FAMILY HEALTH AND WELLNESS
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FAMILY HEALTH AND WELLNESS
SPARKS HEALTH SYSTEM ARKANSAS SURGICAL WEIGHT LOSS 479.709.DOCS SparksHealth.com / ARSurgicalWeightLoss.com
‘OH, THE PLACES YOU WILL GO’ TWO FRIENDS COVER NEW GROUND WITH WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY
Stephanie Hancock, 41, says she didn’t realize how overweight she was. Years of working long hours as a nurse, taking classes and stopping at fast-food chains after little league practice caught up to her. Two years ago, her family took a vacation to Florida. She was a size 24 and just walking from the condo to the beach made her short of breath. “I’d just sit in the lawn chair and watch everybody else have a great time,” she said. “I wanted to be involved. I wanted to be a part of it.” When she returned she told her coworker, Debbie Parish, 62, it was time to make a change. The women had gone through many diets during their 15-year friendship, but never saw lasting results. They attended a free seminar with Arkansas Surgical Weight Loss at Sparks Regional Medical Center to learn more about bariatric surgery options such as gastric bypass and gastric sleeve. Although there’s 20 years difference in their ages, their goals were the same. The two scheduled an appointment together with Dr. C Michael Gooden at Arkansas Surgical Associates and have supported each other every step of the way.
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OFF TO GREAT PLACES Since their surgeries in March 2014, the women have collectively lost 230 pounds. They regularly go to Marvin Altman Fitness Center and have become certified Zumba instructors. Both plan to run the relay portion of the upcoming Fort Smith Marathon with two other bariatric surgery patients. Their energy is definitely contagious. Coworkers and family members are making healthier choices. Their patients are much more receptive to advice too.
“We were taking care of all of these people and trying to teach them how to get healthy, but we weren’t healthy,” Stephanie said. Now both women are off medications for high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Stephanie’s husband is better managing his diabetes and her children exercise more. Debbie’s husband has since had bariatric surgery, too, and is enjoying retirement. “It’s so worth it, not only just for the way we feel, but seeing how we can encourage other people,” Stephanie said.
MOVE MOUNTAINS Both women agree bariatric surgery is just a ‘tool’ to help patients get a jumpstart on their weight loss. Changing eating habits and activity levels is up to you. “When you go out to eat, they give you massive portions that no one should be eating,” Stephanie said. “I could keep eating and eating until I made myself sick.” Stephanie says thanks to the gastric sleeve she finally feels “full.” Now they look for entertainment not with food but activities like going to antique malls or hiking. “It doesn’t matter what shape you’re in or what your age is, as long as you’re moving,” Debbie said. “Just go.”
To learn more about bariatric surgery, log on to ArkansasSurgicalWeightLoss. com and sign up to attend a free seminar or call (479) 709-DOCS.
FAMILY HEALTH AND WELLNESS
DO SOUTH MAGAZINE
DO SOUTH MAGAZINE
FAMILY HEALTH AND WELLNESS