Mark Corrales hadn’t been able to tie his own shoes in 15 years. He suffered from obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, severe gout and degenerative joint disease. Add to that a case of GERD and borderline diabetes, and you have a picture of Mark’s physical health: uncomfortable, unhealthy and definitely un-Mark.

Gastric bypass surgery at Puget Sound Surgical Center helped Mark lose 213 pounds and improve his overall health. “The weight loss tool that was given to me changed my life,” he wrote in a testimonial for the center.

Mark’s treatment went beyond the surgery. “They connected me with an excellent nutritionist and people who were able to relate to my needs and cravings,” he said. “I started to eat things that were healthier, and surprisingly, I enjoyed them! I couldn’t believe it!”

Today, he participates in a fitness center cycling program and enjoys hiking. He has received promotions at work and more doors are open to him because he’s taking more challenges.

Mark’s success story revolves around a comprehensive program Puget Sound Surgical Center has set into place. The program begins before the patient’s bariatric surgery and continues one to two years after the surgery. “We don’t want to give a patient new surgery and a new chance of life, then simply send him on his way,” Torie McIntyre, public relations coordinator, explained. “We want to give our patients support for mind, body and spirit.”

That support comes in the form of nutrition therapy, an exercise program, counseling services and support groups that provide interaction with the other weight-loss patients. Puget Sound Surgical Center specializes in minimally invasive bariatric surgery including Lap-Band and Lap Sleeve surgery. The center also provides the latest in aesthetic cosmetic procedures such as SmartLipo, which tightens skin and eliminates fat using laser liposuction technology.

Upcoming surgical weight-loss seminars are scheduled for November 18th in Bellingham and December 10th in Edmonds. For details, contact Torie at the surgical center. She can guide you to educational information, help you sign up for a seminar and introduce you to staff specialists who will influence your success in building a healthier new you.

By reimbursing for weight loss surgery, overall health care cost would be reduced significantly since surgery patients would be less likely to obtain a secondary diseases like high blood pressure, stoke, heart attack, edema and diabetes once the weight comes off.

Most experts believe that there would be a national reduction of health care costs since less money would be spent on treating morbid obesity related diseases which in turn would also help to reduce insurance premiums.

What makes the TOGA procedure so unique is that no incisions are required to perform this surgery. Transoral gastroplasty is part of a new generation of surgery that uses natural orifices, like the mouth, anus or vagina to perform surgery instead of cutting through the skin.

Over the past 3 years more than 100 people in Europe and Mexico have had the TOGA procedure performed with an average weight loss of 40 percent of their excess body fat after one year post operative.

The TOGA system for transoral gastroplasty is being developed by Satiety, Inc, a medical device company based in Palo Alto, California. The company is now conducting clinical trials and is hoping for FDA approval in the near future.

Other experimental procedures recently tested at Stanford University include entrance through the vaginal opening in women. This has the benefit of having direct access to the body cavity and it’s internal organs. Recover and pain associated with this method has been minimal with pain similar to menstrual cramps.

Weight-loss procedures using natural orifices are under way in many clinical trials. Their success could minimize risks encountered in standard bariatric surgery procedures. Contact Puget Sound Surgical Center and talk to one of our board certified surgeons about these new procedures.

So let’s have some fun!  What are some habits that make you a “Gold Star” earner as a Lap Band-ite? What are some that might put you in detention?  With school starting soon it makes for a fun game.  I’d love to hear from y’all – I would hate to think I am alone on this board!

Go Hawks!

Jill