CHRISTUS Southeast Texas - LiveWell

Balancing a New Life A BARIATRIC CENTER OF EXCELLENCE CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Bariatric Center at CHRISTUS Hospital – St. Elizabeth is the only Bariatric Center of Excellence in the area. It also recently reached a milestone, becoming the only bariatric center in Southeast Texas to have performed 1,000 surgeries. Under the guidance of Bariatric Surgeon and Medical Director Jerome Schrapps, MD, the center offers four unique weight-loss surgery options: • duodenal switch • gastric bypass • sleeve gastrectomy • LAP-BAND ® surgery Patients undergo thorough evaluation prior to surgery. During recovery, they have access to the Wilton P. Hebert Health and Wellness Center in addition to support groups, lifetime follow- ups and an active community of current and former patients. Balancing After her third daughter was born, Lacy, a licensed vocational nurse, knew she needed to address her health and weight. "At 250 pounds, I was the heaviest I'd ever been," Lacy recalls. "Weight problems run in my family, as do diabetes and stroke. I'd tried dieting, but nothing worked. I needed help." A SOLUTION CLOSE TO HOME At CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Bariatric Center – St. Elizabeth, Lacy met with Bariatric Surgeon and Medical Director Jerome Schrapps, MD, to discuss her options. Together, they decided sleeve gastrectomy, a surgical procedure that reduces the size of the stomach, would be best for her. "Lacy's body mass index was greater than 40, but she hadn't developed serious medical issues, such as diabetes or sleep apnea," Dr. Schrapps says. "She was an ideal candidate for sleeve gastrectomy, and her timing couldn't have been better. Not only did the procedure help her lose weight, it helped keep her healthy." A NEW LIFE AND A NEW JOB On Aug. 14, 2012, Dr. Schrapps removed 70% of Lacy's stomach using a minimally invasive surgical technique called laparoscopy, which involves small incisions in the abdomen. The resulting reduced stomach size limited the amount of food Lacy could eat and decreased her appetite. Today, Lacy weighs 125 pounds. She's active, eats a healthful diet and is less likely to develop health concerns due to her weight. She also has a new job at CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Bariatric Center, where she works with the same team that changed her life. "I can walk up stairs without huffing and puffing and buy clothes at regular stores — it's great," Lacy says. "I would tell anyone thinking about weight-loss surgery or struggling to lose weight to take that first step. Come in for a consultation. It's worth it." To schedule a consultation at the CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Bariatric Center – St. Elizabeth, visit www.setxweightloss.org. Like many people, 33-year-old Lacy Branson struggled to do it all — work, raise her children and stay healthy. When her well- being became a concern, she turned to CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Bariatric Center – St. Elizabeth. "Lacy is a great example of the dramatic, positive change weight-loss surgery can have on a person's life, overall health and outlook. We're lucky to have her as part of our team." Jerome Schrapps, MD, Bariatric Surgeon and Medical Director at CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Bariatric Center – St. Elizabeth 6 LiveWell | October/November 2014

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