Regaining A Healthy Body - Weight Loss Surgery Success

Nothing gives Paul Glaab more satisfaction than being able to keep up with his fast-paced 2 1/2 yr. old daughter Molly. Keeping up with her was a difficult task just three months ago due to his excess weight. But Paul's real fear was not being around to see Molly grow up because of his diabetes and hypertension. Now things have changed. Paul is more than half way to his weight loss goal and has the energy to move the same speed as his daughter - and his diabetes and hypertension are in complete remission. Two months ago, Paul underwent a weight loss operation called gastric bypass surgery. The 56 year-old Laguna Niguel resident is experiencing just the first stages of weight loss from the procedure. Typically weight loss will plateau 18-24 months after surgery.

Complications of Obesity

According to statistics cited in the Journal of American Medical Association (2002), nearly one-third of U.S. adults are obese. Obesity is defined as anyone with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. BMI is a calculation based on height and weight. Paul Glaab had a BMI of 36. He also suffered from numerous medical conditions that put his life at risk including diabetes, high cholesterol, asthma and high blood pressure. Paul was a candidate for gastric bypass surgery.

Treatment of Obesity

Having tried every diet in the book, Paul was desperate to lose weight. "I'd go on a diet, achieve short term, moderate success then gain the weight right back," says Paul. To control his diabetes and other medical conditions Paul was taking as many as nine medications a day. "The prognosis from my doctors was my health was going to get worse and worse," he says. "I calculated in my own non-scientific mind that I'd probably be dead in nine years." Dying was not an option because he, along with his wife Janice, had a daughter to raise. He spoke to his primary care doctor about his choices for treatment of his obesity. His doctor referred him to bariatric surgeons Ramsey Dallal, M.D., and Brian Quebbemann, M.D. Paul met with Dr. Dallal to see if bariatric surgery was the answer. "Paul is not what America perceives as a typical patient for weight loss surgery," remarks Dr. Dallal. "Paul was only 65 pounds overweight. However, he had significant weight-related medical problems that included diabetes and hypertension. These diseases are real killers. I offered Paul a laparoscopic gastric bypass because a large amount of scientific data has shown that 83 percent of people who are diabetic experience full remission after this operation. The day of Paul's surgery was the last day he took his blood pressure medication and diabetes medication! Paul's quality of life has already dramatically improved. And it has only been two months since his operation."

Short Stay Surgery

Dr. Dallal performed Paul's gastric bypass surgery laparoscopically at South Coast Medical Center. This minimally invasive type of surgery offers many advantages. Patients experience less pain, recover quicker and are discharged from the hospital sooner. "I had the surgery on Tuesday and went home on Thursday," Paul says. "The pain post-op was less than a bad asthma attack." Nurses had Paul up and walking within 4 hours after surgery. And Paul was back to work the following Monday. Dr. Dallal expects Paul will lose 60 pounds over the next several months and achieve his weight goal by the end of the year.

Paul says he's impressed at how comprehensive The N.E.W. Program is. He says it's not just the surgery; there's a whole lot more. "They put you through a physical, a stress test and other types of examinations. You also meet with a psychologist to make sure you're having the surgery for the right reasons, and you meet with a nutritionist as well. The purpose of all the pre-evaluations and testing is to make sure you are in fact a candidate for the surgery." Paul also had an opportunity to attend support group meetings. These meetings, run by a psychologist, were informational and included people who have had bariatric surgery and those contemplating surgery. Dr. Dallal believes The N.E.W. Program is unique in several respects. "Most importantly, the surgeons, myself and Dr. Quebbemann, are true bariatric experts having performed nearly one thousand laparoscopic procedures," says Dr. Dallal. "Because of our expertise, we have a 100 percent success rate in finishing an operation laparoscopically. We are able to perform a laparoscopic operation even in patients who have had previous abdominal operations and who even weigh greater than 700 pounds. No other national bariatric program has our laparoscopic success rate. And no other national program comes close to our very low complication rate. Our expertise does not stop in the operating room. We offer our own psychologists, nutritionists, bariatric internists as well as organized support groups, internet chats and personalized hands-on care. Unlike most programs that are interested in quantity, we are interest in the absolute best quality."



School District Director Says Goodbye To Former 'Chubby' Self

Jim D. Stephens, 44, knows the "ups and downs" of dieting. Since his early teens, he has been putting on weight and taking it off -- at one point losing 100 pounds only to see them come right back on - and more. When the 5'8" Placentia resident reached 264 pounds after yet another roller-coaster ride, gaining 45 pounds in four months, he finally decided to make a permanent weight-loss change - bariatric surgery.

"Unlike a lot of people, I didn't have any real health problems related to my excess weight, except high blood pressure," notes Stephens, a San Diego native. "I had learned to live with my weight, although the thing that bothered me most was walking around the pool in a bathing suit while on vacation. I felt myself grabbing for a shirt. I just didn't feel comfortable." Stephens, who is Director of Child Development Services for the Orange Unified School District, also felt uncomfortable in public places such as stores and restaurants. He felt that people noticed his weight before anything else - prejudging him before he could say or do anything.

This all changed in April 2002 when Stephens attended a seminar sponsored by The N.E.W. Program. "I was impressed with the scope of expertise with the program," Stephens recalls. "The one point that really made an impression, however, was when Dr. Quebbemann reminded us that we don't see too many severely obese 70-year-old people. They don't usually live that long."

After a comprehensive medical evaluation and patient education program, Stephens underwent minimally invasive gastric bypass on July 12, 2002. "The experience was terrific," notes Stephens. "Everyone was really, really wonderful. They have a lot of expertise in caring for bariatric surgery patients, and take a very compassionate approach. I had the surgery at 3 p.m. on a Friday, was discharged on Sunday afternoon and by Monday was out shopping with my wife, Barbara. And the surgery didn't leave any scars because it was done laparoscopically."

Since his surgery, Stephens has lost close to 100 pounds and today weighs 167 pounds. "I feel great, and have been able to adjust well to my new eating habits, which involve smaller portions and very few sweets," he says. "I also have a lot more confidence. I walk into places now and feel a lot more assertive and self-assured. It's a great feeling."

"Every day is wonderful," adds Stephens, who has been married to Barbara for 11 years and has two children: Waverly, 6, and Spencer, 4. "My kids notice not only a physical change in me but my energy level as well. It is an amazing, life-changing experience."

 

San Clemente Grandmother Loses 115 Pounds, Finds New Lease On Life At Age 61

For most of her adult life, Noel R. Humphrey, 61, a San Clemente resident, has been overweight. Although she weighed 117 pounds when she married her husband, Dennis, in 1967, she grew heavier over the years - attributing her excess weight to a lifetime of yo-yo dieting. Her health suffered, she found it difficult to get around, but the thing that finally persuaded her to seek a new solution was that she could not get down on the ground to play with her grandchildren. "I have three beautiful grandchildren - 10 months, 13 months and 2 years," Humphry, 61, says with pride. "Yet, I was too large to play with them on the floor, and I could not lift them up and hold them. It was very discouraging."

While Humphrey had become frustrated trying to accomplish everyday activities, her primary care physician was more worried about her health, particularly the shape of her heart and her knees. He referred her to Brian Quebbemann, M.D., Surgical Director of The N.E.W. Program at CALSURG (Center for Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery). "Laparoscopic weight-loss surgery involves making tiny incisions, about one-half inch long, as opposed to a long incision that can take weeks or even months to heal," explains Dr. Quebbemann. "Our patients typically leave the hospital on the first or second day following surgery, and many patients take no pain medication by the fourth post-operative day." Humphrey attended one of Dr. Quebbemann's informational seminars in spring 2002 and liked what she heard. Humphrey says, "I found the weight-loss surgery concept intriguing, and my husband was also extremely supportive. He is the epitome of health - throwing the javelin, running and lifting weights - and the only thing he said to me was, 'I plan on living a long time, and I want you to live a long life with me.'"

After a comprehensive evaluation, Humphrey underwent minimally invasive gastric bypass on May 19, 2002. Right after undergoing the procedure, she flew to Hawaii to "recuperate" and visit her granddaughter. She has now lost 115 pounds, going from a dress size 3X to 14 petite - and she is determined to lose 20 more pounds. "Today, none of my friends recognize me - my body is so different," she says. "Even more importantly, my health has improved. Without a doubt, the surgery saved my life. The entire experience has given me a whole new lease on life." And now Humphrey can indulge in her favorite activity any time she likes - getting down on the ground to play with her grandchildren.