Gardner Resident Enjoys Multiple Health Benefits Following Surgical Weight Loss at Emerson Hospital

Tanya Nelson, a mother of five children, has fought a losing battle with weight control for much of her adult life. The Gardner resident had long been interested in weight loss surgery, but she decided to pursue it last summer over concerns that her health was worsening.

“I tried to lose weight on my own, and I was frustrated that it wasn’t happening because my blood pressure was up. I wanted to be around for my children,” Nelson said. “It was other things, too. I couldn’t run around with my kids without getting out of breath, and I was constantly in pain from the extra weight. I felt sore doing the dishes, folding laundry, pretty much everything.”

Nelson went to a surgical weight loss information session elsewhere, but didn’t get the information she needed to feel comfortable moving forward. Then she attended a free information session led by David Lautz, MD, FACS, medical director of the Emerson-Mass General Weight Loss Program in Concord.

“I knew right away it was a good fit, and that I wanted Dr. Lautz to be my surgeon,” she recalled. “He talked about the benefits, but also the risks. Surgical weight loss is a major life change, and I wanted to be completely informed.”

Following extensive research and consultation with Dr. Lautz about the different procedures, Nelson underwent laparoscopic gastric bypass – a minimally invasive procedure which both limits the amount of food one can ingest by decreasing the size of the stomach, and also causes some malabsorption of calories and nutrients by rerouting  a small part of the gastrointestinal tract.

Dr. Lautz, who is board-certified in surgery and has performed weight loss surgery for more than 10 years, has vast experience in performing bariatric surgery, including gastric bypass, gastric banding and sleeve gastrectomy.

“Each operation has its own personality, as well as risks and benefits. Our job is to educate patients, answer their questions and let them decide if bariatric surgery is appropriate for them,” he said.

Dr. Lautz is one of 12 surgeons who were asked to join the Governing Committee of the American College of Surgeons Bariatric Surgery Center Network, which accredits bariatric surgery centers of excellence nationwide. Emerson achieved Level 1A accreditation in 2010.

Since her surgery on July 15, 2013, Nelson has dropped from size 22 to size 6 and eliminated her blood pressure medication. She has higher self-esteem, feels full of energy and is free of the physical discomfort that plagued her prior to surgery.

“I’m able to do so much more,” she said. “Now I can’t wait for the summer, when I can chase after my kids without getting out of breath.”

Nelson will be able to share the experience with her husband, Scott, who underwent weight loss surgery on Jan. 29 with Dr. Lautz to address his own health concerns. In that short time, he has already lost 23 pounds, stopped taking his medication for type 2 diabetes and noticed a marked improvement in his high blood pressure.

“Weight loss surgery isn’t for everyone, but Scott did his research and my results also inspire him,” Nelson said. “He sees that I’ve been successful, and he knows he can do it, too.”

In fact, Nelson’s improved health is consistent with the benefits that can be obtained with weight loss surgery. According to Dr. Lautz, co-principal investigator on a National Institutes of Health clinical trial at the Joslin Diabetes Center, studies have shown that 80 percent of individuals with diabetes can stop taking medication after having weight loss surgery. In addition, many patients are better able to control or eliminate other related medical problems, including hypertension and sleep apnea.

While Dr. Lautz has received numerous awards in recognition of his commitment to his profession, his primary emphasis remains the care of his patients.

“To offer those who have struggled with their weight for their entire life a treatment option that can resolve many of the medical problems, greatly improve their quality of life and let them be treated like anyone else in society is enormously rewarding for me and my staff,” he said. “My goal is to provide the highest possible quality bariatric surgical care in a supportive environment.”

For more information about surgical weight loss, call the Emerson-Mass General Weight Loss Program at (978) 287-3532 or visit www.emersonhospital.org/surgicalweightloss.