Abacoa & Alton Neighbors - January 2022

J a n u a r y 2 0 2 2 | Abacoa &Alton N E I G H B O R S 15 HEALTH & WELLNESS Couple has Bariatric Surgery on the Same Day: Have Lost a Combined 270 Pounds and are Medication Free By Allen Poston, Director Of Marketing, Wellington Regional Medical Center It seems so strange that a simple routine trip to the store to buy a new pair of shorts could actually change a person’s life. People do it every day, walk into the store, grab the shorts, pick up a few more items and get on with their day. But as Mike O’Connor and his wife, Elaine, stood there holding Mike’s size 50 waist shorts, he reached his breaking point. Well, more accurately, they had reached their breaking point and they finally decided to do something about it like they always had – together. For Mike and Elaine, it was like a lot of people who struggle with weight; add a little each year, a few years later get frustrated and go on a diet, drop some pounds only to eventually gain all of it back plus a little more. So standing in the clothing store, Mike decided the cycle needed to end. “”I was told probably 10 years ago by a doctor about the surgery and I got angry and thought ‘the nerve of him’,” said Mike. “I kept putting it off thinking I could do it and did not need surgery, but eventually, standing in that store, we both knew it was time – for both of us.” Mike was referred to Srinivas Kaza, MD, and the accredited Wellington Regional Weight Management Center. At the time, both Mike and Elaine were taking multiple medications for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and battling medical conditions related to their weight. At their highest weight, Elaine was close to 250 pounds while Mike was 340 and they were ready to take the next step in what would change their life. The question became not if they were going to have the surgery performed, but when they would. As it turned out, they would do it on the same day. After all, Mike and Elaine said they did everything together, why not the surgery as well? The pair decided to have the gastric bypass surgery at Wellington Regional. Fast forward about a year, they lost a combined 270 pounds and no longer take any medications for medical conditions. But more importantly, they have their health and energy back. They have also regained the ability to do many of the activities that had disappeared as the weight came on; some as simple bending over to pick up shoes from the floor others as important as picking up a grandchild – even the four-legged version of a grandchild. “Taking the dogs out for a walk, we can go much further than the two or so houses we could previously,” said Elaine. “Now the dogs get tired and need to stop and take a rest before we do. Now we can just walk and walk, where before we would have to stop.” “If somebody is considering bariatric surgery, Wellington Regional is a Class A organization from the very beginning to the very end,” said Mike. “I have never had surgery before, and I would do it again because it was just that great.” “It feels wonderful to have helped them. Surgery is not an easy decision and we have seen a lot of sick individuals with a lot of medical issues,” said Dr. Kaza. “So when you are able to help those patients, it makes you feel good and makes it all worthwhile.” Learn more > wellingtonregional.com/bariatrics Pro Tennis Stringing www.jupiterstrings.com • 5 61-566-4508 Jupiter Strings has the LARGEST selection of strings and grips in Palm Beach County. 10% OFF for Abacoa & Alton Residents BEFORE AFTER