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Lap Band #500
Saint Elizabeth patient #500 for lap band surgery
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Weight Loss surgery-it works!
Rev. Dr. Jim Wooten of
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Oh, and he’s lost 30 pounds---all that, just three months after undergoing the
popular less invasive lap band procedure for weight loss surgery.
Patient #500
Jim’s is off to a great start! But his story is not all that unique---except he was Patient #500 to undergo the adjustable gastric band procedure at Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center. That’s a fun landmark to note. Our Bariatric Surgery Center has now performed more than 800 weight loss surgeries overall, but the lap band is growing so popular because of the reduced recovery time for patients and because it is adjustable so it can be tightened to help each person continue their weight loss.
Jim’s is off to a great start! But his story is not all that unique---except he was Patient #500 to undergo the adjustable gastric band procedure at Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center. That’s a fun landmark to note. Our Bariatric Surgery Center has now performed more than 800 weight loss surgeries overall, but the lap band is growing so popular because of the reduced recovery time for patients and because it is adjustable so it can be tightened to help each person continue their weight loss.
HUSKY Jeans
Jim recalls buying “husky” size jeans as a boy and felt that was a “life label”. He grew tall; in fact he’s now 6’ 2” but he’s battled “husky” all his life. He tried Nutri-System—it worked but then he gained his weight back. He tried exercise, pills, Optifast, running, Atkins, and so on---they all worked but then the weight always came back!
Jim recalls buying “husky” size jeans as a boy and felt that was a “life label”. He grew tall; in fact he’s now 6’ 2” but he’s battled “husky” all his life. He tried Nutri-System—it worked but then he gained his weight back. He tried exercise, pills, Optifast, running, Atkins, and so on---they all worked but then the weight always came back!
No Quick Fix
At Saint Elizabeth, before Jim even underwent the surgery, he learned in a “Reshape
your Life” class to not expect that the surgery would be a quick fix. He also
learned that much is required of each weight loss surgery individual AFTER surgery
too: weeks of a liquid diet then advancing to pureed and soft foods and learning
to eat healthy foods with portion control. But there is a support group to help
people stay on track and share each other’s tricks for developing healthy habits.
How to choose a program
Jim says he personally recommends the Saint Elizabeth program to anyone who asks. But you should do your homework. You can go online to learn about any program you are considering. One key is to finding an excellent program is to look for national recognitions, such as the two earned by the Saint Elizabeth Bariatric program. They were awarded Center of Excellence status from the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and status as Blue (BlueCross/Shield) Center of Distinction.
Jim says he personally recommends the Saint Elizabeth program to anyone who asks. But you should do your homework. You can go online to learn about any program you are considering. One key is to finding an excellent program is to look for national recognitions, such as the two earned by the Saint Elizabeth Bariatric program. They were awarded Center of Excellence status from the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and status as Blue (BlueCross/Shield) Center of Distinction.
But Jim says what really sold him was all the fantasist people he met associated
with the program who, he says, answered all his questions and concerns and truly
cared about him.
Depressed
Jim tells us that he didn’t realize until a few months after his surgery how depressed he actually was when he was so heavy. One constant reminder was all of the very nice clothes hanging in his closet that he thought he might never wear again.
Jim tells us that he didn’t realize until a few months after his surgery how depressed he actually was when he was so heavy. One constant reminder was all of the very nice clothes hanging in his closet that he thought he might never wear again.
Changes
Jim made some changes he shares with others. He’s learned that it’s even a cost-savings when you go to a restaurant, order a meal---then, take a doggie bag home! You do not have to eat every morsel right then and there. Also, at Food Fellowships at his church he has trained the great cooks there to not tell him he “just has to try a piece of their cake!” It takes will power on his part, but it’s been working pretty well.
Jim made some changes he shares with others. He’s learned that it’s even a cost-savings when you go to a restaurant, order a meal---then, take a doggie bag home! You do not have to eat every morsel right then and there. Also, at Food Fellowships at his church he has trained the great cooks there to not tell him he “just has to try a piece of their cake!” It takes will power on his part, but it’s been working pretty well.
Jim is happy to trade in sleeplessness, hypertension, high cholesterol, and excess weight for better sleep, fewer medications, a much better self image, and already getting to wear clothes he hasn’t worn for years!