Press Release

UPDATE:  ALTOVISE RENEE WILLIAMS

March 5, 2007

Altovise Renee Williams underwent a successful laparoscopic gastric bypass on Feb. 20th, weighing 841 lbs at the time of surgery. Ms. Williams’ recovery from the procedure had been unremarkable and very successful with Ms. Williams loosing 67 lbs in less than two weeks.  On Sunday evening, March 4th, despite the efforts of several physicians, including a cardiologist and a very devoted staff working tirelessly, Ms. Williams suffered a heart attack and was unable to be revived.

Dr. Nowzaradan offer their deepest sympathies to the family and felt privileged to take part in giving Renee a chance at a normal life.  Ms. Williams discussed many times how much she wanted a chance for this surgery. Ms. Williams had been unable to leave her bed for over a year and had been unable to participate in the lives’ of her two young daughters.

Renee Williams passed away with more hope in her heart than she had experienced in years.  Her family and friends are very grateful for the incredible support expressed to Renee from all around the world.  Funeral arrangements in her hometown of Austin are pending.

Ms. Williams had repeatedly expressed that the risks of the surgery were worth the opportunity to overcome her extreme morbid obesity. She only wished that she had had access to the surgery earlier in her life before her risk factors became so high. Ms. Williams and all patients of this body mass index range generally have a seriously compromised cardiovascular system and are at risk for sudden death with or without any type of surgery. 

February 21, 2007 10:39 a.m.

29 year old Austin, TX residence, Altovise Renee Williams, underwent Gastric Bypass surgery on February 20, 2007 at Renaissance Hospital in Houston, TX.  Her weight was 841.5 pounds at the time of surgery, giving her a BMI of 137.5, making her the largest female patient known to undergo a laparoscopic Roux-en-y Gastric Bypass.  Bariatric Surgery Specialists, Renaissance Hospital, Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, and Dr. Clifton Thomas worked together to provide this patient with her life saving procedure, after over a dozen surgeons had turned her down. 

Ms. Williams, a mother of an 8 year old and 13 year old, was critically injured in a car accident 3 years ago, when she was hit by a drunk driver.  Morbidly obese at that point, she became bed ridden due to an orthopedic injury sustained in the accident.  She was unable to receive proper therapy because of her weight.  Over the next 3 years she gained an additional 450 lbs while remaining completely bed bound. 

The surgery took 5 hours, in which the first hour was spent trying to determine how to gain the best pBSSible exposure.  She is doing very well 24 post-operatively.  Special equipment had to be obtained and the surgeons and OR team had to improvise with the equipment to accommodate a patient of this size.  A patient of this weight is an incredible challenge, surgically and medically, as surgical risks increase as your BMI increases. 

The next 24-48 hours are the most critical for respiratory failure and pneumonia.  Dr. Nowzaradan reasonably expects Ms. Williams to loose 60 pounds in the first 90 days as her metabolism is extremely poor.  It is pBSSible in the next 60-90 days; she will have up to 150 pounds of excess skin removed. 

For more information, contact Laurie Cantrell @ 713-775-6327.