Bobbie Solomon
 Bobbie Solomon loves her life, especially because she never dreamed she would get it back. Since her weight-loss surgery, she has lost 209 pounds in 24 months and has returned to the sport she loves-springboard diving-as both a competitor and a coach. She also found a new love in sprint triathlons.
Bobbie's health had been trapped in a vicious downward cycle. Nerve damage in her hip made it extremely painful for her to walk. The less she could walk, the more weight she gained. Finally, she couldn't walk at all and needed an electric cart to get around. In seven years, she gained a little over 200 pounds, reaching 371 pounds on her once-muscular 5'4" frame.
"I couldn't walk, let alone dive. I hated my life; I hated my looks," says Bobbie, 50. Unable to exercise, "I came to the gradual realization that if I didn't have weight-loss surgery, I would die of some problem related to morbid obesity."
But Bobbie got more than she bargained for from her gastric bypass surgery. Her weight loss relieved the pressure on her hip nerve, leaving her pain-free. "Even if there are medical reasons for what happened, it's still a miracle to me," she says.
 Referring to her nutritional guidelines and exercise regimen, she says, "I'm doing everything I'm supposed to do. It's been phenomenal. I'm still losing weight." Already, she has gone from a size 4X to a size 10.
Bobbie also credits her success to her surgeon-Thomas Bass, MD, bariatric specialist and surgeon on the medical staff of Memorial Regional Hospital and Bonita Community Health Center-and to his wife and bariatric coordinator, Tiffany Bass. "They are absolute, incredible support. They know how hard it is, and they prepare you."
Dr. Bass says, "Weight-loss surgery is no quick fix; it takes real motivation and commitment to achieve and maintain long-term success. . . . Bobbie has embraced real lifestyle change as an adjunct to having weight-loss surgery, and you can clearly see the dividends."
Currently, Bobbie is springboard diving again in the master's division, helping coach the diving team at the University of California at San Diego and completed her first sprint triathlon (500-meter swim, a 15-kilometer bike ride, and a 5-kilometer run). She is currently training to compete in three more triathlons for 2008.
"I never would have dreamed-even with the surgery-that I would have the life that I have today," says Bobbie.
 Ric Potter
Ric Potter of Fort Lauderdale can't recall a time when he didn't have weight problems. As a child, he was always the chubby one and as an adult, he grew tired of always being the biggest person in the room. "I think if one more person called me ‘Big Papa,' I was going to lose it," he says.
Ric, a 36-year-old nurse who exercised regularly since middle school, tried many diets. "I'd lose weight for a while, then become ravenously hungry, overeat and start to gain all the weight back," he says. Eventually, he reached 330 pounds and could barely squeeze into an airplane seat. He also had developed sleep apnea, joint problems and high blood pressure and triglyceride levels. By the end of a 12-hour nursing shift, he was too tired to go to the gym or even drive home at times. "I was a heart attack waiting to happen," he says.
Ric knew he needed help. In 2004, he learned that 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, offered laparoscopic band surgery (LAP-BAND®). 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.
Room to Spare
Ric underwent laparoscopic band surgery in October 2004. Soon after, he kicked his diet soda habit and replaced some of the carbs he loved so much with smaller portions of healthier foods. He is exercising again and has lost 100 pounds. With his pant size dropping from 54 to 36, he can shop in regular department stores and now fits into his airline seat with room to spare. "For me, just being a normal weight is a lot of fun," Ric says.
Dr. Bass commends Ric's commitment. "The difference between having a good result or a great result from surgery is how much you make exercise a regular part of your lifestyle," says Dr. Bass. "There's no doubt that Ric's success is directly related to his commitment to the necessary dietary changes and his own personal exercise regimen."
"I used to think that I were given 10 pounds of pasta, that's what I should eat," says Ric. "Although it's almost impossible for an Italian like me, I had to get used to leaving food on my plate." In addition, Ric shares that he is working out at the gym again, as well as walking, bike riding and doing yard work.
More importantly, his health issues have subsided. "I believe if I hadn't gone to Dr. Bass, I'd have had a heart attack by now," he says. "I think the lap band procedure saved my life."
About Dr. Bass
Dr. Thomas Bass, MD, FACS is a board-certified general surgeon specializing in bariatric surgery. Dr. Bass received his MD from the Medical College of Virginia and completed his surgical residency training at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center at Pennsylvania State University. In addition, he completed fellowships in both Minimally Invasive Surgery and Surgical Critical Care and holds additional board certification in Surgical Critical Care. His interest in weight loss surgery began during his minimally invasive surgery fellowship, where he witnessed first-hand the life-changing effects that weight loss surgery can have. Dr. Bass is a proctor for the Lap-Band System, and is responsible for training other surgeons in Florida that are interested in performing the procedure. Dr. Bass performs Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, Lap-band surgery, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy surgery and the ROSE & Stomaphyx procedures.
About Tiffany Bass RN, BSN, CBN
Tiffany has been a Bariatric Program Coordinator for the past 5 years with Hollywood Bariatrics & Gulf Coast Bariatrics. She is responsible for collaboration of the multidisciplinary surgical weight loss team and coordination of the weight loss surgery patient process. She manages the ongoing analysis, development, and efficacy of the weight loss surgery services, providers, functions and clinical outcomes for the weight loss surgery practices. She is a small business owner of Bariatric Support Services, functioning as a consultant in bariatric program development, patient education and patient support. Tiffany’s background includes a career as a Registered Nurse in surgical intensive care nursing and cardiac disease management. Her interest in working with weight loss surgery patients began while working as personal trainer and fitness instructor as a hobby. This interest in weight loss surgery patients grew from a hobby into a full time passion.
“I love what I do and it is my goal that every single patient that walks through our door has the opportunity and tools to be successful in their journey to a healthier & happier lifestyle.”
Education and Training
• M.D., Medical College of Virginia
• Fellowship, Minimally Invasive Surgery, The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
• Fellowship, Surgical Critical Care, The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
• Residency, Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
• Internship, Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Cerifications and Licensure
• Board Certified, American Board of Surgery, General Surgery
• Board Certified, American Board of Surgery, Surgical Critical Care
• Medical License, State of Florida Memberships
• Member, American Society of Metabolic & Bariatric Surgeons
• Member, Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons
• Fellow, American College of Surgeons
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