Plane Rides Now More Comfortable for Businessman after Weight Loss Surgery
BMI Surgery at Silver Cross Hospital helps Romeoville Dad improve health after bariatric surgery
Flying in airplanes is second nature to businessman Peter O’Connor who travels over 70,000 miles a year. As the years went by, his weight increased. So the 46 year-old ordered a seatbelt extension to use with the airplane seats. When he took the extension out of the box, Peter immediately made a decision that would alter his health for the rest of his life.
“The moment I held the seatbelt extension in my hand, I realized it was an indication that my life was going to continue moving forward down an unhealthy path. I couldn’t accept it anymore, so I called BMI Surgery that day,” said Peter O’Connor, who resides in Romeoville. Since losing 117 pounds after having laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy surgery on February 15, 2016 with BMI Surgery at Silver Cross Hospital, O’Connor encourages others to take control of their health and see if weight loss surgery is an option for them. For years, Peter had high blood pressure, severe ankle pain, debilitating back spasms and chronic arthritis in his spine causing him to be inactive for several days. Since his weight loss surgery, he no longer suffers with ankle or back pain and his blood pressure has significantly decreased.
Losing weight has allowed O’Connor to enjoy life more. As a volunteer First Responder, he can now maneuver more quickly to help others in need of assistance. He not only doesn’t mind sitting in the middle seat on a plane, he also enjoys distance running and hiking. “After having weight loss surgery, my wife, son and I all exercise together,” said O’Connor.
Weight Loss Surgery Process
O’Connor suggests others attend BMI Surgery’s free informational session. “After listening to Dr. Brian Lahmann’s informative presentation, I understood that the program was only a tool to lose weight and I had to make behavioral changes.”
Patients benefit from a multidisciplinary approach, with the help of many different departments at Silver Cross. “Patients see an exercise physiologist, dietitian, cardiologist, psychologist, pulmonologist, and a bariatric nurse to get them ready for surgery,” says Dr. Brian Lahmann. “We screen our patients very carefully to ensure their success and safety.”
“Dr. Lahmann, his staff and the nurses at Silver Cross Hospital were all fantastic! They gave me a 100-page manual that guided me through the entire pre-and post-surgery process,” said O’Connor. “Their expertise motivated me to stick to the program by eating well, exercising and focusing on my weight loss goals.”
“Peter is a wonderful example of how bariatric surgery can positively enhance one’s life. His determination to follow the program by eating well and exercising was instrumental in his ability to lose 117 pounds,” says Dr. Lahmann.
The American Society of Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery defines the morbidly obese as those with a body mass of 35 or above with comorbidities, or for a normal height woman, being more than 100 pounds overweight. Patients with a BMI of 35 and higher, who are suffering the medical consequences of obesity, are often best treated with bariatric surgery as opposed to nonsurgical weight loss. Those who are morbidly obese are at a higher risk of mortality and such extreme obesity puts people at risk for life threatening disease, including heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes.
BMI Surgery has changed the lives of over 5,000 patients with life changing surgeries including laparoscopic gastric bypass, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, ReShape, and Lap-Band and REALIZE gastric band systems at Silver Cross Hospital. Board certified laparoscopic and bariatric surgeons Brian Lahmann, M.D., and Christopher Joyce, M.D., are dedicated to helping patients win their personal battles with obesity and enjoy healthier lives. Their office is located on the Silver Cross Hospital campus at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox. BMI Surgery at Silver Cross Hospital has been named a MBSAQIP accredited center – Comprehensive. BMI Surgery is also a Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery.
To find out more about the bariatric surgery program at Silver Cross Hospital, attend a free informational session any Wednesday at 5:45 p.m. at BMI Surgery on the Silver Cross Hospital campus, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., Suite 260, New Lenox. Or listen to the presentation live via Web Ex Wednesday, May 17 at the same time. Register to attend either in person or online.
