If you’ve heard of a diet, Paul has tried it.
After years of failed dieting, yo-yo weight losses followed by gains and growing tired of always being the heaviest person in the room, Paul began thinking about having bariatric surgery.
He didn’t have the weight-related health conditions like high cholesterol or sleep apnea that many candidates for weight loss surgery develop – at least not yet – but at 6 feet, 2 inches tall and 379 pounds, the Downingtown, Pa., father of three was ready to make a change in his life.
After researching many hospitals and programs, Paul chose the Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Program at Jefferson.
He liked that Jefferson’s program features experienced and dedicated healthcare professionals including board-certified surgeons, nurse practitioners, dietitians, psychologists and medical consultants who take the time to get to know you.
He liked that Jefferson offers a range of fully laparoscopic procedures, including gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. He also liked that the program is a Bariatric Surgery Accredited Center approved by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program.
And as an added bonus, he’s a history buff and Thomas Jefferson is one of his personal heroes and a favorite historical figure.
Paul met with the Jefferson team, who helped answer all of his questions, and he opted to have sleeve gastrectomy, which resects the portion of the stomach that makes ghrelin, a hormone that signals hunger to the brain.
The 46-year-old Chester County man understood that the surgery was a tool that could help him take control of his weight. He was committed to doing the hard work of losing the weight with diet and exercise.
“Now, I work out almost every day. I eat a high-protein, low-calorie, low-fat diet,” he says. “It’s not rocket science, if you burn more than you take in, the weight comes off. For me, the surgery was a way to steer the ship in the right direction.”
Paul expected the surgery would impact his life. He knew getting his weight down would reduce his risk of developing weight-related health problems such as heart disease and even cancer.
What he didn’t anticipate was the impact on his wife and their three children ages 15, 13 and 9.
“For them, it’s meant fewer snacks and more exercise – as well as a whole new Dad,” he explains. “Today, I’m 140 pounds lighter. But the way it’s changed my life, that’s something you just can’t measure.”
Learn More About Bariatric Surgery at Jefferson
Are you interested in learning more about bariatric surgery options? Attend one of our free educational seminars or join David S. Tichansky, MD, FACS, director of Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery at Jefferson, on Thursday, January 30, 2014 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for a free webinar to learn more about bariatric surgery and help you decide if it’s right for you — from your desk, tablet or smartphone.
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