A New Lease on Life, Following Weight-Loss Surgery
October 31, 2024
It’s been about two months since Chelsi Russell, 29, of Palmetto, had robotic sleeve gastrectomy (“gastric sleeve”) surgery* at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, and she is already 60 pounds lighter. Her friends are even calling her “skinny minnie.”
As a teenager, Russell was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome, a chronic hormonal condition that can lead to weight gain. For years Russell tried to lose weight through exercise, dieting and medications, but nothing seemed to help. Her decision to finally turn to weight-loss surgery at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center was in part, because of her profession as a licensed practical nurse.
“My weight was making me unhealthy, and I want to be a good role model for my patients,” says Russell.
Prior to surgery, Russell had dietary counseling to learn healthy food, portion control and exercise strategies to help keep the weight off after surgery.
She also had psychological counseling to help identify behavioral barriers to weight loss and strategies for staying healthy. Her primary care physician was involved to ensure her physical condition was optimal for the surgery.
Robotic sleeve gastrectomy surgery
Bariatric and general surgeon Samuel Yelverton, MD, who performed the surgery, explains, “A sleeve gastrectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed using the da Vinci® Xi robotic surgical system. The surgery works by reducing the size of the stomach to a small tubular structure, about the size of a banana in diameter and length, restricting the amount of food the stomach can hold so the patient eats less.” Because Russell was experiencing acid reflux, GERD and having trouble swallowing, due to a hiatal hernia, this was also repaired during surgery. “It’s fairly common for people who need weight-loss surgery to also need hernia surgery,” says Dr. Yelverton.
Happier and healthier
Russell says she now eats smaller portions, has no acid reflux, sleeps better and no longer has joint pain. “I am looking forward to wearing the clothes I want to wear and just being healthier overall. Everything just feels better. My skin feels better. I think better, and I’m doing better, ” she says. Her goal is to lose 100 pounds in a year, and she’s more than halfway there!
* Individual results may vary. There are risks associated with any surgical procedure. Talk with your doctor about these risks to find out if bariatric surgery is right for you.