CentraState - Healthy Directions

Annemarie Abelowitz considered herself "fat" her whole life. "I've had a lifetime struggle with weight," says the 45-yearold nurse from Ewing. "You just get tired of it. I would lose weight and then gain it back." F rustrated with yo-yo dieting and other failed weight-loss efforts, Annemarie researched several bariatric procedures before learning about the gastric sleeve. "I hadn't heard of it at all, and I definitely was nervous, she admits. But now, " less than a year after having the procedure in August 2012, Annemarie has lost more than 61 pounds and hopes to lose 60 to 80 more. "It's changed my life, but it has to be a tool, she stresses, noting that careful " eating and changing the way you relate to food are essential factors in making bariatric surgery a success. SURGERY IS JUST ONE PART Annemarie sought out Lisa Dobruskin, MD, board-certified surgeon with Minimally Invasive Surgery Associates of New Jersey and on staff at CentraState Medical Center, to perform her surgery. Dr. Dobruskin agrees that thorough research, pre-operative planning and post-operative follow-up are necessary for anyone considering losing weight through bariatric surgery. Lisa Dobruskin, MD, board-certified surgeon "The surgery is just one part of the process, " Dr. Dobruskin notes. "The lifestyle change is just as important. You need to start getting into those good habits and be able to maintain them after surgery. " Dr. Dobruskin adds, "Changing the way you eat is very difficult. These are habits we've developed over a lifetime. " Dr. Dobruskin stresses that the two main bariatric procedures she performs—gastric bypass and gastric sleeve—are not for everyone. "It has to be tailored to the patient, she says. " "This surgery is not a magic bullet—you have to use it properly. " www.centrastate.com Annemarie remains vigilant about her food intake, consciously eating only 4 to 5 ounces per sitting—proteins first—and eating every two to three hours. It's a definite change, but it's one she feels she has conquered, thanks to the support of her family. Annemarie opted for the gastric sleeve, in which about two-thirds to three"The first few times you eat [after quarters of the stomach (where the surgery], it's challenging—you're so hunger hormone is made) is removed. conditioned to finish what's on your According to Dr. Dobruskin, the shape plate, Annemarie says. In addition to " of the stomach is transformed to making smarter food choices, she also a long, narrow sleeve, significantly concentrates on eating more slowly, reducing the size of the stomach and, putting the fork down more and using consequently, the amount of food a a smaller plate. person can eat. She can still eat almost everything she KEEPING IT OFF enjoys, just in extreme moderation and, Annemarie notes that since her initial as a bonus, she notes, she has a lot consultation and nutritional counseling more energy. with Dr. Dobruskin in February 2012, Annemarie says that she would she has lost almost 95 pounds. "It's undergo the bariatric surgery again a huge, huge transformation, says the " "in a heartbeat, and her only regret is, " mother of four, who now visits the "I wish I had done it sooner. " gym three times a week. The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery has named CentraState Medical Center a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence. The designation recognizes surgical programs with a demonstrated track record of favorable outcomes in weight-loss surgery. For more information, call (866) CENTRA7 (866-236-8727) or visit www.centrastate.com. HD FREE Weight-Loss Surgery Seminar "Is Weight-Loss Surgery Right for You?" Are you wondering if you are a candidate for bariatric surgery? Learn about the process, surgical options, benefits and risks, and life after bariatric surgery. Educate yourself on weight-loss surgery options—gastric bypass, LAPBAND, gastric sleeve—how they work, the risks and the benefits. Seminars are held once per month at CentraState's Star and Barry Tobias Health Awareness Center. For more information, visit www.centrastatebariatricsurgery.com. Summer 2013 13

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