“Bariatric surgery has opened so
many doors for me that were closed
for so long,” said Kim Cardwell, 41,
of Prince Frederick. “Sometimes, I
still can’t believe this is my life now. I
feel 20 years younger. Every aspect of
my life has been made easier.”
Today, Kim at 5’ is down from 241 pounds to 148
after having gastric sleeve surgery on Dec. 27, 2022.
“I’ve lost almost 100 pounds and it’s amazing. It
feels surreal,” said the busy mom of four who works
from home. “It’s like a monkey off my back. I don’t
think people realize when you are that obese it just
follows you around every day.”
“This has been the best year of my life.”
She sat down with us shortly before her one-year
anniversary to share how her life has changed since
having bariatric surgery. “This time last year, I
was second guessing myself: am I making the right
decision? But I am so glad I did. That burden is no
longer hindering me. Honestly, this has been the
best year of my life.”
Kim said being put on medication for high
blood pressure was the last straw. “That was a big
wake-up call. I had struggled with weight my whole
life. I tried a lot of diets … Atkins, Paleo, Keto,
Body for Life, Weight Watchers® … multiple times.
The problem was I was starving … I was hungry all
the time.”
After seeing a billboard on Route 4, she decided
to join a Zoom webinar to learn more about
CalvertHealth’s Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
Program, which is headed by leading weight loss
authority Dr. Ramzi Alami. Fellowship trained in the
latest minimally invasive techniques, Dr. Alami has
performed more than 2,000 bariatric surgeries in the
last 16 years.
“That personal touch really meant a lot.”
“A lot of people see obesity as a moral failing … but Dr.
Alami explained at my first appointment a lot of this has
to do with hormones and things that are outside your
control,” said Kim. “The first thing he said is: ‘This is
not your fault. We can help you.’ He really takes the time
to get to know his patients. He truly cares about them.
That personal touch really meant a lot to me.”
Having the program close to her home was a
major deciding factor. “I didn’t want to drive an
hour and 15 minutes to go somewhere in DC … by
choosing CalvertHealth, I didn’t have to take off work
or have someone watch the kids every time I had an
appointment.”
Dr. Alami underscores this point, as well. “The key
to successful outcomes with bariatric surgery is the
short- and long-term follow-up,” he said. “That’s why a
local program is so important because these patients
need a lot of support.”
Dr. Alami went on to add, “We know that all patients
are going to lose weight after bariatric surgery …
but how much they lose and whether they are able to
maintain that loss will depend on their eating habits and
level of physical activity.”
This is where the short- and long-term follow up
comes into play. There are regularly scheduled visits in
the weeks and months after bariatric surgery to monitor
how well the patient is adapting to their personalized
diet and exercise plan and to make adjustments.
“I still have to eat right. I still have to exercise,” said
Kim. “I can have that bowl of ice cream but you have to
be mindful all the time. I didn’t want to join a gym so I
tried doing kettle balls and exercise bands at home and
found I really liked it. My newest hobby is collecting
shark’s teeth. I walk about two to three miles along
the beach near the Bay several times a week … you’re
bending down and squatting.”
LaShawn took the first step and asked her primary doctor for
a referral to CalvertHealth’s Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery
Program. “When I found it was covered by insurance, I was
scared and happy,” she said. Tony grabbed her hand and smiled
at his wife of 10 years as he talked about their decision to have
bariatric surgery.
“I didn’t want her doing this life-changing thing alone,” he
said. “I was in the same boat as her and she was committed to
doing something about it. I was with her during the entire
process. We did everything together.” And together, they lost
more than 200 pounds.
“Now, I’m able to go and do things,” said the 44-year-old
father of four. Today, at 5’ 11 ½” he is down to 235 pounds from
315 after having gastric sleeve surgery on Sept. 27, 2022. “I feel
great … no regrets! I can tie my shoes again … that sounds like a
small victory but it was huge for my mental outlook. It was one of
the first changes I noticed after surgery. I was so happy, it
made me feel as if more changes were coming.”
LaShawn at 5’5” is down to 138 pounds from 267 after having
gastric bypass surgery on May 25, 2022. “I feel great … this is the
best I have felt in a long time. It allows me to do more. I have more
endurance. I’ve started doing Pilates two to three times a week.”
“It’s not a diet. It’s a lifestyle change.”
Dr. Alami emphasizes that bariatric surgery is not a “quick fix”
but instead a tool for lifelong weight management. “Surgery is
just the beginning of the journey. For long-term success, patients
need to understand that surgery is only one-third of the equation.
Nutrition, lifestyle and exercise make up two-thirds.”
He also stressed the impact patient education has in
ensuring patients are prepared. “Patients really need to know
what they’re getting into and they need to understand it to be
able to commit to it.”
Tony said having bariatric surgery changed his entire
relationship with food. “Before, I didn’t understand how my
food choices were affecting my health. I was an emotional eater.
You learn what a healthy plate looks like. Now, every bite counts.
I make more thoughtful choices about what I put in my body.”
He has also added regular workouts at the gym.
LaShawn said being able to listen to her body was the single
most important benefit she gained. “Being aware of what your
body needs to function is very different from what your bad
habits have convinced your body to crave,” she said. “Now,
I’m able to distinguish when I am eating for my health
requirements versus over-eating for emotional comfort.”
Her husband added,” Bariatric surgery is more about
good health than weight loss. Weight loss is a consequence
but the actual program is about promoting a healthy lifestyle.
It’s a lifetime commitment and you really have to be ready for
those changes.”
“I am 100 percent happy!”
“Bariatric surgery gave me back my life. I can climb
a ladder, do yard work, go fishing with my grandson
…without being tired and in pain all the time,” said
William Swindell, 65, of Chesapeake Beach.
Today, Willie at 5’11” is down from 309 to 185 pounds after having gastric
sleeve surgery Oct. 21, 2021. “When I see a picture from before, I don’t even
recognize myself,” he said. “I basically weigh what I did right after high
school. Feeling normal feels great. I’m able to do all the things I couldn’t when
I was overweight.”
Willie was Dr. Alami’s second surgical case at CalvertHealth. He had
multiple comorbidities, overhanging abdominal skin that was hitting his
thighs and could barely walk. At his two-year appointment, his BMI (body
mass index) was down to 25.9 and he is off most of his medications.
“I was impressed with the way they take care of you,” he said. “They
made sure I knew what to expect. They answered my questions and were
very supportive.”
Along the way, Willie said he has adopted some newer, healthier habits.
“I can eat almost anything I want, just in smaller portions … and I had to
teach myself to eat slow. I cut out fast food and I split meals with my wife
when we eat out. I do a lot of walking. I lift some light weights for my arms
and to build up my core. I enjoy life a lot better now.”
Guiding You at Every Step
A unique part of CalvertHealth’s team is Bariatric Coordinator and Nurse Navigator
Tracey Csillag, RN, MSN, CBN. She is a certified bariatric navigator with 33 years’
nursing experience and advanced training in caring for bariatric surgery patients.
She is there every step of the way from the initial consultation to postoperative
visits – answering questions, addressing issues and facilitating appointments. “I
believe having a familiar face who knows them helps our patients feel supported.”
Kim said Tracey was a lifesaver for her. “I immediately felt comfortable with
her in the room. She just radiates compassion.” LaShawn concurred. “She makes
you feel better. She listens and is always so positive.”
SURROUNDING YOU WITH SUPPORT
The Bariatric Wellness Workshop helps
patients feel like they are not alone and the
only ones struggling. The support group
meets the last Thursday of every month at
5 pm in Suite 101 of the Calvert Medical Offce
Building. It is intended for anyone who is
concerned about their weight – from those
thinking about bariatric surgery, actively
working toward surgery, newly post-op and
post-op for many years.
“It’s nice to talk with other people who
have walked the walk,” said Kim. “We often
get ideas from each other.” LaShawn and Tony
go every month. “We look forward to it. We
swap recipes and we swap stories. There’s
always something there for us.”
Life-Changing Benefits of BARIATRIC SURGERY
- Helpful hormonal changes
- Improved blood sugar levels
- Better cardiovascular health
- Reduced risk of obesity-related conditions
- More physical energy
- Enhanced mental well-being
- Better quality of life