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Success stories and photo gallery

NEW! Pam's bariatric surgery blog

Pam Herman, bariatric nurse coordinator for Community Health Network Bariatric Services, underwent gastric banding surgery on March 6, 2009. Pam has blogged about her feelings and experiences up to the procedure, and as she continues to lose weight since the procedure. Read Pam's blog >>

Video weight loss success stories

Watch videos above of Laura and Pam to learn more about the bariatric surgery experience as they share their personal journeys.

Success stories photo gallery

Laura, Brad, Kathy, Donald, and Trish underwent successful weight loss surgery at Community. Read their stories and view before/after photos below.

Working mom finds support key to success

Laura Kelley is a professional research consultant, a mother, a stepmom, a wife, and a dog owner. She was all of that before bariatric surgery – but it was hard. “I was in my mid 30s, and I couldn’t even get up the stairs without huffing and puffing,” she says. “I was concerned. I wanted to be there for my son.”

Laura had gone from a self-termed “chubby kid” to a 280-pound mom after the birth of her child. Read more >>

Dad reclaims health and active family life

At just 37, Brad Jamerson was tired. His knees hurt, he had trouble breathing at night, and his back was killing him. He watched his three boys playing sports and wished he could get in there with them. Yet he never thought of his weight as a serious problem until his doctor diagnosed him with diabetes and high blood pressure. Read more >>

New energy after weight loss surgery

In August 2003, Kathy Marra-Wert climbed onto a treadmill for an executive physical. Within moments, she had the attention of every medical professional in the room. "They thought I was going to have a heart attack," she recalls.

Marra-Wert identifies that day as the defining moment in her decision to pursue bariatric surgery. Read more >>

Man loses 180 pounds and gains a love of life

Donald Mead Jr. lost 180 pounds with the help of Community’s bariatric surgery program, and he is in many ways a new man.

"I’m half my former self," marvels Mead. "I feel like now I’m the person I was always meant to be. I look at surgery as a second chance at life—not a better or worse life, but a second life. Now I’m committed to myself, being a better person physically, spiritually and mentally. It’s amazing what a psychological change this made." Read more >>

Woman finds happiness beyond size 4

Trish Crowe turned to Community for bariatric (weight loss) surgery after a lifetime of yo-yo dieting and two years of exhaustive research into the pros and cons of surgery. Now, 18 months after surgery, she’s found a new hobby: shopping.

"I was a size 20, and it used to be a trauma to shop or decide what to wear; I could never find jeans that fit me," she said. "Now, I’m a size 4, and I shop in the junior section!" Read more >>