Even during the pandemic, Jackson resident Barbara Santino focused on weight management
In 2017, Barbara Santino’s primary care doctor, Dr. Vinod Shetty, suggested she consider surgical weight loss when the scale tipped over 300 pounds. He recommended she contact Dr. Seun Sowemimo at Prime Surgicare.
“I had been overweight at significant times in my life and was determined to finally get the weight off once and for all,” she recalls.
She checked Dr. Sowemimo’s patient reviews, signed up for his bi-monthly bariatric Support Group meeting and stayed for a seminar designed just for people considering weight loss surgery.
“Dr. Seun is like a wonderful, old-fashioned doctor but in modern times,” she says. “He really gets to know you and cares deeply about your weight loss journey and success. Today, he’s truly like family to me.”
Shortly after Barbara had gastric sleeve surgery, she had a concern and called Dr. Sowemimo on Sunday at 7 am. “I felt awful calling, but I was uncomfortable and needed his guidance,” Barbara says.
Dr. Seun called her back within the hour with a solution to her issue.
Now happily retired, Barbara has kept off the 120 pounds that she lost, even during the stresses of Covid-19. She hasn’t reached her weight loss goal yet, but she continues to make steady progress.
Pivoting her weight loss strategy during Covid-19
When fitness centers were closed during the pandemic, Barbara was forced to adjust her exercise plan.
“I started walking around the Manasquan Reservoir, which is about five miles, and it has become a daily passion that I rarely miss,” which she says takes about 1.5 hours to complete.
Most days, she cumulatively clocks about 15,000 steps.
Barbara says the walk gives her time to think, express gratitude and appreciate nature during all four seasons.
Dr. Seun explains the key asset of Barbara’s success
“While Barbara was very frustrated by her weight when we first met, she was also full of hope and genuinely motivated to do the required work,” Dr. Sowemimo recalls.
“People who are overweight later in life often think it’s ‘too late’ for them to lose a significant amount of weight, but that’s absolutely not true,” says Dr. Seun.
“We’ve seen many people in their 50s and 60s lose hundreds of pounds after surgical weight loss and truly gain a new lease on life.”
Dr. Seun Sowemimo
Prime Surgicare’s Bariatric Success Program provides each client with a personalized roadmap designed to maximize the potential for safe, fast and sustained weight loss.”
Using new tools to offset weight gain
In 2020, Barbara hit a weight loss plateau and turned to Dr. Seun for guidance.
“Dr. Seun explained that he had lost weight by intermittent fasting and thought it could also help me lose the weight and keep it off for the long-term.”
This year, I started intermittent fasting and felt like this is a great tool to help me continue to lose weight,” Barbara says. She stops eating after 8 pm and doesn’t eat until after her daily walk, around noon each day.
Referred to a 16:8 intermittent fast, she eats healthy food during an 8-hour window every day. During the fasting period, she tries to drink plenty of water and exercises in the morning for a maximum fat burn.
Intermittent fasting is one of Prime Surgicare’s exclusive new weight loss strategies available soon on Teachable.com, a self-guided online learning system.
She makes an effort every day to keep moving, no matter what. If the weather doesn’t permit her to walk around the Reservoir, she’ll park the farthest distance away from her destination to add as many extra steps a day as possible.
Learn more about intermittent fasting and the benefits of plant-based nutrition on Dr. Seun’s YouTube channel:
Keeping a Health Journal
Barbara is dedicated to keeping a daily journal where she jots down the most important facets of her day, which often include:
- Expressions of gratitude
- Daily food journal
- Exercise recap
“Journaling helps me to reflect on my day and make a plan for tomorrow,” she explains. “It’s a wonderful way to honor your days.”
Barbara Santino
Looking back on her bariatric experience, Barbara shares her insight for people considering a surgical weight loss solution:
“I encourage everyone to understand the process of this surgery fully and to do your research. Knowledge is power, always. For me personally, I wish I hadn’t hesitated so long to take this step. Not only is this surgery life-changing, it is also life-saving.”
Is 2021 the year you start your weight-loss success story?
Is your weight gain holding you back from living your best life?
If you’re located in the metro New Jersey area, 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.
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!