. This is something we can do together and something that we both enjoy. If you have been thinking about doing this don't stop with just the thought... do it! You'll never be sorry!

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