Men's Health, Weight Loss, Women's Health, Wellness, Patient Stories
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Weight Loss Surgery For A Healthy Future
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At 47, Andrew Henderson was frustrated by decades of struggling with weight loss and tired of ever-increasing doses of medication for his diabetes. So he enrolled in one of AAMC’s weight loss seminars and—with careful guidance from Alex Gandsas, MD—determined that surgery was the right option for him. Just weeks after his gastric sleeve procedure, Andrew was well on his way to a healthier life.
When I first went to the seminar I was 402 pounds and that’s the biggest I’ve ever been. I had tried different diets. I work out. I exercise. I did everything my doctors asked since 2000, but I hadn’t lost any weight. I would come down to 380 and then I’d put the weight on again.
I was compliant with my sugar, but my system gets used to the medication and then my doctor would have to put me on more medication. I said to myself ‘I’m getting tired of this.
I had the surgery December 6, 2013, and now, a month later, I have lost nearly 50 pounds. When I came home, I was on a liquid diet. After about two weeks, my diabetes doctor said he wanted to take me off the insulin and I’ve been doing well with that.
The surgery made a great difference. I have more energy, but I need to keep my protein level up. I know I have to eat smaller meals. You have to make your mind up to change things that you like. I don’t do fried foods. I’ve been eating fish and chicken. My meal plans have really changed, but then the nutritionist in the program helps with that. You have to be compliant and it grows on you.
I just started working out a little more. I’m getting ready to start the hospital’s exercise plan that is part of the program for this kind of surgery.
My twin brother is going to go through the procedure as well. We’re getting ready to retire in a few years and we want to be healthy. We have been carrying this weight for a long time and we need to make a change.
Community, Men's Health, Women's Health, Heart Care, Patient Stories
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Rebuilding A Life Through Cardiac Rehab
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After John Weitzel had a heart attack at just 47-years- old, his energy levels were down and he just was not able to do the things he used to do. But AAMC’s cardiac rehab program is helping him regain his strength and energy in a safe environment.
The cardiac rehab has probably been the most important thing that I’ve done. It’s a safe place to work out while being monitored instead of going to the gym. At the gym, if you’re not feeling right there’s nobody there that can tell you what you need to do.
It gets you in the right frame of mind because everybody up there has gone through the same thing and we all have a common goal and the nurses are just fantastic. They’re friendly and they are there when you need them and it’s a great atmosphere.
I lost 25 pounds doing the cardiac rehab program and I try to go three or four times a week. The rehab gym is only 15 minutes away from my home—it couldn’t be any more convenient for what I need to do, it’s easy to get there and it’s easy to get in and out.
That’s what I would recommend to anybody after a heart attack. Stick to the exercise program. Take advantage of that cardio rehab program, it will get you back on the right track.
Men's Health, Women's Health, Wellness, Patient Stories
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Moment Of Truth
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Life has changed for Scott Zimmerman. He has a new attitude and outlook on life. He feels 20 years younger now that he is 70 pounds lighter and no longer needs treatment for diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea.
How did this husband, father of two teens and HVAC specialist at AAMC do it?
Last April, he had weight loss surgery. “The moment of truth came when I thought I wouldn’t wake up to see my kids,” says Scott, who knew his health was going in the wrong direction.
“This wasn’t so much about weight loss as it was about health gain and getting back my energy. Now I want to do things and not just sit around the house,” he says. “I’m enjoying life again.”
Men's Health, Women's Health, Wellness, Patient Stories
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Back in the Saddle after Weight Loss Surgery
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When 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.”
Men's Health, Weight Loss, Women's Health, Wellness, Patient Stories
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Bariatric Program Supports Patients Need
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Marcella Carter has a good reason to drive three hours to AAMC to see her doctor. “I could have found someone else,” the 47-year-old from Williamstown, New Jersey said. “But he’s the top in his field. If he’s in Maryland, I’m going to Maryland.”
A well-known expert in bariatric surgery, Alex Gandsas, MD, came to AAMC from New Jersey to build the new Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery Program. Many of his former patients, like Marcella, made the decision to enroll in the program despite the long drive. “What we are building here is comprehensive. It’s not just about the surgery. Weight loss is a matter of improving a person’s overall health and changing lifelong habits. Here, we support them every step of the way,” he said.
Bariatric nutritionists and fitness experts prepare patients for surgery and the lifestyle changes they need to make through the Bariatric Optimization Program. They continue to support and monitor patients after surgery, sometimes for a year or more. “Everybody is here to help you and to make sure you are a success,” she said.
For that, the three hour drive is well worth it. Within six weeks of surgery to reduce the size of her stomach, Marcella’s weight has dropped from 318 to 286 and continues to fall. She sleeps through the night for the first time in years, and her blood pressure is on the decline. “If I need to come back and have any type of procedure done, I would definitely come back to AAMC,” Marcella said, “I would recommend it to anybody else as well.”