PUSHING TO LOSE

A WIFE’S NUDGE LEADS ONE MAN TO WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY AND A NEW LEASE ON LIFE.

Ken Lutin has a renewed appreciation for the gift of life after undergoing weight loss surgery at the Center for Bariatrics at Community Medical Center.

If not for his wife, Ken Lutin he says. “Because if I found myself might still be tipping the scales in a picture, it made me get a little at 371 pounds. Now 153 pounds emotional to see just how far I had let

“WHEN MY OLDEST DAUGHTER GIVES ME A

lighter after surgery at the Center myself go.” When he was with others in for Bariatrics at Community Medical public, he made jokes about his weight Center (CMC) last September, the to deflect from his pain. Lakewood resident is enjoying his life more than ever. A CHANCE FOR CHANGE

“My wife, Rose, did the research The turning point came in March 2020, without my knowing and she picked when Rose learned about the CMC the right group and the right surgeon, Center and arranged a consultation for Dr. Michael Jaronczyk,” says Ken, 39, a him. Once again, he was scheduled for self-described “gearhead” who manages bariatric surgery and would need to a busy body shop. “She was the catalyst start a pre-op diet similar to the one he behind getting me to do this and to be would be on after surgery. able to see tomorrow.” “But I really wasn’t sure yet,” Ken

Ken’s weight struggles started admits. “I couldn’t wrap my head long before he reached the operating around the fact that a guy my size and room. He had a fast metabolism until height was only going to be able to eat his early 20s, when the number on two to four ounces at meals.” the scale began to rise. “Whatever I In July, Ken finally committed to wanted, I had,” he says. “I didn’t have the program. “One of the reasons I any structure in place for meals.” decided to do this is because I realized that patients eat, but also reduces

Ken grew concerned as the weight that life is really a gift from God,” the secretion of hormones that cause accumulated. In 2011, after he had he says. “And I really wasn’t treating people to feel hungry. reached 338 pounds, he underwent that gift as well as I could.” Ken lost lap band surgery in New York City. approximately 30 pounds in the three SUSTAINABLE WEIGHT LOSS The procedure involves placing an months before surgery. As the months have rolled by since adjustable belt around the upper part That allowed time for Ken to his surgery, Ken’s weight loss has of the stomach to restrict the size of learn about his health risks, benefits continued with careful meal planning the stomach and the amount of food from surgery and diet and fitness and exercise, especially walking. “It it can hold. Ken started working out requirements from the Center’s takes work and discipline,” he says, in the gym at the same time. Over the multidisciplinary team. Surgeons, “but surgery really helped me make it next year, he lost 110 pounds. nurses, dietitians and psychologists all stick.”

But Ken grappled with discomfort work with patients before and after “Ken was one of our all-star and reflux with the band in place. surgery to achieve success. patients,” says Dr. Jaronczyk. “He took “While it physically restricts the In September, Ken was wheeled the bull by the horns and had a very amount of food, it didn’t restrict it in into the operating room for the good attitude and outlook from the geta comfortable manner for me,” he says. procedure, a laparoscopic sleeve go. He has really done a very good job.” “And I couldn’t eat healthy with it. For gastrectomy, which involves removing Ken is happier and has more energy example, I couldn’t get salad down.” a large portion of the outer stomach for things like spending time with the Eventually he had the band removed. and reducing it to a narrow sleeve couple’s four children, ages 6 to 12. The pounds about the size and shape of a banana. “They’re very happy for me,” he says. Ken had shed “We put a tube through the mouth “When my oldest daughter gives me a returned and his and into the stomach. Then we apply a hug, she likes to tell me how she can size became an special instrument on the stomach next wrap her arms around all the way and increasing source to the tube and use it like a guide rail,” make her hands touch.” of frustration says Dr. Jaronczyk, who specializes Ken credits the Center, his wide and shame. “I did in advanced laparoscopic procedures. support system and mental strategies whatever I could “We use a special stapler that seals for keeping him on track. “A healthy not to be in any and cuts the stomach.” The surgery lifestyle is a marathon, not a sprint,” MICHAEL JARONCZYK, MD type of picture,” not only restricts the amount of food he says.

HUG, SHE LIKES TO TELL ME HOW SHE CAN WRAP HER ARMS AROUND ALL THE WAY AND MAKE HER HANDS TOUCH.”

Ken Lutin

To learn more about weight loss and the Center for Bariatrics at Community Medical Center, call 732.557.8966 or visit www.rwjbh.org/cmcweightloss.