Always heavyset, Jennifer Ellis and Toby Avalos suffered their share of teasing and giggles when growing up. But the overweight was no laughing matter. Avalos eventually tipped the scales at 365 pounds and developed diabetes. Ellis turned into a recluse, ashamed to go to her kids’ school functions in her size 20 stretch pants.
“Food got to be my only friend,” recalls Ellis, a San Antonio postal employee.
“Diets never worked. It was lose, gain; lose, gain all the time,” sighs Avalos, a training instructor for the dental department at Fort Sam Houston’s Academy of Health Science. “At one point, I couldn’t even find belts big enough. I had to switch to suspenders.”
Fortunately, the Texas Center for Medical & Surgical Weight Loss directed by Dr. Ramiro “Sonny” Cavazos came to the rescue, providing Avalos and Ellis with a tool to beat morbid obesity. And today, they’re among the many patients praising the center located at Northeast Baptist Hospital in a specially designed bariatric surgery unit.
“I have a new lease on life since going through Lap Band surgery at the center,” declares Ellis, who now wears sleek styles in sizes 8 and 10.
“I’ve stabilized my weight at 165–175 pounds since my gastric bypass and the diabetes is gone,” reports Avalos. “I’ll tell you, I can’t praise Dr. Cavozos’ center too highly.”
The Texas Center for Medical & Surgical Weight Loss specializes in bariatric procedures including laparoscopic gastric bypass, Lap Band and revision surgeries as well as non– surgical guidance. Cavazos, a highly respected and fellowship–trained expert in the field, heads the surgical staff and supervises Northeast’s overall bariatric program, taking a personal interest in every case. And he’s proud of the success rate.
Helping obese patients is rewarding work, the doctor declares. “Yes, I get weary sometimes because these operations aren’t easy and there’s never much leisure time. But when I think of the valuable tool to fight obesity that we’re offering … when I think how this surgery can make such a difference to so many obesity–related conditions like diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease, I’m humbled by my opportunity.”
Cavazos, a native of Fort Worth, hadn’t really intended to enter the bariatric field. He was more inclined toward pediatric surgery. Career goals changed when serving his residency at Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver Colo., and a mentor said he’d be good at doing laparoscopic bariatric procedures. Cavazos took the advice and shortly after completing intensive one–on–one fellowship training with renowned surgeon Allan Wittgrove in San Diego, Calif., was approached by Northeast Baptist about starting a bariatric surgery program at the hospital. Four years ago, Cavazos made the move to San Antonio with his internist wife Dr. Monica Anz–Cavazos, who now works at his side, providing both program and practice with pre–op, post–op and non–surgical expertise.
“Our bariatric program at the Northeast Baptist Surgery Center is excited to partner with the doctors at the Texas Center for Medical &Surgical Weight Loss,” notes Candace Hildebrand, Northeast’s bariatric liaison. Hildebrand explains that by combining efforts, superior service for seriously overweight individuals can be provided, thus bringing a level of obesity treatment to the city that hasn’t been available before.
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, obesity affects approximately 60 million Americans and an estimated 3 million are morbidly obese. The morbidly obese usually haul around at least 100 pounds more than the medically recommended weight (for men) and 80 pounds more (for women). Doctors, however, often shy away from poundage and use the term “body mass index” or BMI when discussing the problem. Generally speaking, a BMI of 40 or over (35 if other morbidities like sleep apnea are involved) can put a person in the morbidly obese category.
While high BMIs are nationwide, certain areas seem especially prone to weighty issues. And, unfortunately, San Antonio has earned the nickname, “Fat City.” Dr. Cavazos theorizes that it’s likely due to the abundance of tempting Tex–Mex foods coupled with the hot climate, which keeps people inside by the AC and isn’t conducive to vigorous and slenderizing outdoor exercise.
Dr. John J. Gonzalez Jr., a fellowship–trained bariatric surgeon who joined the center’s staff a few months ago, agrees.
“We’ve definitely got a lot of unhealthy big people here,” he says.
Food is part of every social occasion and is virtually synonymous with the city’s dominant Hispanic culture, Gonzalez continues. Therefore, increased awareness about proper eating habits and nutrition must be an ongoing campaign. Even with increased emphasis on healthy eating, though, he believes some individuals will always be more predisposed than others to ballooning waistlines. And, yes, it could be in the genes. But, he says, the important thing to remember is that genes or no genes, fat doesn’t have to be a lifetime sentence. Experts in the bariatric field can change the anatomy of the digestive system to limit the amount and type of foods you eat, thereby peeling off the pounds.
“There truly is hope for the many who are morbidly obese,” declares Dr. Anz–Cavazos. “That’s why our staff is growing (the center has just added another surgeon, Dr. Carlos G. Martinez) and why I call our work a happy practice.”
Her husband is quick to add, however, that there are risks with bariatric procedures as with any major surgery. Furthermore, an operation is no magic cure. In the long term, only the patient’s commitment and desire to stick with the prescribed regimen can lead to success.
“You have to be willing to change your way of thinking, living and eating,” reflects bypass patient Avalos. “I’ll have to stick with small portions and avoid high–caloric things or I’ll be sick and right back where I started with diabetes and insulin shots four times a day. So, I’m tough on myself. No backsliding.”
Ellis is tough on herself, too. Though banding isn’t generally considered as permanent as gastric bypass and it might be tempting to sneak a snack now that she has reached her desired weight, she’s determined to prove her willpower. Confidently she declares: “Those size 20 stretch pants are history!”
