Choir Member Hits a High Note after Weight Loss Surgery

“Life is meant to be lived,” exclaims 64-year old Vivian Foster. Her new passion for life stems from the fact that she no longer weighs 355 pounds and is able to do simple tasks such as standing in her church choir singing or cooking standing up instead of sitting in a rolling chair. “You can only take so much pain, and I wanted to be a better person – a better me, and not continue to live such an unhealthy lifestyle,” said the Plainfield resident. But since losing over 135 pounds after having weight loss surgery with BMI Surgery at Silver Cross Hospital, Foster is enjoying life by eating healthier foods and exercising regularly.

Prior to her weight loss, Foster suffered from high cholesterol and high blood pressure. She also was in pain from a bulging disc in her back and bad knees due to arthritis. “I was told I would need knee replacement to get rid of the pain.” However since her surgery, she no longer takes any medication and has absolutely no knee pain. “I now enjoy dancing and water sports regularly. Also the ease of simply standing up from a chair since I weigh less brings both joy and tears,” said Foster.

“My advice to others that are considering surgery is to do your research, so you can make the best decision that is right for you,” stated Foster. “And check out other facilities and understand why it is better to choose to have your surgery at a facility that is a Center of Excellence like Silver Cross Hospital and BMI Surgery.”

After researching quality weight loss programs, Vivian decided to attend BMI Surgery’s free informational session. “After listening to Dr. Brian Lahmann’s presentation, I was impressed with the program, Dr. Lahmann and his staff at BMI Surgery. They made me feel confident that I could be successful with their program and they would help me along the way,” states Foster. With their support, along with encouragement from her husband, Wayne, and their five children, Vivian committed to the exercise and diet plan and underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy surgery on November 18, 2013.

Patients benefit from a multidisciplinary approach, with the help of many different departments at Silver Cross. "Patients see an exercise physiologist, dietitian, cardiologist, psychologist, pulmonologist, and a bariatric nurse to get them ready for surgery," says Dr. Brian Lahmann. "We screen our patients very carefully to ensure their success and safety."

“Dr. Lahmann took his time explaining to me that the surgery was merely a tool to lose weight and the real success depended on me making behavioral changes,” said Foster. “I am so grateful to Dr. Lahmann, his team and the nurses at Silver Cross Hospital, who were all awesome! They took such good care of me and made me feel so relaxed. I’m so grateful to the nurses at Silver Cross Hospital, who truly were interested in my recovery and patiently explained my care plan.

“Vivian is an excellent example of how bariatric surgery can positively enhance one’s life. Her dedication to adhering to the program by eating well and exercising was essential in her ability to lose over 135 pounds,” says Dr. Lahmann.

The American Society of Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery defines the morbidly obese as those with a body mass 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 changed the lives of over 4,000 patients with life changing surgeries including laparoscopic gastric bypass, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, 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 the new Silver Cross Hospital 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.