Bariatric Surgery

Franki Evensen’s excess weight had affected her fertility, but she hadn’t realized that until she lost 100 pounds and became pregnant. In 2008, she had her Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery with Dr. Daniel Smith. “I had not been on any type of birth control since 2003,” she said. At one time, she and her husband [...]

Jennifer Harrom of Fergus Falls wanted to have more children; brothers or sisters for her son, Colton. Some day, anyway. In fact, it was her obstetrician who recommended her for weight-loss surgery. At more than 300 pounds and exhibiting signs of diabetes, high blood pressure and thyroid problems, she had her gastric bypass with Dr. [...]

“Because of the dramatic weight loss following bariatric surgery, it is generally recommended that women avoid pregnancy until after the first 12-18 months or until their weight stabilizes,” according to a Bariatric Times article by Jane Alston and Giselle Hamad, MD, FACS, “Management and Outcomes of Pregnancy following Bariatric Surgery.” Unexpected pregnancies are a “unique [...]

April Earley of Fargo was told at age 18 that she would probably never conceive a child due to her weight and health issues. That wasn’t quite accurate. It did take more than two years for her and her husband to get pregnant with their first child, Carter. So she really wasn’t expecting to learn [...]

Betty Larsen’s experience and training makes her well-suited for bariatric medicine at the Center for Weight Management. After 18 years working as a Registered Dietitian with Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND, Larsen was looking for new challenges. That’s when she turned her studies and skills down a new path that led to her certification [...]

“I no longer feel invisible. People now see the person I always knew was inside. I have my life back. I am more confident and stronger physically and mentally. My husband tells me the girl he married is back!” – Linda (left) — 4 years since surgery “Success to me means being more comfortable in [...]

The Ministry of Health recently named the Center for Weight Management (a service of St. Joseph’s Area Health Services and Innovis Health) a “U.S. Preferred Provider.”

Sherry and Terry Peterson plan to tackle a triathlon after their weight loss spurred their efforts to exercise. The couple together have shed 352 pounds.