South Florida Baptist Hospital Bariatrics Weight Management Holiday Open House on Dec. 7 brought together bariatric office team members along with former and current patients, who shared their experiences in the program with future patients. Vendors, raffle prizes and refreshments (the healthy kind) were also offered.
The Bariatrics Weight Management team includes a bariatric surgeon and dietitians, psychologists, clinical pharmacists, physical therapists, front office support and a program manager, learning skills needed for positive surgical outcomes and long-term weight management.
“We have a team that helps patients on their weight loss journey, the surgery is one piece of the puzzle,” said bariatric surgeon Dr. Anthony Rossi.
One satisfied former patient who attended the event was Polk City resident Brian Jones, 63. Before the surgery, Jones, who is 5’ 10” tall, weighed almost 400 pounds and suffered from several high-risk health conditions, including excruciating fibromyalgia and high blood pressure. “After four decades of trying, and failing, to lose the excess weight, I was frustrated and discouraged,” he said. “I’d eat and the food wouldn’t process so I gained and gained and tried to diet but it didn’t work.”
He heard about bariatric surgery and thought it would be a good fit. After discussing his problem with his general practitioner, he made an appointment for a consultation at BayCare Metabolic and Bariatric Center at South Florida Baptist Hospital, where his doctor recommended gastric sleeve surgery, also called sleeve gastrectomy, a surgical procedure involving removing a portion of the stomach, leaving behind a narrow “sleeve,” about the size of a banana. By reducing the size of the stomach, it restricts the amount of food Jones could eat in one sitting, making him feel full faster and reducing the amount of hunger hormones the stomach can produce.
Before Jones could have the surgery, he had to lose 30 pounds. After meeting that goal, he had the surgery in March 2021.
For Jones, the results were miraculous. Jones initially lost 180 pounds but his total to date is 151 pounds. His current weight is 250 pounds. “I went from a 20/22” neck to a 17” neck and from a 58” waist to a 42” waist,” he said. “I have four beautiful suits, in black, brown, smoke grey and navy blue, in my closet that now dwarf me.”
A problem many of us wish we had.
After the surgery, Jones said he definitely had to make lifestyle changes but the weight management team was there to help him.
“I don’t eat starches anymore, my favorite food is spaghetti and meatballs,” he said. He found a pasta alternative using heart of palm. Pizza is another favorite food. He still eats it but instead of a regular crust he uses a cauliflower crust.
“I will binge every once in a while on corn chips and salsa, I just don’t do it every day,” said Jones.
He stocks up on protein drinks when they go on sale at Walmart. He takes a bran supplement daily.
In addition to weight loss, he’s also seen improvements in his health. His fibromyalgia pain is gone. His blood pressure, once sky-high, is now normal.
He attended the open house with his wife Sharmalee. “I’m here because it’s the first time they’re celebrating the facility and I’m one of the alumni, a founding father,” he said.
His wife couldn’t be prouder of her husband’s discipline, willpower and determination. “He’s been doing great and I’m so proud of him,” she said.
Rossi said Jones’ commitment to change his eating habits dramatically will help him achieve lasting results. He was also an excellent candidate for the program.
“Good candidates are folks that have struggled with losing weight for a long time, so typically they’ve tried other things and just can’t seem to lost the weight they want to lose or keep it off,” he said. “A lot of people also have medical problems related to overweight, including hypertension, diabetes and sleep apnea and they come to see us for a consultation looking for help.”
The surgery requires an overnight stay in the hospital. Patients are back to normal light-duty activities in a couple days. “Patients have to be willing to commit to exercise and eating properly but that’s part of our Center of Excellence because we have those programs in place to help train and guide patients pre- and post-surgery,” said Rossi.
For more information about South Florida Baptist Hospital’s bariatric program, call 813-707-2152.