How Bariatric Surgery Changed My Life

When I was first diagnosed with diabetes, I was terrified. I went home, started crying, and researched exactly what being diagnosed with diabetes really meant. I had always heard the word “diabetes”, but I truly did not know what I was faced with. My doctor didn’t provide much explanation on what to expect, my prognosis
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Bariatric Surgery Alleviates Diabetes & Heart Disease

In addition to helping patients lose weight, bariatric surgery can resolve Type 2 Diabetes, as well as substantially lower the risk for strokes and heart attacks.  According to a recent research study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers found bariatric surgery patients were 39% less likely to experience a heart- or stroke-related
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Kera – Spotlight!

My name is Kera Melancon. I am 34 years old with an amazing husband and three beautiful children. I was diagnosed with diabetes at 31 years old. When I found out that I was a diabetic, I wasn’t very educated and thought “ok I’ll just not eat as much sugar”. Little did I know there
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Kera & Mikey – Life Now

As Kera and Mikey reflect back on life, they realize how much they missed while suffering from Type 2 Diabetes. They recently went crabbing with their families, and this simple outing meant the world to Kera and Mikey. They could have never done this before surgery. The heat would have sent their sugar through the
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Kera & Mikey – Recovery after surgery

Although Kera and Mikey knew bariatric surgery was the best option, they were still scared before surgery. Fear didn’t stop them though! After surgery, Kera and Mikey no longer need insulin shots or pumps. They are healthy, and they recovered from the 45-minute procedure very easily. Within a few days, Mikey was sweeping and mopping
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Kera & Mikey – Not for cosmetic reasons

Many times, bariatric surgery is viewed as a cosmetic procedure. However, more often than not, patients choose bariatric surgery for health reasons. Co-morbidities like Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and hypertension regularly coincide with obesity. Living with one or more of these co-morbidities should not be mandatory. Bariatric surgery can help, if
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Nicole & Jason – Eating habits

Nicole and Jason live in New Orleans where food is a way of life. In New Orleans, people make lunch plans at breakfast. After Nicole and Jason underwent the Laparoscopic Sleeve, food became more of a health sustaining feature and less of a social necessity. This isn’t to say Nicole and Jason stopped socializing over
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Kera & Mikey – Dr. Lavin’s Team

Every member of the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana team is passionate about our mission! We work tirelessly to ensure each patient receives the best medical care. Listen below to hear more about Kera and Mikey’s experience with our team.
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Kera & Mikey – Not Diabetic, Now Healthy

Prior to surgery, Kera was in liver and kidney failure. Mikey was constrained to an insulin pump at all times. Doctors didn’t know how to help except to pump them full of more insulin. It was not until Kera and Mikey visited with our team that they realized Type 2 Diabetes can be cured by
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Nicole & Jason – Their to-do list

Nicole and Jason are attorneys, parents, colleagues, etc. Their to-do list is probably longer than most. Prior to surgery, their list of errands and work seemed daunting and exhausting. Nicole recalls times when she dreaded just getting out of the car, grabbing the kids, and running those errands. Everything felt like a burden. Now, they
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