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Changes Keansburg Dad’s Life
Keansburg resident Alex Cabezas knew he was
overweight. But it wasn’t until the 40-year-old’s
scale showed 307 pounds — a number he never
thought he would see — that Alex realized he had to
make a change. He turned to the Center for Bariatrics at
Bayshore Community Hospital.
“I had put surgery on the back burner before, but
I was starting to feel unsafe,” says Alex, who also had
diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea, a group of
conditions that put his heart in danger. “I knew I wanted
to have weight-loss surgery, but I wasn’t sure where to
start. Then I heard about a lecture at Bayshore.”
Bayshore Community Hospital
A Life-Changing Lecture
The lecture was presented by Karl Strom, M.D., medical
director of the Center for Bariatrics and a physician on
staff at Bayshore. Afterward, Alex was so impressed
he immediately scheduled his surgery. He opted for a
procedure called a sleeve gastrectomy, which works by
reducing the stomach’s volume so that it can’t hold as much.
“During the gastric sleeve procedure, the stomach is
narrowed into a thin sleeve, approximately the size and shape
of a banana,” explains Dr. Strom. “The smaller stomach helps
patients feel fuller with much smaller portions of food, while
allowing for normal digestion and absorption of nutrients.”
Alex underwent his surgery on February 3, 2012, with
Dr. Strom and Silvia Fresco, M.D., a bariatric surgeon also on
staff at Bayshore. Since then, Alex has lost nearly 100 pounds.
After bariatric surgery helped Alex Cabezas lose 92 pounds, the Keansburg
resident is more active than he’s been in 20 years. He maintains his healthy new
lifestyle by working out, playing softball, and visiting the beach with his 9-yearold
twin sons, Louis (left) and Alexander.
‘A New Person’
Alex attributes his success to the comprehensive program
the Center offers. Besides the surgery itself, Bayshore’s
experts provide education and a lifetime of follow-up
care and support to help patients keep the weight off.
“I feel like a new person,” says Alex. “From the moment
I attended the lecture through my follow-up appointments
and support group, I have felt like part of a family.
Everyone at Bayshore made me feel confident in my
decision and helped me overcome any barriers so that I
could concentrate on my surgery and getting well again.”
You Can Change Your Life, Too
Karl W. Strom, M.D.
Board certified in General Surgery
Holmdel • 732-739-5925
“Every day I have a new ‘ah-ha!’ moment,” says Alex.
“My greatest one was shortly after my surgery when my
son hugged me and said, ‘Daddy, this is the first time I
can put my arms around you.’ That was special. I think
anyone considering weight-loss surgery should attend a
lecture with Dr. Strom. It really did change my life.” •
— Caitlin Coyle
If you’re more than 100 pounds overweight and have been unsuccessful at losing weight with
traditional methods, surgery may be right for you. Visit BayshoreHospital.org to learn more about
the surgical options we offer, and see page 25 for the upcoming schedule of our free weekly seminars.
Meridian HealthViews • November/December 2012
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