Doris Davenport and Karen Roberts were strangers when they met for the first time during a post-surgery support group at Ascension St. Vincent (ASV) Bariatric Center in Carmel. But like many of the Center’s patients – 24,000 to be exact as of January 2025 – they quickly became friends and helped each other lose more than 120 pounds each on their journey to a healthier life.
“I was looking for someone to walk with and it turned out that we both lived close to the Monon Trail, so we started walking,” said Doris (pictured above right with Karen, left). “Then we started talking and we found out that we had so much in common. Now we’re best friends.”
Similar stories of sudden new friendships and successful weight loss journeys have been part of the fabric of the ASV Bariatric Center, which was established in 1998 and became nationally accredited in 2003. As one of the busiest bariatric centers in the country, the ASV Bariatric Center has helped patients across the state and throughout the Midwest shed about 2.4 million pounds over the past 27 years. Located within the ASV Carmel hospital, the bariatric unitfeatures 28 dedicated private rooms, a dedicatedbariatric nursing staff and five bariatric surgeons.
Obesity is a chronic disease that can lead to serious medical conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, orthopedic problems, reproductive issues and respiratory dysfunction. Studies have shown in Indiana that obesity, and particularly childhood obesity, has become a chronic issue that consistently ranks the state as one of the least healthy in the U.S.
Karen, who is 60, weighed in at 284 pounds back in 2020 when she had her surgery. For years, she tried diet and exercise, but nothing worked. She suffered from high blood pressure, sleep apnea and was developing acid reflux - all related to her weight. Doris, 62, was 262 pounds in the spring of 2021 when she had her surgery. She had two knee replacements and was dealing with high blood pressure, cholesterol and sleep apnea issues.
“Both patients were suffering from the typical ailments we see in morbidly obese individuals who have reached the point of not being able to regain their health on their own,” said Dr. David Diaz, who performed the surgeries on both women. “With our advanced surgical techniques and our years of experience with pre-op and post-op counseling, we are seeing an average of 100 pounds lost – and for some, a lot more than that – within 18 months.”
And the ailments they had before the surgery? “Many quickly disappeared and gave us the boost we needed to start walking, exercising and eating much healthier,” said Karen. “It has been a life-changing journey and I wish I had not put it off for so long.”
Each journey begins with a first step, and at the ASV Bariatric Center, that begins with information sessions and consultation with a bariatric surgeon. From there, patients are supported through the pre-surgical process. Throughout the weight loss journey, patients will hear that bariatric surgery is a tool. But, it is not a tool that patients will have to learn how to use alone. From appointments with the Center’s Registered Dietitians and Exercise Physiologists, to cooking classes and support groups, the ASV Bariatric Team partners with patients to support their success.
If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of Bariatric Surgery, visit the ASV Bariatric Center page.
