Short Stories Series I

Dawn Fitzpatrick was on the verge of cardiac arrest when she began trembling and breathing heavily during a school meeting. After receiving an echocardiogram, she found out her heart was only pumping at 10 % of its capacity. At 297 pounds she was a candidate for gastric bypass, which was performed on her by Dr. Alex Gandsas. Dawn lost 143 pounds and brought her heart’s pumping capacity to 50%. She will continue to lose more weight with a good diet and daily walking saying, “I have a lot more energy now and I just feel lighter!”

Dick Stucki’s doctor told him in 2002 that he only had 60 days to live. The writer, who weighed in at 558 pounds, was on 23 medications and wheelchair bound. In dire need of a remedy, Stucki underwent gastric bypass and lost 323 pounds in just one year. His wife Pam says, “He’s gone from death to life.” Dick Stucki, at age 55, claims, “I’ve been given a chance to complete more work on earth. My time wasn’t up.”

Dana Tenas-Hweankorn lost 144 pounds with a combination of gastric bypass and a switch to lean protein instead of fast food junk. Before the surgery, she already ruptured one disc from sleep apnea, a common disease caused by obesity. Dana proudly states, “I can see myself being an 85-year-old lady, full of life. Before, I couldn’t see two weeks into the future."

Source: People Magazine Vol 63. Issue 11

Click here to view the Next Series of Stories (II)

Click here to return to Bariatric Surgery Stories Menu