Mary Gottsch

Event planner, Mary Gottsch was the life of the party. She had quick wit and vibrant smile. But on the inside, she was miserable. At 5’5 and 252 pounds, Mary was unhappy with her appearance, emotionally and physically exhausted by her excess weight, and concerned about potential health problems. On January 17, 2003, her life changed.

Bariatric surgery. She had heard about weight loss surgery and wanted to know more.

“I knew that surgery was available right here—in my own back yard. These were the doctors I’d known for years— if I couldn’t trust them, then who could I trust?” She scheduled an appointment with Dr. Paul Severson.

At MIMIS, surgeons perform two different bariatric procedures: the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and an adjustable gastric banding (“LAP-BAND”). In the Roux-en-Y procedure, a large portion of the stomach is closed off. This leaves a small pouch to hold food, restricting the amount of food that can be eaten at one time. The small intestine is cut and reattached to the new stomach pouch, leaving a shortened path for food to travel through. Because the small intestine is bypassed, less food is absorbed.
In the Lapband procedure, surgeons place an adjustable silicone band around the upper part of the stomach to create a small pouch. Food passes from the upper stomach pouch to the lower stomach more slowly. Patients feel full longer. Once implanted, the band can be tightened or loosened in an outpatient setting.

Mary and Dr. Severson decided the Roux-en-Y was the best procedure for her. Months before her surgery, Mary researched bariatric surgery extensively. She attended the medical center sponsored weight loss information seminar and support group; she started making better food choices. Her husband and family were supportive of her decision. She knew this was a life changing event, not a quick fix. Mary was determined and felt empowered.

Two and one half years later Mary has lost 117 pounds and maintained that weight loss, but according to her, the numbers are only a part of her story. “This has been an amazing journey for me,” says Mary. “From the moment I made the decision to pursue this health option, my life began to shift. It has been a journey of physical and spiritual proportions, and I have never regretted it, not for one minute. Every day I wake up, put my feet on the floor, and thank God for another day to spend with my family and friends. Because of the health decisions I made two years ago, and the decisions I continue to make now, I know I will be here to celebrate this life with the people I love. Life changes dramatically with a weight loss surgery, but every single day continues to be a change—an opportunity for the best; this is an amazing journey!”

For further questions regarding weight loss surgery, contact the Bariatric Program, 1-888-546-4343 or 1-218-54-MIMIS.

For further information in regard to minimally invasive surgery procedure information, to address procedural-related concerns, or in regard to other related weight loss information, CRMC / MIMIS offers informational seminars as an excellent resource. Weight loss support group meetings are also an excellent resource for support and answered questions.

For more information, contact the Education Department, (218) 546-2339.