“I was only 20-years-old when my primary care doctor diagnosed me with pre-diabetes and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD),” recalls Sarah Jablonski, a former server and now the marketing manager of a popular Ocean County steakhouse.
“I had already tried every diet and exercise plan when Dr. Feingold suggested I consider bariatric surgery.”
Dr. Marc Feingold has been a well-known primary care physician in Manalapan for a decade. His medical practice focuses on holistic health and wellness, including tools to help offset obesity, which often contributes to serious health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, depression, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and even cancer.
“For some people, diet and exercise do not result in sustained weight loss,” Dr. Feingold notes.
“We have to offer these patients an alternative to take off the excess weight to improve health and reduce these weight-related medical issues.”
Obesity affects 4 out of 10 Americans today
More than 40% of Americans are not just overweight—they are obese. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) notes that about 1 in 10 Americans have type 2 diabetes today, a staggering 34 million Americans; many of these cases can be attributed to our growing obesity epidemic.
Dr. Feingold has recommended that several of his obese patients consult with board-certified bariatric surgeon and obesity expert Dr. Seun Sowemimo of Prime Surgicare located in Freehold and Jackson.
Prime Surgicare’s comprehensive Bariatric Success Program includes pre- and post-op private sessions with a bariatric dietitian; free bi-weekly Support Group meetings; a bariatric group fitness program at CentraState Fitness & Wellness Center; and a monthly group workout with Dr. Seun.
“I fully support Dr. Feingold’s comprehensive approach to health, because he focuses on helping patients prevent chronic disease from happening, regardless of age,” Dr. Seun says.
“He has been particularly successful in helping people overcome type 2 diabetes and other weight-related diseases.”
“I’ve seen it time and time again with my patients—after weight loss surgery, they lose the weight faster and it stays off for the long-term, so long as the person continues to follow a healthy lifestyle.”
“I knew after my first meeting with Dr. Seun that I would have surgery,” recalls Sarah. “I had tried everything else and the gastric sleeve operation was less invasive, which was important to me.”
Why the gastric sleeve is the most popular weight loss operation in the world
The sleeve gastrectomy, also called sleeve surgery or VSG, removes part of the stomach to make a smaller, banana-sized stomach or “sleeve.” This compact stomach will make you feel fuller faster and you’ll obviously eat much less, thus losing weight rapidly, when the post-op protocol is followed.
Sleeve surgery offers another unique benefit—it removes an appetite-stimulating hormone called ghrelin.
Dr. Sowemimo says people in their 20’s can be ideal candidates for surgical weight loss.
“Younger people are just starting out in life and should not be saddled by obesity, which has been proven to cause depression, substance abuse, lack of confidence and the same health risks older obese people face,” explains Dr. Seun.
The board-certified bariatric surgeon also states that younger people are at lower risk of complications after surgery.
A new life just one year after weight loss surgery
*Read about Sarah in Healthy Directions magazine (Fall 2020)
In June 2020, Sarah is no longer –pre-diabetic and her chronic GERD symptoms are a thing of the past.
She has lost 100 pounds and is just 20 pounds from a goal weight (a normal BMI). Her clothing size was a 28 before surgery and today she is a size 12.
It’s the little improvements in daily life which have made the most impact on her life—
“I can buckle the seatbelt on a plane without needing an extension, walk into a clothing store and know I can find something to fit me, and ride on any amusement park ride,” she says with a smile.
Losing weight has considerably boosted her energy to improve her life in other ways. The 21-year-old was promoted from server to the restaurant’s marketing manager and recently enrolled in culinary school at night.
She spends her free time taking hikes around New Jersey and jogs a few times a week to keep her metabolism burning, now that she has a professional desk job.
“I could not have taken this step without the help from my doctors who started me on this path,” Sarah says. “Younger people like me who have a lot of weight to lose shouldn’t keep hoping the weight will come off someday. Don’t wake up at 40-years-old and regret not losing the weight now.”
“For my patients who may benefit from weight loss surgery, I advise them just to sit down with Dr. Sowemimo, talk and get information with no obligation to move forward,” Dr. Feingold says. “Education is power in all things.”
Partner with your doctor to win the war against weight
Dr. Seun Sowemimo, medical director, Prime Surgicare, is a board-certified bariatric and GI surgeon specializing in hernia, gallbladder and colon surgery. He has offices in Freehold and Jackson, NJ. For telehealth appointments or to learn more, call (732) 982-2002 or visit primesurgicare.com.
Dr. Marc Feingold is a primary care physician (PCP) who provides wellness-focused healthcare at his medical practice located in Manalapan. He is affiliated with Consensus Health Network. For telehealth appointments or to learn more, call (732) 536-8008 or visit marcfeingoldmd.com.