11 / 16
www.jackson.org
11
“I can’t wait to go to an
amusement park and ride a
roller coaster. It’s going to
be so much fun!” —Cindy
Tucker
altered, preserving the function of the
stomach. Other advantages include:
•
The rest of the gastrointestinal tract
anatomy is not altered, so the food
ingested follows the normal course.
This results in less chance of develop-
ing a lack of vitamins and minerals
and eliminates dumping syndrome.
•
A minimal chance of developing
ulcers.
•
Significantly decreased hunger due to
the removal of the part of the stom-
ach that produces the main stimulat-
ing hormones.
•
Fewer office visits than the Lap Band,
since there is no need for band size
adjustments.
How does sleeve gastrectomy
compare to gastric bypass?
Gastric
bypass surgery is the most common
form of bariatric surgery. During this
procedure, the intestines are rerouted
and a small stomach pouch is created
by stapling off the main body of the
stomach. Following the procedure, when
eating, food flows through the created
pouch, bypassing the main portion of
the stomach and emptying slowly into
the small intestine where it is absorbed.
Gastric bypass is not for everyone.
More patients qualify for a gastric sleeve
procedure, which promotes rapid, long-
term weight loss without implants and
without rerouting the intestinal tract.
This makes the surgery ideal for those
who do not need something as serious
as gastric bypass. It also means that the
sleeve gastrectomy is sometimes used in
the morbidly obese who do not qualify
for gastric bypass.
Because sleeve gastrectomy is ideal
for so many obese patients, it is the
procedure that Jackson Hospital per-
forms and recommends to patients who
qualify.
A new beginning
Tucker worked with the hospital to tran-
sition into a new, healthy post-surgery
lifestyle.
“The hardest part was cooking ap-
propriate food for myself,” she says. “I had
to retrain myself on how to fix myself a
plate.”
She adhered to a diet intended for
healing and acclimation. She began
with clear liquids and then transitioned
to full liquids, purees, soft foods and—
eventually—with a regular diet. Jackson
Hospital staff helped to guide Tucker
through the post-op process, but she
knows her health depends on her daily
choices.
“I feel like I am in charge of my
health,” Tucker says. “This journey has
changed my life, and I was ready for the
challenges and the changes. I can’t wait to
go to an amusement park and ride a roller
coaster. It’s going to be so much fun!”
Dr. Gary says, “Changes in your diet,
exercise and behavior patterns are vital
for success in the long run. Keep in
mind the changes you make now will
benefit your health and quality of life.
The lifestyle changes are significant in ac-
complishing and maintaining weight-loss
goals. Weight loss always has obstacles,
but when you overcome them, the jour-
ney becomes very fulfilling.”
“I feel like a new
person!” —Cindy
Tucker
If you or someone
you love is
considering a
bariatric
procedure, please
contact Jackson
Hospital for a
consultation.
To schedule a
consultation with
Dr. Gary, call
334-293-6858
.
COMMUNITY
TAGLINE HERE
WEIGHT LOSS