In 2008, Tammy Robinette made the life-changing decision to have gastric band weight-loss surgery at Silver Cross Hospital. Ten years later, she is feeling great and living her “best life.” 

In the years since her weight loss surgery, she’s done fitness boot camps, can jog five to 10 miles, eats a healthier diet and has maintained a remarkable 105-pound weight loss! Her journey began at 221 pounds on her 5-foot-tall frame. Today, she weighs 116 pounds.  

Photo caption: Before and after – following weight loss surgery at Silver Cross Hospital, Tammy Robinette has lost more than 100 pounds and has kept it off for over 10 years.  

At the time of her surgery, Robinette’s major health risk was a high BMI (body mass index) of 42. But her family history of diabetes also topped her list of concerns. “I wanted the surgery because both sides of my family had a history of morbid obesity and diabetes. I saw my future and wanted to change it. I wanted to be healthier and not another statistic in my family,” she explained.  

Robinette could lose the weight…the problem was keeping it off. “I had tried everything to lose weight: low-carb, pre-prepared meal plans, point systems and exercise centers. I could follow the regimens and lose weight, but I did not have enough knowledge of nutrition and how to prepare foods in a healthy way that could help me maintain my weight loss. Also, if I fell out of my exercise routine – the weight would come back on quickly.”  

Making the Decision

When her weight and inactive lifestyle led to bouts of depression, Robinette set up an appointment with BMI Surgery at Silver Cross Hospital and officially began her incredible weight-loss journey. Every Wednesday, the BMI team hosts an informational group meeting called Obesity & Your Health for individuals considering weight-loss surgery.  

Robinette had a consultation with Brian Lahmann M.D., bariatric surgeon with BMI Surgery at Silver Cross, who recommended gastric band surgery. After getting the okay from her health insurance company, she set a surgery date. “I will admit, I was nervous about having the surgery, but the staff at Silver Cross Hospital and Dr. Lahmann were wonderful,” she said.   

New Lease on Life – Ten Years Later

Ten years later, 49-year-old Robinette has maintained her 105-pound weight-loss. A lot has changed since then. The former Joliet resident moved to Alabama and enjoys an active lifestyle. She also eats a plant-based diet and rarely dines out at restaurants, preferring her own home cooking. The secret to her long-term success: she’s learned a lot about nutrition over the years, stays away from processed foods and sugar, and exercises!   

“Before surgery, climbing stairs was difficult, now I feel younger and more energetic than I did in my teen years! I try new activities and feel more confident. I just want to thank Dr. Lahmann and everyone involved in my care for giving me this wonderful gift,” she added.

Who is a Candidate for Weight Loss Surgery?

The American Society of Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery defines the morbidly obese as those with a body mass index of 35 or above with comorbidities, or for a normal height woman, being more than 100 pounds overweight. Patients with a BMI of 35 and higher, who are suffering the medical consequences of obesity, are often best treated with bariatric surgery as opposed to nonsurgical weight loss. Those who are morbidly obese are at a higher risk of mortality and such extreme obesity puts people at risk for life threatening disease, including heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes.

BMI Surgery has improved the lives of over 6,000 patients with life-changing surgeries including laparoscopic gastric bypass, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, ReShape, and Lap-Band and REALIZE gastric band systems at Silver Cross Hospital. Board-certified laparoscopic and bariatric surgeons Brian Lahmann, M.D., and Christopher Joyce, M.D., are dedicated to helping patients win their personal battles with obesity and enjoy healthier lives. Their office is located on Silver Cross Hospital’s campus at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox. BMI Surgery at Silver Cross Hospital has been named a MBSAQIP accredited center – Comprehensive. BMI Surgery is also a Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery.

To find out more about the bariatric surgery program at Silver Cross Hospital, attend a free informational session on both traditional and laparoscopic surgery any Wednesday at 5:45 p.m. at BMI Surgery at 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., Suite 260, New Lenox.  To register, visit www.silvercross.org or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325).