Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 50
He wanted to be able to tie his own
shoes. Most importantly, he wanted to
know what it was like to ride a roller
coaster with his kids.
At 35 years old, Phil weighed over 500
pounds prior to having surgery. Plagued
by a growing list of medical concerns,
he knew he
had to do
something to
lose the weight.
"My greatest
fear was that
I was going
to have a
heart attack
and nobody
would find me
in time," he
recalls. "I had
to do this for
my health-for
my wife and three kids. I couldn't leave
them like that."
Invested in Success
50
FA L L 2 0 1 9
Winning by Losing
And successful he has been.
Within the fi rst year after surgery,
Phil was below his target weight of 250
pounds and checking off goals left and
right, an accomplishment he credits
to the extensive post-surgery program
offered by GMC.
"Surgery alone isn't enough-it's
all the support and encouragement
after surgery that helps you make the
lifestyle changes you need to reach
and maintain a healthy body weight,"
he says.
"At CWM, you're more than just a
surgery. ... They teach you everything
you need to know, and their doors are
always open."
Phil mentions that his unique
nutrition plan-based on learning to
cook and eating healthier versions of
his favorite foods-in addition to a
structured fitness regimen played a key
role in helping him reach his goals.
PUNCHING BAG BY GETTY IMAGES
Phil began researching his options and
decided on GMC's Center for Weight
Management (CWM) after discovering
the extensive list of pre- and postsurgery resources the program offers
to patients.
"I was very active in the online
community for people struggling
with obesity, and one thing I saw over
and over again-for people who have
been through bariatric surgery-is an
emphasis on resources," he says.
"At most places, people felt like they
were pushed into a surgery and swept
out the door. They weren't given the
resources or education they needed to
succeed, and left feeling like they didn't
matter. But people kept mentioning
Gwinnett Medical Center's program as
a place that was different-where staff
are just as invested in your success as
you are."
While hearing positive feedback on the
program helped, Phil was still nervous
about pursuing surgery.
"I would say
GMC and
the Center
for Weight
Management
gave me my life
back, but I've
never lived like
this before. I
am physically
able to do so
much more,
and I have
more energy
than I ever
knew possible."
"I didn't tell anyone at first," Phil
admits. "There can sometimes be a sense
of shame when you're fighting obesity,
but CWM's staff does an amazing job
reminding you that you are not alone,
and you have nothing to be ashamed of."
With his team of physicians,
nutritionists and behavioral therapists
rallying behind him, Phil began to
feel empowered.
"Everyone there is always willing
to help-always hands-on, always
smiling, always making sure your needs
are being met. They're always there
for you."
Phil recalls what his surgeon, Miguel
del Mazo, MD, said to him after they
decided gastric bypass surgery would be
his best option.
"I'll never forget-he told me, 'We're
in this together, for the rest of our
lives.' I already felt like we were old
friends, but that really stands out to
me as the moment when I realized how
committed he was to making sure I
was successful."
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC
Contents
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - Cover1
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - Cover2
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - Contents
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 2
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 3
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 4
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 5
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 6
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 7
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 8
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 9
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 10
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 11
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 12
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 13
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 14
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 15
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 16
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 17
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 18
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 19
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 20
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 21
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 22
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 23
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 24
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 25
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 26
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 27
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 28
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 29
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 30
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 31
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 32
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 33
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 34
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 35
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 36
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 37
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 38
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 39
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 40
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 41
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 42
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 43
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 44
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 45
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 46
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 47
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 48
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 49
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 50
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 51
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 52
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 53
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 54
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 55
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 56
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - Cover3
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - Cover4
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