University of California, San Diego Medical Center – Center for the Treatment of Obesity

Patient Success Stories

Meet Janice Rankin

Janice Rankin, who’s now a grandmother, remembers being on one diet or another since eighth grade. Unfortunately, the diets never worked. Three years ago, serious health issues made Janice realize it was time for a different approach.

Today: Janice after losing 75 pounds!

"Getting close to 60, your metabolism slows down," says Janice.  "My blood pressure was up and I needed medication; I was in so much pain I couldn’t exercise; and my chiropractor told me, 'You have  got to get that weight off!’' Plus, I have a family history of heart problems. I have a daughter and a granddaughter, and I didn’t want to be this unhealthy. I wanted to retire and enjoy life.”

After hearing about surgical weight loss on TV and doing research online, Janice learned about the gastric banding program at UCSD Medical Center. She attended a free seminar right after Christmas 2006, and had an epiphany when she saw patient advocate (and successful gastric banding patient) Natalie Cook walk into the auditorium.

"As soon as I saw Natalie, I said to myself, 'That’s what I want to look like!' She looked just gorgeous. Then, talking to Dr. Horgan and everyone on the staff really sold me."

Janice before banding surgery

Janice received her gastric band at UCSD in April 2007, paying for the procedure herself because her BMI (Body Mass Index) fell just shy of qualifying for her insurance coverage. Since then, she’s lost 75 pounds – and kept them off.

In her purse, she carries a food journal with pre-surgery snapshots clipped to the pages as a reminder to eat sensibly. "They remind me of how miserable I was!"

These days, Janice no longer needs medication for high blood pressure – it’s returned to normal. She’s no longer in pain, and rides her bike the five miles around Lake Miramar at least five times a week. With her husband, she’s looking forward to retiring in Utah, where they’ll spend time with family and she’ll finally learn to ski – a longtime goal.

Two years after gastric banding surgery, Janice says she feels great and it’s fun to shop for herself again. "I even bought some pretty lingerie!" she laughs. "That surgery was worth every penny."