- Men's Health, Women's Health, Wellness, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhen she saw her July 2012 vacation picture, Melissa Staud of Harwood knew she had to make a change for the better. She weighed 275 pounds and knew she needed to lose weight to improve her life and her health. “I honestly tried on my own to lose weight, but I wasn’t successful no matter what I tried, even Weight Watchers and working out at the gym,” says the 34-year-old. “For me, the problem was portion control, and I also made bad food choices. After vacation, I looked into weight loss surgery and decided it was a good option for me.” In January 2013, Melissa had gastric sleeve surgery, in which a portion of her stomach was removed. The surgery opened a whole new world for Melissa, who acknowledges that people used to treat her differently. “I don’t get stares anymore, and I like the way I look. Now I can bend over, tie my shoes, actually get boots on, and buy clothes from a store.” She’s thrilled to take longer horseback rides and ride smaller horses. “Horses are my passion,” she says. She expected to lose about 50 to 60 percent of her excess weight after the surgery and was pleasantly surprised. “Thanks to the surgery, my complete lifestyle change and formation of new habits, I have surpassed those average numbers and have lost nearly 90 percent of the excess weight,” she says. Not only that, she also eliminated her high blood pressure and sleep apnea. The change required a lifetime commitment to new eating habits. “I cleaned out my kitchen cabinets and restocked with healthy items. I only drink water and decaf unsweetened tea. I’ve learned to snack on fruits and vegetables, use spices to flavor foods [instead of salt], and eat correct portions.”0
- Weight LossGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIf you live with type 2 diabetes, especially if you are obese, updated guidelines came out in 2016 calling for weight loss surgery to become a more routine treatment option for your diabetes. This is the first time bariatric surgery is recommended specifically as a diabetes treatment. Before, people considered bariatric surgery as an obesity treatment that only had the extra benefit of helping control diabetes. The recommendations were endorsed by the American Diabetes Association and more than 40 other health groups. And, it makes sense. Type 2 diabetes and obesity can be a deadly combination, and many studies have shown weight loss surgery can drastically improve diabetes. These studies show that most obese diabetics who undergo weight loss surgery see their blood sugar levels dramatically improve. This is something I’ve seen with my patients, too. Some even no longer require medication to maintain normal blood sugar levels. People can control diabetes with diet, exercise, medication or insulin. But those who struggle to control the disease could face heart disease, kidney disease or stroke. Some may risk limb amputation or sight loss. The updated guidelines conclude the surgery should be a regularly considered option for certain patients with diabetes. It’s about better blood sugar control instead of pounds lost. Instead of bariatric surgery, the procedure is called metabolic surgery when performed for diabetes. If you have a body mass index, or BMI, of 40 or greater, weight loss surgery is recommended regardless of your blood sugar level. If you have a BMI of at least 35 and have tried lifestyle changes and medication to control your diabetes with no success, the surgery is also recommended. Weight loss surgery may also offer other benefits for diabetics. The surgery affects hormones, gut bacteria and other substances that may change how the body handles insulin and blood sugar. Medicare often pays for certain types of weight loss surgery for people who are obese with an illness, like diabetes. Although rules vary, some insurance companies cover the surgery, too. Perhaps with these updated guidelines, insurance companies will expand coverage. The surgery is not a cure for diabetes, since some people relapse. However, many people do remain in remission for years. It’s important for those struggling with obesity and diabetes to know weight loss surgery is an important treatment option. To learn more about weight loss surgery, attend a free seminar at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To learn more or register, visit askAAMC.org/WeightLoss. Author By Alex Gandsas, MD, a bariatric surgeon and director of AAMC’s Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery Program. To reach his practice, call 443-924-2900. Originally published Jan. 30, 2017. Last updated Nov. 28, 2018.0
- Men's Health, Women's Health, Wellness, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnnapolis resident Doug Jones had been a muscular young man, but just as his doctor had predicted, his weight crept up steadily with age leading to complications such as diabetes and high cholesterol. Doug was at high risk for heart a heart attack until weight loss surgery helped him regain control of his health. I went from 160 pounds to 388 pounds, and I was absolutely out of breath. Absolutely tired. I would think how far do I have to walk? Can I take a car to go two blocks? That sort of thing. My feet hurt. My ankles hurt. And then they had a thing on 60 minutes a report on the benefits of weight loss surgery for diabetics and after I saw it, I said, we ought to look into that because it sounds like it’s perfect for me. The day I got out of the hospital I never had another problem with diabetes and every day I would lose an average of two to three pounds. My cholesterol is better than it’s ever been. I guess the best way to say it is: I have 13 grandchildren and before I had this operation, I didn’t know how long I’d be around with them or how much I could enjoy them. Since I’ve had the operation I’ve felt like I cheated because I’ve tried to go on every diet there was. This went so easily that I literally feel like I’m cheating. I feel like a million dollars, and I think I look like I feel. There are no ifs, ands, or buts! If you want to know would I do it again? In a heartbeat. Watch the full video of Doug’s interview on our YouTube Channel.0
- Patient Stories, Weight LossGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhile growing up in Washington, DC, Alexis Mallory was teased about her weight. Over the years, she tried diets and exercise programs, but despite her efforts, she was unable to achieve lasting results. In January 2024, she began experiencing back pain related to her weight, making even daily tasks difficult. One day, as she struggled to wash dishes, she realized something had to change. She shared her concerns with her primary care physician, who referred her to bariatric surgeon Jilian Nicholas, DO. “Dr. Nicholas made me feel comfortable. I could laugh with her,” Mallory says. Together, Mallory and Dr. Nicholas developed a personalized plan for weight loss surgery. At first, Mallory wasn’t sure if surgery was the right choice and took time to consider her options. When she felt ready to commit, Dr. Nicholas scheduled her procedure for May 2025. More than six months later, Mallory is confident she made the right decision. “It has been life-changing—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. I never thought I would be this size.” Today, Mallory is a busy wife and mother of three. She works for the housing authority while also offering therapy services and running a jewelry business. Although the journey hasn’t been easy, she says it has been one of the best decisions she’s made. If you’re considering weight loss surgery, visit Luminis.Health/WeightLossSurgery to learn whether you may be a candidate.0
- Community, Giving, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhen founding members of the Building Traditions Society (BTS) approached Dr. Dan and Sara Sandel about joining the BTS Board, the young physician and his wife welcomed the invitation. With perfect timing, this request came just as Dan and Sara were discussing a desire to become more involved in the community. “Two of our three children were born at AAMC. Our second child was premature and required a 6-week stay in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit),” explains Sara Sandel. “We had a wonderful experience in the NICU and were amazed that such a state of the art facility was this close to home. We are eternally grateful for the care we received there.” Dan and Sara, like 45 other members of BTS, wanted to give back to the hospital that is so vital to their family and friends. They also are excited to work with and get to know a dynamic group of young professionals with similar goals. Dan is a member of the AAMC Medical Staff and a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon with The Sandel Center of Plastic Surgery in Annapolis. “I am proud finally to be at a point in my career where I can start to give back to my community,” says Dan. “I am equally proud of the work that BTS has done over this first year to raise money for the AAMC pediatrics program. We are just beginning to really make an impact together.” The Building Traditions Society is a membership of couples and individuals under 45 years of age who make a contribution of $1,000 a year to AAMC. For more information please contact Lisa Michelsen at 443-481-4735 or [email protected].0
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