She met with Dr. Sayeed Ikramuddin, general surgeon at University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview, to discuss her weight-loss surgery options and together, they determined which surgery would work best for her. He supported her decision but emphasized surgery would simply be a tool to help her lose weight. Beyond that, it was up to her to make the life-long commitment.

Throughout the entire process– from preparation to surgery to follow-up– Barbie appreciated Dr. Ikramuddin's honest, encouragement and ongoing availability. Ten years later, after losing nearly 100 pounds, her journey continues. She still meets with him and his staff for the required follow-up appointments and regularly attends a weight management nutrition program on her own. She says the opportunity to share both the triumphs and the struggles with others has been important to maintaining a healthy weight since the surgery.

Today, Barbie has the energy and stamina of someone half her age. In the years since her surgery, Barbie knows having someone 'in her corner' has been essential to her success. She credits looking and feeling younger, and her improved quality of life, to the doctors and specialists at the Weight Loss Clinic.

Adding a gastric bypass surgery to lifestyle and medical management can benefit mildly to moderately obese patients with Type 2 diabetes. A landmark study led by Sayeed Ikramuddin, MD, showed that these patients who had a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass had a greater likelihood of achieving their weight-loss goals than patients who did not.

An article on the study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.