Kevin Hammond, 49, never expected to be a candidate for Bariatric surgery. A police officer, Hammond always was active, outgoing and hard-working. After a knee injury in 2011, he was out of work for some time. His wake-up call came after hitting his heaviest weight of close to 300 pounds. After a few years of unsuccessful attempts of strict diet and exercise, Hammond decided he needed to make a change and began to consider weight loss surgery at Little Company of Mary Hospital (LCMH).
Because of this significant weight gain, Hammond also had been suffering from sleep apnea, high blood pressure, severe carpal tunnel and ongoing knee pain. After an appointment and evaluation with his primary care physician James Miller, M.D., Hammond met with Lisa Micetich, registered and licensed dietitian for the Bariatric Program and Nutrition Services at LCMH, Mary Alberts, RN, Bariatric Coordinator at LCMH, and Antoinette Murphy, Bariatric Advanced Practice Nurse at LCMH.
“I did everything I possibly could to lose the weight on my own, but eventually, with the help of Lisa, Mary and the entire Bariatric team, it was determined that I was indeed a candidate for Bariatric surgery,” said Hammond. “I needed to get healthy not only for myself but for my wife, my children and my two grandchildren – and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.”
Hammond met with with Philip Omotosho, M.D., fellowship-trained Bariatric surgeon and Medical Director of the Bariatric program at LCMH, and gastric bypass surgery was scheduled for April 18, 2018.
“If you have struggled with obesity for more than five years and have tried to lose weight but have been unsuccessful, that is when you may want to consider weight loss surgery,” said Dr. Omotosho. “Weight loss surgery can markedly improve people’s lives. It is an effective way to treat obesity and substantially reduce the health issues associated with it.”
Today, Hammond weighs 176 pounds and has proudly maintained a weight-loss of approximately 115 pounds since his surgery one year ago. He no longer needs his blood pressure medicine or cholesterol medicine and his sleep apnea has significantly improved. On June 6, 2018, Hammond was able to return to the job he loves as a police officer.
“I went from a size 2X in shirts to a medium or large. My pant size went from a 44 to a 32,” said Hammond. “More importantly, I can play with my grandkids without losing my breath! I feel like a new person and I have my life back thanks to the Bariatric team at LCMH.”