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Rev Up Your Spring Nutrition and Fitness Routine
Posted by: In: Blog Post, Dr. Seun inspiration 14 Mar 2022 0 comments Tags , , , , , , , , , ,

By Dr. Seun Sowemimo

In celebration of an extra hour of daylight thanks to the recent change to Daylight Savings Time,  I spent last weekend tuning up my bicycle in preparation for the warmer days ahead. Personally, I’m more than ready to put away my stationary bike for the winter. Heading back outside reminded me this is a great time of year to update my fitness and nutrition routine.  Everything is fresh and new–longer days, fresher food and hopefully a season where the pandemic continues to weaken.

One caveat of a long-term weight loss program is boredom, so it’s especially important to change things up. These five simple suggestions can help reinvigorate your lifestyle strategy–just in time for the season of renewal:

Dig into fresh plant-based foods

“Clean eating” tastes better than boxed food any day. It also helps you to offset cravings for sugar, salt and low-quality carbs that processed foods ignite. Keep an eye out for the opening of your local New Jersey farmers’ markets and stock up on whole foods that come from plants. I’m starting to see more produce stores opening and re-opening around town as well. They often have great prices on your favorite fruits and vegetables, so stock up and freeze what you can’t use right away.

Change up your exercise routine

Stuck in the gym all winter? Bypass the treadmill (keep it as a backstop for rainy or blustery spring days). Instead, jog in the park or walk on the beach. Invite a friend you haven’t seen in a while to catch up and burn calories at the same time. Head back to nature for a hike at the nearby Holmdel Park. It’s beautiful there.

Get cooking

Freshen up your regular meal repertoire, even if it’s just a new side dish or substituting grilled tofu for chicken (try it–you’re in for a meat-free treat!). Roast farm-fresh plums, peaches or pears for a warm but sweet dessert option. Find a blog that offers tasty but good-for-you recipes that you and your family or guests can enjoy. Bring a recipe you love to our monthly support group and share it!

Try something new

One of the great benefits of living here in central New Jersey is that you can be in the city, the country, the mountains or the ocean in a matter of minutes. Give your mind something new to see and smell. Breathe in the fresh air of a new destination for a change of pace. My family loves to spend a Saturday walking through the Grounds for Sculpture.

Nurture your mental health

The start of a new season is the perfect opportunity to renew, refresh and reinvigorate your mind, body and soul. By being mentally and physically healthy, you’ll be in top form to enjoy many bright days ahead. Try to spend time alone every day to clear your mind. Try a meditation session on the Calm app or try a course in person that includes stress-reducing music; try a yoga class with a friend. The past two years have caused significant emotional trauma to many of us. If you are experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship issues or other challenges keeping you from fully enjoying life, speak with your primary healthcare provider for recommendations for mental health professionals for support and guidance.

Keep an eye out for Bariatric Group Fitness 2022

On the second Saturday morning of the month, join me, our bariatric team and any past, present or future bariatric warrior to get together and walk, jog or bike together. Work out and meet other people like you who are on the weight loss journey of their lives. Details: https://primesurgicare.com/bariatric-fitness-group/

If you’re frustrated by your weight loss efforts and have a lot of weight to lose, consider a bariatric surgery option. At Prime Surgicare, the weight loss surgery process is far more than just an operation.

Our exclusive Prime Surgicare Bariatric Success Program offers a multi-pronged support network of unique tools to help you before, during and after your weight loss journey.
 
Are you ready to find out more?

Attend or tune in to one of our free patient webinars online, where you can ask our Prime bariatric team specific questions. You can also make an appointment for a private consultation.

About Prime Surgicare – Freehold & Jackson

Prime Surgicare medical director Dr. Seun Sowemimo and surgical associate Dr. Jolita Auguste are board-certified bariatric surgeons in NJ. They specialize in minimally invasive weight loss surgery and general surgery procedures, including diverticulitis, gallbladder and hernia conditions. They are the top NJ surgeons at Prime Surgicare, with offices in Freehold and Jackson.

To learn more, call Prime Surgicare at (732) 414-2707.

Perri Celebrates Her Transformation One Year After Weight Loss Surgery
Posted by: In: Bariatric Success Program, Bariatric Success Story, Blog Post, Gastric Sleeve 28 Feb 2022 0 comments Tags , , , , , , ,

Perri’s Facebook post (excerpt shared below with her permission) exemplifies that surgical weight loss can quickly and significantly improve daily quality of life–improve health, provide increased daily stamina, and improve self-image, which can lead to better relationships and career opportunities.

February 22, 2022

“Flashback: One year ago today, I was struggling with my weight, the way I looked, doing anything physical, and with my mental health.

In October 2020, I met with Dr. Seun Sowemimo from Prime Surgicare and immediately started my journey to get the gastric sleeve.

On February 22, 2021, I went in and had the surgery. First time ever in my life going under anesthesia…it was all so worth it–not just because my appearance has changed, but because of how I feel, inside and out!

I am proud of my journey. I am proud I did the surgery. I am proud of the new road I’m on mentally and physically!

So here’s to ME!”

Perri Ann Capes

Dr. Sowemimo's gastric sleeve bariatric surgery patient Perri in 2022.

weight loss surgery njTo learn more about a surgical weight loss solution (gastric sleeve or gastric bypass), sign-up for our next live webinar to listen, learn and ask questions.

You may also wish to call our friendly team of bariatric experts at 732-414-2707 to schedule a consultation and check on your bariatric surgery insurance coverage.

Consider this–we may be profiling YOUR success story just 12 months after your weight loss surgery.

It’s never too late to begin again. We look forward to speaking with you soon.

 

Prime Surgicare Collaborates with Atlantic Surgical Associates for Bariatric Post-Op Plastic Surgery Services
Posted by: In: Blog Post 14 Feb 2022 0 comments Tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Dr. Boris Volshteyn and Dr. Seun Sowemimo

Breast Reduction and Lower Abdominal Skin Removal May be Covered by Medical Insurance after Bariatric Surgery

March 9, 2022: Dr. Volshteyn will be our guest speaker during our bi-monthly Bariatric Support Group meeting.

Some post-bariatric surgery patients who have lost a substantial volume of weight will experience excess skin in the mid-section of the body or sagging breasts. Typically, surgical enhancement of these areas via plastic surgery is not covered by private medical insurance.

However, New Jersey board-certified bariatric surgeon Dr. Seun Sowemimo of Prime Surgicare, and board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Boris Volshteyn of Atlantic Surgical Associates PA, identified two plastic surgery procedures often covered by medical insurance plans: female breast reduction and panniculectomy (lower abdominal excess skin removal).

“These two operations can help people with significant weight loss to achieve a more streamlined physique with minimal downtime,” notes Dr. Volshteyn. “The breast reduction can also help women reduce chronic neck and back pain.”

Beginning in February 2022, the two surgeons will launch a collaboration to help Prime Surgicare’s Bariatric Success patients continue to improve their physical appearance after surgical weight loss, focusing on these two procedures.

“The physical remnants of weight loss should not hinder people who have dramatically improved their health with bariatric surgery,” says Dr. Sowemimo. “Removing excess skin and lifting the breast tissue can make a marked improvement in the patient’s physical and emotional well-being.”

The criteria to secure insurance coverage for these procedures are stringent.

We have outlined the general qualification parameters, the scope of each procedure and pre-certification requirements:

What are the patient benefits of these two surgeries?

After successful weight loss, these surgical enhancements will reveal a more youthful and healthy appearance, increasing self-confidence to fully participate in all aspects of life without concern about the remnants of the former body.

The removal of excess lower belly skin will immediately slim the waist and hip area. Clothing will fit more smoothly and the mid-section will appear more streamlined. The breast reduction operation will lift the breasts, creating a more youthful bustline, and helping to reduce or eliminate chronic back and neck pain from heavy breast tissue.

What operations may be covered by medical insurance?

With qualifying physical symptoms, breast reduction and panniculectomy (lower abdominal excess skin covering the genitals) can be covered corrective procedures for patients with private medical insurance.

How long after WLS is this surgery advisable?

These procedures are recommended at least 12 to 18 months after weight loss surgery when weight is stable.

What are the general criteria to qualify for this type of surgery?

  • Your weight is at or near goal weight (the majority of necessary weight loss has been achieved)
  • You are in stable overall health.
  • You don’t smoke.
  • You are committed to proper nutrition, fitness, and an overall healthy lifestyle
  • You are between ages 20 and 65.

Who will perform my operation?

Drs. Volshteyn and Dr. Sowemimo will partner to perform your operation. You will have pre-op consultations with both doctors and post-op follow-up appointments with Dr. Volshteyn.

Where will my surgery be performed?

Your operation will be performed at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold or Old Bridge Medical Center (formerly Raritan Bay Medical Center) in Old Bridge.

What are the criteria to obtain coverage for breast reduction?

Patients should review their medical insurance plans to determine the specific requirements to be approved for covered surgery. Typically, these criteria can include:

  • Consult with a primary care doctor to document back pain and neck pain.
  • Current breast size should be at least 500 gms per side.
  • Documented complaints of neck pain, back pain or shoulder pain
  • Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medical for six months
  • Some medical plans require physical therapy or chiropractic care visits documenting no marked improvement in pain.

Is breast reduction a day surgery procedure?

Yes, it is generally a same-day procedure with minimal post-op pain. Patients may perform light computer-type activities a few days after surgery.

What are the criteria to obtain coverage for panniculectomy (lower abdominal surgery)?

Due to significant weight loss and gravity, lower abdominal fat can pull the abdominal skin down, creating a pannus. It may look like a ‘fat roll,’ but it is actually just excess skin. It can create an apron or hammock-looking distribution of skin and fat in the lower abdomen, extending from hip to hip.

To qualify, the pannus typically needs to hang below the genital area with patient complaints of difficulty maintaining successful hygiene or preventing normal mobility.

Keep in mind, an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), which involves elevation of the excess skin flap, is considered cosmetic and is not covered by medical insurance. However, the patient can choose to pay for this additional procedure, which can be performed during the panniculectomy.

Pain after a panniculectomy is minimal, but can be more significant if the lower abdominal muscle is tightened.

This operation can be a covered procedure for men and women and generally requires an overnight hospital stay.

Can the breast reduction and panniculectomy be performed in the same surgery?

Yes. Undergoing both procedures will require a minimum one-night hospital stay.

Are you interested in bariatric post-op panniculectomy or breast reduction?

If you have been near or at goal weight for a minimum of six months, you can start the process immediately:

  1. Call Prime Surgicare at 732-414-2707 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Sowemimo.
  2. After your consultation with Dr. Sowemimo, call Atlantic Surgical Associates PA at 732-641-3350 to schedule an appointment/exam with Dr. Volshteyn.
  3. Following these two visits, insurance coverage will be confirmed and you will begin pre-op testing after your date of surgery is scheduled.
  4. Dr. Volshteyn will oversee your pre- and post-op plastic surgery care.

About Dr. Seun Sowemimo | Prime Surgicare

Dr. Seun Sowemimo, medical director of Bariatric Surgery at CentraState Medical Center, is a board-certified bariatric, laparoscopic and general surgeon. Dr. Sowemimo completed his general surgery internship and residency training at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, Harlem Hospital Center, New York City. After completing clinical clerkships at Kings College Hospital, London, Dr. Seun completed surgical fellowship training in advanced minimally invasive (laparoscopic), robotic and open bariatric surgery at Yale University School of Medicine, Hospital of St. Raphael. He has appeared on Dr. Oz, CBS, NY1 and News 12. His private practice, Prime Surgicare, has offices in Freehold and Jackson, NJ. Dr. Sowemimo can be reached by calling 732-414-2707.

About Dr. Boris Volshteyn | Atlantic Surgical Associates PA

Dr. Boris Volshteyn, chief of Plastic Surgery at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, is a board-certified plastic surgeon. He received his medical degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia, graduating magna cum laude. His surgical training in general and plastic surgery was completed at the University of Missouri. He also completed clinical research and fellowship in microsurgery and cosmetic surgery at the Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital (MEETH) in New York City. In addition, Dr. Volshteyn completed advanced training in mesotherapy in Paris under renowned Dr. Jacquesce Coz and cell therapy in Lausanne, Switzerland. His private practice, Atlantic Surgical Associates PA, is located in West Long Branch, NJ. Dr. Volshteyn can be reached by calling 732-641-3350.

Monmouth County Teacher Drops 90 Pounds in 90 Days after Gastric Sleeve
Posted by: In: Bariatric Success Program, Bariatric Success Story, Blog Post, COVID-19, Gastric Sleeve, WFPB, whole food plant based 28 Dec 2021 0 comments Tags , , , , , , , ,

 

“I was raised in an Italian household where everything revolved around food. So I decided to be the one to change that tradition,” says Giovanna.

Just six months after gastric sleeve bariatric surgery, the elementary school teacher has knocked off 95 pounds from her petite five-foot, one-inch frame.

“Since my August 2021 surgery, I’ve turned my life around 360 degrees,” she explains. “All I did was follow my bariatric team’s instructions and start on the same nutrition plan that Dr. Seun Sowemimo lives by—whole food plant-based eating.”

An elementary school teacher, Giovanna’s culture celebrated life’s small and large celebrations with food—and a lot of it.

“Food is an integral part of our heritage,” Giovanna explains. “While it’s all delicious, the reality is these foods are high in calories, carbs and fat.”

From fresh-baked white flour bread to pan-fried meats dipped covered in cheese to desserts galore, it’s easy to put on weight.

Giovanna already had weight issues before the onset of Covid-19, which exacerbated the issue.

“I went from running around my school all day to sitting at a computer at home, steps away from the kitchen.”

Step one to changing her life

The 47-year-old mother of two children was already taking medication for high blood pressure. After her sister commented about her heavy breathing while trying on clothing in a retail store, Giovanna scheduled a visit with cardiologist Robert Kayser, MD, MBA, FACC, FSCAI, at Change of Heart Cardiology.

“I lost my father to a heart attack at age 52, and I knew my weight was jeopardizing my own heart health,” Giovanna says.” So Dr. Kayser suggested I consider surgical weight loss due to my weight and the fact that I’m just over five feet tall.”

Dr. Kayser recommended she consult with Dr. Seun Sowemimo at Prime Surgicare. “The more I thought about the weight loss surgery process, the more it made sense to me,” Giovanna recalls. She cites being mentally prepared to change her diet and lifestyle before the operation contributed to her quick weight loss.

 

“One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that weight loss surgery is not about the operation—it’s about completely changing your mindset about food.”

 

Giovanna began her private nutrition meetings with Prime Surgicare’s bariatric dietitian, Lori Skurbe and dropped 30 pounds before surgery in April 2021.

She also started walking outdoors, eventually clocking up to four miles several days a week.

READ: Meet more bariatric surgery warriors who have defeated obesity

Giovanna reaps the rewards of motivated weight loss

After surgery, she started walking on a treadmill during the hot summer months and expanded her effort to a walk/run of 4+ miles done four to five times a week.

“Giovanna’s rapid weight loss shows her commitment to the bariatric process,” explains Dr. Seun. “While most patients don’t lose as much weight as Giovanna has, she is a testament to what is possible when you 100 percent commit to eating real food, exercising and following our protocol.”

In less than four months, the teacher’s clothing size has shrunk from a 3X size 20-22 to a medium/large size 14.

 

At her recent cardiology check-up with Dr. Kayser, he gave her the fantastic news that she could top taking blood pressure medication, as she no longer suffered from this chronic condition.

 

While some family members didn’t initially support her bariatric surgery plan, they have enthusiastically supported her success and regularly shower her with well-deserved accolades.

Looking younger and lighter after gastric sleeve

Giovanna in August 2021.

Giovanna in December 2021.

“The most common compliment I receive is that I look 20 years younger,” Giovanna says with a smile. “I’ll take that any day of the week.”

Regarding future goals related to her weight and health, Giovanna isn’t fixed on reaching a specific number on the scale or a clothing size.

 

“I’m focused on living a healthy, active life so I can make up for the years I missed opportunities because of my weight.”

 

Giovanna says that if she can be successful, anyone can. She advises others battling obesity to believe that you are worthy of making this change.

“You have the power to change the course of your life. So do it.”

Could better health be 90 days away for you?

weight loss surgery njYou never know until you make the commitment to turn the corner and get your health and your weight back under control.

Taking this step, if you have more than 75 pounds to lose or are living with obesity-related medical conditions (i.e. diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, high cholesterol), can seem overwhelming, but Prime Surgicare’s Bariatric Success Program gives you all the tools you need to lay the ground for permanent weight loss.

Call our team of experienced surgical weight loss professionals at (732) 404-2717 and learn more about meeting with our board-certified bariatric surgeons, attending a New Patient seminar and planning your course for weight loss victory in 2022.

Where Will You Be Six Months from Today?
Posted by: In: Blog Post, Dr. Seun inspiration 16 Dec 2021 0 comments Tags , , , , , ,

By Dr. Seun Sowemimo

Where will I be on June 16, 2022?

Believe me, I know–when you first wake up, don’t reach for your phone. Yes, this is absolutely sage advice–except when you are a surgeon.

My profession is a 24/7 requirement and urgent situations require me to be connected to my patients and the hospital.

So I reach for my phone, blurry-eyed and half asleep.

I subscribe to several inspirational social profiles–spiritual, motivational, humorous–you name it.

This morning, I saw a post that made me sit up and take note:

Where will you be six months from today?

Six months is an interesting time frame–it can arrive in the blink of an eye or be broken down into:

  • 180 days
  • 4,320 hours
  • 259,200 minutes

When you see the breakdown of time, you realize how much can be accomplished during this time.

Six months is a more manageable timeframe that’s easier for me to digest than an entire year.

It made me think about where I want to be by June 16, 2022, and what I hope/need/aspire to achieve during the hours leading up to this time.

It requires some thought, planning and cold, hard goal-setting.

I’d much rather make a 6-month plan rather than dusting off my annual New Year’s Resolutions List, which spans 12 long months.

This year, I’ll find a quiet place to think about my personal and professional goals--starting today–not January 1.

I’m sharing this goal-setting option with you, in case you’re also ready to modernize the annual New Year’s Resolutions tradition.

In fact, let’s meet back here in six months and see how far we’ve come.

My plan is to change-up some of my goals, drop a few and add one or two.

I’m inspired for 2022, even amidst the current adversity in the world. While I can’t control everything, I can control my life.

Let’s do this.

How to Enjoy the Holidays Without Weight Gain
Posted by: In: Blog Post 18 Nov 2021 0 comments Tags , , , , , , ,

 

‘Tis the season to be jolly–and gain weight. In fact, the majority of Americans pack on from six to 10 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. Losing this weight can be easier said than done. Additionally, compared to 2020, there may be significantly more social and family celebrations on your calendar– holiday buffets, dinners with friends, drinks with colleagues, late-night parties–and too little sleep.

Fear not—your Prime Surgicare team of weight loss experts has assembled our five top tips to help keep your weight under control from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day:

You’ve worked so hard in 2021—why take two steps back now?

1. Give yourself the gift of time to workout

With holiday shopping, cooking, wrapping and perhaps hosting for the first time in a few years, we often have less time for self-care.  Don’t allow your precious workout time to be crossed off the list. Rise earlier in the day, if needed, or grab a friend or family member for an evening trip to the gym.

Break your exercise session into smaller, more manageable time periods, if necessary.

Example: Take two 15-minute walks instead of one 30-minute walk.

Increase your activity in the things you do each day (take stairs instead of elevators, park further away when running errands). These small efforts add up at the end of the day to a bigger calorie burn!

 2. Customize recipes to a healthier version

Make high-calorie foods lower in calories by swapping out higher-calorie ingredients with lower-calorie substitutions without sacrificing flavor. Use less oil, butter, margarine in recipes. Use leaner forms of protein and less sugar. A quick internet search will offer specific ingredient substitution options. Indulge once during the actual holiday

Enjoy yourself on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve, or one special night of Chanukah. Overeating one day will not cause weight regain, but overeating for several days in a row can.

During telehealth or in-person visits with our weight loss patients, we emphasize that enjoying some foods or drinks outside your regular plan will not make you gain your weight back; rather, the trouble begins when you overindulge for too many days before and after the holiday.

3. Free your body, mind and fridge of turkey stuffing and cookie leftovers

Send goody bags of leftovers home with guests to enjoy during tomorrow’s football games, or freeze leftovers for the next holiday. After New Year’s, give away any remaining items that do not support your bariatric plan.

4. Watch wasted calories on alcohol

 What’s the quickest way to consume too many calories? Drink them.

Holiday celebrating traditionally includes wine, beer and mixed drinks, an easy way to boost your calorie intake without eating a single thing. Is it worth it? Only you can decide. Regardless, be sure to build in your alcohol calories into your daily count.

If you do choose to have a drink, keep it in moderation.  If you’ve had weight loss surgery, be forewarned that you can become intoxicated very quickly.

5. Bring the healthy dish to the party

 Many clients worry ‘there will be nothing for them to eat at the party…’ Any easy cure is to bring your own bariatric-friendly dish to share with everyone! More often than not, other people are also searching for healthy alternatives on the buffet. Thus, you are helping yourself and other guests! A quick internet search for ‘bariatric-friendly party snacks’ will yield a plethora of options to meet your health-conscious needs.

What food is—and what it is not

Challenge yourself this year—don’t focus on the food—instead, pay attention to people at the party, freshen up your social skills and chat with someone you don’t know. We’ve all been isolated for quite a while, so be patient with others who may be a bit shy. Listen to the music and copy songs you enjoy to your playlist. Network around to find the owner of the car parked outside that you are considering purchasing.

Recall and repeat one of Dr. Seun Sowemimo’s most important mantras about weight loss—

‘Life is not intended to be just about the food.’

A parting message—

The job of food is to keep us alive, learning, loving and thriving. Eating doesn’t solve our problems, ease our pain or fill our bank accounts.

Is 2022 the year you take control of your weight?

If you are tired of the weight loss/regain cycle, contact our team of surgical weight loss pros to schedule an appointment to speak with one of our board-certified bariatric surgeons about the possibility of gastric sleeve, the most common bariatric surgery in the world,  or gastric bypass surgery. Or, from the comfort of your device, sign-up for our next New Patient Webinar, which introduces the weight loss surgery journey and explains the process.

Register today for our next online webinar here: https://primesurgicare.com/seminars-and-webinars/

Dr. Seun Sowemimo and the Prime Surgicare Team

 

Husband/Wife Team Lose 200 Pounds 10 Months after Weight Loss Surgery
Posted by: In: Bariatric Fitness, Bariatric Success Program, Bariatric Success Story, Blog Post, COVID-19, Gastric Sleeve 18 Oct 2021 0 comments Tags , , , , ,

Burlington County couple prioritizes healthy living for their young children and the future

Marie and Daniel Anderson in 2020 before having gastric sleeve surgery.

Daniel and Marie Anderson are like many New Jersey parents—two demanding careers, raising young children, managing a household, coping with Covid-19 and finding time to enjoy life. But over the years, weight had become an issue for the couple and they decided to fight back as a team.

“We both agreed that surgical weight loss would help us quickly get our health back on track,” Marie, age 31, explains. “We live in South Jersey, but I had friends up north who had very successful bariatric surgery performed by Dr. Sowemimo and they raved about him and his team.” Marie already knew he was the doctor for her.

Daniel was initially concerned about the geographic distance to Dr. Seun’s office located in Monmouth County, but after a co-consultation with Marie, he, too, agreed Dr. Seun was the surgeon for them.

“We’ve had several couples go through the bariatric journey together and both achieved great success,” says Dr. Seun Sowemimo. “And they aren’t just married couples—we’ve worked with siblings, best friends, co-workers and cousins.”

Dr. Seun said the Andersons are a young and accomplished couple who decided as a team to defeat the weight battle, quickly and safely. “Meeting them at our first consultation, I knew they would be successful and support each other through the journey.”

Athletic police officer fights arthritis pain

While Daniel, a law enforcement officer, has always been athletic and an avid ice hockey player, his weight had climbed to more than 300 pounds.

He was also experiencing increasingly debilitating chronic pain due to severe arthritis. His orthopedist advised him the best treatment to reduce his pain was to lose weight.

“Because I’m active, I honestly didn’t realize how much weight I had gained,” Daniel says. “When I finally stepped on a scale and saw that I weighed 310 pounds, it was a shock.”

 Marie, age 31, gave birth to her children within 2 years of each other and works as an executive pastry chef. She didn’t grow up heavy, but faced significant weight gain with both children, which didn’t budge when she tried several diet and workout programs.

The couple had gastric sleeve surgery in January 2021, one week apart, at CentraState Medical Center, where Dr. Sowemimo serves as medical director of the Bariatric Center.

“It certainly helped that we were both eating the same foods and navigating this new lifestyle at the same time,” Daniel says.

However, the couple did not mirror each other’s weight loss progress—Daniel lost more weight early on, while Marie lost more weight six months after surgery.

Executive pastry chef navigates 80-pound weight loss

Marie at her sister’s small wedding in 2020.

Losing weight is difficult enough, but doing so while surrounded by beautiful desserts all day is a particularly unique challenge. One occupational hazard–Marie spends her days creating beautiful pastries–which often require tasting during the process.

“I took this weight loss journey surrounded by sweets and working in a restaurant, but I made it work,” Marie explains.

She sampled recipes, when necessary, but used a small tasting spoon and often turned to the palate of a trusted colleague for feedback.

‘Grazing’ is not recommended during bariatric weight loss, but it’s an ever-present requirement in the culinary field. Marie replaced sweet, fat and carb grazing with dipping into a bowl of grapes and watermelon, which are sweet and filling.

On the plus side of working in a restaurant, Marie can order healthy meal options. “Instead of asking Chef to make me a cheeseburger for lunch, now he grills vegetables with a healthy protein,” she notes.

Managing rapid weight loss and discovering new exercise opportunities

From January 2021 to October 2021, Daniel lost 120 pounds after gastric sleeve surgery.

Daniel found empowerment in his rapid weight loss. While he had gained and lost 50 pounds several times, his weight loss after the gastric sleeve was consistent. So consistent, in fact, that he needed a new uniform almost monthly.

He discovered a product called Hidden Tailor, which helped keep his loose clothing in place, which has come in handy several times this year.

Daniel also added a new sport to his regimen—jujitsu. “There are so many benefits to this practice,” Daniel explains. “It teaches patience and focus, in addition to self-defense. His hockey game has also seen a marked improvement. “No question, I am faster on the ice and have significantly more stamina.”

Marie joined the local gym and is comfortable trying new group classes. But most of her cardio and resistance exercise comes from chasing after two active toddlers.

Weight loss stats – 10 months after gastric sleeve surgery

Marie at her sister’s larger wedding held in 2021.

The couple successful weight loss resulted in a dramatic change in their clothing sizes:

Marie’s Stats – 82 pounds lost

  • Jan 2021 Surgery Day Weight: 250 pounds
  • Oct 2021 Weight: 168 pounds
  • Clothing size pre-surgery: 26/2X
  • October 2021: 8-10/medium.

Daniel’s Stats – 120 pounds lost

  • Jan 2021 Surgery Day Weight: 310 pounds
  • Oct 2021 Weight: 190 pounds
  • Clothing size pre-surgery: 44 waist/18.5 shirt
  • October 2021: 34 waist/16.5 shirt

 Marie and Daniel share words of experience

Marie in 2020 and today.

 

Dr. Sowemimo and Daniel celebrating his 120-pound weight loss in 10 months. (October 2021)

“People considering weight loss surgery don’t want to give up their favorite foods,” Daniel, a Chinese food lover, says. “But the sleeve operation also takes away a hunger hormone called ghrelin, so you don’t crave the sugar, junk food and bad food anymore.”

The couple advises people interested in weight loss surgery to perform their due diligence in advance, and not expect the surgery to erase emotional issues with food.

Marie shares that getting support and helping others by sharing your experience is also important to the couple.

“Prime Surgicare has a private Facebook group of 100 members who can post about issues they are having and also offer advice,” she says. The Bariatric Success Program also offers an online bi-monthly support group and monthly group exercise outing.

She also says that her career may be focused on food, but her life no longer revolves around it. “I’ve discovered so many new things in life that have nothing to do with food. It’s been incredibly freeing.”

Is weight holding you back from living the life you deserve?

weight loss surgery njThen let’s work together to get your health back on track:

  • Click here to learn more about the surgical weight loss process.
  • Reach out to our team of kind and respectful bariatric experts by calling (732) 414-2707. 
  • We’ll confirm relevant medical insurance and schedule a private consultation (telehealth or in-person) to talk with Dr. Seun Sowemimo or Dr. Jolita Auguste about your weight challenges and set a goal for the future.
  • Sign-up for one of our online webinars to meet Dr. Sowemimo and his team live to learn more and ask questions.

Prime Surgicare’s Bariatric Success Program offers a full range of support services to help you reach–and maintain–your weight for years to come.

Let’s get started!

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