Patient Stories | Surgical Services
Patients share their experience and journey through diagnosis, operation and post-operative care at Summa Health.
Richard Garcia, Bariatric Surgery Patient
Describes his gastric sleeve procedure as a lifesaver
Transcription:
Richard: Believe it or not, in high school, I was an athlete, but after high school, I started developing bad eating habits, not working out, and my weight ballooned up to 580 pounds. Everything was a chore; walking, trying to take the trash out, just basic daily functions. I had high blood pressure, water on the knees. 580 pounds, it was just killing my body. My life was in danger. I had to do something, so I looked into Summa bariatric program.
So then, I met Dr. Dan and he said I'd be a candidate for the gastric sleeve procedure. It was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. It's not a magic pill. It gives you a good start, but the rest of it's up to you. You're gonna have to change your lifestyle, eat correctly, exercise. I've lost 350 pounds.
I feel like I've been given a second chance at life. That's exactly the way I feel. This surgery is a lifesaver, by far, the best decision I ever made. Dr. Dan and his colleagues at Summa are working miracles and I'm one of them.
Suzanne Titus, Colorectal Cancer Patient
Advises everyone to get a colonoscopy – it saved her life
Transcription:
Suzanne: I was having symptoms of pain and bleeding and trouble eliminating, and so, I went to Summa. My doctor recommended a colonoscopy and I had a diagnosis of colorectal cancer. I was stunned. I was referred to Dr. Kornbau at Barberton Hospital for surgery. He impressed me with his sincerity and his expertise. I'm sure is what made it so much easier for me.
After the surgery, I said I'm not gonna waste one minute of this time I've been given and I went outside and started gardening. I'm just so grateful to everybody over there at Summa. They're wonderful people.
My advice to everyone is to get that colonoscopy. It saved my life.
Glenn Thompson, Cardiology Patient
Feeling 90 years young after heart stent procedure
Transcription:
Glenn: I went to my family doctor and he advised me to go to see a heart doctor. The doctor did a catheterization on me and they found a blockage in the arteries. And then I met Dr. Rea at Summa, and he went in two of my arteries and put three different stents in to open 'em up. It should prolong my life.
I'll be 91 years old soon, and I can hardly wait to get back out and do things I always done. Even now, I take Winston out for walks twice a day.
When I think about Dr. Rea, he's a very terrific fellow, and I can't thank him enough. I recommend Dr. Rea to anybody with heart problems, and that's the way I feel about it.
Gerry Faust
TAVR procedure was a win!
Transcription:
Gerry: I saw Dr. Reede at church one morning. He said it's about time we check your heart and see how things are going. So I went to Summa, and I had a blockage, and my aortic valve needed to be replaced, and Dr. Dunn did a TAVR procedure on me. I was back to normal the next day. And I tell you, the place is super, they did a super job of taking care of me, getting me out there the next day back to normal, and the people there treated me first class. I'm sure the good Lord had a lot to do with that too.
You know I was a football coach for five years at Notre Dame. I was at Akron U for nine years. I tell coaches wins on the field keep your job, but the wins of the hearts of the young people you're coaching are the real wins in life, and the heart was a real win. The TAVR procedure was a win for me, and I love wins. Yeah, I love wins.
Patricia White, Ophthalmology Patient
Credits Summa Health's Dr. Awender for saving her eyesight
Transcription:
Patricia: I was driving down the street and all of a sudden everything got so blurry, no definition. I was so scared and I knew I needed to get home and call my doctor, Dr. Awender, at Summa Health.
She diagnosed me with a glaucoma, which is also scary because you can lose your eyesight, which I was doing. In addition, I needed the cataract surgery. I was so afraid of going blind. Because this was all during the pandemic, she couldn't do the cataract surgery, but she could do the laser surgery in her office to bring the pressure down. Eventually I did get the cataract surgery and now I'm seeing beautifully. Dr. Awender saved my eyesight. If it wasn't for her, I would not be able to see to this day.
I can see everything with my grandkids now, even when they're mischievous. Thank you, Dr. Awender.
Annabelle Blankenship, Bariatric Surgery Patient
Living proof that there is hope – and help.
Transcription:
Annabelle: I believe my highest weight was 367 pounds. And so I knew that I was on a path to developing a lot of health concerns and health issues, if I didn't take control. My primary care doctor referred me to Summa Weight Loss Management Institute, and that's where I met Dr. Dan. And he told me I'd be a great candidate for gastric bypass surgery.
The one thing I've learned is surgery is not a fix-all. You'd have to work at it every day and follow the process. I've lost over 180 pounds. When I look in the mirror now, I just see confidence. It's more than just a physical change, it's more inner and emotional. What I feel on the inside now matches the outside.
Well, the future is bright. I recently married. I know I can have children safely when I wanna start a family now. For anyone that's struggling with weight like I was, I would encourage you that there is hope and there is help. And, I'm living proof.
Mary Kay Malensek
Enjoying new flavors of life after LINX® procedure
Transcription:
Mary Kay: For years I was suffering with a lot of gastrointestinal problems. I had acid reflux that was just absolutely terrible, to where I was having chest pains that felt like a heart attack. My son's a chef, and he would cook these wonderful meals for us, and I couldn't eat.
My gastroenterologist finally referred me to Dr. Pozsgay at Summa Health, who thought I might be a good candidate for the new procedure called LINX, where the surgeon puts a ring of magnets just below your esophagus. And that prevents all that acid from going up into your esophagus.
The outcome for me was fantastic. As soon as I woke up and was able to eat something, I was fine. 100% fine.
I'm finally able to enjoy these wonderful meals that my son cooks for us. Now I have the opposite problem. I have to stop eating everything in sight.
Dave Pence, Orthopedic Surgery Patient
Being back in the game with his grandkids is his best win
Transcription:
Dave: I'm an extremely active person and my knees were getting so bad, my legs were so bowed that I couldn't do the activities that I love to do. Playing and running with my grandkids, playing the game that I love of baseball. And I didn't want to live life like that. I actually played baseball with Dr. Scott Weiner from Summa Health and during one of the ball games he looked at me and said, "We can actually fix that for you." Dr. Weiner referred me to Dr. Pfefferle and he said, "You are a bone on bone, and we need to replace those knees."
My surgery was done at Summa Barberton. The care and the nurses there were unbelievable. One of the things that Dr. Pfefferle uses is a pain ball instead of narcotics, which really helped to ease a lot of my pain.
I'm back playing baseball. In fact, we won the championship, but the biggest win of all is I'm now able to run and play and chase my grandkids. That's the best thing in the whole wide world.