I am Eddie Elsasser and I have lost ½ my goal weight in a period of 5.5 months. On 5/5/2010 I was at my top weight of 458lbs and I am currently at the weight of 325. On 11/22/2010, that is a loss of 133 Lbs.I could not have done this without the love, skills and passion that Dr. Bass and Tiffany had and have for me.

When I was about 12 years old, I was underweight. I was very picky about what I would eat. I believe most kids are like that, but my family Doctor told my mother to make me eat more. I do not believe in my heart that was the reason I gained weight, I was a shy kid at the time, over time that really changed, my big mouth explains all of that.. (-: anyway, I was very self conscious about a lot of things, and I was insecure. I was teased a lot and bully by my peers. Food was a great comfort to me, I started eating a lot  and I would do it behind the curtain/back stage where no one would see me. All through high school and college, I was about 80- 100 LBS over weight. It did not faze me.
I then moved down to southwest, FL in 1998. I met a lot of friends and we would go out to eat a lot, and being a Chef did not help in any means. I gained weight so fast over 12 years that I did not realize it was happening.

Then I found out by a friend that there was a surgery that would help me lose weight. I visited many doctors before finally meeting and deciding on Dr. Bass.  Dr. Bass and his wife Tiffany greeted me with love and compassion, and have helped me get through the process and the road to a healthy lifestyle.

Just to scan back a bit, in the past, up to the day of my sleeve surgery, I was a very angry man, I hated the world and I thought everyone was against me.The minute I was in my room recovering and just waking up from the surgery, I thank God for giving me Dr, Bass. A man/doctor of great talent and skill. That very second, I physically felt all my anger, fears, and my past leave my shoulders. Yes, I did feel it leave me, it is hard to explain it better then that. I was given a second chance in life, and new beginning again….
Thank you Dr. Bass and Tiffany

My name is John Moore; I had Lap Band Surgery done in October of 2007 by the best doctor in Florida. I weighted 455 lbs at that time, I now weight 294 lbs and still I am losing. This surgery has totally changed my life; I now don’t run out of breath just walking across the room. I work out in a gym at least twice a week and sometimes three, which I have never done. I had several health issues which have slowly gone away. It has opened many windows into different things, one being I can now fly coach instead of first class which is a huge savings. I can also ride thrill rides at amusement parks with my seventeen year old son.

There are just so many things and when you have the greatest doctor and staff, it makes it just that much better. Dr Bass and staff make you feel like family and they genuinely care about you.

Thank You

John Moore

It has not been a bad year. I had my roux-en-y gastric bypass on July 27th., 2009. Now, I am a new woman, literally. My friends who I haven’t seen in just a month or so have come up to me and asked “May I help you?”. I wasn’t immediately recognized. I love it. I am not afraid to step in front of a camera. There are so many new adventures, and everyday a new experience. That is how I find out I can do new things, or things I have not done in years, like tie my shoes, jump, walk up and down stairs, etc. Did I say I used a rolling four wheeled walker for 15 years, my back was not straight, aches and pains all over my body, blood pressure was high, I was a border line diabetic? Now, I walk on two legs, three and a half inches taller, free of all those awful aches ,  taking very little blood pressure medicine ( soon will be off of that), and I no longer worry about diabetes.

My personal doctor urged me to get weight reduction surgery because my health was deteriorating to quickly too soon. I have been dieting since a child, and could never get my weight down for any lengthy period of time, that would do me good.  I found Dr. Bass in Cape Coral ,FL. He was the right man, for the right job, at the right time.  I have to admit for what is an embarrassing situation (telling your weight and age), Dr. Bass , Tiffany, and the rest of the crew never once did not treat you without dignity, and respect.  Dr. Bass , is a talented Doctor, not only in surgery but with the pen. Whatever he wrote to the insurance company, was approved, and the surgery scheduled. Hooray! It is still one of the best days in my life . I now eat to live, and journal, too. exercise daily, drink plenty of liquids, go to GB support groups, keep busy, and think of myself first. Now, I can truly help others, as Dr. Bass and company has helped me.

I look forward to many happy years ahead…63 years old and getting younger every day.

When I met Dr. Bass back in 8/09, I was facing two hip replacements.  My orthopedist told me that he would do the surgery, but if I did not lose weight, I was facing replacements for my hips again in 10 years or so.  I meet with Tiffany and Dr. Bass and knew that this is exactly what I wanted to do.  I was committed to change my life forever.  I had Lap-Band surgery in 10/07.  I was back to work in less than 2 weeks.  

I have been learning how to live my life instead of just survive like I used to.  Gulf Coast Bariatrics  changed my life forever and have allowed me to look for my future instead of dread my future.

Deidre

After 2 years of research I found Dr Bass and made my choice.  Even though I live on the West Coast, I drove all the way to Hollywood Bariatrics to attend a Seminar and to meet Dr Bass. Since then, they have opened Gulf Coast Bariatrics on the west coast, where I attend my support groups and do my follow ups.  Dr. Bass came highly recommended by 3 of my co workers, who are all in the medical field.  I have lost 160 pounds and I fit in a size 4 pants now!

If your contemplating weight loss surgery, do it!   Through their programs,  Hollywood Bariatrics and Gulf Coast Bariatrics help you mentally, emotionally and physically with your new lifestyle.  They give you all the information you need to make the decision thats best for you.  It was emotionally and physically draining to not be able to fit in booths or chairs, not be able to walk easily, and have everyone staring at you.  Choosing to have gastric bypass was the best decision I have ever made for my weight and health issues.  I have no more health conditions, I am exercising and doing things I could have never done before, like Yoga!  

I have already refereed 4 people to Gulf Coast Bariatrics, they went on line, watched the videos and made their appointments.  We all go to the support groups now, and can even participate online if we cant make it!  I refer Dr. Bass, TIffany and everyone at Gulf Coast Bariatrics whenever I can!

If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, acid reflex, sleep apnea, asthma, you need to have gastric bypass or weight loss surgery!  My primary motive for getting gastric bypass was to get rid of my health issues, and losing the weight was second.  

I have lost 136 pounds, and all my previous health issues were gone the day after surgery.  I feel and look better than I have in my entire life.  My two daughters had weight loss surgery, and it was a huge success!  They were my inspiration, and as soon as I met Dr Bass and staff it just felt natural.  

Dr Bass didn’t discriminate due to my age, he evaluated me on my ability to have surgery, not my age.  I give Hollywood Bariatrics 5 out of 5 stars.

“Why didn’t I do this sooner?  I lost 75 pounds in the first 9 months, my Diabetes is GONE, High blood pressure is pretty much non existent and my High Cholesterol is at an all time low.  

My back pain is gone, I am sleeping better and I look and feel better than I have in my entire life.  

If you are considering weight loss surgery, DO IT!  I am in the medical field and I know many Doctors, but Dr. Bass is hands down the best Bariatric Surgeon in the area.  The support groups are outstanding, the information you get really helps you in your weight loss journey.  I recommend Hollywood Bariatrics to anyone considering weight loss surgery!

Joe struggled with his weight since childhood. “I was brought up being told to eat everything on my plate,” says Joe. “I did. And then some!”

Like so many people trying to lose weight, he turned to fad diets, and even tried hypnosis. “I’d lose 10 to 15 pounds, then fall back into my old habits,” he says. “Like the old saying goes: I kept doing the same thing over and expecting a different result.”

A Wake Up Call

Joe first considered surgery a couple of years ago, but says he wasn’t quite ready to make the commitment. When his weight crept up to 342 pounds, the 46-year-old Director of Environmental Services at Memorial Regional Hospital developed a host of health problems that could not be ignored, including sleep apnea, high blood pressure, hypertension, back problems and high cholesterol. But his real motivation came when his brother-in-law, who was diabetic and also overweight, suffered a stroke. “That was a real wake-up call for me,” Joe says. “It was time for me to change my life.”

After hearing success stories from patients of the Memorial Comprehensive Weight-Loss Surgery Program, Joe discussed laparoscopic band surgery (LAP-BAND®) with his physician and was referred to Thomas Bass, MD, bariatric specialist and surgeon on the medical staff at Memorial Regional Hospital, Memorial Regional Hospital South, Memorial Hospital Miramar and Memorial Hospital Pembroke.

After reviewing Joe’s medical history and discussing his goals, Joe and Dr. Bass agreed that he was a good candidate for the LAP-BAND® surgery. The reversible procedure involves inserting an inflatable band around the top portion of the stomach to create a small pouch that fills more quickly. Once the ring is adjusted – by injecting or removing saline via a port under the skin – optimal weight loss can be achieved.

Motivating Others

Joe underwent the Lap-Band® surgery in February 2007 and has lost 130 pounds. He has made exercise and portion control part of his daily routine. He dropped from a size 3X to a size large and went from a 52-inch waist to a 36-inch waist. “It felt great to give all my old clothes to the church,” says Joe. “Most importantly, I feel I’ve added at least 10 years onto my life.”

His family has also reaped the benefits. “My wife was hesitant at first, but she has joined me in changing her eating habits and has lost more than 20 pounds herself and her diabetes is under control.” In addition to inspiring his family, Joe’s journey toward a healthier life has motivated his co-workers at Memorial too. “I know of at least 10 people who watched me achieve my goals and are now going through the program,” says Joe. “I tell them that it’s all worth it because I’ve never felt better about myself.”

Weight Loss Surgery has made huge positive changes in my life.  Not only is my borderline hypertension, sleep apnea, high blood pressure and diabetes GONE, but I lost 109 pounds!  I had surgery because I needed a tool to help change my life around. I wanted to be around for my family and I had goals that I wanted to achieve that I could not because of my weight. For anyone considering surgery, I would recommend it over and over but it is only a tool. It takes hard work and a lifestyle change to be successful.

I would recommend Gulf Coast Bariatrics to my family and friends interested in weight loss surgery.  Dr Bass and his staff are very informative, sensitive and encouraging from my first consultation to my surgery and even to this day they are extremely helpful.  The seminars were informative and answered all my questions.  I recommend Dr Bass and Gulf Coast Bariatrics if your ready to improve your life

Shirley, at 42, had a hard time losing weight after her first pregnancy. In the years that followed, she tried everything from fad diets and weight-loss pills to a restrictive plan of just fish, fruit and vegetables. Sometimes she would lose 20 to 25 pounds, but the weight would always return. Eventually, she couldn’t walk very far without back pain. At 298 pounds, she also dealt with thyroid issues, high blood pressure, hypertension and problems with her knee that required surgery.

That’s when Shirley’s orthopedic surgeon recommended she consider weight-loss surgery. Shirley learned that she was a candidate for the surgery but that its success would depend on her commitment to diet and exercise. I really needed to get the weight off. I wasn’t going to forego a second chance at life just for that extra piece of cake.
Within six months of her gastric bypass surgery Shirley lost 100 pounds, dropping from a size 24 to a size 16. In the ensuing months, she shed an additional 46 pounds and now fits into a size 10.

Along with the weight loss came many changes in her life. She found herself able to walk more easily than before, and her energy level improved dramatically. “The first time I walked around the block and didn’t have back pain,” Shirley says, “I literally wanted to drop to the ground and cry. I thought I would never reach that point again.” She’s able to play ball with her grandchildren, and is enjoying the many benefits of being a thinner, more agile person: “It’s easier now for me to just pick up and go.” People who have known her for years often don’t recognize her and ask, “Do you have a sister named Shirley?” “I have to tell them it’s me,” she laughs.

These days, you’re likely to find the new Shirley in the local mall. After her early weight-loss success, she was able to wear jeans for the first time in 10 years. She also had her ears pierced, bought new makeup and developed a passion for clothes shopping. “Now a size 10, I know I can go into a store, take an item off the rack, and it’s going to fit me. What a difference from when I was a size 24,” she says.
When you go to a doctor or any professional, you sometimes can feel intimidated,” she says. Dr. Bass makes you feel so comfortable. He tells you exactly what to expect and what is expected of you. Losing this much weight has given me hope for the future – for better health and a longer life, Because I look and feel better, I am even m ore committed to staying healthy.