A Patient’s Story - Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG)
More energy, improved flexibility and new outlook for cargo ship pilot
Stephen Naples is articulate, engaging and self confident. After years of struggling with his weight, the Jackson resident researched weight loss surgery, talked with family members and selected Dr. Sowemimo from Prime Surgicare to consult with after viewing his bariatric weight loss webinars at www.PrimeSurgicare.com.
“Mr. Naple’s goal was to lose a substantial amount of weight,” Dr. Sowemimo (Dr. Seun) explains. “With my guidance, Mr. Naples chose the minimally invasive vertical sleeve gastrectomy as a solution because, as a seaman, he could not attend frequent follow-up visits necessary for the gastric band procedure.
Gastric sleeve surgery, a laparoscopic procedure also known as gastric sleeve resection or vertical sleeve gastrectomy, is a less invasive weight loss procedure that removes up to 80 percent of the stomach leaving only a small tube (called a sleeve) that will serve as the new and smaller stomach. This procedure promotes weight loss by limiting food intake and lessening the sensation of hunger, but does not involve more complex intestinal rerouting or food malabsorption (lack of absorbing nutrients from consumed food).
“Before and after surgery, I met with Karen Scott, RD, Prime Surgicare, about what foods were right for me to eat immediately after surgery and once I was eating regular food again,” Stephen, age 52, explains. “I learned that losing weight is not just about eating less-it’s about eating and living a healthy lifestyle every day.” Stephen also says the meetings with Karen and Dr. Seun reinforced that he had a solid support team behind him and he could be successful for the long term.
The average amount of weight loss from this type of bariatric procedure is typically 60 percent of excess weight in the first 12 months after surgery. Studies have shown that after this procedure, patients may also show marked improvement in diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and sleep apnea conditions.
Dr. Seun performed Stephen’s surgery at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, which is accredited as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence by The American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. The procedure took place on Friday morning and he went home Saturday afternoon. Stephen consumed a clear diet for about a week and then moved to creamy liquids and soft foods. He was eating regular food a month after the procedure.
Nine weeks after surgery, Stephen has lost more than 50 pounds. “The most important advice I can offer anyone considering weight loss surgery is not to worry about what other people think or say. Do what is right for you and don’t look back-look forward.”
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