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“I weighed 325 pounds,” says Scott Carl. “I had severe sleep apnea and stopped breathing 38 times an hour during a sleep study at Woodbine.” The Milton resident considered weight-loss surgery for months.
 
“I was always athletic and the things I had always done to get in shape weren’t working anymore. The demands of my job and my kids weren’t leaving me time to exercise.” 
 
Scott’s wife, Becky, had bariatric surgery before the two met. “I knew of Becky’s success and her mom also had weight loss surgery. I talked to them and asked a lot of questions before I decided that was right for me.”

Bariatric surgery is not a quick fix

For many patients, bariatric surgery is the best option to maintain weight loss and, more importantly, treat and often eliminate medical problems such as diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels. But it is not a quick fix. It requires extensive patient preparation and a lifelong commitment. 
 
While considering weight-loss surgery, Scott met with a team of specialists to discuss improving his medical conditions. Physician assistant Shannon McShea of Geisinger’s Center for Nutrition and Weight Management was Scott’s first meeting. 
 
“Shannon helped me with dietary changes during this six-month process. I went to support meetings, attended diet and nutrition meetings and had a behavioral health assessment. I needed to show that I was making strides toward weight loss before surgery.”

Life after weight-loss surgery

Geisinger’s director of bariatric surgery and bariatric surgeon Dr. Anthony Petrick performed Scott’s surgery in February 2017. 

“I am so happy I had the surgery. I feel better now than I did when I was in my 30’s. I’ve lost over 100 pounds. My blood pressure is good now, and I don’t have to sleep with a CPAP machine for sleep apnea anymore.” 
 
To qualify for bariatric surgery, most candidates must have a BMI over 40.0 or a BMI over 35.0 plus a related health issue, such as diabetes or sleep apnea. 
 
Anthony T. Petrick, M.D., is director of bariatric surgery at Geisinger and specializes in bariatric surgery, heartburn, minimally invasive surgery, surgical oncology and cancer. He sees patients at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton and Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-275-6401 or visit Geisinger.org.
Becky Carl looking lovingly at her husband, Carl. Both had bariatric surgery.
Scott and Becky Carl

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