Local Woman Can Now Shop Until She Drops After Losing More Than 90 Pounds

By Tracy Simons | Silver Cross Hospital

For many women shopping at the mall is a fun activity, but for 45-year-old Edna Lopez, the idea filled her with anxiety.

“When I weighed over 200 pounds, I did most of my shopping online because I felt so self-conscious at the mall,” Edna said. “I didn’t want people looking at me because of my weight.”

Since losing over 90 pounds after having weight loss surgery at Silver Cross Hospital, however, Edna loves to walk the mall and shop.

Prior to her weight loss, Edna suffered from joint pain, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Since her surgery, she no longer takes high blood pressure medication.

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“As a line operator at a corn oil processing plant, I’m on my feet a lot. Since my weight loss, I have no pain in my feet which really allows my work day to be pain free,” said the Joliet resident. “I now enjoy walking without being out of breath. I can climb stairs and even wear high-heel shoes!

“My advice to others that are considering surgery is to do your homework and work with your doctor to figure out what surgery would be best for you.”

After researching quality weight loss programs, Edna decided to attend BMI Surgery’s free informational session. “After listening to Dr. Brian Lahmann’s presentation, I felt comfortable with the program, Dr. Lahmann and his staff. They made me feel confident that I could be successful and they would help me through each step,” says Edna. With their support, along with encouragement from her family and friends, Edna committed to the exercise and diet plan and underwent LAP-BAND™ weight loss surgery on Feb. 11, 2012.

Patients benefit from a multidisciplinary approach, with the help of many different departments at Silver Cross. “Our patients see an exercise physiologist, dietitian, cardiologist, psychologist, pulmonologist, and a bariatric nurse to get them ready for surgery,” says Dr. Brian Lahmann. “We screen our patients very carefully to ensure their success and safety.”

“Dr. Lahmann explained that surgery is merely a tool to lose weight and the real success depended on me making behavioral changes,” says Edna. “I am so grateful to Dr. Lahmann, his team and the nurses at Silver Cross Hospital. They knew what my needs were and surpassed them. Plus my experience at Silver Cross Hospital was like staying at a fine hotel with beautiful surroundings and simply wonderful care.”

“Edna is an excellent example of how bariatric surgery can positively enhance one’s life. Her dedication to adhering to the program by eating well and exercising was essential in her ability to lose over 90 pounds,” says Dr. Lahmann.

Is Weight Loss Surgery Right for You?

The American Society of Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery defines the morbidly obese as those with a body mass of 35 or above with comorbidities, or for a normal height woman, being more than 100 pounds overweight. Patients with a BMI of 35 and higher, who are suffering the medical consequences of obesity, are often best treated with bariatric surgery as opposed to nonsurgical weight loss. Those who are morbidly obese are at a higher risk of mortality and such extreme obesity puts people at risk for life-threatening disease, including heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes.

BMI Surgery has changed the lives of over 4,000 patients with life changing surgeries including laparoscopic gastric bypass, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and LAP-BAND and REALIZE gastric band systems at Silver Cross Hospital. Board certified laparoscopic and bariatric surgeons Brian Lahmann, M.D., and Christopher Joyce, M.D.,are dedicated to helping patients win their personal battles with obesity and enjoy healthier lives. Their office is located on the new Silver Cross Hospital campus at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox. Silver Cross has been named a Bariatric Center of Excellence by the American Society of Bariatric Surgery and a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery.

To find out more about the bariatric surgery program at Silver Cross Hospital, attend a free informational session on both traditional and laparoscopic surgery on any Wednesday at5:45 p.m. at BMI Surgery at 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., Suite 260, New Lenox. Register to attend online at www.silvercross.org or by calling call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325).