Kelly McCusker, a Monmouth County school bus driver, was frustrated by the health issues she had to manage at 52-years-old. Her internist, Dr. Tuboku Metzger, who practices at Navesink Medical in Holmdel, explained that her high blood pressure, chronic fatigue and frequent back pain could be lessened if she lost weight.
Easier said than done.
In early 2019, when the scale tipped 250 pounds, Dr. Metzger suggested Kelly consider bariatric surgery.
“I was tired of the constant battle with my weight, up and down, up and down,” Kelly recalls. “I had to take medication for my high blood pressure, and I was just trying to make it through each day.
Kelly turns to board-certified bariatric surgeon Dr. Seun Sowemimo
A trusted friend had gastric sleeve weight loss surgery performed by Dr. Seun Sowemimo at Prime Surgicare, and highly recommended him. Kelly’s close family member had the lap-band (gastric band) several years ago and lost a significant amount of weight.
After a consultation with Dr. Seun in his Freehold office, Kelly was ready to complete the pre-operative steps and schedule her gastric sleeve surgery.
During her testing, she was unexpectedly diagnosed with sleep apnea, a serious medical condition that contributes to poor sleep quality and chronic exhaustion.
“Based upon Kelly’s age, health and weight loss goals, she was an ideal candidate to have the gastric sleeve,” Dr. Sowemimo explains.
“I knew at our first visit that she was truly committed to changing her lifestyle in order to lose the extra 100 pounds, once and for all.”
Meet more people like you who had successful weight loss surgery at Prime Surgicare.
Choosing the world’s most popular bariatric procedure
“I was really happy Dr. Seun recommended gastric sleeve surgery for me,
since it’s less invasive and offers a faster recovery after the operation.”
The vertical sleeve gastrectomy, also called the VSG or sleeve surgery, is the most popular bariatric operation in the world today. For many people, it is an ideal choice to safely achieve significant, long-term weight loss; the sleeve is a straightforward procedure that doesn’t require the maintenance of a lap band or the rerouting of intestines required for gastric bypass.
Is it time to replace your lap-band with a newer bariatric solution?
The gastric sleeve is performed laparoscopically, using only small incisions, the surgeon removes approximately 75% of the stomach. This results in the stomach taking on the shape of a tube or “sleeve,” which holds much less food.
“Dr. Seun and his staff truly know their patients–we aren’t just a number or a chart.
I traveled a longer distance, because I wanted Dr. Seun to be my bariatric surgeon.
I can’t thank them enough for all the support.”
Today: Hello goal weight, goodbye health problems
By June 2020, Kelly’s health had taken a dramatic turn for the better. “I don’t even know where to begin,” Kelly says with a smile. “I was wearing a size 18 a year ago, and now I wear a size 8. I have so much energy because I no longer suffer from sleep apnea.”
Today, Kelly has reached her goal weight of 150 pounds (she is 5”9”) and has a “normal” BMI (body mass index) of 22.
Check your BMI here (scroll down).
“I’m off the blood pressure medication for good. I feel more confident in every aspect of my life and absolutely enjoy each day so much more,” notes Kelly, who walks 3+ miles about three times weekly to keep her metabolism burning as many calories as possible.
Kelly says she was especially thankful to her husband for his unrelenting support and understanding through all the phases of her weight loss, including the early decision to have weight loss surgery.
Now that she’s completed her weight loss journey, Kelly gets a reminder now and then about how much her appearance has changed, in addition to her health:
“I was recently asked by a co-worker if I was a new employee,” Kelly laughs. “He didn’t believe me until I confirmed what bus number I drove.”
Dr. Folarin Tuboku-Metzger is an internal medicine specialist at Navesink Medical in Holmdel. Dr. Metzger graduated from New York Medical College Medical School and completed her residency at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in New York. She is affiliated with Hackensack Meridian Health, Bayshore Medical Center and Monmouth Medical Center. The doctor is accepting new patients and offers telehealth appointments during Covid-19. Please call (732) 320-9196 or visit NavesinkMedical.com.
Dr. Seun Sowemimo is an obesity medicine specialist and board-certified Bariatric and GI surgeon at Prime Surgicare, with offices in Freehold and Jackson. For telehealth appointments or to learn more about surgical weight loss or treatment for obesity, call (732) 414-2707.