With support from the Surgical Weight-Loss Program at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway, Tamekia Reid improved her health and has lost 66 pounds—and counting.
From the time she was a little girl, Ms. Reid felt that her figure was fuller than it should be. For years, the 35-yearold mother of three tried to lose weight with different diets, workout routines, and weight-loss pills. Ms. Reid did not have sustained success until her health was on the line.
“Blood glucose screening showed I had prediabetes, and my ‘bad’ cholesterol—low-density lipoprotein or LDL—levels were high as well,” Ms. Reid says. “I had frequent migraines and I was choking when I slept. I knew I needed to try something new to protect my health.”
GETTING ANSWERS
When Ms. Reid received a flyer in the mail about a weightloss surgery seminar led by Anish Nihalani, MD, FACS, FASMBS, Medical Director of the Surgical Weight-Loss Program at RWJ Rahway, she signed up. At the followup appointment, Ms. Reid learned she had obstructive sleep apnea, which increases risk for heart disease and heart attack.
“When I committed to weight-loss surgery, I was connected with a dietitian and also began participating in motivational classes with other individuals going through the same process, which has been wonderful,” Ms. Reid says.
On Dec. 16, 2016, Dr. Nihalani performed laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy on Ms. Reid, and within the first 10 months, she lost 66 pounds, dropping from 254 to 188 pounds.
“Patients experience effective weight loss and avoid complications of obesity, such as high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes, and sleep apnea,” Dr. Nihalani says. “Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy helps more than 85 percent of patients— who commit to a new lifestyle of exercising and eating right—to keep the weight off five to 10 years after surgery. This compares with only 10 to 15 percent of those who lose weight without surgery.”
OFF-SCALE VICTORIES
Today, Ms. Reid is amazed by the changes in her life. Since the surgery, Ms. Reid’s migraines have improved— a known benefit of weight-loss surgery—and she no longer has symptoms of sleep apnea. Her blood glucose and cholesterol levels are back in healthy ranges, and she no longer has to take medication for her prediabetes or high cholesterol.
“Ms. Reid embraced being an active participant in her own journey by coming to support groups, running in the park, learning how to cook healthy meals, and attending a Healthy Eating Tour that I facilitate at a local ShopRite,” says Maria Bohn, MSN, RD, CDE, CBN, BCS, RN, NP-C, Bariatric Coordinator of the Surgical Weight-Loss Program at RWJ Rahway. “Active participation and interest by the patient strongly correlates with success, and Ms. Reid is proof of that.”
“I not only look smaller, I feel so much better,” Ms. Reid continues. “My family is very excited about my weight loss and is so supportive. We make healthier food choices as a family, and I work out three times a week. “
Surgery is not the whole solution—I have to exercise and follow the eating plan—but it was worth it,” Ms. Reid says. “If you want to feel more confident and lead a healthier life, do not hesitate to have this surgery done.”