Gastric Bypass Success

George and Erin Hosler aren’t the couple they used to be.

George no longer has to plan an extra 30 minutes around work meetings just to recover from walking a short distance. Today, he doesn’t break a sweat or lose his breath when an unplanned meeting demands he rush to be present.

Erin no longer suffers the knee and back pain that once kept her sidelined. Today, she hits the gym three days a week and easily keeps pace with 4-year-old daughter, Mia.

And neither of the Hoslers requires medications to control their once-sky-high blood pressures. Today, they’re living happier, healthier, and more active lives.

That’s because the Independence, Mo., couple shed a combined 400 pounds after undergoing gastric bypass at Saint Luke’s Center for Surgical Weight Loss. And they’re still winning this losing battle today.

Heavy issues

Two years ago, the Hoslers were among the 60 million Americans who are obese. As the second cause of preventable death in the United States, obesity can lead to certain types of cancer, heart disease, Type II diabetes, stroke, sleep apnea, and more.

The Hoslers were on the fast track to severe health problems: Erin, 35, weighed 330 pounds; George, 37, tipped the scales at 550.

Both had struggled their entire lives, trying every diet and watching their weights yo-yo up and down by 40 pounds. Finally, in 2010, with a growing toddler demanding their attention, the Hoslers realized they needed permanent help.

After a Saint Luke’s community education event, they decided gastric bypass was their best option for long-term success. Every year, some 140,000 Americans receive gastric bypasses.

During the procedure — called a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass — a bariatric surgeon staples off the top portion of the stomach, creating a new smaller stomach. This reduces the stomach capacity from about 34 ounces to 1 ounce — to about the size of an egg.

“Roux-en-Y is considered the gold standard because it helps patients lose weight faster and keep it off longer,” said John Price, M.D. “But the success lies in their commitment to changing their eating and exercise habits.”

Minimalists

These changes began before the Hoslers’ surgeries.

Two weeks before her gastric bypass in July 2010, Erin switched to a liquid diet of broth, Jell-O, and protein shakes. This prepared her for the small low-fat meals she’d be restricted to post-surgery.

Today, she shies away from greasy or sugary foods and, instead, eats low-carb, high-protein meals.

“When you can only eat a cup of food per meal, you have to make every bite count,” said Erin, who dropped 4 pounds a week for six months and then 2 to 3 a week until she reached her weight goal of 170 in a year.

George’s weight-loss journey took a slower path. Because his body mass index (BMI) exceeded 60 — a level considered too dangerous for surgery, he had to first shed 90 pounds to qualify for the procedure. Following the same liquid diet and strict exercising helped him reach his goal.

Since undergoing gastric bypass in May 2011, he’s dropped 160 pounds (besides the 90 he lost pre-surgery) and counting.

"My goal is to be somewhere in the low 200s — but I’m not sure what specific weight,” he said. “I’ve never been this small, so I’ll have to see what looks right with my frame.”

Net gain

Today, the couple works out regularly and plans plenty of outdoor activities, like biking and walking around the zoo with Mia. And healthy food and snacks are mainstays at the Hosler household: Mia requests fruit and nuts — instead of cookies and ice cream — for treats.

“When she gets older, we’ll show her pictures of us before our surgeries and explain how unhealthy habits got us to that point,” said George. “We know she’s predisposed for obesity, so we want to instill a healthy lifestyle early on.”

Trimmed down

Since 2007, Saint Luke’s Center for Surgical Weight Loss has helped more than 1,000 patients lose weight and resolve weight-related medical conditions.

The center’s multidisciplinary approach — from nutritional and exercise counseling to psychological support — helps patients keep weight off for life.

“Surgery is just one part of the solution,” said Geoffrey Slayden, M.D., a board-certified surgeon. “Patients must change their diets, exercise habits, and lifestyles if they want to succeed and live healthier lives. If they don’t, the surgical procedure is defeated.”

Dr. Slayden recently began seeing patients at Saint Luke’s South Hospital through the Center for Surgical Weight Loss.

Through free seminars, patients learn about: 

• Gastric bypass — During this irreversible procedure, the surgeons create a smaller stomach pouch. Food is then redirected to bypass a portion of the small intestine. This reduces the size of the stomach so patients can’t consume as many calories; it also reduces the absorption of calories.
• Sleeve gastrectomy — During this irreversible procedure, surgeons remove about 85 percent of the stomach, to create a “banana” shaped stomach. This reduces the amount of food a patient can eat, and patients feel less hunger.