Winter 2012 - Meritus Health

HealthFocusHealth Information and News from Meritus Health Winter 2012Owner’s Manual for Your BodyPart 1Do You Take BetterCare of Your Carthan Your Health? pg 3When Your Body AlarmShould Beep pg 5Hospitalists: SpecializedCare When You Need It pg 11‘Like’ us at www.facebook.com/MeritusHealthRead our blog on healthy living at blog.meritushealth.com

Meritus Medical Center is perhaps itsmost easily recognized facility, butMeritus Health offers much, muchmore. For generations, Meritus Healthhas been responding to the specificneeds of the region with the foresightof a true community partner bydeveloping and sustaining a totalhealthcare system. Branches of careincluding primary care physicianpractices, specialists in disciplines fromobstetrics to cardiology, and satelliteservices from diagnostics to durablemedical equipment complement thehospital’s efforts to provide qualitycare across the spectrum.Meritus Health is not just a hospital.That said, the new Meritus MedicalCenter does offer cutting-edgetechnology and services for inpatientsand outpatients in a facility without acold, clinical feel. Perhaps that isbecause care is provided by a multigenerationalworkforce from aroundour region: your friends and neighbors.Access to advanced diagnostics,treatment and services is right here,delivered by competent and caring,familiar faces.The quality services offered includea respected regional trauma center,a cardiac catheterization lab, anda nationally-recognized joint replacementprogram. Patients seldom have areason to “go down the road” to receiveexcellent medical care. Meritus Healthis the largest healthcare provider inthe region, and serves as a leader inthe continued evolution of a comprehensiveapproach to wellness inWashington County and beyond.Where isMeritus Health?At the corner of Eastern Blvd.and Professional Court areMeritus Imaging atProfessional Court andThe Meritus Weight Loss Center.

OWNER’S MANUALDo You Take BetterCare of Your Carthan Your Health?An apple a day keeps the doctoraway. Apples are good for yourhealth, but so are regular visits toyour primary care physician (PCP). To beas healthy as you can be, consider yourselfa part of your care team. This meansforming a partnership between you andyour physician.Approach your annual well visit withan agenda in mind. Tania Crussiah, MDof Williamsport Family Practicerecommendsproactivelydiscussinghealth concernsat the beginning of thecheck-up. Sheencourages patientsto share their moods,health worries, andfears with theirdoctor. “Ifsomething isbothering you, talk toyour doctor beforebelieving the worse casescenario,” said Dr. Crussiah.“Let us do the workup tohelp diagnose the condition.”Keep in mind that the purpose of theappointment is a preventative visit.“You’re taking yourself in for a checkup,similar to your car’s scheduledmaintenance,” said Dr. Crussiah. “Physicalsare for when you’re feeling well and wantto stay well.” Any medical concerns thatcome up during your well visit deserve aseparate, more focused appointment.Don’t skip well visits or regular healthscreenings such as mammograms andcolorectal screenings. Dr. Crussiah warnsthat just like your car, you don’t want towait for a light on the dashboard to tellyou something is wrong.Inform your PCP of any visits tospecialists—or the emergency room.If you have seen specialists throughout theyear, such as a dermatologist or podiatrist,be sure to discuss the outcomes with yourdoctor. Patients are the true hub of theirhealth information so be sure to confirmthat all specialist reports havebeen sent to your PCP. Atrip to theemergency roomor urgent carecounts asimportanthealthinformation, sodon’t forget toshare thisinformation withyour physician.Live a healthy life.Learn as much as youcan about your health—and how toprotect and preserve yourself. Thisincludes developing thoughtful habitsabout what you put into your body andavoiding things like junk food, excessiveuse of alcohol, and smoking. You cancontrol your health by making gooddecisions. “The doctor will be your guide,but in the end it’s your responsibility,” saidDr. Crussiah.Annual check-ups,screenings, andpreventative tests canhelp you learn moreabout your body andsometimes lead to earlydetection of a serioushealth risk. Do youknow what tests arerecommended for youand have you had yoursyet? Ask your physicianto find out and scheduleyours right away.—Dr. Anand Budi,PediatricianWeiss, Becker,Shuster & Budi PediatricsMeritusHealth.com 3

OWNER’S MANUALThe Primary Care Physician,Coordinator of Your HealthcareMeritus Health’sPrimary Care PracticesJerry L. Correces, MDDr. Jerry L. Correces is board certified ininternal medicine and offers comprehensiveevaluation and individualized care. Heprovides diagnostic services in his office aswell as minor procedures.Robinwood Professional CenterSuite 150, 11110 Medical Campus Rd.Hagerstown, MD 301.797.4593Primary care physicians (PCPs) are ourneighborhood doctors, and generallythe first person to call when we have aproblem. Primary care physicians evaluateand treat common medical problems. Theyare educators and evaluators, guiding theirpatients to treatment, care, or furtherservices they need for optimal health.Yet many people do not get a continuityof care. Often people switch doctors as theyswitch insurance plans, or don’t see the valueof having a dedicated physician. Without aPCP, your medical history—chronicconditions, past medical procedures anddiagnostic tests—becomes lost. PCPs canalso help patients understand the need forpreventative screenings and well visits.In an urgent healthsituation, PCPs canexpedite care and providereferrals to specialists. Inshort, your primary caredoctor is the coordinatorof your healthcare.Finding DoctorRight!Approach the selectionof your primary carephysician as you would a4 MeritusHealth.comfirst date. Your first impression of a doctoris important according to John Reed, MDof Smithsburg Family Medical Center.“Trust, chemistry and a connection shouldall be present during your first encounter,”says Dr. Reed. “It’s that kind of arelationship.”Look for two-way communication. Dr.Reed adds that you’re more likely to listento your doctor if he listens to you. Keep inmind that one doctor does not fit all. Yourbest friend may love her physician, but herdoctor may not jive with your personality.If you haven’t found a PCP, don’t put itoff another day. In the box at the right areseveral excellent physicians and practiceswithin the Meritus Health system.North Pointe Internal MedicineDrs. Ann DeClue and Steven Hatlebergspecialize in diagnosing and treating illnessesin individuals age eighteen or older. Thepractice incorporates an understanding ofwellness, geriatrics, mental health, medicalethics, and women’s health issues. Officevisits are by appointment.13424 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 203Hagerstown, MD 240.313.9850Potomac Family MedicineDrs. Allen Ditto, Stephen Metzner, KelliStrauss, and William Kutzera are a group ofexperienced family physicians whose solepurpose is to provide you with the bestcontinuing, comprehensive, and professionalmedical care available. Together, withstaff, they want to provide for your medicalneeds in an efficient, thoughtful, thorough,and courteous fashion. Potomac FamilyMedicine provides patients with the fullscope of family medicine, excludingobstetrics. All physicians who practice inPotomac Family Medicine have beenresidency trained and are certified by theAmerican Board of Family Medicine.13424 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 101Hagerstown, MD 301.791.7900Robinwood Family PracticeRobinwood Family Practice provides care topatients of all ages. Drs. Joseph Asuncion,Matthew Beckwith, Larry Kugler, and WilliamRoyster believe that good health care isbased in part on a friendly, mutualunderstanding among staff, doctor, andpatients. Office visits are by appointment.Robinwood Professional CenterSuite 107, 11110 Medical Campus Rd.Hagerstown, MD 301.714.4400

OWNER’S MANUALWhen Your Body AlarmShould BeepRobinwood Internal MedicineDr. Mahesh Krishnamoorthy is boardcertifiedin internal medicine andspecializes in diagnosing and treatingillnesses in individuals ages eighteen orolder. His emphasis is on providingcomprehensive medical care that conformsto the needs and expectations of hispatients. Office visits are by appointment.Robinwood Professional CenterSuite 150, 11110 Medical Campus Rd.Hagerstown, MD 301.665.4825Smithsburg Family Medical CenterDrs. Brian Bonham, Gail Callaway, SusannaGoheen, William Kerns, and John Reed areboard-certified in both Internal Medicine andPediatrics and provide expert and individualizedhealth care services in a comfortablesetting. Office visits by appointment.22911 Jefferson Blvd., Smithsburg, MD301.824.3343White Oak Pediatric & Adult MedicineDr. Vincent Cantone and his staff are afamily-oriented practice dedicated toproviding quality care to patients and offer arange of services for both adults and children.13424 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 205Hagerstown, MD 240.313.9890Williamsport Family PracticeDrs. Tania Crussiah, Matthew Gibson, NealPatalinghug, and Samuel Rao are all boardcertified in family practice. Office visits areby appointment.2 Byrkit Drive, Williamsport, MD301.582.1150WillowWood Adult MedicineDrs. Mohammed Ali, Kia Tisdale, and SamuelChan specialize in the diagnosis andtreatment of patients age thirteen and older,as well as infectious disease and women’shealth issues.Robinwood Professional Center,Suite 143, 11110 Medical Campus Rd.Hagerstown, MD 301.714.4175• Rectal bleeding• Unintentional weight loss• Decrease in appetite• Difficulty swallowing (afeeling that food is stuckin your throat)• Persistent heartburn• Cough lasting longer thantwo weeksDoctors dependon patients tobe proactive with theirhealthcare. Here arecommon warning signspatients often ignore.• Sudden decrease in tolerancefor exercise, or a feeling ofchest pressure while exercising• Sleeplessness or anxiety• Heart palpitations• Sexually transmitted disease(STD) concerns after ahigh-risk situation• DepressionMeritusHealth.com 5

OWNER’S MANUALWhat Places You at a GreaterHealth Risk?We asked Drs. Crussiah and Reed to tell us what behaviorsor situations place patients at a greater health risk.Here are their top ten concerns:❶ Smoking or other tobacco use❷ Carrying excessive weight❸ Avoiding regular exercise❹ A stressful lifestyle❺ Drinking excessively❻ Making unhealthy food choices and not eating fruits and vegetables❼ Ignoring your teeth and gums (gum disease is linked to inflammationand a higher risk for a heart attack)❽ Getting too much sun (not wearing sunscreen and using tanning beds)➒ Choosing not to wear a seatbelt or driving while distracted❿ Disregarding chronic health conditions such as high blood pressureand diabetesA New Icon for Well-Rounded MealsIn case you haven’t noticed, our food portionshave grown, and we eat too much meat. To helpus regain our health and reduce our waists,Brandy Baxter, registered dietitian with MeritusMedical Center, shared newadvice on how to fix dinner.Baxter told Health Mattersradio show (WJEJ 1240 AMTuesdays at 9:30 am)listeners that the USDA nowuses the MyPlate icon toremind consumers to build ahealthy plate consisting ofmore fruits and vegetables.MyPlate recommends aquarter of the plate dedicatedto lean protein (meats), onequarter for whole grains (rice or whole grain pasta),and the remaining half for fruits and veggies.According to Baxter, the USDA’s food pyramid ofyesteryear was too confusing for most consumers tofollow. The focus on fruitsand veggies also increasesfiber intake, which makesyou feel fuller longer, lowerscholesterol, and keepsyou regular. But fruitsand vegetables can cost abundle. For those watchingtheir dollars, Baxtersuggests freezing salepricedlean meats andbuying store-brandfrozen vegetables.6 MeritusHealth.com

New to Meritus HealthKhadijah Abdurrazaq, MDA native of Nigeria, Africa, KhadijahAbdurrazaq, MD earned her medicaldegree from the University of Ibadan, OyoState in Nigeria. Dr. Abdurrazaq completedher pediatric residency training at BronxLebanon Hospital Center in Bronx, NewYork. Upon completing her residency, shejoined The Children’s Doctor in July and is board-eligiblewith the American Board of Pediatrics. She is fluent inEnglish and Yoruba.Mahpara Qureshi, MDWith an interest in the critically ill patientand advanced knowledge of in-hospitalcare, Mahpara Qureshi, MD joins MeritusHealth as a hospitalist. For the past fiveyears, Dr. Qureshi has cared for patients atWaynesboro Hospital in Pennsylvania, andmost recently Frederick Memorial Hospital.Dr. Qureshi earned her medical degree from Maulana AzadMedical College, Delhi University in New Delhi, India, andcompleted her residency in internal medicine at JamaicaHospital in Jamaica, New York. Dr. Qureshi is certified by theAmerican Board of Internal Medicine.Kirby Scott, DOFor those patients suffering from sinusproblems, allergies, sleep problems andhearing loss, a new otolaryngologist in thearea, Kirby Scott, DO, FACS, FAAOA,recently joined Dr. Charles Supernavage’spractice to form Central ENT Consultants,PC. Dr. Scott offers two new minimallyinvasive procedures for those suffering from chronic sinusitis,and not responding to medication—balloon sinuplasty andimage-guided surgery. A United States Naval Academygraduate, Dr. Scott completed his medical training at thePhiladelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and hisresidency training at the Naval Medical Center inPortsmouth, Virginia. Dr. Scott is accepting new patients.For more information, call 301.739.0400.Whooping CoughVaccine for New MomsWhooping cough, also known as pertussis, is on the rise,according to the Centers for Disease Control. To combatthis in our area, Meritus Medical Center, in partnershipwith Weis Markets, now offers TDap, an adult booster of thevaccine, to all new mothers in the hospital’s family birthing center.While this vaccination is covered by most insurance plans, a$10,000 grant from Weis Markets ensures that new mothers whoare uninsured or underinsured receive the vaccination.Whooping cough is a bacterial infection of the nose and throatthat causes severe coughing spells, and is highly contagious. Itremains poorly controlled in the United States and studies showthat new mothers are the source of exposure in 50% of the casesinvolving children. Infants under one year of age are particularlyvulnerable because they lack the full vaccination series needed toassure immunity.The family birthing center, special care nursery, and the pediatricstaff plan to all receive the vaccine. “We want to provide thevaccination to mothers to protect their newborns against pertussis,and we want to encourage all caregivers to receive the vaccinationas well,” said Dena Green, RN and clinical manager of the familybirthing center.New mom DeAnna Sierra, holds babyChase after receiving the TDap vaccinein the Family Birthing Center. “Thesafety of my child is above all,” she said.“If I can prevent him from gettingsick, the shot was nothingfor me to hesitate about.”Laura Toso, MDDr. Laura Toso is an obstetrician/gynecologist with Capital Women’s Care inHagerstown. She earned her medical degreewith honors from the University of Milan-Bicocca in Milan, Italy, and completed herresidency training in obstetrics andgynecology at the George WashingtonUniversity in Washington, DC. She is board-eligible with theAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Dr.Toso specializes in high-risk pregnancies, minimally invasivesurgical procedures, and comprehensive women’s care. She isfluent in English and Italian.

OWNER’S MANUALfeet:the body’sfoundationWith twenty-six bones,thirty-three joints, and over100 ligaments, our feet are thefoundation of our body and help us move.In one day, our feet can travel severalthousand steps. Given the intricacy ofour feet and their constant use, problemscan arise.“Foot structure is inherited and it canlead to foot problems and pain,” said ToddHarrison, DPM and physician at PodiatryAssociates of Hagerstown. But yourfootwear, activities, and lifestyle can alsocontribute to foot conditions.Foot StructureFlat feet, high arches, bunions, andhammertoes are all conditions related tostructural abnormalities of the foot. Abunion is a bony bump at the base of yourbig toe forming a misalignment of the toejoint. A hammertoe can rub against thetop of your shoe due to a bend in themiddle joint of the toe. By stepping outof the pool or shower, you can tell whetheryou’re blessed with flat feet or high arches.Most of these conditions can be treatedwith a change in footwear and insoles orcustom-made orthotics.Overuse InjuriesDr. Harrison also treats patients withstrains, sprains and fractures. But wearand tear on the foot can cause commonfoot conditions like plantar fasciitis,posterior tibialis tendonitis, metatarsalgia,Morton’s neuroma, and Tarsal Tunnelsyndrome—and with these conditions,pain usually gets worse with activity.“Foot pain, specifically plantar fasciitis,is common among people whose jobsrequire them to stand and walk a lot,”said Harrison.With plantar fasciitis, the thick bandof tissue at the bottom of foot becomesinflamed, causing a stabbing heel pain.Metatarsalgia and Morton’s neuromainvolve pain in the ball of the foot, whileTarsal Tunnel syndrome, the foot’s versionof Carpal Tunnel syndrome, involves apinched nerve that creates pressurearound the ligament and a tinglingsensation or numbness in the foot.How is Foot Pain Treated?Podiatrists take a conservative routewhen addressing foot pain. Shoe-wearmodifications, especially for neuromasand bunions, and custom-fitted orthoticscan slow down a condition’s progression.Orthotics are built according to the uniqueContinued top of page 98 MeritusHealth.com

structure of a person’s foot and condition.Podiatrists will also refer patients to aphysical therapist to help with sportsrelated injuries or rehabilitate a foot aftersurgery (see physical therapy sidebar).Steroid injections may also be used whentreating plantar fasciitis, Tarsal Tunnelsyndrome, and neuromas.“When the pain becomes severe, or thecondition worsens and affects daily living,surgery can address the deformity andalleviate the pain,” said Dr. Harrison. Oftenbunion and hammertoe cases becomesurgical because of pain.When Should I See a Doctor?If your foot pain lasts more thanseveral days and does not respond torest, ice, elevation and antiinflammatorymedication, it’s time tosee a podiatrist. A podiatrist is a doctorof podiatric medicine (DPM) whospecializes in the diagnosis, treatment, andprevention of foot and ankle conditions.Modifying your lifestyle, not wearingcertain shoes, or stopping exercise dueto foot pain, are signals that somethingis wrong with your foot.PreventionInspect your feet regularly and keepthem clean. Toenail fungus, athlete’s foot,plantar warts, and ingrown toenails arecommon conditions that podiatrists treat.Wear proper fitting shoes with a low heel(not a flat sole) and a good arch support.Use off-the-shelf insoles for moderate footproblems, but see a podiatrist for anevaluation if your foot problem persists.Outside the line of vision and covered bya sock, we often neglect our feet. But theykeep us moving, so look and listen to them.Physical Therapy for the Ailing FootPhysical therapists can helppatients recover from an injuryand reduce pain associated fromconditions such as a stress fracture,ankle sprain, posterior tibialistendonitis, plantar faciitis, Achillestendonosis/tendonitis, andmetatarsalgia. They commonlyrehabilitate patients after surgery forfoot reconstruction, tendon repair,bunion/hammertoe correction, andtarsal tunnel release.While every patient is different,physical therapists use the followingapproaches to alleviate foot pain:• Evaluation of footwear and adviceon shoe-wear modifications.• Analysis of patients’ hip, knee, andfoot alignment with a focus on rangeof motion and muscle imbalances.• Therapies to reduce pain and increaserange of motion including stretchingand strengthening exercises, manualtechniques, ultrasound, electricalstimulation, ice massage, and taping.• Custom-made orthotics if needed.Ethan Roberts,PT, OTC is aphysicaltherapist withorthopedicclinical trainingat Total Rehab Care. Robertsurges people to address footpain immediately. “To stayupright, you can’t ignore yourfeet.” Any pain that persistsbeyond two to three weeks,or progressively worsens,should be evaluated by amedical professional.MeritusHealth.com 9

Foot Smarts for DiabeticsA diabetes diagnosis can make your feet vulnerable tonerve damage (neuropathy) and foot complications.By taking proper care of your feet, you can avoidcomplications down the road.Check your feet everydayLook at your bare feet every day for cuts, blisters, redspots, and swelling. Use a mirror to check the bottomsof your feet or ask a family member for help if you dohave trouble seeing.Wash your feet everydayWash your feet in warm—not hot—water every day.Dry your feet well. Be sure to dry between the toes.Wear shoes and socks at all timesNever walk barefoot. Wear comfortable shoes thatfit well and protect your feet (especially your toesand heels).Protect your feet from hot and coldWear shoes at the beach or on hot pavement. Wearsocks at night if your feet get cold.Keep the blood flowing to your feetPut your feet up when sitting. Wiggle your toes andmove your ankles up and down for 5 minutes, 2 or 3times a day. Don’t cross your legs for long periods oftime. Don’t smoke. Smoking affects blood circulation.Check with your doctorHave your doctor check your bare feet and find outwhether you are likely to have serious foot problems.Remember that you may not feel the pain of an injury.Equipped for Life OffersProducts for the FeetYour feet are often the most used and abused part ofyour body. Whether you suffer from tired feet orchronic foot pain, Meritus Health’s Equipped forLife offers an impressive selection of foot health productsdesigned to minimize foot discomfort.• Foot supports including insoles, and heel wedges andcups• Braces, splints, toe separators, feet cushions• Orthopedic/diabetic shoes• Nursing/healthcare worker shoes• Socks and hosiery including diabetic socks,compression stockings, and comfort socks• Foot hygiene and foot odor productsWe have what you need to treat specificfoot conditions and keep your feet healthy.Contact Equipped for Life at 301.714.0200.Wound Center Cares forDiabetic Foot UlcersFor someone with diabetes,a small foot injury like acut, splinter or blister canfail to heal itself and lead to aserious medical condition. TheWound Center at MeritusMedical Center leads the wayin the treatment and care ofchronic and non-healingwounds. The center offersspecific treatments for patientswith diabetic foot ulcersincluding:■ Hyperbaric oxygen therapyto help heal chronic woundsnot responding to conventionaltherapy. This medical treatmentallows a patient to breathe in100% oxygen which helpsenrich the bloodstream.■ Total contact castingredistributes foot pressure andreduces swelling to help healdiabetic foot ulcers. The castsnugly fits the exact contour ofthe foot and protects the footduring recovery.■ Bio-engineered skinsubstitutes such asDermagraft, Apligraf, and Oasisto support wound closure fordiabetic foot ulcers.Thomas Gilbert III, DO, FACEP,FAPWCA, FACHM serves as theWound Center’s medicaldirector and is the region’sonly board certified physicianin hyperbaric medicine.Contact the Wound Center at 240.313.9580for information and appointments.10 MeritusHealth.com

OWNER’S MANUALHospitalists: Specialized Care When You Need ItWhen you’re admitted to Meritus Medical Center, mostpatients don’t have to wait for their primary caredoctor to fit in hospital rounds between scheduledoffice visits. For the last six years, patients and family physicianshave benefited from a dedicated team of hospital-basedphysicians, called hospitalists, who are inside the hospitalaround-the-clock to provide on-site, focused care throughouta patient’s hospital stay.It’s a win-win because primary care physicians who use thehospitalists’ services are freed up from the complexities ofhospital medicine and can focus on caring for scheduled patientswho come into their office, and patients benefit because thehospitalists are right there, inside the hospital, available at anyhour of the day, every day of the week. This can also translate toincreased availability of your primary care physician duringoffice hours – no longer do they need to rush to the hospital tosee hospital patients during a busy office day leaving a waitingroom full of patients.And without the distraction of having to get back to the officeto see office patients, hospitalists can spend more time withpatients, and they are available in a moment’s notice if a patientor family member has a question or concern.“Because we don’t have the worry of seeing office patients,”says Francisco Daniels, DO, hospitalist on staff at MeritusMedical Center, “we’re able to be 100 percent dedicated tohospital patients.”Primary care physicians can stay in constant communicationwith the hospitalists to follow their patients’ care, and afterdischarge, patients will return to their primary care physician forall of their follow-up needs. To ensure continuity in your care,hospitalists share a discharge summary on each patient withtheir primary care physician so that your family physician isup-to-speed before any follow-up appointments. They also workclosely with other specialists throughout the healthcare system–from gastroenterologists to cardiologists, depending on eachpatient’s needs.When it comes to measuring the benefit of hospitalists,research has found that patients who are treated by hospitalistsare in the hospital for less time and their medical costs arereduced. Specifically, a study published in the American Journalof Managed Care found that hospitalists reduced length of stayby about one day and lowered overall costs by about $1,000.“Hospitalists are like an extension of the care you receive fromyour primary care physician,” says Ellen Rice, PhD, qualitymanager at Meritus Medical Center. “Hospitalists, specialists andprimary care physicians work closely together to create aseamless continuum of care for our patients.”For more information on the hospitalist program,call 301.790.8804.“I try to educate my patients before they arehospitalized that they will be treated in thehospital by the hospitalists, doctors whospecialize in the care of patients in thehospital. It goes a long way to putting themat ease when they see a newface in the hospital. Then,when they come back tome for follow-up, theyalways have great thingsto say about the care theyreceived from thehospitalists.”—Dr. TaniaCrussiah,Family physician,WilliamsportFamily PracticeHospitalists likeDr. FranciscoDaniels (left) providearound-theclockcare topatients at MeritusMedical CenterMeritusHealth.com 11

Turning Back Time withLap Band SurgeryYou stop doing the things you love,inch closer toward specialty-sizedclothing and see heart diseasefast approaching—as a nurse, DeniseTyssens, knew she was about to crossa line.When results from a health surveyindicated that Denise could face heartdisease in the next five years, she knewthat she needed to change her currenthealth condition. “Heart disease was theline I didn’t want to cross. It was enoughto be diabetic,” said Denise. She also hadhigh cholesterol, high blood pressure,sleep apnea, and joint and muscle achesfrom carrying extra weight.She tried dieting with her bible studygroup and Weight Watchers, but afterlosing the weight, she would only gainit back. A friend told Denise about lapband surgery she had outside ofHagerstown. Denise’s interest peaked,but she wanted the convenience of alocal doctor. After much soul-searchingand prayer, Denise chose the WeightLoss Center and the surgeons at MeritusHealth’s Center for Bariatric Surgery.“Mimi, I can put my armsaround you!”Just shy of 300 pounds, Deniseunderwent laparoscopic adjustablegastric band surgery in April of 2009.She is now eighty-one pounds lighter,Stamp of Approval forBariatric CenterTwenty-three million Americansexceed their ideal body weightby 100 pounds. For tri-stateresidents, choosing a weightlossprocedure and surgeon justgot easier. The Center forBariatric Surgery was recentlynamed a Bariatric SurgeryCenter of Excellence (BSCOE)by the American Society forMetabolic and Bariatric Surgery(ASMBS). Learn more about ourCenter for Bariatric Surgery atmeritushealth.com/bariatric.four dress sizes smaller—and off sevenmedications. She remains on insulin,but at a much lower dosage.“I’m more active, have more energy,and my joints don’t hurt,” said Denise.“I’ll be fifty-four this year and I feel likeI did when I was in my thirties.” She cannow go to the amusement park with hergrandkids and ride the rides. Hereleven-year-old grandson loves hisgrandmother’s new look, announcing,“Mimi, I can put my arms around you!”Some patients at the gastroenterologistoffice where Denise works didn’trecognize her post surgery.The Band RulesDenise eats slowly, waits nearly twohours to drink fluids after meals, eatssmall portions, and always finishes herprotein first. In her own words, Denisefollows the band rules. She emphasizesthat weight loss surgery is not an easyfix, and it should be viewed as a tool tokeep from gaining weight. “It’s not thesolution. You have to decide what to putin your mouth,” explained Denise. Butthe “tool” will always be there so thatshe doesn’t overeat. For Denise, thefuture is bright.DeniseTyssensAboutHealth FocusHealth Focus is published bythe corporate communicationsdepartment of Meritus Health.Mary Stuart RizkDirector, CorporateCommunicationsNicole JovelEditorBetsy MaymonGraphic DesignKyle Haught and Shelly CratePhotographyIf you have ideas, comments orsuggestions for future HealthFocus articles, emailNicole.Jovel@MeritusHealth.com,call 301.790.8692, or sendthem to:Meritus HealthCorporate Communications11116 Medical Campus RoadHagerstown, MD 21742This publication in no way seeksto diagnose or treat illness orto serve as a substitute forprofessional medical care. Pleasesee your physician if you have ahealth problem.Meritus Health is onFacebook. ‘Like’ us atwww.facebook.com/MeritusHealthYour Health Mattershas expanded toinclude a blogdedicated to helpingkeep our community healthy. Checkit out at blog.meritushealth.comMeritusHealth.com