Vim & Vigor - Fall 2012 - North Mississippi - (Page 5)

adjustable gastric band surgery and laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy. Understanding the differences Gastric bypass creates a very small upper stomach pouch—less than one ounce—by transecting the stomach. Because it doesn’t take much food or liquid to fill the new, small pouch, the person enjoys eating a lot less. In addition, food is not absorbed as well as it once was, contributing to rapid weight loss. Laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy generates weight loss by restricting the amount of food that may be consumed without bypassing the stomach or a portion of the small intestine. A portion of the stomach is removed and a new stomach pouch is formed. This procedure helps to reduce the sensation of hunger by possibly eliminating some of the gastrointestinal hormones responsible for the hunger pains. While the stomach is reduced in volume, it functions normally so most food items can be consumed but in smaller portions. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery consists of placing a silicone band around the upper part of the stomach and filling it with saline. This creates a new, smaller stomach pouch that can hold only a small amount of food. Gastric band surgery is the least invasive of the three procedures, as it does not require stomach cutting and stapling or gastrointestinal rerouting to bypass normal digestion. A New Lease on Life Janice cruthirds says weight loss surgery was the best thing she ever did for herself. the 64-year-old from columbus, who works as a consultant for area school districts, began struggling with her weight in her 50s. “the weight kept coming, and i couldn’t lose it,” she says, no matter what she tried. along with the weight came high cholesterol and a blood sugar level that was climbing too high. “My cholesterol stayed around 375, even on medicine,” she says. a sleep disorder forced her to use a cPaP device to breathe normally through the night. Because her mother died of a heart attack at age 68, cruthirds knew she needed to take heed. When she saw the great results a friend had from weight loss surgery, cruthirds was inspired to check into it herself. after talking with Pinson, she opted for laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy in december 2010. Before long, she was completely off her cholesterol medication and cPaP device, and her blood sugar returned to normal. cruthirds lost 75 pounds, dropping from a size 18 to a size 6. “i can fasten my shoes, climb the stairs, things you take for granted unless you are overweight,” she says. traveling is now much easier, as are doing swim aerobics, tending to her flowers and raising three grandchildren, ages 16, 12 and 10. “i have a new lease on life,” she says. “i tell dr. Pinson and his staff, ‘thanks for giving me my life back.’ ” Janice Cruthirds says weight loss surgery was the best thing she ever did for herself. Off tO a rUnning start After talking with Pinson, Grissom opted for laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy in April 2009 and began losing weight immediately. To keep the weight loss going and to get in better shape, he knew he needed to start exercising. “I used to hate to run when I played football,” Grissom recalls. “I tried lifting weights and then riding a mountain bike, but I didn’t care too much for those.” So Grissom started walking, which soon turned to jogging. In less than two years, he lost 175 pounds and gained a new passion—running. He ran his first race, the NightCrawler 5K in Tupelo last fall. Then he tackled his first half-marathon, the 13.1-mile Run for Hope, in Oxford in February. Three months later, he ran the Coca-Cola Classic 10K in Corinth. And now he’s training to run the St. Jude Marathon (26.2 miles) this winter. With the weight loss came fewer health concerns, higher self-esteem and a renewed zest for life. Now he Vim & Vigor • FAL L 2012 5

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Fall 2012 - North Mississippi

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2012 - North Mississippi
Contents
Opening Thoughts
Winning the Weight War
Ladies First
30 Days to Better Sleep
I Can's Ask My Doctor That!
He Said, She Said
Hold On to Your Health
Still a Screening Star
Your Joints: An Owner’s Manual
Weighing Your Options
No Greater Gift
Weather Alert
Virtual Health
Special Report
Catch the Spirit

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2012 - North Mississippi