One Patient Finds a
Weight-Loss Solution That Works

Frances Hack before bariatric surgery.

Frances Hack grew up in an Italian family where food played a central role in their daily lives, and she learned at an early age to eat everything on her plate. As a result, she says her weight has been a constant and painful struggle.

"During the two years that I was in the Navy, I was able to keep my weight down by eating very little," says the 47-year-old Royal Palm Beach resident. "Other than that, I can't remember a time when I wasn't overweight. I worked as a fi refi ghter and EMT for years but gave that up because I couldn't do a third of what the other firefighters could do."

Frances, who is 5 feet 5 inches tall, tipped the scales at 303 pounds at one point and wore a size 30.

"One of the worst things about being overweight was the way people looked at me -- or looked through me," says Frances. "My kids never said my weight embarrassed them, but they never invited their friends over to our home."

Frances tried medication and just about every diet imaginable, but nothing seemed to help. Eventually, her weight began taking a toll on her health. She suffered from angina, swelling of the legs, shortness of breath, gastrointestinal problems, depression, and neck and back pain. And her blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels were getting higher.

Frances Hack after bariatric surgery. This photo hows Frances (in a size 8 wedding dress) and her family at the renewal of her wedding vows after 23 years of marriage.

"I did some research into bariatric surgery and felt it was a last resort for me," Frances says.

Fred L. Simon, MD, Medical Director of the Wellington Surgical Weight Reduction Center, performed Frances' laparoscopic Roux-en Y gastric bypass procedure on Dec. 22, 2004. The procedure reduces the capacity of the stomach and also causes a mild malabsorption of food, leading to fewer calories/nutrients absorbed.

"But surgery isn't easy. It's only a tool to help you lose weight," Frances says. "I learned to eat six to eight small meals a day. I learned what I could eat and what caused me problems."

Over a nearly two-year period, she lost half of her pre-surgery weight. Today, she weighs about 125 pounds and wears a size 6. And all her weightrelated medical conditions are gone.

"I really feel well," Frances says. "I have enough energy to run and play baseball with my kids. And they bring their friends home now. I have a great life."

For more information about our free bariatric education seminars, please visit our Web site at www.wellingtonregional.com or call 561-798-8587.

Requirements for Bariatric Surgery

• BMI (body mass index) of 40 and above (approximately 100 pounds over ideal body weight).
• BMI of 35 and above with serious comorbid diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes and sleep apnea.
• Motivation: ability and willingness to understand and participate in the program.
• Absence of medical and/or psychological contraindications to the surgery.

Fred L. Simon, MD, FACS [C], FRCS, brings extensive experience in laparoscopic surgery to his position as Medical Director of The Wellington Surgical Weight Reduction Center. Dr. Simon has been practicing general surgery in Palm Beach County for more than 25 years. Dr. Simon is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and a member of the American Society of Bariatric Surgery.

Wellington Regional Medical Center, 10101 Forest Hill Blvd. Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 798-8500