What were you doing on January 9, 2017? If you’re like most of us, you have no idea. But for James Russo, owner of Russo Meats, it’s a day he’ll never forget. On that day, board-certified and fellowship-trained bariatric surgeons Dr. Bennett Togbe and Dr. Seun Sowemimo performed Joe’s gastric bypass surgery, who was fortunate to have no weight-related health issues going into surgery.
“I weighed 438 pounds at the time and was committed to getting my weight under control, Jim recalls. “I had tried all the diets beforehand, but they just didn’t work for me.”
Managing a Physically Demanding Job
“My job is very physical and I’m lifting and delivering heavy cases of meat to restaurants every day,” Jim explains. “The extra weight was slowing me down.” He says working with Dr. Togbe and the Prime Surgicare team has been great. In fact, he and wife Stephanie have recommended the doctor to other people who are interested in bariatric weight loss surgery, after seeing Jim’s resounding success.
The Cultural Nuances of Food
“Food is life in the Italian culture,” says wife Stephanie. “I’m incredibly proud that he’s been able to lose all of the extra weight in spite of it.”
Jim’s life has changed in big ways and small ways, since dropping 240 pounds and 12 clothing sizes.
“I don’t have any more leg or knee pain and it’s quick and easy to get dressed every day because I can wear anything,” the Monmouth County resident says.
“When I see customers who haven’t seen me in a while, they only recognize my voice, not the person in front of them. I love it!”
Daddy-Daughter Roller Coaster Rides
Now that the 43-year-old weighs less than 200 pounds, things in the Russo home are about to change.
His young daughter had one request since her Dad’s weight loss—she wants to go on the roller coaster with him this summer. Some years back, when the family visited Disney World, Jim wasn’t able to go on the rides with his young daughter, due to his size.
“I managed the first nine years of going on amusement park rides, now I can happily hand off that job to Jim,” Stephanie says with a smile. When asked what he would say to someone considering weight loss surgery Jim recalls a chat he had with someone having surgery this week. “I told her don’t be nervous, don’t have any second thoughts, just get it done.”
About Us
Dr. Seun Sowemimo and Dr. Bennet Togbe are board-certified and fellowship-trained, general, laparoscopic and 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 serving Monmouth and Ocean counties.
To learn more, visit our YouTube channel or call Prime Surgicare at (732)-982-2002.