"I was in bad shape," the Royal Palm Beach
resident says. "My blood sugar level was out of
control. I was gaining weight and had high blood
pressure, high cholesterol and high triglycerides."
Nick's health problems started 15 years ago
when he was diagnosed with diabetes. His blood
sugar levels were so difficult to control that he
eventually needed 230 units of insulin which he
administered in 5 injections throughout the day.
"I felt terrible," he says. "I was always tired
and out of breath. My toes and feet hurt and
sometimes went numb. I couldn't walk up a flight
of stairs, garden or go bowling anymore."
TIME FOR CHANGE "I realized this was my chance to get my
life back," Nick says. Paul Wizman, MD,
Medical Director of the program and a board-certified, fellowship-trained bariatric surgeon,
recommended that Nick undergo laparoscopic
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, which typically
produces fast results.
In addition to Roux-en-Y, other surgical options
offered by Dr. Wizman include lap band and sleeve
gastrectomy, as well as revisional surgery. At the
Center's comprehensive program, patients receive
preoperative evaluations, education and long-term
follow-up care, including support groups
and nutritional counseling.
A NEW OUTLOOK "I feel like I'm 20 years younger," he says.
"Dr. Wizman saved my life. He and his staff are
like family now. I would do it all over again,
without hesitation."
To attend one of the
monthly bariatric
education seminars
or to make an
appointment, please
call 
Bariatric Surgery Life-Changing for Patient with Diabetes
At age 61, Nick Delapi feared that
he wouldn't live long enough to retire
from his position as a field manager
for the American Automobile Association.
He had watched a friend die of diabetes-related
complications and worried that he would suffer
the same fate.
Nick DeLapi enjoys the benefits of improved health
At 70 pounds overweight with a BMI of 37, Nick was
below the normal threshold for bariatric surgery
(100 pounds overweight with a BMI of 40 according
to the National Institutes of Health). However, at a
seminar at the Wellington Surgical Weight Reduction
Center, he learned that his health problems made
him a good candidate for the procedure.
During this minimally invasive procedure, a
large portion of the stomach is closed off and a
small pouch is created that attaches directly to the
small intestine. This restricts the amount of food
a patient can consume at one time and reduces
caloric absorption.
Paul Wizman, MD
Medical Director
Board-Certified,
Fellowship Trained
Bariatric Surgeon
Nick had surgery in December 2008. At the time,
he was taking 14 pills a day in addition to high
doses of insulin. Only 4 months later, he had
already lost more than 64 pounds and his BMI was
at 26. Remarkably, his blood sugar, blood pressure,
cholesterol and triglyceride levels are now in the
normal range, eliminating the need for insulin and
other medications.
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Wellington Regional Medical Center, 10101 Forest Hill Blvd. Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 798-8500 |
