Success Stories from Advanced Weight Solutions
Real People, Real Stories
Considering a major weight loss surgical procedure such as gastric bypass, a Lap-Band® or a RealizeTM band, procedure can be daunting. But hearing how others have benefited from surgical weight loss can be reassuring and instill hope that you could do the same. If you want to become one of our success stories, call Alexian Brothers Advanced Weight Solutions, (800) 433-3130, to start your journey.
Please choose a story on the left to read how Alexian Brothers Advanced Weight Solutions has helped others.
Joe-Lost 350 lbs. 
Before: 547 lbs. Now: 197 lbs.
"I'll never forget the moment I knew I really had to change my life. My little brother had just had arm surgery and the whole family was throwing him a ‘welcome home' party. He lived in a second floor apartment and it took me 15 minutes to go up 12 stairs. I could hear each stair pulling away from the side on the building as I climbed. It was then that I knew I had to do something to lose the weight." Read more of Joe's story.
Suzanne - Lost 150 lbs 
Before: 290 lbs. Now: 140 lbs.
"I had tried everything. I had done Weight Watchers, NutriSystem, and Jenny Craig and had some short-term successes. But once I stopped buying the food or went back to a normal diet, I always gained more than I had lost. Going through my whole life overweight, no one ever told me I was pretty. Now I've met this wonderful man and he tells me all the time how beautiful I am. That has never happened to me before. Losing weight has restored my confidence and has made me a better, happier and healthier person. I swear by bypass surgery for those that have endured a long battle with their weight. I'll do whatever I can, wherever I can, to let people know that this option exists and that Dr. Kane, Jr., and his practice gave me my life back."
Read more of Suzanne's story.
Kevin - Lost 245 lbs.
Before: 455 lbs. Now: 210 lbs.
"I went to three or four other practices that specialize in weight-loss and didn't feel completely confident about any of them. Then I went to the Kane Center seminar and heard the testimonies of many people who went through the same search I did for the best surgeons. And they all agreed that the Kane group was the best choice they ever made. I knew at that moment that I agreed, too. The Kane Center is the reason I had success." Read more of Kevin's story.
Barbara - Lost 182 lbs.
Before: 342 lbs. Now: 160 lbs.
"In 2004, my doctor mentioned weight loss surgery to me. I started looking on the websites and investigating what that might be like. I did a lot of soul searching. When I decided to do this, I did it right. Dr. Wallace is the greatest! My life has changed completely. I'm down 11 sizes. I travel a lot. Shopping used to never be fun, but now I enjoy buying new clothes." Read more of Barbara's story.
Stacie - Lost 110 lbs.
Before: 250 lbs. Now: 140 lbs.
"I did every diet there was and took every medication they offered. I tried everything to get my weight under control. I even went to another gastric doctor, but it just didn't feel right. I actually went to have the surgery and ended up leaving. I was unsure. Then I heard about Alexian Brothers. I followed my heart and have succeeded." Read more of Stacie's story.
Nancy - Lost 125 lbs.
Before: 240 lbs Now: 115 lbs.
"Weight-loss surgery is not a magic wand. People shouldn't think it's easy. It's really a beginning to a complete lifestyle change, and you have to be willing to accept that you will never be able to eat what you used to. But it's the best choice I ever made." Read more of Nancy's story.
Tamara - Lost 23 lbs., so far!
Before: 243 lbs.
"I had high blood pressure and diabetes. My mom was sick with diabetes, and had to have a triple bypass. I didn't want to go through that or have my kids watch me go through that. After my child turned a year old, I decided to do something about my weight. Now I see that it's not just about the weight. It's about health." Read more of Tamara's story.
Sharon - Lost 180 lbs.
Before: 326 lbs. Now: 146 lbs.
"My health was declining. I couldn't stand up long enough to do the dishes. My family didn't know how bad it was for me. I hated having to go shopping, everything hurt. One day I went and my ankle started to give out. So I got into the car and drove home saying to myself, ‘I don't want to be this way anymore. I'm either going to die or be in a wheelchair.' Naturally, I was a little scared to consider surgery; it was a big step, but once I had it, I never looked back. As long as there are people like Dr. Rantis, there is still hope; he saved my life. I've been given my life back." Read more of Sharon's story.
Ann - Lost 134 lbs.
Before: 259 lbs. Now: 125 lbs.
"This was my last chance. If I didn't do something I probably wouldn't have lived to 60. I heard three doctors consider me ‘morbidly obese' and I was appalled, but I finally got it. I found Alexian Brothers and now everything's changed!" Read more of Ann's story.
Pamela - Lost 189 lbs.
Before: 329 lbs. Now: 140 lbs.
"I was on medication for high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. I was taking antidepressants, and I had back pain. I had always been a ‘big girl', then I hit menopause and gained 50 lbs. in less than a year. When my doctor said that all my problems were related to being overweight, I knew it was time to do something. After the surgery, I went down to 140 lbs. The team keeps me going and motivated. It's a commitment." Read more of Pamela's story.
Angie - Lost 162 lbs.
Before: 330 lbs. Now: 168 lbs.
"I was one of the lucky ones. I had no other weight-related health problems during the time of my surgery. However, after surgery, I was constantly sick to my stomach. I had 16 upper-GIs. They discovered that I had excess scar tissue around my intestines and not much food was getting through. After two more attempts to widen the scar tissue so food could pass through, the doctors determined they should redo the bypass surgery, and I have been problem free ever since. Even with these complications, getting this surgery was the best decision I've ever made. People find it hard to believe, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. This surgery has given me a second chance at life." Read more of Angie's story.
Ruth, R.N. - Lost 150 lbs.
Before: 320 lbs. Now: 170 lbs.
"I was drawn to Alexian Brothers by its mission and the values that it holds dear. When I came to Alexian Brothers as a patient, I received incredible care from the surgeons and staff. It was the summer of 1999. I was at my heaviest, 320 pounds. I was desperate to find help, to discover a different life. Alexian proved to me that there was hope. They saw the real me. They saw beyond my shame and the painful limitations of excess weight. They motivated me to succeed. I had gastric bypass surgery in 2000 at Alexian Brothers and the procedure gave me the Freedom to Live. Now I work with patients every day that are making those life-changing decisions and moving on to a better life." Read more of Ruth's story.
Lori - Lost 80 lbs.
Before: 290 lbs. Now: 210 lbs.
"I got to a point where I had tried everything else and I was tired of struggling. Everything else in my life was pretty close to perfect, but I just wasn't happy with my weight. At first, everyone thought I was crazy for wanting to have weight-loss surgery; I always presented myself well. But I wanted to do this to feel better about myself. It was a personal thing. I knew I was ready to do it and I went for it. I love knowing that I have my health back. I workout with a trainer and I feel so much healthier. Whenever I gain a few pounds, I remember how bad it was before and how much more hope I have because of the surgery. I feel so much more freedom in my life now." Read more of Lori's story.
Cindy - Lost 50 lbs.
Before: 240 lbs. Now: 190 lbs.
"My nephew had weight loss surgery and it was very successful. Just seeing him so happy; seeing his entire attitude change was very encouraging. I decided that this is what I wanted. I knew it was right for me. My mother was sick and I was her caretaker. It was becoming harder for me to move around, and it was harder and harder to take care of her. It was even hard to breathe. So I had the surgery, actually, for both of us. I know that she would have been very proud of me." Read more of Cindy's story.
