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Surgeon Testimonial

James Foote
I was impressed right away with Dr. Foote's kindness. He is upbeat and enthusiastic and very positive! He answered all my questions and made sure I asked everything on my list and didn't appear in a hurry at all. He explained risks, but very much put me at ease about my situation. I'm very excited to put myself in his hands and change my life!
Member Interests
  • Crafts - Scrapbooking and cardmaking
  • Family & Friends - two sons, 21 and 15 and a WONDERFUL hubby!
  • Health - Insulin-dependent diabetic, pumper for 4 years
  • Dogs - My Jack Russell Terrier, Jackie--her majesty the princess!
  • Navy - My oldest son is in the Navy, stationed in Norfolk VA
  • Married - Wonderful, supportive, awesome husband Dave!
  • RN - ICU/Telemetry Holland Hospital

penneynurse's Journey

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Describe your behavioral and emotional battle with weight control before learning about bariatric surgery.
I refer to my behavior pre op as "Pathological Eating". I am a grown woman, an RN, and had been a diabetic for 22 years. I KNEW BETTER. But, that didn't change my behavior. I would justify my eating with crap like, "I had a rough evening at work. I deserve a burger." I would tell myself I only needed a Whopper Jr. but would pull up and order a Whopper. And eat it. Usually by the time I got on the highway. Then I'd throw the "evidence" out the window. To me, the consequence of high blood sugar and cholesterol were not immediate enough or tangible enough to affect me. Years before I used to scoff that WLS was "forced behavior modification". Now I realized that is exactly what I needed. Something to make me stop. At first I had difficulty...
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penneynurse's Blog
penneynurse's Blog


Nearly 4 years....some changes are needed.
on May 23, 2012 8:43 pm
Well, here I am almost 4 years post op. While I still consider myself a success, I have seen that some bad habits have crept back. I saw Dr. Baker due to a 25lb. weight gain over the last year. He said I would be an excellent sclerotherapy patient. So my first treatment was in April, they measured my stoma at 21mm, with the target being 12-15mm. So food was passing with no effort into my intestine. I had one round of injections of an irritant that would cause some swelling and firming of the scar tissue at the anastomosis. Round 2 was May 11, my stoma measured at 16mm and he figured the end result would be well within the desired range. That weekend, I had my first honest-to-goodness "stuck" after being so hungry that I ate a beef stick and was nauseated for nearly 12 hours before forcibly ralphing up the beef stick I had eaten earlier. Time to relearn how to CHEW thoroughly! I am hoping to re-lose some of my gain.
I wondered if I had done anything wrong to cause this and Dr. Baker said it could be that I don't form hard scar tissue and he was glad I came to him after regaining 25 lb. rather than 50 or more. I am trying to refocus on protein drinks and protein first, but the main thing is CHEWING!
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3 years now....
on August 6, 2011 6:50 am
Today is 3 years since I had my RNY and I am still extremely happy with it, and still feel the same as last year...I'd do it again in a heartbeat! I have maintained my weight within 5 or so pounds of my lowest, and the only prescription medications I take are insulin (although much less than at my highest weight), Cymbalta and potassium. Blood pressure is consistently normal, and I am feeling great! Last August, I went to the OH conference in Cincy and had a blast dancing and hanging out with new friends. I am so thankful to all the doctors, support staff and online friends who have helped me in my journey!
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HAPPY 2 YEAR SURGIVERSARY TOOOO MEEE!
on August 6, 2010 8:03 am
Well, 2 years have flown by since my life has changed for the better, and I must say I STILL love my RNY! Time and time again I tell people I'd do it again in a heart beat! I am still holding steady at 149-151 lbs., NO blood pressure medicine, NO cpap, NO cholesterol medicine, NO pain and 1/3 of the insulin I needed before surgery. I have canoed, kayaked (and tipped over without getting stuck in the kayak--that was always my fear that I'd be stuck in it), worn a one piece bathing suit (without a skirt) in public, and all kinds of other firsts. My labs are all within normal limits except for my stubborn ferritin. I am having a uterine ablation next month hoping that stopping the monthly carnage will help a bit. But overall, I am much better off than I was 2 years ago.
Thanks to Dr. Foote and the staff at Lakeshore Health Partners and any and everyone on this site that has given advice or an encouraging word.
I am going to the conference in Cincy in a couple of weeks, hope to see some familiar faces there!!
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One Year Labs!
on August 6, 2009 4:50 pm

Just got my one year lab results...EVERYTHING is within normal limits!! My former doc saw them at work and said I am now officially a healthy individual, something I did not consider myself one year ago. My ferritin and K+ are on the low end of normal, but my ferritin is 17, an improvement from the 8 it was at my 6 month check, thanks to 4 iron supplements daily. I was so excited about not having to take medication anymore; now I take more pills than ever! Only my cymbalta and potassium are prescription.
How does this compare to other postops vitamin piles? Thought it would be interesting to take a photo...

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Happy Surgiversary to Me!!!!!
on August 5, 2009 6:37 am
Wow...one year already, it sure did fly! I want to list a few "wows" and positive changes I have experienced in this past year...in no particular order, I'm just doing this off the top of my head:

*Prettier underwear!
*No more cpap
*No more sore feet (I can actually wear heels and flip flops!)
*I went canoeing last week, something I would NOT have attempted this time last year!
*More confidence, although I am still uncomfortable when people compliment me.
*Cereal with milk, brownies and ice cream have become eeeeeevillllll.
*I still want to giggle when I zip up size 10 pants in the dressing room!
*I am still offended by fat jokes.
*I have butt bones that are annoyed by bleachers, picnic tables and hard chairs
*I can sit on my husband's lap
*I have tried (and gagged on) more protein drinks in the last year than I ever thought I could. Still not my favorite.
*Padded bras rock!

I would not give this back for anything, and if I had to do it all again, I would in a heartbeat! I am so thankful and happy. I love my RNY!
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My Story

Hi, my name is Penney. I am 45 years old and an RN at a local hospital. As of right now, I am 5'4" and 230 with a BMI of 39. I have been diabetic for 21 years, on an insulin pump for 4 years. I have HTN, sleep apnea and back and foot pain. I have appealed twice to my insurance company to let me bypass the medically supervised low calorie diet and go straight to surgery. They are still requiring me to go through the program, but have agreed to waive the weight loss requirement that will determine my "compliance". So I will jump through the hoop and do my best, and hopefully have surgery by the end of this summer! I'm a little nervous to start this diet, I'm so afraid I'll just get hungry and cheat. 5 months is a long time to put a teeny little bit of food into a belly that's used to LOTS more. I would love to have contact and support from anyone out there, and I want to hear your stories. Thanks!