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FROM 465 TO 220 POUNDS
One Delco man's weight loss journey
DARBY BOROUGH» It's no se cret losing weight can be a tough mental and physical challenge. For some, weight gain can stem from a ma jor life change ultimately taking a toll on their abil ity to remain active and mo tivated in daily activities. Born and raised in Sec ane, Jim Palmer was always thin growing up. He played football from seven years old until high school, and he even played the rough and-tumble sport of rugby. As an adult, Palmer led an active life doing construc tion work for more than 25 years. When Palmer and his first wife were going through a separation in 2010, his eat ing and drinking spiraled out of control. Over the course of three years, Palm er's weight went up to 465 pounds. Because of the ex cessive weight, his blood pressure skyrocketed, his knees ached and he could barely walk. It even took him 15 minutes to climb a flight of stairs. At his heavi est, Palmer was forced to buy two plane tickets to travel. "I was never heavy as a child, and when I was at my heaviest, I was disgusted," said Palmer. In 2013, Palmer took back control of his life. In March of that year, he scheduled his first appointment with Mercy Bariatrics Director Prashanth Ramachandra, MD, or Dr. Ram as he is known by patients. "From the very begin ning, Dr. Ram was very honest and upfront with me," Palmer recalled. "I wanted to have gastric by-
42 suit jacket, his waist is a size 36, and he can keep up with his kids. Palmer remarried i n 2014. H e a n d h i s wife, Christine, live in Booth wyn and have five children ranging in age from 11 to 16 years old. Palmer urges those who struggle with their weight to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ramachandra at Mercy Bariatrics. "You won't regret it. Because of the Mercy Bariatrics team, I have my life back," said Palmer.
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Jim Palmer, before undergoing weight loss surgery at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital.
Jim has lost 245 pounds with the help of the Mercy Bariatrics program at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital.
pass surgery, but he advised me to have a sleeve gastrec tomy instead." In a sleeve gastrectomy, the stomach is divided ver tically and 80 to 85 per cent of the stomach is re moved, including the part of the stomach that pro duces Ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates appetite. A vertical "sleeve" shape is created from the remains of the stomach. D r. Ramachandra wanted Palmer t o undergo that procedure first, and af ter he lost 100 pounds, he would then perform the more invasive gastric by pass surgery, if necessary. However, Palmer never needed the second surgery. "Dr. Ram knew what was best for me, and because I trusted him, I followed his advice." Leading up to his sur-
him at any time with ques tions or concerns. Since the surgery, Palmer lost 245 pounds and now weighs 220 pounds. He feels "fabulous" and walks 30 to 40 minutes a day on a treadmill. "It is important to trust
gery, Palmer said Mercy Bariatrics took care of all the small details. "I didn't have to stress about mak ing my own appointments. Mercy Bariatrics did it for me," he said. In May 2013, Palmer un derwent sleeve gastrectomy surgery at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital and lost 27 pounds within the first two weeks. After the surgery, Palmer followed Dr. Ram's diet and exercise schedule exactly, and within three to four months, his blood pressure was back to normal. Palmer believes Dr. Ram achandra and the Mercy Bariatrics team saved his life. He remembers Dr. Ram achandra being very sup portive before and after the surgery. He even gave Palmer his personal cell phone number to contact
and be comfortable with your bariatric doctor and nurses. I got that at Mercy Bariatrics," said Palmer. Before his weight-loss journey began, Palmer wore a 6x suit and his waist size was approximately 66 inches. Now, he wears a size
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