Burlington County couple prioritizes healthy living for their young children and the future
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
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
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
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
“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?
Then 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!