Health & Fitness
Teen's Fresh Start After Bariatric Surgery
After struggling with her weight for years, a Monmouth freshman finds a new beginning and renewed confidence.
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For 18-year-old Bella, life was a constant battle with her weight. Despite an active childhood filled with dance, basketball, and field hockey, she couldn't maintain a healthy weight, which eventually began to affect her mental health and self-confidence. "I just wasn’t comfortable in my own skin," the Jersey Shore native shared.
After trying various methods without success, Bella's pediatrician referred her to Dena Arumugam, M.D., a bariatric surgeon at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. Together, they explored several options. Weight loss medications, including GLP-1 injections, provided only temporary and limited results. Seeing Bella's continued struggle and unhappiness, Dr. Arumugam suggested bariatric surgery as a potential solution.
Bella was considered an ideal candidate for the procedure. She had a history of unsuccessful weight loss attempts through diet, exercise, and medication, and possessed the emotional maturity required for the commitment. Dr. Arumugam recommended a sleeve gastrectomy, the most common weight loss surgery for adolescents, which involves removing a portion of the stomach to reduce hunger permanently. "The goal with weight loss surgery is to decrease weight to a healthier range, which also improves your overall health," explained Dr. Arumugam.
Before the surgery, Bella underwent a thorough evaluation to ensure she was emotionally prepared and worked closely with a nutritionist to get ready for her post-surgery diet and lifestyle changes.
If you or a loved one struggles with weight loss, it may be time to explore your options. To learn more about bariatric surgery and weight loss services, contact the team at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.
Read the full article to learn more about Bella's transformative journey and her fresh start after surgery.
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