Joan Wilson before and after weight loss surgery.

As recently as 2009, Joan Wilson was one of the 17 million Americans with diabetes.  At 5-feet-tall and 217 pounds, she was a common Type 2 candidate, obese and physically inactive.  Type 2 diabetes can cause heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and leg and foot amputations.  If Joan, now 70, didn’t make some changes, she ran a huge risk of suffering from any of these afflictions, or worse, becoming one of the over 200,000 people who die from diabetes related complications each year.

Joan did not want to be a statistic.  She was tired of people looking down on her, tired of being unhealthy and tired of having no energy.  But Joan wasn’t tired enough to go down without a fight, refusing to allow poor health to rob her of her senior years.

After months of researching, Joan took the first step toward positive change and met with Dr. Timothy Hipp at North Florida Regional Healthcare’s Center for Obesity Surgery and Treatment.  After discussing her options, Joan elected to have the least invasive form of bariatric surgery, adjustable gastric banding.

Dr. Hipp performed Joan’s surgery in December of 2009 at North Florida Regional Medical Center.  By November 2010, she was 52 pounds lighter with plans to lose 20 more.  She is off of her diabetes and blood pressure medications.

“My life has changed so much,” Joan says.  “I feel like I have more energy.  I love shopping for smaller size clothes, and my health has improved so much.  I love life now.”

Not one to sit still, Joan is taking full advantage of her heightened energy, fulfilling her two passions of working and helping people.  She works part-time as a bookkeeper for a CPA and serves as treasurer for two community groups – Lake City Newcomers and Marion Place Homeowners Association.  No matter what, she makes time for exercise, and nearly every day she walks or rides her stationary bike. 

“I’ve never been happier,” she says.  “I’m proud of myself.”

Her advice to those considering weight loss surgery is to learn their options.  A decision to have the procedure must be followed by sticking to the program carefully.  More than anything, it’s key to remember gastric banding is a tool for losing weight and still involves commitment and work.

Today we are encouring everyone to pull out their dusty pair of sneakers and hit the pavement for it is National Start! Walking Day.  Here are a few ideas to help you get involved!

1. Take your dog for a walk.  It’s great exercise for you and your furry friend.
2. Take an evening stroll with a friend or family member.
3. Choose to take the stairs whenever you can. 
4. Park your car further away from the entrance at work or when shopping.
5. Squeeze in a quick stroll around the office during your lunch break.

Jill had gastric bypass surgery at the Center for Obesity Surgery and Treatment.

Jill Johnson is a great dieter.  Numerous times, she lost 100 pounds on a single diet and exercise plan.  While she had little problem losing the weight, she struggled to keep the weight off.  Within a year or so, she would manage to gain back all those hard-shed pounds.  At her heaviest, 5-foot-7-inch Jill was 273 pounds and wore a plus-size 24.

After a lifetime of a wild roller coaster ride of gaining and losing, Jill had enough.

“I finally admitted it to myself,” Jill says.  “I was incapable of losing weight and sustaining the weight loss with diet and exercise alone.”

As an advanced nurse practitioner, Jill realized that weight loss surgery, coupled with diet and exercise, would offer her the best chance of losing the weight and keeping it off.

In September 2007, Dr. Timothy Hipp performed gastric bypass surgery for Jill.  At the time of her surgery, she weighed 230 pounds.  Post-surgery, Jill reached a normal, healthy weight with ease.  But more importantly, she has not regained any of the weight.  In January 2011, Jill weighed 130 pounds.  Now a size 4, she has dropped more than 20 sizes from her heaviest.

Beyond her improved health and newfound energy, weight loss surgery has affected her love life.  She was single for 30 years prior to having surgery.

“I had resigned myself to the fact that I would probably live out the rest of my life with no partner,” Jill explains.  “This was because I had such a poor self image due to the constant fluctuation in my body size and the resultant changes in my appearance.”

In one of her most dramatic life changes yet, Jill started dating after her three-decade-long relationship hiatus.  She met Brian, discovering that it was possible for her to be in a loving and lasting relationship.

Although she appears to be younger, Jill is now 62 years old and has retired.  Ironically, she now how more energy than ever before.  Her son and daughter-in-law are avid cyclists, so despite the fact that Jill hadn’t been on a bike in 50 years, she bought a bicycle.  She and Brian, both fresh-air junkies, spend their free time in the great outdoors.

Jill’s advice to those considering weight loss surgery is to take action now.  Weight loss surgery is not a magical solution, she says, but it does make what was once impossible become possible.

The weight loss after surgery brings smiles to the faces of patients and doctors alike. After all, the whole point of your bariatric procedure was to help you shed those unnecessary pounds. Keeping the weight off and continually losing weight until you have reached that goal becomes very important at this point. Let’s face it: if you do not maintain weight loss, then there was no point in having the procedure in the first place. We know that’s not what you want, and it’s not what we want either.

• Negative Calorie Balance is very important. Our dieticians will tell you what to eat, and you should listen, but we are talking about counting the calories you take in versus the ones you burn. Regardless of which procedure you undergo, we generally recommend that patients cut their caloric intake by 200 calories once they have identified how many calories it takes to maintain weight. This reduction, in combination with exercise, helps you achieve the results that you want.
• Exercise on a regular basis. Your doctors and even dietician can help you by tailoring exercise regimen that incorporates cardiovascular exercises along with resistance and stretching. We suggest finding a work out buddy; you might be surprised how much this will help to motivate you.
• Your diet itself is a means of helping you continually reach your weight goal. Our nutritionist will provide instruction as to what you need to eat. Follow the instructions! It is a challenging change, but you will love the other changes that come with it. Stick to low-fat, unprocessed foods. Make sure that every food group is properly represented. Your nutritionist may reduce your carbohydrate intake, but eliminating entire food groups is not the answer.
• Making activity a part of your life is a necessary adaptation. This is different than traditional exercise. Think about ways to add activity to your daily schedule. Try:

• Taking the stairs instead of the elevator;
• Parking farther away from buildings in parking lots;
• Meeting friends for a walk instead of a drink; and
• Standing rather than sitting if possible

We all want to see you successfully lose weight. We know that it is a struggle, but remember, you can do it. With a little dedication and adherence to the advice of your medical team, we know that you will do it. Constantly focusing on your health goals is an important part of maintaining weight loss. If you keep your end goals in mind, it will be easier to do what you need to do to succeed.

If you have any questions about maintaining weight loss after your bariatric surgery or if you would like to find out more about the procedures and how they can help you, visit us at North Florida Regional Medical Center.

SOURCES
Journey 2 a New You
DukeHealth.org
CNN Health

We all know that losing weight can be a struggle. Even after you undergo your bariatric procedure, you will need to stay focused and face your weight-loss goals head on. Without the right mindset it will be very difficult to lose the weight and keep it off down the road. But don’t worry, you are not alone in the fight. There are several resources that you can use to make your weight loss experience smoother.

North Florida Regional Medical Center Patient Guide

We know that you have seen the Patient Guide before. It is not only a great resource to use when you are learning about a bariatric procedure, but it can help you afterwards as well. Any time that you need a reminder as to exactly what you need to do to stay on track you can look in the patient guide. When you use this resource you will find:

• A full explanation of the required diet and nutritional information.
• Answers to frequently asked questions.
• Explanations of physical complications you may experience
• Guidelines that explain in detail the lifestyle changes that you will need to make.
• All of the telephone numbers that you will need to get a hold of us here at North Florida Regional Medical Center in the event that you have a problem adjusting

Organized Support Groups

Human beings are social creatures. It is in our nature to want to be around others who are like us. We especially need such social outlets when we are working towards a goal. Why not put yourself into a social setting where you’re surrounded with other people who are in your same situation? We offer support groups twice a month. You can come and meet other people who are going through the same thing that you are. You can get advice, share your accomplishments or just have a conversation with someone who is having the exact same experiences that you are. You may be surprised how much a little social interaction can help you focus on goals and provide you with motivation.

Go Online

• The internet has a wealth of information. You can find websites that are geared specifically towards people who have undergone bariatric procedures. We do want you to be careful though. Always check your sources to be sure that you are on a website that is maintained by a reputable source. Some websites are designed solely to sell products and others flat out have incorrect information. One way to make sure that you are on a good website is to look at the end of the web address. This is the part that generally says “.com”. There are many good websites listed as “.com” but if the web address ends in “.gov” then it is likely a good resource because it is maintained by the government and will not be biased. Also, ask one of our staff here about the recommendations made on a website that is not a .gov, the official LapBand website, or a site maintained by North Florida Regional Medical Center before following them yourself. For a list of websites that we approve and agree with, visit (LINK TO BLOG) or check out the “Resources” Tab in your Patient Guide.

Family and Friends

Your direct social network is a great resource. Family and friends can provide you with physical and emotional support. They will be there for you when times are hard and you need someone to talk to in order to stay on track. They can provide you with motivation and a little push when you need it. You never know: you might even find a great exercise partner in the group. Having an exercise partner makes working out more fun and generally helps people stay accountable for working out.

Staying on track after your procedure is important. Only you can make sure that you reach your weight and health goals. Remember bariatric procedures are excellent tools in your journey but they will not do all of the work for you. It is up to you to use your resources to your advantage. Gaining momentum and getting used to a new lifestyle can be a challenge at first, but with the right support, you’ll be sure to reach—and maintain—your weight-loss goals.

If you are facing challenges after your bariatric surgery, or if you would like to find out more about the procedures and how they can help you, visit us online.

SOURCES
National Institute of Health
Journey2aNewYou Support Groups
MedScape Today