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‘Weight Solutions’ helps local woman

Shelly Rice sheds pounds after having gastric bypass surgery at Mercy.

Shelly Rice recently received gastric bypass surgery at Mercy Hospital Fairfield. She's lost 42 pounds since the surgery (and had lost 24 before the surgery). Staff photo by Greg Lynch

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By Michael D. Pitman, Staff Writer Updated 10:48 PM Sunday, June 28, 2009

The only thing Shelly Rice takes on a daily basis is a multivitamin.

Following laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery on March 3, the Hamilton resident no longer takes medicine for diabetes or hypertension. She also lowered her high triglycerides and high cholesterol.

“My ‘Ah ha’ moment for me was late in November,” Rice said.

She and her son, Travis, 17, were walking her dogs at Hueston Woods.

“I had to go up a hill to get back out (of the trails) and I truly didn’t think I was going to make it,” Rice said. “I thought this was ridiculous. I can’t even take the dogs for a walk without getting winded.”

Rice was 217 lbs., but had been as heavy as 224. She’s now 151 and aims to lose another 20 lbs.

Rice works in Mercy Hospital Fairfield’s intensive care unit. She first saw Dr. Joseph Northup with Mercy’s Healthy Weight Solutions in December.

“I researched my options and after speaking with Dr. Northup, he and I decided that bypass was probably the best fit for me,” said Rice, 46.

In May, Rice had lab work done and called her results “beautiful.” Everything was significantly lower, she said.

Rice had been heavy nearly her entire life. She considered Healthy Weight Solutions after she was going to be put on a second diabetes medication. She was already on medication for her hypertension.

“We try to really fit the right operation for the right patient,” Northup said.

About 40 to 50 percent of Healthy Weight Solutions’ surgeries are gastric bypasses, Northup said. The other 50 to 60 percent are adjustable band surgeries, and a small percentage are sleeve gastrectomy surgeries. The program also helps with non-surgical weight management.

Northup recommends the gastric bypass surgery for those with a body mass index, or BMI, of 40 or greater. With a related disease or health issue, like diabetes or high cholesterol, he recommends the bypass if a person’s BMI is greater than 35. Rice’s BMI was 39.

Rice never went back on her diabetes medication after her surgery, Northup said.

“Nothing’s a quick fix,” Northup said. “You have to make an effort in order to achieve success. You still have to follow a diet, you still have to exercise.”

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