Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Spring 2017 - 9

obese, but because of a larger

About six months later, and despite

health problem," says Sung

a few insurance hurdles, he was

(Sonny) Kim, MD, medical director

ready for surgery. Brittingham had a

of the Bariatric Surgery Program

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass-a mini-

at UM Upper Chesapeake Health.

mally invasive procedure with many

"Oftentimes, people who are obese

benefits, including a shorter hospital

suffer from a host of other health

stay, better pain management, less

issues, including heart disease,

risk of infection and a quicker return

asthma, diabetes or joint pain."

to normal activities. This procedure

Brittingham began his journey
by attending a monthly information
session presented by the Bariatric

requires that the surgeon have
extensive fellowship training.

Surgery Program. It was there

A NEW LIFE

that he really began to understand

"The surgery wasn't bad at all,"

that weight-loss surgery alters the

Brittingham remembers. "I spent the

way a body absorbs food and how

night, but went home the next day.

it could be a life-changer for people

The clear liquid stage that followed

who have been unsuccessful losing

surgery was not pleasant. Especially

and keeping weight off. It's not

when medication had to be crushed

a quick fix but, instead, a long

and worked into whatever I was

process (see "The Weight-Loss

trying to eat, but I did everything

Surgery Journey," at right) that

I was told to do."

takes commitment and support.

Excitement grew from there.

By following the program

His clothes became roomier and

guidelines and continuing to

then, soon after, were replaced

regularly see his primary care

with smaller sizes. Brittingham has

physician, Brittingham dropped

kept a few of his bigger clothes as

55 pounds. But he experienced

a reminder of what he accom-

a setback when his partner,

plished and how much better his

Jim, had a stroke. "Helping Jim

life is today. His total weight loss-

through his initial recovery was

so far-is 230 pounds.

tough, and I gained a little bit of

When asked what he would tell

weight back from having to so

people considering the surgery,

often eat on the run. I was down,

Brittingham says a good program

but not out!" he insists.

and good support are crucial to
success and that the journey
(from choosing to have surgery,

LEARN MORE
Meet the team at the
UM Upper Chesapeake
Health Bariatric Surgery
Program at umuch.org/
weight.

the commitment to the program
and all the way through the weight
loss) is a very personal one.
"I spent so much time and energy
over the years accommodating
my large size," he remembers.
"I don't know why it took me so
long, but I got there!"

THE WEIGHT-LOSS
SURGERY JOURNEY
The Bariatric (weight-loss)
Surgery Program at UM Upper
Chesapeake Health began in
2004 and has been accredited
under the American College
of Surgeons since 2006. The
program participates in quality
assurance programs, such as
Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue
Distinction, the bariatric nurse
certification program, and the
American Society for Metabolic
and Bariatric Surgery.
The program prides itself
on being patient-focused and
compassionate, offering a comprehensive team approach based
on the belief
that success
after weightloss surgery is
dependent upon
a commitment to lifelong lifestyle changes. To help
patients achieve their goals and
deal with the changes surgery
and weight loss can bring, the
program includes pre-surgery
and follow-up care that features an advanced practice
nurse program coordinator,
a dietician, an exercise specialist, a behavioral health counselor, patient support groups,
and other forms of continuing
education and support offered
years after the surgery.
Monthly information sessions
are offered in Bel Air, Havre
de Grace and Elkton. Call 800515-0044 for the schedule.

umuch.org | Spring 2017 9

http://www.umuch.org/weight http://www.umuch.org/weight http://www.umuch.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Spring 2017