HEALTHY LIFESTYLE · AUGUST 2017
I CAN DANCE AGAIN !
Ms . Quintana is a determined , dedicated and strong individual . When I first met her , she had a list of her medications , along with a tally of her latest glucose and blood pressure measurements . It was clear that she had a goal , a goal to improve her health and take control of her life again .
Throughout her adult life , obesity had gradually taken a toll on her overall health . Diagnosed with diabetes , high blood pressure , and arthritis , she ’ d tried various diets - some more successful than others - but nothing made a significant difference .
Her blood pressure and diabetes were very well-controlled with medications ; however , the arthritis and chronic knee and back pain forced her to have to use a cane . That loss of mobility prohibited her from partaking in her favorite hobby , and only form of regular physical exercise - dancing . She was determined to do whatever it took to regain control of her health once and for all . That is what led her to learn more about bariatric or weight loss surgery .
Eight months ago , she underwent a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy . This procedure involves removing about two thirds of the stomach to restrict food intake . It can often result in as much as 50-70 % of excess weight loss . The impact goes well beyond just the weight loss though . Fortunately , it can lead to remission for some and / or improvement of several medical condition that are associated with obesity for others .
As for Ms . Quintana , she was taken off the medications that controlled her blood pressure and diabetes , as they were no longer medically necessary . These conditions have been so well – controlled without medications that she was advised that there was no benefit to checking her sugar levels
Patient Minerva Quintana . as often as she had in the past . But the most satisfying milestone for her after her surgery was when she traded the cane for her dancing shoes . Now , she is a dancing machine and no longer uses a cane . She ’ s even found that new music to entertain her passion and is excited to start rebuilding a new wardrobe .
If you are considering weight loss surgery , I recommend learning about the options for surgery and attending an information session . There is a lot you must learn before making a decision . Weigh the pros and cons . Think about what ’ s best for you and learn about ways to start improving your diet and lifestyle . Weight loss surgeries have many benefits , but they also carry with them unique risks . Speak to a qualified surgeon and ask any questions you might have . In addition to consulting a qualified physician , you may want to take advantage of message boards and blogs . Gain perspective from people who ’ ve had weight loss surgery . Learn from their experiences . Discover things you might not have considered before .
Ms . Quintana continues to be a dedicated and disciplined person . Her surgery helped her reach optimal results . To date she has lost over 80 pounds . She has traded her diabetes pills for multi-vitamins and has traded in her walking cane for a pair of dancing shoes .
AFTER
BEFORE
By Dr . Veronica Guerrero