Tracie’s remarkable non-surgical weight loss success

For years, Tracie Hula, Shakopee, watched her mother struggle with health issues due to her weight. “I didn’t want my kids to have to watch me endure the same — it became a tipping point for me,” Tracie shared. Because of her weight, Tracie had knee problems, barely making it up her stairs at night. “I felt it would come down to needing knee or bariatric surgery, maybe even both. I had been getting cortisone shots in my knees, but those stopped helping,” Tracie said.

Tracie had success with other weight loss programs in the past but gained the weight back soon after losing it. She contacted her primary care provider to discuss her likely path ahead, inquiring about both knee and bariatric surgeries. Her provider recommended a different option — Ridgeview’s non-surgical weight loss program, a 12-month, provider-guided team approach for comprehensive care.

Tracie set out to lose 150 pounds

Tracie consulted with Jeffrey Baker, MD, Ridgeview, in August 2023. She had recently lost about 20 pounds on her own and was ready to take the next step. Dr. Baker, a bariatric surgeon, worked with fellow Ridgeview clinicians in 2019 to develop the non-surgical weight loss program — an alternative approach for safe and profound weight loss. It was the approach Tracie chose to pursue.

Tracie meets with Dr. Baker once a month. She also receives care and guidance, as needed, from the non-surgical weight loss team, which includes a dietitian, pharmacist, exercise physiologist, endocrinologist and psychologist. “Dr. Baker and the team are super supportive and encouraging. They give you all the tools to help you succeed. Each component has been so helpful in my weight loss success,” Tracie shared.

Less than a year into the program, Tracie lost an additional 110 pounds and is now only 20 pounds away from her goal of losing 150 pounds. “I feel amazing. I can walk easier, and I actually enjoy getting up at 5:30 a.m. to exercise — something I’d never done. I walked my first 5K in May. I would never have felt capable enough to do that before,” Tracie said.

Benefits reach far beyond weight loss

Since losing the weight, Tracie’s knee pain has subsided. “I have a hiking trip with friends planned for September. That would not have been possible before losing the weight,” Tracie said. As a result of losing weight, patients in the program often see a decreased risk for prediabetes, hypertension, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, immobility and many other conditions related to being overweight.

Before her weight loss, Tracie was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and was on several medications for high blood pressure. Today, she is no longer diabetic and does not need the medications. “If you are unsure or wavering, look at the health benefits. You have nothing to lose — except the weight. It gave me a whole new life,” Tracie shared.

Ridgeview’s Bariatric & Weight Loss team is dedicated to weight loss and long-term weight management. If you could benefit from support in achieving your weight loss goals, visit our website to learn about your options.