New Jersey Bariatric Center^®’s annual Sweet Success Gala marks the weight loss achievements of Gastric Sleeve, Gastric Bypass and LAP-BAND patients who lost a combined total of 9,000 pounds.

Mountainside, New Jersey – New Jersey Bariatric Center^® marked the weight loss achievements of its Gastric Sleeve, Gastric Bypass and Gastric Band patients last week at the “Sweet Success Gala.” More than 100 weight loss surgery patients attended the event for a combined weight loss of about 9,000 pounds, said Dr. Ajay Goyal, founder of New Jersey Bariatric Center^®.

"Weight loss surgery offers obese patients the best chance to lose weight long-term and improve the serious health conditions that come with obesity,” said Dr. Goyal, who is also Director of Bariatric Surgery at Overlook Medical Center in Summit, NJ. “Many of the patients here tonight report that after weight loss surgery they are able to go off their medications for diabetes or high blood pressure or that they no longer need to go to bed at night with a sleep apnea machine. These are big victories that will not only help extend their lives but also improve their quality of life.”

The event marked the 10th year that New Jersey Bariatric Center^® has invited weight loss surgery patients to celebrate their weight loss with their family and friends and New Jersey Bariatric Center^®’s team of surgeons, dietitians and support staff. The highlight of the evening is the red carpet “Walk of Success,” a tradition started as a way for the patients to show off their healthier, slimmer figures. The 32 patients who volunteered to walk the red carpet this year strutted into the room, spun around in their fancy dresses, fist-pumped the air and posed for the cameras and the cheering room as surgeons Dr. Glenn Forrester and Dr. Angela Glasnapp announced each patient’s name, surgery type and total amount of weight lost.

“Many of the patients are nervous to put themselves on display because in the past, they didn’t have the confidence to be the center of attention due to their weight,” said Dr. Glasnapp, who is also Director of Bariatric Surgery at CarePoint Health Christ Hospital. “So the red carpet walk becomes a liberating moment for them. And everyone here is supportive and cheers them on - no matter how much weight they’ve lost.”

Each patient also got to share some of the improvements they’ve seen in their life since having weight loss surgery. Gastric Bypass patient Sharon - who had surgery in December 2014 - lost 121 pounds and said she was able to take a dream trip to hike and raft the Grand Canyon after her weight loss.

“I never could have imagined having the energy and strength to take that trip when I was 100 pounds heavier,” says Sharon, who also has a newfound love for exercise and boasts the ability to lift 105 pounds.

Weight loss surgery alters the digestive tract to aid obese patients in losing weight. It is considered the most effective means of controlling weight and resolving co-morbid conditions in obese patients, according to the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that compared to other interventions, bariatric surgery, which includes Gastric Bypass, Sleeve Gastrectomy (also known as Gastric Sleeve) and Gastric Band (also known by the brand name LAP-BAND) produces the longest period of sustained weight loss.

New Jersey Bariatric Center^® surgeons Dr. Glenn Forrester and Dr. James Buwen congratulated the patients for taking steps to improve their health by addressing their weight issues.
“Bariatric surgery takes commitment,” said Dr. Forrester, who is Director of Bariatric Surgery at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset Campus. “There is still a misconception that surgery is the easy way out. But surgery is just a tool. Our patients work hard to take control of their weight.”

“Our patients develop a new, healthier lifestyle that focuses on portion control, eating healthier diets, taking daily vitamins and exercise,” added Dr. Buwen.