We welcome you and supportive friends and family members to attend our Information Seminar on:
Wednesday, February 1, at 7 p.m.
This informative event will be hosted by board certified, fellowship-trained laparoscopic surgeon Dr. Seun Sowemimo, FACS, medical director, Prime Surgicare. During this informal session, you will learn more about weight loss surgery and have an opportunity to ask questions and make an appointment for a consultation. One of Dr. Sowemimo’s patients will also share her story of weight loss struggle and how she won the battle after gastric bypass surgery last year.
Dr. Seun Sowemimo, Tony and Julie Parrott, MS, RD, LD.
A huge “thank you” goes out to our patient, Tony Paulino, who spoke last night at our weight loss surgery New Patient Information Session at CentraState Medical Center. In nine months, Tony has lost 160 pounds after undergoing the gastric sleeve procedure. She also shared her before / after driver’s license photos which brought gasps to the audience!
Appendicitis can be a challenging condition to diagnose because abdominal pain can arise from a number of health problems. Symptoms can include consistent and worsening pain in the lower right abdomen and gastrointestinal problems (vomiting, constipation, diarrhea). See your family doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. The doctor will diagnose the condition by applying gentle pressure on the painful area. When the pressure is suddenly released, appendicitis pain will often feel worse, signaling that the adjacent peritoneum is inflamed. Other signs your doctor may watch for include abdominal rigidity and a tendency to stiffen your abdominal muscles in response to pressure over the inflamed appendix (guarding).
Minimally Invasive Surgical Benefits
If appendicitis is confirmed after blood, urine and ultrasound testing, the appendix can be surgically removed laparoscopically, using tiny incisions allowing for less pain, less blood loss, lower risk of infection and barely visible scars. But is this procedure really as safe and effective as a traditional “open” appendectomy? The answer is yes.
Laparoscopic appendectomy is performed by inserting small cameras and surgical instruments via small incisions in the abdomen. While the hospital stay is usually two to five days for an “open” or traditional procedure, laparoscopic patients can expect to be discharged within just 24 to 36 hours. Additionally, traditional appendectomy patients end up with a scar at least two to four inches long requiring up to six weeks of recovery time before resuming work and other normal activities.
But laparoscopic surgery isn’t appropriate for everyone. If your appendix has ruptured (burst inside the abdomen) and infection has spread beyond the appendix or if an abscess is present, you may require an open appendectomy. An open appendectomy allows your surgeon to safely clean the abdominal cavity and prevent the infection from causing additional health problems.
Worsening Stomach Pain? Call Your Doctor
Most importantly, if you experience consistent or worsening abdominal pain don’t wait to see your doctor. A ruptured appendix is a more serious and complex condition to address and your recovery time will be significantly increased as a result.
Seun Sowemimo, MD, FACS, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained advanced laparoscopic, bariatric and general surgeon. He is the medical director at Prime Surgicare and Central Jersey Bariatrics. If you are facing a routine or complex surgical procedure, call (732) 637 – 6370 to set up a consultation with Dr. Sowemimo (Dr. Seun).
Kellie’s life has taken a dramatically different turn now that she has dropped 135 pounds since April 2011. She’s also left behind the high blood pressure (200 / 120), fibromyalgia, borderline diabetes and reduced her osteoarthritis. Looking for inspiration to move foward with your weight loss goal? Watch Kellie tell her inspiring story
There is nothing more fulfilling than to help a wonderful person turn down a different path and find good health again. Allison, a 52-year-old wife and mother from Monmouth County, shares her personal challenge of losing the weight, overcoming her diabetes, and gaining back her ability to enjoy life to the fullest.
We will be following Allison’s journey over the next year as she makes major changes in her diet, exercise and health. She will be supported by Prime Surgicare’s nutritionists and patient support group as well as family and friends.
Here, Allison, 52, shares her weight loss surgery experience with Prime Surgicare in Freehold, NJ and exclaims, “These have been the life-changing events of my life–marriage, children and my weight loss surgery!”
November 17, 2011 Update: Allison has just filmed her three-month post op weight loss update. We will be posting this exciting update within the next few weeks. You won’t want to miss it!
Karen Fabiny, RN, has a great deal of exposure to the ins and outs of weight loss surgery. As a staff nurse at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, she helps patients before and after various surgical procedures, including gastric bypass and the gastric sleeve procedure. At 51-years-old and with a family history of obesity, Karen knew the time had come for her to make a change. Weighing more than 300 pounds, she was taking three medications for high blood pressure and experiencing chronic joint pain in her knees and ankles.
“I watched Dr. Sowemimo (Dr. Seun) interact with patients before and after surgery and was impressed by his care and concern for each of them,” Karen says. “Once I made the decision to have bariatric surgery, there was no question he was the surgeon for me.” Karen and Dr. Seun agreed that the minimally invasive gastric sleeve procedure (sleeve gastrectomy) would be the best surgical solution for her. Gastric sleeve is one of the safest bariatric operations offering shorter hospitalization, quicker recovery time and less pain.
Starting on the road back to health
Karen began working with the nutritionists even before her surgery. She learned how to change her eating patterns throughout the weight loss surgical journey and even lost 10 pounds before surgery. She also attended CentraState’s support group meetings with other patients who were undergoing bariatric surgery.
“After just 10 weeks, I lost 50 pounds. At that point, I was more motivated and comfortable to start walking outside and get my body moving again,” Karen recalls. At six months, she had lost 85 pounds and was exercising regularly, following her meal plan and enjoying non-stop compliments from family, friends and colleagues at the hospital. She attended an annual summer picnic with her husband and when they arrived, the group thought her husband had brought another woman to the event. “Our friends whom we don’t see very often did not recognize me until I started talking to them,” Karen recalls. “That was a very memorable day for me.”
From size 28 down to size 12 in one year
A year later, Karen has given away her clothing in sizes 26/28 and replaced them with size 12 clothing. She can no longer shop in plus-size clothing stores. She has lost 130 pounds and is not finished yet. “One of the nutritionists, Karen Scott, RN, BSN, helped me understand the importance of eating protein and how this helps keep you feeling full and energized throughout the day, “Karen says. Today, her meals are centered around protein drinks and bars, Greek yogurt, fruits and vegetables and appropriate portions of white protein.
“My life has changed, that’s for sure. My only regret is that I didn’t do this sooner. At the same time, this experience has been worth the wait.”
Karen Fabiny shown before her weight loss surgery.
Karen Fabiny smiles a year later and 130 pounds lighter.
Less than a year after her procedure, our always happy, always positive patient, Nancy Santoriello, reports she’s dropped a whopping 125 pounds.
“Went to the Dr. today. I’m down 125 lbs. almost a year since my surgery. He was very happy with my 60% weight loss. Shooting for another 10% by Sept 10, a year since my surgery :)”
Nancy, you are an inspiration to many and we know you will be successful. We’re behind you 100%! Keep up the great work.
Here’s a Facebook update from our patient, Tony P., just five months after gastric bypass surgery:
“Hi Dr. Seun, just wanted to stop by your page to let you know that my medical doctor officially took me off of all my diabetes medications effective today. I had a blood test done on Monday, July 11 and my blood sugar level was 58 and he said to stop taking all the medicine for diabetes. I was soooooooooo happy. In two weeks, when I go back to see the doctor, he will work on taking away the high blood pressure medications also. Wow, I cannot believe how much I have progressed in the short time since my surgery which is now almost five months. Thanks again Dr. Seun!”
Even if we haven’t met, we welcome the opportunity to stay in touch with you on Facebook or Twitter.
(Ed. Note: We’re ‘friends’ with Tony Paulino, one of our recent gastric sleeve patients, who posted this update to us on his Facebook page. Thank for your inspiring words, Tony! Keep up the amazing work!)
“Hi Dr. Seun,
I just wanted to let you know that today it is four months since I had the sleeve done and could not be a happier person. When I look back, I really cannot believe that I had the surgery, but am very happy that i did. My medical doctor has been monitoring my diabetes and high blood pressure medications and so far he has taken three pills away. I am extremely grateful for all the help that you have given me, especially at a time of need.”
Tonight at CentraState Medical Center’s Health Awareness Center, Freehold Township, I’ll be talking about the different aspects and options for weight loss surgery. Some patients are ideal candidates and others may not be suitable for this surgery.
If you would like to stop in, listen or ask questions, we welcome you! This lecture is free. To register, just call Jessica at 732-637-6370.
