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Corinne’s freshstart
Corinne had her surgery on April 18, 2013—a date she
calls her “second birthday.” Over time, she lost nearly
125 pounds. But she wants people to know that bariatric
surgery isn’t a cure-all; it’s a tool.
“If you’re considering bariatric surgery, do your
homework,” she says. “Make sure it’s something you
absolutely want more than anything else in the world,
because it’s still incredibly difficult. It’s something you
will have to work on for the rest of your life.”
Dr. Umbach agrees. “Bariatric surgery isn’t a quick fix.
It’s an ongoing journey,” he says. “The changes we make
to the gastrointestinal tract require permanent changes in
eating habits.” And people need support for a new,
healthier lifestyle to be successful, too—from their
medical team and friends and family, he says.
In her journey, Corinne found another key tool for
success: fitness. She began working with a personal trainer
a couple of months after her surgery. “I don’t believe my
results would have been as great without the exercise.”
Healthyandhappy
“I never dreamed it would turn out as amazingly as it
has,” says Corinne. “I gained so many things…a terrific
sense of self-esteem and the courage and strength to get
out of a bad situation, which ultimately allowed me to
find the love of my life.”
Corinne and her boyfriend, Jeff, knew each other
before her surgery. They reconnected by chance in
October 2014—and friendship turned to romance.
“We’ve been together ever since,” she says.
Find your way
to better health
Weight-Loss Surgery Seminars
Attend a free seminar led by
Thomas Umbach, MD,
bariatric surgeon. Learn
more and register by
calling
702.616.4900
.
Mon., Jan. 11 and 25,
Feb. 8 and 22, March
14 and 28, 6 to
7:30 p.m.
Questions to consider
“Should I have bariatric surgery?” The answer could
depend on the answers to several other questions you
might wonder about as well, including:
Q. Am I a candidate for the surgery?
A.
Bariatric procedures are intended for people who
are seriously overweight. Generally that means having
a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher.
However, you may be a candidate if you have a
BMI of at least 35. That’s if you also have a serious
obesity-related health problem, such as type 2
diabetes, heart disease, or sleep apnea. If your BMI is
30 or higher and you have at least one obesity-related
condition, you may opt for adjustable gastric band—a
type of bariatric surgery.
Q. How does the surgery work?
A.
There are several different procedures. All involve
either limiting the amount of food the stomach can
hold or actually reducing the stomach’s size. In some
cases, they include procedures that reroute food
through your digestive system. This limits how many
calories are absorbed by the body.
Q. What are possible benefits and risks?
A.
Each surgery has its own benefits and risks. If
you’re considering bariatric surgery, discuss these
specifics with your surgeon.
Q. Am I ready to make the lifestyle changes the
surgery requires?
A.
Surgery isn’t a cure-all. It’s most effective if you
make a lifelong commitment to eating healthfully and
getting regular exercise.
Ongoing follow-up appointments with your doctor
are important, too. Other experts may be available
to help and support you too, such as counselors,
dietitians, and exercise specialists. But it’s important
to realize you’ll play a major role in ensuring your
surgery’s success.
Is surgery for you?
Come to a seminar to learn more. See
above for details.
Reach
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Winter 2016
13
Check your BMI
Visit
StRoseReach.organd under
“Health Tools,” look for “BMI calculator.”