JACKSON NORTH PATIENTS STRUGGLING WITH OBESITY TRANSFORM THEIR LIVES BY LOSING MORE THAN 200 POUNDS

Patients Tamisha Santana and Yadira Garcia; Dr. Jorge L. Sosa, medical director of the bariatric program at Jackson North Medical Center; Sandy Sears, chief administrative officer at Jackson North Medical Center; other bariatric surgery patients

Tamisha Santana started her journey to bariatric surgery in 2011 when she was considered morbidly obese, weighing 235 pounds. She was borderline diabetic, suffered from high blood pressure and sleep apnea. Tamisha always felt tired and didn’t have the motivation to live life the way she knew she could. Desperately wanting to change her life, Tamisha turned to the Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence® at Jackson North Medical Center for help. After Tamisha’s first examination, doctors determined she was a perfect candidate for bariatric surgery. In June 2011, Tamisha underwent RNY gastric bypass surgery. In just over a year, she has lost nearly 120 pounds. 

Yadira Garcia struggled with childhood obesity and endured teasing from classmates and family growing up. During her teenage years, she lost weight with the help of a nutritionist, but gained it back within a few years. After trying every fad diet with no success, Yadira, who is 5’3”, weighed 222 pounds at age 18. Considered morbidly obese, she was also at high risk for diabetes and hypertension. After hearing success stories from a cousin and a friend who underwent gastric bypass surgery at Jackson North, Yadira decided to follow suit. In March 2012, she had the surgery and within six months had lost 80 pounds. Today, Yadira says she feels healthier, more energetic and more confident. She also has more desire to go out and enjoy life.

Jackson North Medical Center, a satellite of Jackson Health System, was designated as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence® by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and Surgical Review Corporation (SRC). The Weight Loss Surgery Center at Jackson North received this designation for providing superior bariatric surgery patient care, promoting optimal levels of performance and advancing the safety, efficacy and efficiency of bariatric and metabolic surgical care. Jackson North offers a holistic approach to weight loss for patients who are unable to lose excessive weight through diet and exercise.

Tamisha and Yadira will be at Jackson North Medical Center to celebrate the Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence® designation with a ribbon cutting ceremony.  Both will share their stories of how they struggled with obesity and how gastric bypass surgery saved their lives.

04, 2012, 2:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.

Jackson North Medical Center
Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence®, 4th Floor
160 N.W. 170th Street
North Miami Beach, FL 33169 

To learn about the holistic approach to weight loss Jackson North offers for patients who are unable to lose excessive weight through diet and exercise.

*Media will be greeted at main entrance lobby at 1:45 p.m.