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Is It Right For You?

When it comes to morbid obesity, a condition in which you are 100 lbs. or more above your ideal body weight, traditional weight loss methods such as diets, weight loss pills and exercise programs may not work. There is an alternative. It's called bariatric surgery - it works and it's available at John T. Mather Memorial Hospital.

Morbid obesity is a serious health risk. If you've tried and failed to lose weight through traditional methods – such as diet and exercise – or if you suffer from obesity-related health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, joint disease or infertility, and are morbidly obese, bariatric surgery may be right for you.

Do you have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or more? (Find out here with out online BMI calculator.) Do you have a BMI of 35 or more plus a life-threatening obesity-related health problem such as diabetes, severe sleep apnea or heart disease?

Does your weight cause physical problems that interfere with family or work-related activities?

If you've tried and failed to lose weight through traditional avenues and answer "yes" to any of the above questions, bariatric surgery may be the solution for you.

Success Stories

Three Long Island women who endured years of debilitating weight-related diseases are now enjoying healthier lifestyles after undergoing bariatric surgery.  

But they are not the only ones who are smiling.  

Their employer, John T. Mather Memorial Hospital in Port Jefferson, has also benefited from their respective weight management procedures – with employees who have resumed their work-related responsibilities with a reduction in their chronic illnesses, increased productivity, and a greater outlook on life. 

The story of these three successful surgeries coincides with a recent national study that found a larger number of obese employees said they had some form of work limitation due to health or other issues, compared with their normal-weight co-workers. The impact of obesity on worker health and productivity was equivalent to adding 20 years of age.  

Weight loss surgery can help diabetics attain normal blood sugar levels or reduce the pain associated with joint problems -- all without continued medication. It helped psychiatric nurse Susan Gleason, 47 (pictured far left with her family), who suffered from Diabetes Type II. 

Gleason, 47, underwent the minimally invasive bariatric surgical procedure that has reduced her weight by more than 80 lbs. Her surgery, performed in December of 2003, has helped her get rid of not only her diabetes, but Hypertension, Gastroesophogeal Reflux, Hyperlipidemia and asthma. Mrs. Gleason has returned to her hospital duties with a new sense of self and a new outlook on her life and her life's work. 

A co-worker at Mather, Sonia Fore (pictured in pink), cited knee problems at the top of her list. A phlebotomist, Sonia, 43, needed to be more active in her frequent jaunts around the hospital corridors and often had great difficulty with simple things like bending down, climbing stairs or sitting on the floor.

Helen (pictured at below -- who requested her last name remain confidential) was not only suffering from physical ailments related to her weight problem, but had some emotional pain as well. An elevated glycemic index coupled with high cholesterol, joint problems and sleep apnea took their toll on the 47-year-old. Six months after her surgery, she takes on her daily work tasks at Mather Hospital without the aches and pains of her past, and with a more upbeat, positive attitude toward her future. 

Many people return to their workplace after bariatric surgery with a renewed sense of life and more energy for their job responsibilities – a direct result of the healthier lifestyles they pursue. 

And they have fun, too.  

"As co-workers, we can share news and information about what we've gone through in the past and how we are all looking toward the future," said Helen. "Seeing the progress that others have made and the weight they are still losing, just encourages me to continue in my quest toward great health and a great life.”