How to Prepare for Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery

By Dr. Seun Sowemimo, MD, FACS, FASMBS

Why Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy are not the solution to sustained long-term weight loss

Treating patients with obesity since 2008, I’ve seen countless weight loss medications come and go. They arrive as the ‘easy road to weight loss’ and soon depart with a reputation for causing harm to the body, causing unpleasant side effects, and ultimately, the user experiences weight regain.

Losing weight is not terribly difficult; keeping the weight off

for the long-term is the real challenge.

Again, in 2023, we are faced with another set of medications (Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy) chemically formulated for diabetic patients. For people who are significantly overweight—with a BMI over 35 (check your BMI) or who need to lose 75 pounds or more, surgical weight loss offers far more long-term benefits for sustained weight loss. I’ve outlined four specific reasons below:

1. The permanence of surgery versus chronic medication use

Prescribed weight loss medications can promote weight loss, particularly early on, but the medication’s effects may diminish over time, rekindling the appetite to resume overeating. Conversely, people who undergo gastric bypass or gastric sleeve surgical weight loss have a decreased volume of stomach to fill for life.

People who are reliant on weight loss medications may lose insurance coverage or experience financial challenges and no longer be able to afford expensive maintenance medications.

2. Lessening/alleviating chronic medical condition symptoms

Bariatric surgery promotes significant weight loss but can also reduce or even alleviate weight-related medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and sleep apnea–often within weeks after surgery. Modifying the gastrointestinal tract can also correct hormonal imbalances, reduce insulin resistance and alleviate metabolic syndrome disease.

Weight loss medications may eventually help manage obesity-related health issues, but results are experienced later in the weight loss process and return if the weight is eventually regained.

3. Scientific evidence of long-term weight loss outcomes

More than 30 years of clinical studies have shown that bariatric surgery leads to long-term health improvements and increased longevity. People experience lower incidences of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and even certain cancers. Medications, on the other hand, may offer temporary weight loss benefits, but there is no long-term data on the positive and negative effects of using these drugs over the long term.

4. Lifestyle changes and support

Bariatric surgery serves as a catalyst for adopting healthier lifestyle habits. Weight loss surgery patients receive lifestyle weight management services, often mandated by medical insurance, including:

· One-on-one dietitian guidance

· Exercise and fitness advising

· Psychological counseling before/during/after weight loss

· Patient support group opportunities

These services play a powerful role in achieving and maintaining lifestyle improvement and weight management success. Even doctor-prescribed weight loss medications typically do not include lifestyle support education or weight maintenance guidance.

During Wegovy clinical trials, participants who took the medication also received one-on-one dietary counseling and clinical weight loss guidance from obesity experts. This clinical support played a key role in their eventual weight loss success. Weight loss drug providers may forego the added time and effort to offer healthy lifestyle patient education, leading to eventual weight regain.

Learn more about Prime Surgicare’s Bariatric Success Program

While Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy may provide short-term weight loss benefits, bariatric surgery offers obese people proven safe, long-term health and weight loss outcomes–if they follow prescribed post-surgical guidelines—for weight loss and improved overall well-being.

State-of-the-art bariatric surgery with healthy lifestyle education

To learn more about gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, gastric band (lap band) removal or bariatric revision surgical weight loss, call Dr. Seun Sowemimo, MD, FACS, FASMBS at 732-414-2707 for a prompt consultation. Learn more about the weight loss surgery journey from our bariatric patients.

My weight loss journey has been marked by honesty from the very beginning. Recently, a picture from my past popped up in my Facebook Memories; although I was pleased with the physical difference I saw, it also stirred up a whirlwind of emotions. I felt off-kilter, embarrassed and angry with myself. It dawned on me how much time I wasted, time that I will never get back. The realization of how I had let myself become so big was horrifying to me.

Amidst these emotions, I couldn’t help but acknowledge that the pandemic inadvertently qualified me for weight loss surgery. Countless servings of comfort food–banana bread, lasagna, eggplant Parmesan, pizza, pasta, chocolate and alcohol–tipped the scales in favor of my insurance granting surgery coverage. While these indulgences were shared with good company and provided comfort during uncertain times, I can’t help but reflect on my choices.

I am immensely grateful for the incredible Prime Surgicare team that performed my weight loss surgery and supported me throughout my post-surgery nutritional efforts. Surprisingly, the surgery itself turned out to be the easiest part.

Life after reaching goal weight

After two and a half years, I can honestly say that weight loss maintenance is the most challenging aspect of my weight loss journey. During times of stress or sadness, old habits tend to resurface. I may still reach for something sweet and comforting, but now it’s in much smaller portions. I’m fortunate to work with two incredibly fit young ladies who generously share their fitness tips with me. They also serve as a means to relieve stress.

What fills me with the most pride is the progress I have made in healing my mind, which has also helped heal my body.

For years, I found myself in a dark place. To avoid letting down those who loved me, I made myself larger, believing that if I took up more space, I could hide away from the world. Self-deprecating humor and sarcasm became my coping mechanisms. But deep down, I wasn’t happy.

Adding mental health support to my weight management arsenal

Weight loss surgery involves more than just the physical aspects; it delves into the psychological realm as well. I underwent extensive consultations with various physicians, including cardiologists, pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, and sleep doctors. Addressing my mental health proved crucial to my success in maintaining my weight loss, and it will remain an ongoing commitment throughout my life.

No matter what size you are, every individual, regardless of their shape, size, age, or any other factor, deserves love, care, empathy, compassion, and peace. While I occasionally make jokes about my midsection or poke fun at my physical appearance, I am learning to be kinder to myself.

The secret to long-term weight loss: Self-love

I encourage you to continue fighting your own demons. Every day, make an effort to love yourself a little more and engage in activities that bring you joy and promote a healthier body–regardless of the number on your clothing tag. Through this journey, I finally realized I was good enough all along. From my Buddha belly and oversized T-shirts to self-tanner and blonde hair to conceal the grays, I am a constant work in progress, and that’s perfectly okay.

To learn more about surgical weight loss options, including gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, lap band replacement or bariatric revision, call our friendly team of bariatric professionals at 732-414-2707 for a prompt private consultation with medical director Dr. Seun Sowemimo.

Choosing Gastric Sleeve for Health Over Weight Loss

Posted by: Stephanie In: Bariatric Success Program, bariatric surgeon, Blog Post, Gastric Sleeve, WFPB, whole food plant based 25 Sep 2023 0 comments Tags chronic foot pain, dr sowemimo patient reviews, dr. sowemimo patients, gastric sleeve surgeon, heart disease lifestyle, male obesity, men who have bariatric surgery, nj bariatirc surgeon, sleeve surgery, weight loss surgery near me. top rated bariatric surgeon

“I chose bariatric surgery to help lessen my health issues, not just to lose weight.” – Brian Freedman

Brian Freedman battled heart disease from age 40 and also suffered from a debilitating tendon injury in his foot, which required him to wear a heavy Richie Brace to maintain his mobility. Both conditions were worsened by the extra 70 pounds he was carrying. After yo-yo dieting without success, his cardiologist recommended he see Dr. Seun Sowemimo about surgical weight loss.

“I’m an active person who couldn’t be active,” Brian, age 55, explains. “I needed to lighten the load on my foot and continue to support my heart health.” At age 40, he had undergone a quadruple bypass after a heart attack.

“Brian is the ideal example of someone who significantly benefited from surgical weight loss even though he was not extremely overweight,” explains Dr. Sowemimo, who performed a sleeve gastrectomy (gastric sleeve) for Brian in September 2022. “But he had chronic medical conditions worsened by his excess weight. Losing just 70 pounds has completely transformed his health in just 12 months.”

A lover of the outdoors and boating, the national director of sales could walk about 1,500 steps a day before the pain in his foot took over. While his family focused on eating heart-healthy Mediterranean-style foods, he had a strong affinity for diet soda, which he knew needed to stop.

“Once I had sleeve surgery, I felt like I re-learned how to eat, starting with liquids, then solids, and eventually focusing on eating more plant-based foods,” Brian notes. Today, he eats meat occasionally but says he has not been hungry since the operation. He tried diet soda for the first time in months and realized he no longer enjoyed it.

Check out Dr. Seun’s Weight Loss Plan Online Course

Life changes after gastric sleeve surgery

“The pain in my foot is remarkably resolved, so I can do so much more, including trying new activities like pickle ball, without worrying I’m going to hurt myself or feel a ton of pain afterward.” He routinely walks more than five miles daily, pain-free. A boating enthusiast, Brian can comfortably stand on his boat without pain or difficulty maneuvering. His sleep quality has vastly improved due in part to increased physical activity and reduced foot pain.

Brian, whose weight hovers around 160 pounds today, says gastric sleeve surgery was the best-in-class option to transform the rest of his life. ”Most importantly, I want to thank my incredible wife, family and friends who supported me every step of the way. I could not have done this without their support.”

If you are tired of battling weight-related chronic medical conditions, contact us to talk about the possibility of surgical weight loss to help remediate these issues and put you on track to fully enjoying life. Call 732-414-2707 to schedule an appointment in our Freehold or Jackson, NJ offices.

Gastric Sleeve Success: Jennifer’s 112-Pound Transformation

Posted by: Stephanie In: Bariatric Success Story, bariatric surgeon, Blog Post, Gastric Sleeve, Horizon BCBS in network bariatric 09 Aug 2023 0 comments Tags bariatric client review, dr sowemimo patient reviews, gastric sleeve patient review, hwo to lose more than 100 pounds, i lost 100 pounds, nj bariatric center, weight loss surgery patient review, weight loss transformation

(Ed. Note: The bariatric weight loss journey is just that–a journey. We are grateful to our patients, like Jennifer Miranda, below, who shares their insight before, during and after they have achieved goal weight. This month, Jennifer shares her experience and advice as she approaches the “1s” (under 200 pounds) and loses the last 50 pounds before her goal. Thank you for your wisdom and inspiration!)

The Eight Weight Loss Tools You’ll Learn After Weight Loss Surgery

By Jennifer Miranda – Gastric Sleeve – Nov. 2021

I have body dysmorphia, so it’s hard for me to see my 112-pound weight loss, going from 316 to 204 pounds. Logically, I know it is a huge difference. I recently hired a trainer to lose the rest of the weight and tone up. The journey is getting easier over time–seeing, feeling, and recognizing triggers (and stopping them dead in their tracks before they become a bigger issue). ‘Mental hunger’ versus ‘body hunger’ has also become clearer as I progress.

I resented having the surgery for a good while because I could no longer ‘eat’ my feelings. This made me feel a bit like I wasn’t in control. But I’ve since learned that control isn’t about what I can or can’t eat or how much I can eat; it’s about knowing why I want to do it and how to better manage those feelings.

My advice to people considering weight loss surgery? As I head into the home stretch of my journey, I can assure you this is not a ‘quick fix.’ Here are eight lifelong tools you will relearn during the weight loss surgery process:

How to have a proper relationship with food
How to listen to our bodies
How to properly handle stress and emotions
Discover or rekindle a food-free hobby to do when you would previously turn to eating.
Journal everything: your ups, downs, feelings, measurements and print out photos to drop in!
Call Prime Surgicare if you are feeling overwhelmed, having physical issues or need guidance.
Do not compare journeys with others who are losing weight
Stick with what Dr. Seun suggests. He knows the magic formula. Trust it.

During this life change, please put yourself first for once! Love yourself enough. Trust your decision. Don’t rush it. Enjoy each and every new victory coming your way! The rest (and the best) is yet to come.

Weight Loss Surgery Blog

Busy Hospital Employee Focuses on Her Own Health and Loses 163 Pounds

Working two jobs on her feet all day, Denise of Ocean County, NJ, lost more than 150 pounds the first year after gastric sleeve surgery

Going directly to the source for a bariatric surgeon recommendation

“I don’t have anything dramatic to report about my first year after surgery, other than the fact that I lost 163 pounds,” Denise says with a smile. “Dr. Seun’s process is laid out for you from start to finish, so all you have to do is follow it.”

“I realized the other day that I haven’t been the weight I am now since middle school—which definitely motivates me to keep going.”

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Considering weight loss surgery?

Why Bariatric Surgery Trumps Weight Loss Drugs for Severe Obesity