Amy and Kristin Lanham, sisters who work at the University of Maryland Women’s Health Center and Medical Center, had struggled with weight issues for most of their lives. After being referred to Dr. Mark Kligman by their primary care physicians and attending one of his weight loss surgery seminars, both were eager to undergo bariatric surgery and change their lives for the better. Read more about their experiences below.
How long have you worked at the Medical Center, and what do you here?
Amy: I am a social worker at the University of Maryland Women’s Health Center. I have worked here for three years. I enjoy working with the patients and building relationships with them as they go through their pregnancies.
Kristin: I came to UMMC in 2000 for a student clinical rotation in Nuclear Medicine. When my clinicals were finished, I was offered a position and I have been working here since 2001. I am currently a senior nuclear medicine technologist. I really enjoy working here because it is a great place to learn. I have been able to obtain all the certifications currently available in Nuclear Medicine.
Why did you decide that you needed to undergo bariatric surgery? What was your life like before the surgery?
Amy: I went for my annual physical at Family Medicine at the beginning of 2009 and was talking with the doctor again about losing weight. It is a struggle I have had all my life and nothing I tried was working. My doctor asked me if I ever considered bariatric surgery and I said yes. I was given a referral to see Dr. Kligman. I knew that I needed to lose weight because I have a family history of diabetes, hypertension and other medical problems. I knew if I did not lose the weight I was going to have severe medical problems. Before surgery, I was exhausted all the time and had no energy to do anything. I would go to work and spend all night at home on the couch. I had no motivation to do anything physical.
Kristin: After being diagnosed as borderline diabetic, I spent a few years struggling with losing weight and keeping it off. Before surgery, I was active but had less energy than I do now. I never made my health a priority before surgery. It was always a second thought.
What was the next step?
Amy: I was referred by my doctor at Family Medicine and went to Dr. Kligman’s weight loss surgery seminar.
Kristin: I attended the weight loss seminar with Amy in a supportive role. Not knowing a lot about gastric bypass, I didn’t think that I was a candidate. After listening to Dr. Kligman, I felt like everything he was talking about pertained to me. After the seminar I went to see him and he said I was the perfect candidate.