Success Stories

A New Life

My name is Jason Ransom, and I had my lap band surgery on December 10, 2008.  My grand total weight loss is 95 pounds, including some weight I lost on my own in the months prior to my procedure.  The surgery has totally changed my life, and was by far the biggest personal decision I ever made.  I had struggled with weight and compulsive food addiction issues for over 27 years, attempting numerous diet and exercise programs which had never allowed for complete or permanent success.  Not only did this trend lead to low self-esteem and other emotional issues, but it caused me to contract type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, and suffer from constant fatigue, headaches, sleep apnea, and irritability.  Since having my surgery, this has all been turned around.

With so many pounds now shed, my waist size has gone down by over 6 inches, and I have more energy and confidence than I have ever felt.  People’s reactions to me are like nothing I’ve experienced, and I’m frequently told how much younger I look and what glowing happy energy I emanate.  In September 2009 I decided to take all of this even further.  I went to a meeting at the surgery center where an upcoming event called the Las Vegas Rock ‘N Roll Half Marathon was discussed, and that patients were encouraged to participate as members of Team GBI.  As soon as the details were laid out, I vowed to myself that I was going to do it, and I couldn’t be happier that I did.  It was a real first for me, too, as I had never done anything like it before.

Right away I began a regimented training schedule that I followed closely for weeks, and I couldn’t have done it without the guidance of Prudence Ticknor and Stacy Wasser – the two training coordinators – as well as the support and spirit of other team members who were participating.  Every week I could tell how much better I was getting, and if anything I noticed that I wasn’t short of breath or fatigued like I used to get at my old weight. Our training also included referral to a local store called The Athlete’s Foot that specializes in the shoes, clothing, equipment, and energy food that are so important for long-distance walking and running – an area so overlooked by athletic trainers I had worked with in the past.  With so much new knowledge and direction – along with such an increased level of physical ability and stamina – I was more than prepared to successfully complete the half marathon event, which I officially did on December 6, 2009.

On a dark and very cold morning outside Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, more than 28,000 people gathered to start an event that would make Las Vegas history, as it had never before been held in this particular city.  It began just after 6:00 a.m., and consisted of runners and walkers of various ages and athletic levels.  The full marathon was 26.2 miles, while the half was 13.1, and every mile point along the course had a live band to keep everyone uplifted and motivated.  All the spirit and support were furthered by cheering crowds of people every step of the way, something which made the whole experience that much more special.  I didn’t do any running, but managed to maintain a good walking pace, and ended up completing the 13.1 miles in 3 hours 41 minutes and 12 seconds.  Despite my upper leg muscles being sore for a little while, I cannot describe how I felt after crossing the finish line.  I wasn’t tired or breathing heavily, and all around me was an atmosphere of positive, uplifting energy that kept reinforcing what I and so many others had just accomplished.  It was a milestone moment in my life that I’ll never forget, and my finisher’s medal reminds me of it every day!

The bottom line is that I’m a completely new person today, and I consider bariatric surgery to be an absolute breakthrough in medical innovation.  Never have I had such a powerful and effective tool for conquering a problem that had ruled most of my life, and I believe this has the potential to revolutionize our national obesity problem once and for all.  I’m proud to be a part of medical and athletic history, and hope that I can pass along my words of encouragement to as many people as possible.  All my thanks in the world go to GBI and their entire staff.  You guys are second to none!  Thanks for giving me these tools to turn my life around!

Jason Ransom

It’s been almost three years since my gastric band surgery helped me get started on my journey to a healthy life.

Being able to stick to a healthy lifestyle meant that I had to make major changes. I had to follow the guidelines the center set by eating only 4 oz of food 3 times a day. I had to learn to make healthy food choices. I had to incorporate physical activity into every day life. I had to change my perception of food and what it meant to me. My biggest challenge was learning the difference between living to eat and eating to live. Now, being able to live this healthy lifestyle gives me an incredible feeling. Even after such time has passed, I am still amazed at the things I can now do – the things that I could only once dream about.

Before my surgery, completing a marathon felt unreachable. However, with my new lifestyle and commitment to being healthy I was able to conquer something I was never even able to dream possible. I completed my first 26.6 mile marathon in October of 2007.

Now, I am here years later and still living that dream. I have joined with GBI to walk/run in this year’s Las Vegas Marathon. I am excited to be able to join with others that have made the commitment to living a healthy lifestyle. We are getting ready to start training for this incredible event, and I am looking forward to the excitement of being able to once again cross that finish line.

Please be sure to follow our progress and cheer us on!
Sincerely,
Stacey Wasser

On November 12th 2008 I got to live a life long dream of mine, to fly like a bird. I was able to experience freedom like I have never known and a total thrill beyond my wildest dreams! When I jumped out of that airplane it was like letting go of all my fears and insecurities of the past. I was no longer the "fat girl" afraid to fly and soar above the clouds, but I was now the "thin girl" daring, brave, wild and free unafraid to soar above and beyond the clouds trying anything and everything! Weight will no longer hold me back from my dreams, goals, fears or living my life to the fullest any longer!!!

Thank You, Doctors and PAs

Pam Folle

October 24, 2006 is one of the most significant days of my entire life.  This is the day that I was reborn and given a new start in life; I had gastric band surgery. 

As I started my journey to a healthier new life, I knew one of the components would have to be exercise.  About 7 months into my journey with my newly adopted healthier lifestyle consisting of a 6-day-a-week exercise regimen, I suffered an abdominal injury. I was instructed by my doctors to stop exercising so that I could heal.  I was devastated.  I asked if I could at least walk and was told that that would be ok. 

Later that week, I was discussing my injury with a friend who had just signed up to train for a marathon.  She suggested that I also sign up (thank you for believing in me).  My only thought as I signed the papers was that this was impossible.  Seven months ago, I weighed 245 pounds.  Now, I was going to complete a marathon of 26.2 miles. 

The training regimen was grueling. I trained five days a week - four on my own and one with the team.  We trained from June through October.   On October 21, 2007, three days before my one-year “Bandiversary,” I ran and walked down the coast of Northern California and crossed the finish line in 6 hours and 50 minutes. 

I had just accomplished something I never even could have dreamed of even 1 year prior. For that, I thank Dr. Atkinson and Gastric Band Institute who helped make this happen by giving me this new healthy life - a new amazing life. 

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