Wellington Regional Medical Center HealthNews
Wellington Regional Medical Center HealthNews

Surgical Weight Loss:
The Road to a Healthier Life

David Adler, DO, an OB/GYN on staff at Wellington Regional Medical Center, had bariatric surgery in March 2009. This is the second of a four-part series detailing his weight-loss journey.

Dr. Alder before bariatric surgery
Dr. Alder before bariatric surgery

Dr. Adler six months after bariatric surgery

Dr. Adler six months after bariatric surgery
This August, Dr. Adler made multiple trips up and down four flights of stairs helping his son get settled in his new dorm room at the University of Florida. A few months earlier, it would have been impossible for him to participate in this traditional parental ritual. Before undergoing bariatric surgery, he was 200 pounds overweight and had difficulty doing any physical activity.

"If people told me I could lose 135 pounds in six months, I wouldn't have believed them," he says. "Now it's happening. I feel great and I have so much more energy."

Healthy Habits Key to Success

This spring, Paul Wizman, MD, board-certified and fellowship-trained bariatric surgeon, performed Dr. Adler's gastric bypass procedure. Since the surgery, Dr. Adler has revamped his habits to lose weight and keep it off. A self-confessed former snack food junkie, he now eats small meals and doesn't eat out as often.

"Before my surgery, when we ate dinner out, I'd have soup, salad, appetizers, dinner and dessert," he says. "Now I order from the appetizer menu or share a meal with my wife." Exercise -- bike riding, walking and weight lifting -- has also become an important part of his life.

Support Makes a Difference

Dr. Adler continues to visit The Center for weekly weigh-ins. "The staff has been nothing short of wonderful," he says. "They're always there to answer my questions, address any concerns and offer encouragement."

Dr. Adler's wife has been a major source of support. She helps him make healthy decisions and goes along with him to the monthly support group meetings, where they meet with other men and women who are considering or may have already had bariatric surgery. "The group helps keep me on track," he says.

Paul Wizman, MD
Paul Wizman, MD
Medical Director Board-Certified, Fellowship-Trained Bariatric Surgeon

Weight Loss Leads to Better Health

The hard work and commitment are paying off. To date, Dr. Adler has lost almost 20 pants sizes.

"I look at pictures from six months ago and think: ‘Did I really look that heavy?'" he says. "My friends, coworkers and patients are shocked when they see how much weight I've lost. I've also experienced benefits they can't see. My blood pressure is down, and my sleep apnea is improved. The constant pain I used to have in my knees, hips and feet is completely gone. It's unbelievable."

Learn more about surgical weight-loss options at one of our free monthly seminars. Please call the Wellington Surgical Weight Reduction Center at 561-798-8587.