Oana's story

My experience was truly amazing

“The surgery itself was the best decision I have ever made and would do it again in a heartbeat,” is Oana Zayic’s response when asked about her bariatric surgery experience at Ridgeview’s Bariatric & Weight Loss Center.

Zayic struggled with her weight for most of her life, but her “aha” moment came with the realization that – at 250 pounds – she could not keep up physically with her five-year-old son nor enjoy any outdoor activities together. Zayic considered bariatric surgery for several years but didn’t commit to the process until 2018. “I looked into bariatric surgery with many different providers but I truly felt a sense of family when I met Dr. Edmund Chute at Ridgeview’s Bariatric & Weight Loss Center.” She especially appreciated Dr. Chute’s care, honesty and humor as well as how the entire staff treated her with kindness, compassion and empathy.

“They all supported me through my process and gave me encouragement every step of the way,” Zayic said. “My experience was truly amazing, so much so that my husband is now a new patient working on his own journey into health with bariatric surgery.”

Zayic also recognized the post-surgical care she received from her nurses at Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia “They were really incredible. I could not have asked for more from them.”

At her initial visit, Zayic weighed 244 pounds with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40.46. She had Roux en Y gastric bypass by Dr. Chute in November 2018. Now, eight months post-surgery, she has lost 78 pounds and has a BMI of 28.5. “The surgery truly cured my depression and food addition,” she said.

Zayic also has plans to participate in a half marathon and this time she is determined. “I attempted one once, before my weight loss, and had to drop out. This time, I’m going to make it,” she added.