Aggressive Bariatric Procedure Produces Dramatic Results

At 400 pounds, 48-year-old John Toussas, a plumber at the Jersey City Housing Authority, was fed up with dealing with diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and other problems his weight had caused. Years of yo-yo dieting and other weight-loss efforts that failed to keep the weight off pushed him to find a more permanent solution.

Previous weight issues had resulted in serious gallbladder complications, requiring its removal. John remembered his surgeon, Ayotunde Adeyeri, M.D., specialized in weight-loss surgery, so he made a new appointment.

Dr. Adeyeri found John to be a highly motivated patient whose medical history and condition warranted aggressive treatment. After discussing multiple options, they decided on a laparoscopic procedure called uodenal switch surgery, which would combine the traditional gastric sleeve procedure with a newer one where the duodenum is surgically bypassed.

This combination restricts the amount of food a patient can eat. The result is quick weight loss that is more easily sustained than other weight-loss procedures.

“The laparoscopic sleeve with duodenal switch is one of the most aggressive weight loss procedures we can perform,” Dr. Adeyeri says. The sleeve surgery and duodenal switch are frequently done at different times, but John’s serious medical conditions warranted doing them together.

Before and After Weight Loss Surgery

Before surgery, John was evaluated by a cardiologist, nutritionist and psychologist, and he underwent testing to ensure he was healthy enough to withstand the procedure and healing process.

On August 31, 2018, John checked into Old Bridge Medical Center, which is designated as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence by Optum and is nationally accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) as a Comprehensive Bariatric Center. “I was nervous checking in, but I was also excited and eager to have it done,” says John. “The staff was very caring, which reduced my stress.”

John closely followed his post-procedure diet, exercise and other medical advice. Within two years, he was less than half his former size, and since then, he’s maintained a healthy weight of 185 pounds.

Today, he has the stamina to work a full day and fits into many of the small, awkward spaces plumbers deal with. Instead of spending his leisure time relaxing, he is happy to go to the gym and work out. Friends and coworkers are astounded at his new appearance and energy, often asking him about his experience. “Two coworkers have had bariatric surgery after talking with me about my accomplishments,” John says.

The laparoscopic sleeve with duodenal switch is most effective for people who are extremely obese and have serious medical conditions that can be life-shortening. John was dealing with sleep apnea, as well as taking a lot of medication for diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. Now, all those conditions are gone as a result of his weight loss.

Using BMI to Find Your Healthy Weight

If your BMI (Body Mass Index) is over 30, Dr. Adeyeri suggests seeing a bariatric specialist, especially if you have any related medical conditions. “This is a fairly safe procedure and the only treatment modality that has been shown to give prolonged, sustained weight loss and the resolution of comorbidities like sleep apnea, diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol.”

What do you have to lose? For John, it was over 200 pounds and several serious medical conditions. What he has gained is a healthy body that enables him to lead an active life, as well as no longer taking medications for blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. For him, bariatric surgery was the perfect solution to a lifelong problem.

Next Steps & Resources

• Meet our source: Ayotunde Adeyeri, M.D.
• To make an appointment with a bariatric specialist near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
• Learn more about bariatric services at Hackensack Meridian Health.

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.