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Thursday, September 20, 2012

Pamela’s Advice: Get the Information

Pamela is 45. She’s a paralegal in the New York area. Here’s her story:

“I was quite active when I was younger. I never was a plus-size until I hit my mid- to late 30s.

“When I was 28, I fell down some stairs, and I have a permanent back injury. Over the years, I’ve battled with that off and on. And as I’ve gotten older, it got worse. It became a vicious cycle: The less you can do, the more sedentary you become, the more weight you gain. And once you hit your late 30s, your metabolism changes. It just got harder to get the weight off.

“I used to see the New York Bariatric Group ads every day on the subway. At first, I was against surgery. I thought I should be able to lose weight myself through diet and exercise. But my problem was I couldn’t exercise any more. Every time I got on the elliptical machine, I got sciatic pain down my leg after 10 minutes.

“As my weight went up, my back problems got worse, and I was on that merry-go-round. I had to get off. It was a downward spiral. The more you gain, the less you can do, you get depressed, you gain more . . .

“One day, I was climbing up the subway stairs, and I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I thought, I’m 42 years old; this is ridiculous. I have to do something. Then I thought, if I see that ad one more time, I’m calling — and there it was! So I called.”

That was in March of 2010. For the next few months, Pamela went through the process of qualifying for and preparing for her weight-loss surgery. She had the surgery that November.

“I got on the table. They put me out. I woke up. It was like nothing happened. In fact, when I came to, I had to ask, ‘Did you guys actually do anything?’ I had a very good experience.

Since then, Pamela has lost 90 pounds. “I have about 30 more to go,” she says.

“I’ve had a couple of back episodes since then, but since I’ve taken the weight off, I recover faster. And now I’m at the point where I have no sciatic pain. I haven’t felt this good in a very long time.

“I’m able to walk and run all my errands without being in pain or having to take pain medication. Exercise has been a challenge until recently, but my orthopedist has just cleared me for physical therapy.”

Pamela described her current diet.

“I usually have coffee and yogurt in the morning. For lunch, I might have tuna salad, egg salad, a mixed green salad, soup or sushi. For dinner, I might have grilled rotisserie chicken with a salad or sushi. I eat a variety of foods.  It depends on the day, but I always go with smaller portions. And I don’t feel like I suffer because of it.”

Pamela says she appreciates that people are wishing her well when they notice her weight loss, but “I get embarrassed,” she says. “My purpose was to get my health in order. That’s why I did this.”

Her words of advice for others in the same situation:

“Get the information. I have three friends right now who have gone to the seminar and are going to make their first appointment. I was their guinea pig. They saw how well it worked for me.

“For me, it was a wonderful experience, but it’s a very personal decision because of how society treats you when you’re overweight. People are so sensitive to it. It’s the world we live in.

“It’s not for everybody, but at least get the information. The experience couldn’t have been better. And I’m not a person who likes going to doctors, so for me to say that is a big deal.”

Thanks, Pamela, for sharing your story.

If diets and exercise have not worked for you, we invite you to make an appointment to see one of our surgeons by calling (516) 616-5500 or, if you prefer, click on “Live Chat” in the upper left corner of your screen to have a conversation now.

Category: Health Benefits, Obesity, Post Surgery, Procedures, Weight Loss

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Tuesday, August 21, 2012

A Question You Should Always Ask

Thinking about weight-loss surgery? It’s a big step. It’s a life-changer. You can learn a lot about the experience on our website. Many patients have told their stories here.

If you’re considering your options, we have one important piece of advice for you. Before you select a bariatric clinic, always ask this question:

Are you a Center of Excellence?

The answer at the New York Bariatric Group: Absolutely!

We were awarded that designation by the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

“Center of Excellence is a designation based on experience, good outcomes, safety record and hospital infrastructure, including special furniture, such a special beds, chairs and gowns, to make sure you are very comfortable during your hospital stay,” says Dr. Shawn Garber, head of the New York Bariatric Group. “All of the factors combined make for a much safer surgical experience for patients to undergo surgery.”

The Center of Excellence certification program was created by the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery along with the Surgical Review Corporation to better ensure quality in bariatric surgery. The certification is based upon an independent review of programs.

To earn the Center of Excellence designation, we underwent a series of site inspections, during which all aspects of our surgical processes were closely examined and data on health outcomes was collected.

Only one out of every 300 bariatric surgery centers have earned this designation. Studies clearly show the best run bariatric centers have the highest success rates and the lowest rates of complications.

As a Center of Excellence, we agree to share information on clinical pathways, protocols and outcomes data — to be an active leader in our field.

And as a Center of Excellence, we provide you with the tools you need for a successful life-changing experience. We work together to find a program that’s right for you, so you can start living life to its fullest.

If you’re seriously considering weight-loss surgery, we invite you to make an appointment to see one of our surgeons by calling our office at (516) 616-5500 or, if you prefer, click on “Live Chat” in the upper left corner of your screen to have a conversation now.

We are fully committed to helping you along your journey of discovering a healthier you.

Category: Expert Advice, Obesity, Procedures, Weight Loss

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Friday, July 6, 2012

Happy Anniversary, Bob and Vicky!

New York Bariatric sends best wishes to two of our patients — Bob and Vicky Reynolds, who are celebrating their fourth anniversary this week. Bob’s a production manager/machinist. Vicki is a secretary. They love to ride motorcycles together, and they’re active in their church. Bob had a sleeve gastrectomy the week before Thanksgiving last year. Vicki had hers the week before Christmas.

We checked in with both of them to hear their stories. Here’s Bob’s. Check in next week for Vicky’s.

Bob: “I turned 52 in February. I’ve been overweight most of my adult life. In the early ’80s, I tried prescription pills, as prescribed by my primary doctor at the time. I lost a lot then, but knew that I was a lot lower than I should have been. I wasn’t comfortable. They had me down to 165 pounds and wanted me to get to 150. I said, listen, when I was in high school running cross-country and track, I wasn’t below 150, so there’s no way I’m going there now. As soon as they took me off the pills, I blew up to 185, where I stayed for a while, until life changed.

“I originally started looking into weight-loss surgery a couple of years ago. I went to a seminar at another hospital. There were about 100 people in the room. And of course, with that many people, you get some who start asking questions just to hear themselves talk.

“I was borderline at that time. I’ve had discussions with my doctor. I don’t binge eat, and I don’t eat massive amounts. I just made poor choices, and it progressively caught up with me.

“I’m 5-foot-6. My weight and my blood pressure were getting up there. My sugars were pre-diabetic, and I was already diagnosed with sleep apnea. So I left that seminar with a bad taste in my mouth. I figured, OK, let me try to do what I can.

“I started going to the gym and working with a trainer. I lost almost 30 pounds. Then I had a car accident. That put me back to square one. I had 14 herniated discs, I couldn’t work out, and when you become sedentary, you start gaining more weight.

“Little by little, I got back to the gym, but for some reason or another, I hit a plateau. I was not  getting anywhere.

“Then Pastor Ski at our church, Rushing Wind Biker Church, told me he was going to a seminar and asked if I wanted to go with him. I listened to Dr. Angstadt from New York Bariatric and was impressed with what he had to say, especially about the new sleeve procedure.

“I had more discussions with Dr. Angstadt and did a lot of research. I was happy with what I learned, so I made an appointment, went through all my clearances, and had my operation Nov. 16, 2011.

“Before the operation, I was over 295. Now I’m around 220. My goal is to get to 180 or 185 pounds.

“The procedure? I wouldn’t think twice about doing it again. Dr. Angstadt explained everything. It went exactly as he described. No complications. I have a high tolerance for pain. I didn’t need medication. I was out of work for about two weeks.

“I’m feeling so much better today. I have my plateaus every now and then with food. They tell you outright — surgery is not the answer: you have to change your life. It’s definitely true. It’s a tool. They give you a tool, so that you can feel good about yourself. You train yourself to eat all of your proteins, 4 or 5 ounces of food. You learn what you can and can’t eat, but as in everything else, you have to find a way to change psychologically.

“So I keep a good outlook. I went from a 3X shirt to a large. My wife Vicky had the same operation four weeks after me, and she’s doing phenomenally, too.

“Vicky looked into weight-loss surgery a couple of years ago, too. But when I explained to her about the new sleeve procedure, that made the difference for her.

“Again, this is a tool. It’s not the answer. It’s going to help you get better. If you approach everything with that idea, you’ll be all right. You go to a party, and potato chips are going to happen. But you can have one or two chips. You don’t have to have the whole bowl. Because if you deny yourself these things, then it becomes a craving, and when you get to the point of giving into cravings, you’re going to binge and get sick.

“You learn your body. Everyone has different symptoms when they’re starting to get full. Myself, I start to burp. I know someone who sneezes when they start to get full. My wife has other symptoms. You need to be aware of the signals.

“Yes, it helped to go through this with my wife. But I also rely on my other friends, too. Vicky is hypoglycemic, so she’s the opposite of a diabetic. The operation can reverse diabetes; but it won’t with a hypoglycemic. She still has to watch her sugars. And she still needs a snack before going to bed, so her sugars will get her through the night. We do approach things differently. I tend to drink more liquids than solid foods. That works for me.

“We had a big family barbeque last night. I had one hamburger with no bread. That filled me up.

“These days, some people don’t recognize me. I went to a church that I used to go to a couple of years ago, and the pastor had to hesitate before he was sure it was me.

“I’m happier now. And a lot of people are happy for me, too. God bless.”

Category: Health Benefits, Post Surgery, Procedures, Uncategorized, Weight Loss

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Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Common Misconceptions About Weight-Loss Surgery: Part 2

In last week’s blog, Dr. John Angstadt addressed perhaps the most common misconception about weight-loss surgery — that it’s risky. It’s actually less risky than gall bladder surgery. This week, he tackles two more common misconceptions.

“Some people are told — I’m sure by well-meaning friends and family members — that surgery is the easy way out. Somehow, you’re selling yourself out if you’ve decided to have an operation.

“The reality of it is that you don’t get overweight because you have a problem with your stomach, which is what we operate on to get you to lose weight. You’re overweight because of what’s in your head — your attitudes toward food and all the habits you’ve developed.

“What we do is to take this tool and use it to allow you to lose weight. Your part is to totally change the way you approach food. You have to change all your habits, and that requires effort and commitment.

“So when your friends tell you it’s the easy way out, it really isn’t. It’s a tool to change life-long habits — and that’s hard.

“If this was only about the operation, you wouldn’t need a program. You wouldn’t need to be part of a support group. We have all that because surgery is only 25 percent of the success. The other 75 percent is what you do with it, and how you change the way you approach food.

“I think it’s important for people coming into weight-loss surgery to understand that they have to be willing to make that commitment. It’s very important. The whole structure of our program is designed to provide you with what you need to be successful.”

Another common misconception, says Dr. Angstadt, is a failure to do a total risk-benefit analysis before making a decision about weight-loss surgery.

“We’re all sort of stuck where we are,” he says. “What I think it’s hard for people to realize is how much better you’re going to feel. It’s not just about looking better. It’s about how much more energy you’re going to have. And how much better you’re going to feel about yourself and about life. And if you’re on medication, we start to peel away those medicines and that makes a difference as well.

“So if you’re at the point of making a decision, you really need to weigh all the risks and benefits. People tend not to fully weigh the benefits. We talk about risks, but the other piece of the equation is just as important. And it’s not just about making your diseases go away, but it’s also that when you’re 50 to 80 pounds lighter, you’re able to do things that you weren’t able to do before. Some of our patients are now ziplining and hang-gliding. They’re scuba diving, or they’re back on bicycles. They’re doing all kinds of activities they never thought they could do.

“As you’re contemplating bariatric surgery, you want to keep the benefits right in front of you. And as you think about making the effort to begin a new diet and make significant changes in your life, also think about the benefits and satisfaction of doing things that you never could do before.

“And as long as you look at the full picture, you will see that this is more than worth it.”

if you have any questions or would like to make an appointment to see one of our surgeons, call our office at (516) 616-5500 or click on “Live Chat” in the upper left corner of your screen to have a conversation now.

Category: Expert Advice, Health Benefits, Obesity, Procedures, Weight Loss

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Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Common Misconceptions About Weight-Loss Surgery: Part 1

Not everything you hear about weight-loss surgery is true. Dr. John Angstadt knows that. He’s performed hundreds of surgeries and has met hundreds of patients. In this two-part series, he talks about three of the most common misconceptions about weight-loss surgery:

“Perhaps the most common misconception that people have is that these procedures are very risky. You hear that from a lot from people who have been dissuaded from taking action either by a family member or by something they read.

“The reality is that if you look at even the riskiest procedure we do — gastric bypass — if the surgery is done in a center of excellence, the mortality rate today is 0.1 percent. That’s actually a lower mortality than having your gall bladder removed. In the hands of well-trained surgeons working in a center of excellence where the protocols are all in place, the procedures are really very safe.

“In fact, if you’re looking at mortality ratios, it’s far more risky to continue to live with obesity and the co-morbid diseases you may have developed. If you don’t take action, your morbidity rate is more on the order of five to 10 percent. You have a far greater chance of dying as a result of complications from obesity that you ever will undergoing the small risk of an operation.

“The analogy I use with my patients is to think of this as getting on a plane and flying. For some people, when they get on a plane, they’re worrying about it crashing. But when you look at all the data, flying is the safest form of travel. You face far more risk getting in your car. It’s just that we live with that every day. We don’t think about it. You just kind of ignore that risk.

“And that’s kind of what people with obesity do. You don’t think about the risk you’re living with every day. You’re just concerned about the risk of surgery. But when you step back and a look at your whole situation, it’s far riskier to stay where you are than to move forward with an operation.”

Next week, in part two of this series, Dr. Angstadt will address two other common misconceptions that many people have about weight-loss surgery. In the mean time, if you have any questions or would like to make an appointment to see one of our surgeons, call our office at (516) 616-5500 or click on “Live Chat” in the upper left corner of your screen to have a conversation now. We’re ready to help.

Category: Health Benefits, Obesity, Procedures, Weight Loss

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