There are 24 million people in the U.S. who are morbidly obese; 72.5 million people meet the criteria for obesity. With bariatric surgery, a single intervention can change the lives of many of these people. Cape Coral resident Bill Reese was one of them. He had high blood pressure, took 16 pills a day and was about to need daily shots to keep his Type 2 diabetes in check.
Obesity is an epidemic, and not enough is being done nationwide to eliminate it. The condition is tied to a host of metabolic disorders. Like Bill, obese people can suffer from issues such as Type 2 diabetes, urinary disorders, high blood pressure, heart failure, digestive disorders, gallbladder disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep apnea, liver problems, depression and a shortened life expectancy. Bariatric surgery can help alleviate or reverse many of these problems. A pleasant side effect is an improved appearance, although it should not be confused with cosmetic surgery.
Bill was always active and loved deep sea fishing, but when his diabetes began to get out of hand, enough was enough. When Bill was ready to make a healthy lifestyle change, he went to Venice Regional Bayfront Health because of its excellent reputation. “The doctors and nurses are by your side all the way,” he said.
He is the only Surgeon of Excellence and Venice Regional Bayfront Health is the only designated Center of Excellence in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery by Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) and the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program in Sarasota, Charlotte and Manatee County.
Today, Bill is 180 pounds lighter and his only pill is a vitamin. Weight is still a concern—but not his own—he’s looking to catch 20-30 pound grouper.
Joseph E. Chebli, M.D., FACS, FASMBS has personally performed more than 1,000 bariatric surgeries. All procedures are performed laparoscopically and include the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, adjustable gastric banding and revision procedures. Dr. Chebli focuses on his patients’ complete picture of health, specifically improvements in Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and lipid disorders.
Venice Regional Bayfront Health
855-876-2362
www.VeniceRegional.com/WeightLoss