As panelists discuss available options, patient who lost 244 pounds shares powerful story of transformation and renewed health
Dr. Patrick Domkowski addresses participants at Health First’s Weight Loss Solutions panel, recently held at Suntree Country Club.
BREVARD COUNTY • ROCKLEDGE, FLORIDA — When Heather Arato, 43, took the mic before the crowd at Suntree Country Club, she shared what a lifetime of being overweight had been like.
As a kid, there were cruel comments from a pediatrician, causing her to leave the office in tears. Osteoarthritis that required knee surgery in her 20s. Aggressive GERD, acid reflux, and a hiatal hernia. A BMI of 62.
But then, things changed. Arato took control of her wellness. She turned to Health First New Fit Weight Loss Services, opting to undergo a gastric bypass procedure – something she called “the best decision” she ever made for her health.
“So that was me before,” Arato said as the projector showed her drastic before-and-after picture. “I was 384 pounds. As of this morning, I weigh 140.”
There were audible gasps and applause as Arato beamed – a woman who looked unrecognizable from her pre-surgery photo.
BEFORE: Heather Arato, 43, said she’s battled with her weight since she was a child – and had a series of related health issues. She sought help at 384 pounds. AFTER: Heather Arato described choosing gastric bypass surgery through Health First’s NewFit Weight Loss Services as the “best decision” she’s ever made for her health. She’s lost 244 pounds since having the procedure and feels better than ever.
Arato was one of dozens of community members who recently attended Health First’s Weight Loss Solutions panel. The free event featured a lively discussion with: bariatric surgeons Dr. Nathan Allison and Dr. Patrick Domkowski; non-surgical weight loss nurse practitioner Amanda Hughes; registered dietitian Kelly Fernandez-Rojas; exercise physiologist and wellness coach Lisa Acosta; and plastic and cosmetic surgeon Dr. George Collis.
These experts talked through a variety of weight loss and maintenance options available through New Fit, nationally accredited by the Metabolic Bariatric Surgery Quality Improvement Program, as well as additional tools to advance their wellness and health. Eager participants were able to ask direct questions as they learned more about options for living a healthier lifestyle.
The panelists shared how morbid obesity is a chronic disease that has a severe impact on overall health and significantly increases the risk of premature death. The condition elevates the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, respiratory complications, severe joint pain, certain cancers and other health conditions. It affects about a third of Floridians. Obesity is generally defined as a BMI greater than 30.
Allison spoke of the surgical options available – including sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass and SADI (modified duodenal switch procedure) – including what kind of weight loss to expect and the long-term commitments needed to maintain a loss.
“There’s no blame, there’s no guilt, there’s no shame,” Allison said. “It’s just you’re in a situation that you need help.”
Domkowski noted how a multimodality approach is best when it comes to weight loss.
“This is a very exciting time we’re living in, in terms of weight management,” Domkowksi said. “And when you admit that you need help, we have a lot of different tools in our toolbox to help you now.”
Hughes tackled GLP-1 medications, which have soared in popularity as a weight loss drugs, noting they’ve “changed the landscape of weight management for so many patients.”
“When we introduce medicines like this, patients who have really struggled with counting every little calorie feel like they have the bandwidth and margin to work with for once,” Hughes said of this tool.
Bringing a registered dietician into the mix can also be an important tool, adding nutritional guidance that can be adapted to patients’ individual needs.
“We all have different muscle mass, different fats and percentages,” explained Fernandez-Rojas, R.D. “It really does help so that you can see in true form this is your body, this is what it needs, and we can help you.”
While protein is all the rage recently, Fernandez-Rojas noted people can’t have tunnel vision with it.
“Protein is very important, but it’s not the only thing you want to eat,” she shared. “Eating an only protein or carnivore diet is not sustainable. Fiber is the next thing we really talk about. You want protein and fiber in your diet…The goal is to stay healthy throughout this whole journey, and you need to get the right food in.”
Acosta said it’s important for people to determine what their goals are – and keep in mind the little things add up.
“Just think about what it is that you want and decide and keep saying ‘yes’ to whatever that is and keep saying ‘no’ to what you don’t want to do anymore,” Acosta advised. “A lot of people will say, ‘Well, I can’t get to the gym, and it’s raining out.’ I tell people, ‘Just walk around your kitchen at night.’ ”
Collis, who helps many NewFit patients via cosmetic surgery to remove excess skin after major weight loss, said the timing of a cosmetic procedure must be thoughtfully considered – don’t rush into it immediately.
“You really want to set your goal – and meet your goal,” Collis said. “But I’m the last stop. I think that’s important to know.”
Arato definitely had a goal. And hit it.
“I feel like I’m in my 20s,” she said. “I can fit in airplane seats without spilling over into somebody else. I don’t need the (belt) extenders anymore. There’s so many non-scale victories that you don’t even realize until you have them happen to you.”
Arato closed by adding how amazing the NewFit program was for her.
“I can’t speak to it enough,” she said. “They really are very caring. They support you. There’s no reason to be ashamed. You know they’re there every step of the way.”
Her final nugget of advice? “Don’t do it for anybody else,” Arato said. “Do it for you, and you will succeed. They’ll make sure you do.”
To learn more about weight loss options at Health First, visit hf.org/newfit.
