— POLK COUNTY, Fla. -- Right now, millions of Americans are struggling with obesity or having trouble losing weight and keeping it off. If you are one of them, you are not alone. According to the most recent data from the Florida Department of Health nearly one in three Floridians are overweight or obese, an increase of nearly two percent from the year before.
The disease of obesity increases the risks of morbidity and mortality because of the diseases and conditions that are commonly associated with it, such as type II diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cancer and sleep apnea, among other health risks. However, studies show metabolic and bariatric surgery has proven to be effective in reducing these conditions.
Kimberly Reynardo Williams, a 42-year-old mother of three from Auburndale, says she struggled with her weight for 15 years. She said she worked with doctors to try to come up with a plan to lose weight using different weight loss options including different diets and weight loss pills, but they were not successful, leaving her frustrated.
“I was tired of the way I was feeling. I was constantly tired. I was constantly dealing with aches and pains in my back and my knees,” Reynardo Williams said. “I was to the point I was depressed, I was on depression medication, and I knew the primary reason I was depressed was because of my own weight.”
Reynardo Williams said her sister getting weight loss surgery led her to get a consult with Dr. Shiva Seetahal of AdventHealth Medical Group Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery in Davenport.
“I just wanted to be healthier and happier,” Reynardo Williams said.
In early December 2023, she underwent weight loss surgery at AdventHealth Heart of Florida in Davenport and said she has lost 90 pounds so far.
“That was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life,” Reynardo Williams said. “I just feel so much happier. I have so much more energy. My family sees the change in me. My husband tells me all the time, ‘you’re just a happier person, you’re always happy, you’re smiling.’ It’s made a big impact; I just want to do more. I don’t want to be a couch potato anymore; I just have the energy to do so many things now.”
Researchers say metabolic/bariatric surgery is the most effective and long-lasting treatment for severe obesity resulting in significant weight loss and the improvement, prevention, or resolution of many related diseases. Studies also show bariatric surgery may reduce a patient’s risk of premature death by 30-50 percent.
AdventHealth Heart of Florida’s Bariatric program recently achieved reaccreditation by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program®. To earn this prestigious designation, AdventHealth met stringent criteria for staffing, training and facility infrastructure and protocols for care, ensuring its ability to support patients with severe obesity.
“We are honored to uphold the strict standards set by MBSAQIP and look forward to continuing to serve our patients with the highest level of care and expertise,” said AdventHealth Polk Market President and CEO Tim Clark. “Thank you to our dedicated team for their hard work and commitment to delivering exceptional, whole person care to our patients. Together, we will continue to make a positive impact on the health and well-being of our community.”
Reynardo Williams says if you are not sure about whether weight loss surgery could be right for you, it is worth it to talk about your options with a doctor.
“If you’re struggling with weight loss, it’s worth it to just go for the consult. A consult is not going to hurt anybody, and you can always say ‘no, it’s not for me,’ but I would 100 percent always recommend to anyone to go for the consult and see what it’s about because it will change your life,” Reynardo Williams said.
If you have questions about bariatric surgery and how it may benefit your health, click here.