Retake Control of Your Life

Rediscovering Life: A Journey of Health and Happiness

Two-and-a-half years ago, Dawn Tooker was morbidly obese. She couldn’t walk more than a few steps without stopping to catch her breath. She couldn’t fly in an airplane, fit in a booth at a restaurant, or even tie her shoes. She was embarrassed to be seen in public. Worst of all, she couldn’t play with her grandkids.

“That was my tipping point,” Dawn said. “When my little guy, my grandson, was looking at me and saying, ‘play with me, grandma,’ and I couldn’t because I couldn’t move, that’s when I knew it was time to get serious about losing weight. I had tried other diet plans but had little success. I needed a better solution.”

Dawn’s family physician referred her to the Intermountain Health Western Colorado Obesity Management Clinic where she went through a six-month program oftesting, classes, and counseling before undergoing bariatric surgery. “This program is not for everyone,” said Dawn. “You really must be committed to changing your life. Every step of the way I had to get approval for surgery from everyone involved: the dietitian, my family physician, the psychologist, the PA, the surgeon — we all had to be on the same page and agree that I was a suitable candidate for surgery.”

The team approved Dawn for a surgical procedure called a duodenal switch, to be performed by Dr. L. Kasey Welsh of Intermountain Health. The duodenal switch is a weight loss surgery that involves removing part ofthe stomach and reconfiguring the small intestine. “Dr. Welsh explained that there were different procedures that he could do, and the different things that they accomplish,” said Dawn. “Together, we decided that the duodenal switch was the best option for me.”

Dr. Welsh performed the surgery at St. Mary’s Regional Hospital and sent Dawn home the next day to begin her post-surgery recovery. “Their recovery protocol is incredibly thorough and detailed,” Dawn said. “The dietary restrictions are very specific, and I was in close contact with the dietitian to make sure I was receiving the right nutrients throughout my recovery. Summer Long, my Physician Assistant, was extremely helpful with on-going checkups, regular bloodwork and emotional support. The whole team was just incredible in helping me move forward toward achieving my goals.”

“Now, I’m half the size I was,” Dawn said. “Everything is different now. I have a much better outlook on life. I’m not afraid to go anywhere or be seen. I can move, I can play. I’m no longer diabetic, and I achieved my most important goal. When I chase my grandkids around and run at the park with them, it’s just the greatest thing in the world. I’m so glad I did it.”

To anyone who suffers from morbid obesity, Dawn offers this advice: “Be your own hero. Take it one day at a time. Come to the Western Colorado Obesity Management Clinic and let them do what they do best. It’s not easy, but they know what they’re doing, and I’m a living example of their successes. You can be too.”

Patient Success Stories

We celebrate the success of our patients no matter how big or small. Let the people we’ve helped inspire you with stories of strength, healing and hope. Find out how our team of weight loss professionals helped our patients regain control of their lives.

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Restoring Health Through Comprehensive Obesity Treatment

St. Mary’s bariatric surgery patients have lost an average of 72% of their excess body weight one-year following surgery. What is more important is that many have improved or eliminated their high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obstructive sleep apnea and the expensive medications that accompany those obesity-related diseases.