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Former patients of Dr Arreola or Dr Ali are invited to submit Hamot Bariatric Surgery Center |
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RNY Gastric Bypass |
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Lap-Band® |
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Laparoscopic Adjustable-Band® |
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The morning I had my surgery, I weighed 220 lbs, and for me that’s a lot of weight considering I am only 4’11”. The day of my 1 year anniversary I weighed 148 lbs. ‘Wow’ what an impact it has made on my life. I feel so much healthier than ever before. I have been able to get off my cholesterol medicine, and even my blood pressure medicine. I still have arthritis, and back problems, but by losing just the amount of weight that I have, I can move around so much better and faster. While I had not been able to work in 7 years I have even been able to take on a part time job. I finally have my life back, like most people, and I haven’t had any complications along the way, either! I had a Great experience with Dr Ali, and all the staff at TMC. Thank You So Much!!!! ...Cathy
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The morning that I went into surgery, I weighed 255 lbs and was climbing fast. This was the highest weight that I had ever been at. This surgery has had a wonderful impact on both my health and also my life. By losing the weight, I have had more energy and can move about much easier. I finally feel like I am in control of my body and my life. My only regret with this surgery, as many of the others have said, is that I did not do it sooner. I would not say that this surgery is a quick fix but a tool, a tool that really works. I would like to thank Dr. Ali and his staff for the wonderful experience of being able to have my life back. A life that I'm in control of ...Jackie
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I created this photo because it says a lot about my life before and after surgery. In many ways both are surreal. My life before was a joke. Not really life but just going through the motions. I was too fat to really know what it was to really live. I was smiling on the outside but it was as counterfeit as the cowboy hat on my head. I was a laughing stock, the punch line of jokes and the bane of wicker furniture. That has all changed now. I am now literally half the person I used to be. I was 515 lbs 6 months pre-surgery and 265 lbs today. Instead of struggling across rooms I can run, jump and fit in amusement park rides. I walk up stairs rather than take the elevator. I have a lap, something I lost in my teens. I can cross my legs and tie my own shoes. I went from a stretched out 6X shirt and sweat pants to 2X shirts and 36 inch waist pants. I’ll never wear sweat pants again. I have gone from 'being' a joke to 'making' jokes. My only regret is that it took me 20 years to come to this decision. I literally had to be knocking at death's door before I did anything about my health. I had Type 2 Diabetes, not anymore, Sleep Apnea, Gone. Blood pressure and cholesterol, low to normal. Now I am 44 and feel like a 20 something person. I lost 20 years of life. I guess you could say I ate them like I ate everything else…which reminds me. I am STILL a FOODAHOLIC. I was an emotional eater and that has not changed. I have to watch my self every day. The lap-band does not change that. It simply helps me control the amount of food that I consume. When I feel like relapsing, I am not able to wolf down large quantities any longer, but I would if I could. I have gotten where I am through exercise and restrictive eating (due to my band). The band is a tool, not a magic pill…Steven |
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RNY Gastric Bypass |
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Dr Ali, I am certain you have received many letters just like mine, but THANK YOU for giving me my life back. I researched for many, many months before making the final decision to have gastric bypass surgery. I am so thankful that I chose you to be my surgeon. I am also thankful that the process was not "rushed" as I have heard about others who did so, without much thought or preparation. Once I had a surgery date scheduled I began changing my old habits. Reluctantly I began drinking protein shakes, exercising, drinking water, eating from a saucer instead of a plate and weaning myself from carbonated beverages (mostly coca cola). I had quit smoking 18 months prior to my surgery, so thankfully, that was not an issue for me. I am confident that this regimen allowed my surgery and recovery to go as smoothly as it did. I simply followed instructions/rules to a "T" and have had virtually no problems and have lost almost all the weight I wanted to lose. I am still about 20 lbs to goal and 16 months post-op, but honestly, if I never lost another pound I am totally thrilled with the results of this surgery. I have now lost well over 100 lbs. The weight loss is not the whole story, however. I was severely Type II Diabetic, getting ready to be placed on insulin. I convinced my endocrinologist to wait until after the surgery before taking that drastic step. I have not taken any oral medications for the diabetes since two days before surgery. The first week following surgery, my sugar levels were running around 130. Prior to surgery they were averaging 350. But within a week to 10 days following surgery, they began stabilizing around 90! What a miracle! I also had severe obstructive sleep apnea. I slept with a C-PAP machine at night. After about a 75 lbs weight loss I began waking up and realized I had taken the mask off during the night. I stopped using the machine and my husband says I haven't "snored" or "stopped breathing" at all! Another miracle. I have been faithful to have my B-12 shots and blood work regularly with my local doctor. My last blood work was near perfect. My cholesterol levels are well within normal limits. My protein levels are great and my thyroid is working better too! I prefer to climb stairs instead of an elevator. I get on the floor and play with my grandchildren. I can walk faster than my husband now. I can breath. I can swim. I am LIVING life rather than watching others enjoy life. I know I'm not unique, but I truly am thankful for this wonderful tool that has allowed me to have my health improved and my life back! I enjoy running into people who haven't seen me in a while. Most do not recognize me, including my own mother who hadn't seen me for four months following surgery. She cried when she realized it was me. I don't think in terms of size or weight, rather I think of how good I feel and how improved my health is now. Thank you again Dr. Ali. I truly do appreciate the good health and much improved quality of life that I now enjoy ....Karen
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I would do the surgery again in a heartbeat!" That is my response when people ask me about my experience with the gastric bypass surgery. This surgery was a success for me in every way ...I've had no complications whatsoever. I eat what I should eat, stay away from things I shouldn't, and I exercise regularly. I take to heart what Dr. Ali and Kuda have taught me and I stick to it! Vitamins, Calcium, B-12 shots, Protein are all a regular part of my life now...it's just second nature for me. I now have energy to do all the things I want to do and need to do in my life. I feel like I have my life back and I am happy to be living again. This tool is just what I needed to be thinner and healthier. I now have confidence in myself to overcome the hurdles in my life that I never thought I was strong enough to deal with before because my self-confidence was so low. I never dreamed this could be me...but, here I am living and loving life again! I appreciate the support and care of Dr. Ali and his staff so much...for without them I couldn't have come through this so easily....Vickie
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You were a life saver by doing my surgery. I have had so many people tell me their surgery did not go well. Most everyone I have talked to say it is up to the surgeon to get the opening just right and you did. Looking back on it now it was not really bad at all and I would do it again. I was wearing size 22-24 and now I wear 12-14. I hope everything is going well for you there and that you are happy. Wish you wouldn't have left Truman but life goes on....Shelly
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At the time of surgery I had reduced my weight from 349 to 340 pounds. I had already been through and failed at multiple diet/exercise programs as have many others in my same position I was looking at surgery as my last option which can put us in a rather desperate position. I made a deal with myself that I would take a year to research the surgical information so that I could make a more informed decision not based on desperation. So for an entire year I read any and all information I could find online, in medical journals, from the library, and from discussions with former gastric bypass patients. I also contacted my own insurance company to glean information from their viewpoint and much to my surprise found out that they would approve such surgeries because most post surgical patients had extremely reduced medical claims for the years following their surgeries because their overall health had improved exponentially. After doing all the research I made my own call to Dr. Ali’s office because my then primary care physician was against the surgeries. My former primary care physician has since changed her position on weight loss surgeries after several of her former patients have had such positive outcomes. My surgery itself went very well and as the months passed my former obese body started disappearing. After 16 months and a 2 week bought with the flu I reached my lowest weight of 145 pounds. When I recovered from the flu I returned to my previous flu weight of 153 pounds. Since that timeframe my weight has remained roughly the same except when I ingest too much white food. The more pasta, rice, potatoes, or bread I eat the higher my weight and when I avoid these foods my lower weight returns. That is why Dr. Ali’s staff puts so much emphasis on the fact that the surgery is a tool not the problem solver. We are given this tool to take the weight off, but it is still up to each and every one of us to work at keeping the weight off on a daily basis. These white comfort foods that had helped created my original obese body can do the same thing again so they are anything but comforting to me now. Even 4 years out from surgery, I’ve discovered that continuing the protein drinks are very important because the more protein I intake the more strength I have available to take on the world. I am so very thankful for the surgical skills that Dr. Ali possesses and for the caring staff that I encountered during my transformation because they have helped provide me with this amazing gift of having my life back again to enjoy. Since my weight loss surgery I have enjoyed some fantastic adventures that I would not have had the opportunity to experience if I had remained obese and some of those adventures include: jumping out of a plane skydiving, parasailing, traveling down a harness zip-line through a jungle rainforest, snorkeling with stingrays, taking a helmet dive in coral reefs, learning to salsa dance, completing visits to all of our 50 states, seeing 5 Canadian providences, visiting 9 Mexico states and 5 Central American countries. Because of weight loss surgery I have my mobility back and can now travel this world as I had always hoped too. This surgical tool has been a blessing to my life and given me the opportunity to dream again and actually be able to work toward reaching those goals instead of simply existing and making it through another day. Thank you Dr. Ali and your staff for helping me discover the thinner me inside. And thank you for continuing to check on my progress and answer the questions I have on my post-surgical journey. I ran across the following quote: “be good to your body otherwise where will you live” and now that it is what I live by. I wish continued success to all my fellow post-surgical and pre-surgical friends. Be thankful for the new you and treat those other obese folks out in the world with some tenderness because we were there once and know how depressing and difficult it was just getting up to face another day.... Dianakay
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I started out researching Gastric Bypass surgery the end of 2002 and by April, 2003, I felt I was prepared to jump in feet first. I had read article after article, chatted with others that had the surgery, joined forums, researched surgeons, co-morbidities associated with obesity, hospitals, diets, etc. I felt prepared. Despite all that, nothing could quite prepare me for the journey I was about to take. I attended my first mandatory seminar April 8, 2003 and met for the first time with Dr. Ali on May 9. I had heard great things about him but since I can be a little skeptical at times, I needed to see for myself. I’ll admit that my first impression was not the great admiration that I have for him to this day. He was kind and gentle and seemed full of knowledge, but when it came to a surgeon, I wanted the very best. (I now know that I indeed had the very best!). Dr. Ali has a very strict protocol to follow and be prepared to do just that… follow it. Attend the support group meetings, take the vitamins he suggests, start exercising, have your blood work checked, attend the support group meetings, if he says lose xx pounds before your surgery – then try your hardest, have your psych evaluation or a sleep apnea test (if needed) and have I mentioned? Attend the support group meetings. Take this surgery seriously, it is not a cakewalk and trust me when I say that Dr. Ali knows what is best for each individual. The wait was grueling, but my big day came on November 13, 2003, a very exciting day for me. It was the beginning of the end. I guess to this day I am not sure what I expected after surgery but it certainly wasn’t everything I went through. Before surgery, I was sure mine would be a success and I wouldn’t have any problems. But after surgery, I struggled. I do not know of a better word to describe it. I struggled with my protein shakes, my vitamins, my food, weakness, and nausea…everything. But I was determined and knew all this would be short lived. At least I hoped. As the months went by, I became more and more sick In and out of the hospital, numerous visits to the ER, EGD’s (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy), feeding tube (Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy tube), PICC line (Peripherally inserted central catheter), etc. I felt as if I was failing and the depression was setting in. I was not prepared for any of this, I don’t think anyone would be and sadly enough, I was regretting ever having this surgery. Throughout these horrible months, I had 2 angels looking out after me, my Mom and Dr. Ali. It was during this time that my admiration for Dr. Ali began to skyrocket. He took unbelievable care of me in a professional manner. He did whatever necessary to get me through that awful transition. Competent, patient, knowledgeable, I have nothing but praise for Dr. Ali. He will work hard for you, however, you must be willing to work just as hard. Do not mistake these complications with something that went wrong with my surgery. The surgery itself was a success, however, my body was not very accepting of having my insides rearranged. Everyone reacts differently to this surgery, you never know. I cannot stress enough, do not jump into this surgery thinking it is an easy way out. You must be determined and willing to work hard. I am happy to say that I made it! I no longer struggle with complications. Dr. Ali used to assure me every week that it would some day end. And even though I put all my trust in him, it was at times hard to believe that I’d get through all of it. He was right. It does end, for some, sooner than others. I still work hard, this is a lifetime commitment to eating right, exercising and taking supplements. But is it worth it? Definitely! I no longer have regrets and am so grateful to Dr. Ali. In my mind, he has saved my life on many levels. To say it was a tough journey is putting it mildly. But now that I'm on the mend, and feeling better than ever in my life, it's easier to sweep the unpleasantry under the rug. I can now look at myself and I know that I truly am a success!....Kym
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I had my surgery on Feb.18, 2002, the day before my 34th birthday. I weighed nearly 350 pounds, an all time high, but I had been heavy since high school. My weight was starting to cause some serious problems, the most severe of which was sleep apnea. I felt I had tried everything and had lost and regained the same 40 pounds many times. At that point, needing to loose over 150 pounds, I felt hopeless. I had a good friend who had had gastric bypass surgery about 6 months prior and was losing weight rapidly and doing wonderful. When I learned that a Bariatric Surgeon was coming to Truman Medical Center, the hospital where I worked, I started to think seriously about having weight loss surgery. I read everything I could about the surgery and met with Dr. Ali learn more. I decided I needed to do something radical and that the possible benefits of weight loss surgery far outweighed the risks. Having gastric bypass surgery was the best thing I've ever done for myself. My surgery and recovery went well. The hardest part for me after surgery was being faithful to drinking the protein shakes but I did it. I followed all of Dr. Ali's instructions as best I could, watched what I ate carefully and began an exercise program two weeks after surgery. I lost nearly 100 pounds and was off CPAP for my sleep apnea within 6 months. My cholesterol and blood sugars were within normal limits for the first time I could remember. I knew my life had definitely changed about six months after my surgery when I went with my church to Ecuador, South America. It was so wonderful to fit into an airplane seat and buckle the seat belt without an extender! I was able to walk for miles without pain or fatigue and kept up with the group with ease. It felt so wonderful! Now, three years later my life has changed so dramatically. I've lost 160 pounds and my goal is to loose 25 more. I got married 15 months after the surgery and had a baby 14 months after that. My pregnancy was wonderful and without complications. I gained 26 pounds during the pregnancy and lost the weight less than two months after having my son. I also nursed my son without any problems. I won't say having the surgery was easy. The first few months were very difficult, but I've never regretted my decision. Thank you Dr. Ali, you have changed my life in ways I never imagined were possible!...Lisa
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When I decided to have gastric bypass I was at the lowest point in my life. I felt like I had tried absolutely everything I could to lose weight, but constantly and consistently failed. I felt like if I could not control my weight, I could not control anything. Gastric Bypass Surgery was my last hope. When I was 16 years old, I weighed 288 lbs. I dropped out of high school because of people making “fun” of me because of my weight and I was too embarrassed to go back and face people as I was talked so badly about. On May 25th 2001, I was reborn. I felt like my life was beginning again after the weight started to come off. I feel so much better, physically and mentally and I can do so much more than I ever could before, there was a point where I could not even stand up long enough to do the dishes. This was the best thing that could have happened to me. Since my surgery, I have gone back to school, had a beautiful baby girl (June of 2005), and I am now engaged to a man who has loved me since the beginning. I now work out regularly and choose healthy foods over high fat foods (at least most of the time). I can shop anywhere, sit in a booth, go to the movies, get thru a turnstile (with room to spare) and do so much more. I would recommend this surgery to anyone who is willing to do whatever it takes to get control over their life. However, this surgery is a tool, not the answer to weight loss. You have to make a significant change in your life. You should remember that you can beat this surgery, meaning, you can gain some or all your weight back. I’ve seen it and it’s unfortunate because these are the people who say that the surgery does not work. It didn’t work for them. As far as I can see that is because they didn’t make the life change that are required for this “tool” to work. I changed all of my eating habits and I can tell you that the tool is still working for me because after I had my baby, June of 2005, I weighed 231 lbs. When I got pregnant, I weighed 210 lbs. and currently I weigh 164 lbs. I’ll say it again; THIS IS THE BEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME!...Tuesday
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...Doug
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...Brenda
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...Kellie
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More To Come |
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