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Two is Better Than One
Couple finds winning weight loss plan with Center for Weight Management
When Barry Allen decided to change his lifewith weight loss surgery, he knew who would support him along the way: his wife, Wynetta.
Barry weighed 331 pounds, and a previous spinal injury prevented him from exercising. He had high blood pressure, high cholesterol and was on the borderline of having type 2 diabetes. So he turned to the Center for Weight Management for help. He met with Troy Houseworth, MD, FACS, who specializes in bariatric and minimally invasive surgery at the center. Together, they decided that the vertical sleeve gastrectomy was Barry’s best choice.
“One of the benefits of vertical sleeve gastrectomy is a quicker recovery time,” said Dr. Houseworth.
Barry had the surgery in January 2013 and lost more than 115 pounds over the next several months. Wynetta was his steadfast support.
Barry’s experience was so positive, it prompted Wynetta to see how weight loss surgery might help better her health. She was a good candidate and had a vertical sleeve gastrectomy in May 2013, just months after her husband. She has lost 85 pounds so far and continues to work toward her goal weight. “It takes support, diet and exercise to maintain,” said Wynetta. “It’s not just a quick fix. It’s a lifestyle change with a jump start.”
“We had the surgeries close together so we could learn from and support each other,” said Barry. “The first month is always the hardest. I’d tell her that it would be OK and she could do it.”
Your weight loss surgery plan
Weight loss surgery should be individualized based on a person’s health issues and weight loss goals. If you are interested in surgery, the first step is to attend one of our bariatric seminars to learn about your options, Dr. Houseworth said. The next step is to schedule a consultation with our team where we will review the appropriate treatment options and requirements.
“Through a physical, psychological and lifestyle evaluation, the center will help you determine your best choice for long-term success,” said bariatric surgeon Haroon P. Anwar, MD.
When you work with our center, you’ll be in great hands. Center for Weight Management, based at St. Francis Hospital in Federal Way, was designated a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery in December 2006. The designation recognizes the center’s experience and favorable outcomes in weight loss surgery.
More than 2,000 surgical weight loss procedures have been performed at St. Francis Hospital over the past 10 years. The surgeons perform the most robotic-assisted surgeries in the state.