Community Corner

Woman Gains New Passion for Life After Losing 210 Pounds with Weight Loss Surgery

Before her surgery at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, JoDonna Beaupre-Boisvert weighed more than 345 pounds and rarely wanted to do anything socially.

By Tracy Simons, Silver Cross Hospital

After weighing over 345 pounds for years JoDonna Beaupre-Boisvert not only suffered from obesity and knee pain, she rarely wanted to do much socially due to her lack of endurance. 

However, after losing 210 pounds in 24 months as a result of her weight loss surgery at Silver Cross Hospital, Beaupre-Boisvert’s prior health issues no longer exist enabling her to be motivated to live her life to the fullest.

“As a result of my weight loss surgery, I have a huge desire to do more socially,” said the 52-year-old Kankakee resident. “When I was overweight, I would hesitate going to the movies in fear of not fitting into the theater seats. But now, I have more energy to participate in many activities. Recently, I walked through a 12-acre flea market with my family and outlasted all of them. I even played basketball with some of my “nieces” at a family reunion!”

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After researching quality weight loss programs, Beaupre-Boisvert decided to attend BMI Surgery’s free informational session.  

“I was so impressed with Dr. Christopher Joyce’s motivating presentation," she said. "He immediately peaked my interest to have the weight loss surgery and follow the program. After talking with Dr. Joyce and his staff at BMI Surgery, I felt so comfortable because they were all so knowledgeable." 

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With their support, along with encouragement from her family and friends, Beaupre-Boisvert committed to the workout and diet plan and underwent gastric bypass weight loss surgery on August 29, 2011.

 A sponsored article by Silver Cross Hospital.

Comprehensive Program Key to Success

Patients benefit from a multidisciplinary approach, with the help of many different departments at Silver Cross. "Patients see an exercise physiologist, dietitian, cardiologist, psychologist, pulmonologist, and a bariatric nurse to get them ready for surgery," says Dr. Christopher Joyce. "We screen our patients very carefully to ensure their success and safety." 

The key to her success was adhering to the nutrition and exercise plan, as well as finding others who had similar experience maintaining their weight loss. 

“I now prepare sugar-free recipes, practice portion control and slow down the pace when I eat my meals,” Beaupre-Boisvert said. “I also found great encouragement through BMI Surgery’s support group and other on-line support groups. It is very motivating to learn what works for others.”

“Before I had my surgery, Dr. Joyce explained that the surgery was merely a tool to lose weight and the real success depended on me making lifestyle and behavioral changes,” Beaupre-Boisvert said. “Through the entire process, Dr. Joyce and his staff were always supportive and truly excited for my success. And they took the time to know me as a person, which made me feel valued. Also the nurses at Silver Cross Hospital were fantastic during my surgery and hospital stay. They always asked if I needed anything and a couple nurses, who also had weight loss surgery, offered advice to what helped them keep their weight off.”

“JoDonna is an excellent example of how bariatric surgery can positively enhance one’s life. Her dedication to committing to the program by eating well and exercising was critical in her ability to lose 210 pounds,” says Dr. Joyce. “And her new found zest for life has allowed her to enjoy time more fully with her family and friends.” 

Are you a Candidate for Weight Loss Surgery?

The American Society of Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery defines the morbidly obese as those with a body mass of 40 or above, or, for a normal height woman, being more than 100 pounds overweight. 

Patients with a BMI of 35 and higher, who are suffering the medical consequences of obesity, are often best treated with bariatric surgery as opposed to nonsurgical weight loss. Those who are morbidly obese are at a higher risk of mortality and such extreme obesity puts people at risk for life threatening disease, including heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes.

BMI Surgery has changed the lives of over 3,300 patients with life changing surgeries including laparoscopic gastric bypass, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and Lap-Band and REALIZE gastric band systems at Silver Cross Hospital.   

Board certified laparoscopic and bariatric surgeons Christopher Joyce, M.D., and Brian Lahmann, M.D., are dedicated to helping patients win their personal battles with obesity and enjoy healthier lives. Their office is located on the new Silver Cross Hospital campus at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox. Silver Cross has been named a Bariatric Center of Excellence by the American Society of Bariatric Surgery and a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery.

To find out more about the bariatric surgery program at Silver Cross Hospital, attend a free informational session on both traditional and laparoscopic surgery on any Wednesday including New year’s Day at 5:45 p.m. on the Silver Cross Hospital campus, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., Pavilion A, Suite 260, New Lenox. To attend, visit www.bmisurgery.org or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325).                

About Silver Cross Hospital

Silver Cross Hospital is a not-for-profit health care provider serving Will County and southwest suburban communities since 1895. Silver Cross has been recognized as a Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals National Award winner for seven consecutive years and as a Hospital of Choice by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers.

With over 3,500 employees, physicians and volunteers, Silver Cross operates a new 289-bed acute care hospital at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox and 8 satellite facilities providing outpatient services and physician offices. 

To learn more about Silver Cross Hospital or a referral to a physician on staff, visit www.silvercross.org or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325). Physicians on Silver Cross Hospital’s Medical Staff have expertise in their areas of practice to meet the needs of patients seeking their care.  These physicians are independent practitioners on the Medical Staff and are not the agents or employees of Silver Cross Hospital. They treat patients based upon their independent medical judgment and they bill patients separately for their services.


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