For Terri, losing weight results in big gains in life - Surgical ...
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BRYAN BARIATRIC ADVANTAGE
For Terri, losing weight
results in big gains in life
I
n 2019, Terri Krause was ready the lifestyle changes necessary to be rid of my cane and my walker and stop
for a change. For years, she had successful after surgery, such as learning using motorized carts,” she says.
battled multiple sclerosis, type 2 to stay hydrated and make healthy food Terri’s surgeon, Benjamin Hung, MD,
diabetes and thyroid disease. She choices. Patients also meet with an of Surgical Associates, has been practicing
also had atrial fibrillation, which exercise physiologist to help incorporate in Lincoln for 18 years and has performed
put her at increased risk of blood clots, physical activity into their daily routine. more than 1,400 bariatric surgeries. In
stroke and heart failure. Terri knew she March of 2019, he began using the da
needed to lose weight, but despite her Undergoes robotic assisted surgery Vinci Surgical System during laparoscopic
multiple attempts, she wasn’t making Terri was hopeful as she went through gastric sleeve procedures, which reduce
progress. the process. “My big goal, especially the size of the stomach. Dr. Hung has
“In the past I tried diet pills from the because of my MS, was to be able to get used this robotic device for the last five
doctor as well as all sorts of programs as
seen on TV — I’ve tried them all — and
nothing was working for me,” she says.
That was the turning point
Her turning point came one day as
she was talking with her great-nephew.
“I had been helping take care of him
after school, and he said he wanted me
around for 30 more years,” she recalls.
“That made me decide that I needed to
get this weight off.”
Terri knew several friends who had
had success with weight loss surgery,
and she wanted more information. Her
primary care doctor, Paul Wolfe, MD, of
Family Health Associates, referred her to
Bryan Bariatric Advantage. At her initial
evaluation, Terri learned about her options
and what she would need to do to prepare
for surgery.
Bryan Bariatric Advantage nurse
practitioner Tara Wenta, APRN, says
patients go through several steps to
ensure that they’re ready to make
Here’s Terri before losing more than 100 Dietitian Liz Wray measures Terri’s
pounds. body mass index.
20 Spring 2020
BRYAN BARIATRIC ADVANTAGE
Liz and Terri meet with Dr. Benjamin Hung and nurse practitioner Tara Wenta at Bryan Bariatric Advantage.
years for other types of surgeries, and he information on their website. “I had absolutely zero pain,” she says.
says it offers several advantages. Bryan Bariatric Advantage is
“The robot allows you to be even accredited through the American College She’s making progress
more precise, which helps minimize risks of Surgeons Metabolic and Bariatric Since the surgery, Terri has made
for patients,” says Dr. Hung. “Also, patients Surgery Accreditation and Quality impressive progress toward improving her
generally experience less pain after the Improvement Program. To maintain health.
procedure.” accreditation, the program is annually “I’m no longer diabetic,” she says. “I
Dr. Hung encourages patients to do reviewed to ensure patient care, safety, just watch what I eat, and my blood sugar
their research and learn about all of the success and follow-up meet the strict has been perfect.”
options available to them. Bryan Bariatric criteria required. Before the surgery, she was on two
Advantage offers information sessions After six months of preparation, Terri medications for diabetes and three for
to help individuals explore different had her surgery in May. She’s amazed at hypertension, and she used a CPAP
weight loss options, and they also offer how well her recovery went. (continuous positive airway pressure)
Bryan Journeys 21
BRYAN BARIATRIC ADVANTAGE
machine to help her breathe while common: they use weight loss surgery as a “They’re able to increase their well-
sleeping. tool, not a solution. being overall. It’s not just about losing
Now, other than one medication to weight,” she says.
control her atrial fibrillation, she’s been Committed to improvement After surgery, patients come in for
able to go off all medications and devices. “Terri made the lifestyle changes multiple follow-up appointments to
She’s lost more than 100 pounds and and dietary changes that have helped to help track their progress and receive
gone from a size 28 to 18. Terri walks ensure that she was successful,” says Tara. any support they might need. Patients
three miles a day — without a cane — and “Anybody who comes into the process can see the dietitian at any point if they
enjoys working out at the gym daily. with their reason for surgery being more feel they’re getting off track, and the
“My energy has gone way up. I like intrinsic — such as having more energy staff members encourage patients to
going to the gym now, and my friends for personal relationships or addressing reach out if they have concerns between
can’t believe how fast I can jump up and diseases — usually sees better success appointments.
go across the room,” she says. than those with extrinsic reasons, such as Terri says she’s grateful to the team
Terri also loves that she can now do wanting to fit into a dress or wanting to who helped her on her weight loss
activities with her nephew. look better for a wedding or reunion.” journey.
“Before, he wanted me to get up and Tara says the biggest patient successes “I’m so thankful for Dr. Hung and
play soccer with him, or go bowling, and she sees go beyond weight loss. Like Terri, everyone at Bryan Bariatric Advantage,”
I couldn’t,” she says. “Now I can actually they have more energy for their families she says. “They’ve all been absolutely
join in and do activities. Last week I took or jobs, they make better food choices and wonderful and so supportive. I love that I
him bowling, and I actually bowled with get out to exercise, and they feel more have the energy to do things again.” n
him. comfortable and confident, which can
“Before, I would have just watched.” impact their social lives. They often see Go to bryanhealth.org/bariatrics for
From her experience with bariatric major improvements in conditions such as more details or see
patients, Tara says those who are diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea bryanhealth.org/patient-stories
successful like Terri have one thing in and unhealthy cholesterol levels.
VIDEO for others’ experiences.
Are you ready
Change Your Life to change your life?
Learn more about weight loss
surgery options from a surgeon
Surgical & Non-Surgical with Bryan Bariatric Advantage.
Weight Loss Options Attend a free information session:
Learn more & see how others n Tuesday, March 3, 6-7 p.m. or
have changed their lives. n Tuesday, April 7, 6-7 p.m.
View: bryanhealth.org/patient-stories
These sessions are at Bryan West
Call: 402-481-5490 Campus, Gregorius Conference Center
A, 2300 S. 16th St.
Find out if weight loss surgery is
right for you — and talk with experts
who are here to help you!
Bryan Bariatric Advantage To learn more and register, visit
bryanhealth.org/bariatrics or call
402-481-5490.
22 Spring 2020
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