Maribel – On her way to losing half of her original weight

Maribel, the mother of four children, her hands full, to say the least. But carrying too much weight was impeding her ability to enjoy day-to-day life. “It’s the little things, like not being able to use a regular seat belt or go on amusement park rides with my kids,” Maribel explains.

After her weight exceeded 400 pounds, she independently lost 100 pounds on her own. To continue her momentum, she had the lap-band inserted in 2014.

When she first met with Holmdel-based bariatric surgeon Dr. Ayotunde Adeyeri,
recommended to her by a family friend, the lap-band was causing severe acid reflux (GERD), and Maribel was on the verge of Barrett’s syndrome. In addition, she had regained 50 pounds of her original 100-pound weight loss, even with the lap-band still in place.

Rather than give up, she attended one of Sterling Surgicare’s bi-monthly New Patient Seminars
held at Raritan Bay Medical Center, where Dr. Adeyeri discusses each of the different bariatric procedures and answers participants’ questions.

“The lap-band isn’t always successful for some patients,” Dr. Adeyeri explains. “I have treated several patients who have not given up on achieving significant weight loss--but know the lap-band isn’t providing the weight loss results they need.”

Starting anew – removing the lap-band
Dr. Adeyeri removed Maribel’s lap-band in the fall of 2015. After months of recovery, she was medically cleared to have gastric bypass in January 2016, weighing 339 pounds at the time of surgery.

A family history of weight issues

Maribel wasn’t alone in her obesity battle. Her sister and both of her parents (who were battling type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure due to their weight) also had weight loss surgery, but she was the first inspiration. (Dr. Adeyeri also performed gastric bypass on her father and mother).

Eighty pounds gone—and counting

Since her gastric bypass, her weight is down to 260 pounds and her motivation to keep losing is stronger than ever. “I often go to my favorite gym, Max Fitness, in the morning and again at night,” Maribel says. “Working out gives me much more energy than caffeine, carbs or sugar ever did.”

The 33-year-old has her sights set on getting her weight under 200 pounds, but her life is already changing dramatically. “I have big plans for the rest of my life, now that I have the stamina and the appearance that I want to achieve. I am considering a career as a nurse or I may get my real estate license,” she says with a smile.

But she also gains strength from sharing her weight loss battle with others and is increasingly interested in a role as a motivation speaker to others who are battling weight issues.

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Maribel is chronicling her post-op progress on her Facebook page, “Get Down with Mari – Weight Loss Journey,” where she has a following of nearly 1,500 readers.

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But, for the moment, she is reveling in a whole new world of fashion that is hers for the buying. “One of the best things about losing 163 pounds is that I can finally shop in regular department stores, since my clothing size has gone from a 5X down to a 2X,” Maribel explains. “I have so many more options available to me now.”

No one is ever “too heavy” to lose weight

“Like many people battling metabolic syndrome (obesity), it runs in Maribel’s family. But, as a team, this family banded together and decided to fight back,” says Dr. Adeyeri, who notes the family has collectively added years to their lives, due to the alleviation of many weight-related medical conditions.

Is it Your Turn to Win the War Against Weight?

Congratulations! The Sterling Surgicare team would be honored to partner with you for this life-changing journey. Start by calling us at (732) 217-3897 to talk with Melissa, our office manager,
and a bariatric success story herself!

Dr. Adeyeri also hosts monthly Informational Seminars for people and their loved ones interested in learning more about the safest and most popular bariatric procedures.