Weight Loss Surgery Proven to Help Those Struggling with Excess Body Fat - Mount Sterling - Archived

Mount Sterling, Ky. (September 18, 2019) – More than one in three Kentucky adults are classified as obese. Obesity is linked to serious medical conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea and joint pain. Individuals struggling with an obesity-related condition, who have a body mass index of 35 or above, and those who have had difficulty losing weight through diet and exercise alone, may be a candidate for weight loss surgery.

“It’s important to maintain a healthy weight to prevent serious illnesses,” said Karen Hillenmeyer, PA-C, Program Director, Center for Weight Loss Surgery at Saint Joseph East. “Obesity is a disease that affects every system in the body. When an individual can’t lose weight through diet and exercise alone, weight loss surgery is often an option to put them on a path to a healthier lifestyle.”

Saint Joseph Mount Sterling invites those struggling with excess body weight to learn more about the benefits of weight loss surgery. Weight loss surgery programs from CHI Saint Joseph Health offer free, educational seminars. Patients also have access to a team of providers, including a registered dietitian, health psychologist and exercise physiologist.

“Surgery is just one part of the process for weight loss,” said Hillenmeyer. “Patients must also commit to lifestyle changes to successfully attain and maintain a healthy weight.”

The Center for Weight Loss Surgery at Saint Joseph East offers a full range of weight loss surgery options. Board-certified bariatric surgeons perform hundreds of procedures each year, using the latest minimally invasive techniques. The weight loss team at the center has performed more than 7,000 weight loss surgical procedures since 2002.

Chris Rogers of Paris, Ky., began his journey to better health at 417 pounds. He lost 37 pounds before surgery in June 2018, and, by June 2019, he had lost a total of 201 pounds.

“Before I decided to have surgery, everyday tasks were becoming a struggle – like getting dressed, tying my shoes and going out to eat,” said Rogers. “My only regret is waiting so long to have surgery. There’s not a single aspect of life that isn’t better because of my weight loss.”

“Weight loss surgery is proven to be significantly more effective in treating chronic obesity, compared to non-surgical methods of weight loss,” said Hillenmeyer. “Those who undergo weight loss surgery are also shown to have fewer cardiovascular problems, such as heart attack or stroke."

The Center for Weight Loss Surgery offers several different surgical options to consider, including gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy.

• Gastric bypass restricts the amount of food eaten and also reduces the amount of calorie absorption. By diverting the food, hormonal changes immediately occur, which have been proven to cure type 2 diabetes.
• The sleeve gastrectomy procedure also reduces the size of the stomach, making the patient feel full for a longer period.

Patients considering weight loss surgery should contact a specialist to learn more about treatment options, risk and benefits of surgery and treatment options. A multidisciplinary team should be involved to help the patient with dietary, exercise and emotional aspects of lifestyle change.

For more information about weight loss surgery, visit www.chisaintjosephhealth.org/lexington-weight-loss-surgery.

To read more about Chris Rogers’ weight loss journey, visit our blog.

About CHI Saint Joseph Health
CHI Saint Joseph Health, part of Catholic Health Initiatives, is one of the largest and most comprehensive health systems in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with 135 locations in 20 counties, including hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes and home health agencies. In total, the health system serves patients in 35 counties statewide. CHI Saint Joseph Health is dedicated to building healthier communities by elevating patient care through an integrated physical and behavioral health delivery system. CHI Saint Joseph Health embodies a strong mission and faith-based heritage and works through local partnerships to expand access to care in the communities it serves.

About Saint Joseph Mount Sterling
Saint Joseph Mount Sterling is a 42-bed community hospital located in Mount Sterling, KY. Established in 1918, the facility serves residents of Montgomery, Bath, Menifee, Powell and Rowan counties. An investment of $60 million opened the current facility in 2011.

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