“We have so much energy now,” says Bob. “We no longer have to take 16 pills a day for diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol or use an insulin pump like before.”
Old Bridge residents Betty and Bob Peterson, both 53, had spent their 35-year marriage doing virtually everything together. For many years, that included eating poorly, becoming obese, and developing significant health problems that often accompany excessive weight, including Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
“After years of putting our health on the back burner, we began taking better care of ourselves,” says Bob. “We tried a number of diets and went to the gym every day. While we lost some weight initially, it began to creep back on.”
“We wanted to be healthier and more active, but we knew we would need to get our weight under control to do that,” says Betty. So after some in-depth research, they decided to look into bariatric surgery. They mentioned their decision to Kenneth Ordene, MD, board-certified endocrinologist with Endocrinology Associates of Central NJ and on the medical staff at CentraState Medical Center, whom they were seeing for their diabetes. Dr. Ordene recommended CentraState’s Bariatric Surgery Program.
The Petersons made an appointment with Earl Noyan, MD, board-certified surgeon with Surgical Associates of Mercer & Monmouth County and medical director of the program. CentraState is designated a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
The designation recognizes surgical programs with a demonstrated track record of favorable outcomes in weight-loss surgery. They opted for laparoscopic (minimally invasive) Roux-en-Y bypass, which they underwent on the same day, one right after the other. The day of their surgery, L. Karen Scott, RN, BSN, lifestyle management/bariatric
coordinator at CentraState’s Star and Barry Tobias Health Awareness Center, met them at the hospital entrance. “She explained everything and let us know if we had questions or concerns during our recovery that she was there for us at anytime,” Betty says. “This immediately put us at ease.”
Before surgery, Bob (5 feet 8 inches) weighed 267 pounds and Betty (5 feet 3 inches) weighed 265 pounds. Five months after their surgeries, Bob had lost 96 pounds, Betty had shed 93, and their health showed remarkable improvement.
“We have so much energy now,” says Bob. “We no longer have to take 16 pills a day for diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol or use an insulin pump like before.”
In addition to enjoying walks in the park and motorcycle rides, for the first time in years, the Petersons were able to participate in their family’s “Easter Olympics”—an annual tradition including potato sack races, wheelbarrow races, and Easter egg hunts.
“We grew up playing these games and were so sad when we were unable to take part because of our weight,” says Betty. “Now we can make up for lost time. We are so thankful for the care we received at CentraState.”
For more information on CentraState’s bariatric services, call 866-CENTRA7 (866-236-8727).
