Although 34-year-old Tonique Wyche had always struggled with her weight, it didn’t become a real issue for her until she reached her 30s. Not only was she having trouble walking, but she had also begun to develop several health issues that concerned her.
“I had asthma, borderline diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure and irregular periods,” she said. “And with my family history of diabetes and heart disease, I knew I neededto do something before my health got worse.”
Developing a partnership
After trying a wide range of diets that didn’t work, she started researching her options online and decided to pursue bariatric surgery, also called weight-loss surgery.
Wyche received a list of doctors from her health insurance and researched them all individually. This is how she found Chi Zhang, M.D., a bariatric surgery specialist at Broward Health Imperial Point’s Bariatric Program.
“He had gotten a lot of really good reviews, and patients said he was kind, so I called him to make an appointment,” Wyche said.
From the first call, Wyche knew she had made the right choice.
“Dr. Zhang is the best,” she said. “When I told him what I wanted and why, I immediately felt a sense of partnership with him. He told me he would help me through the whole process and did everything he could to help me. I love working with him.”
Wyche’s journey to surgery started in December 2019, when she began seeing Dr. Zhang and a primary care physician in Dr. Zhang’s office. Like other bariatric surgery patients,Wyche had to go through a series of appointments before she could schedule the surgery.
A Multidisciplinary Approach
“We offer a multidisciplinary approach to weight loss,” said Dr. Zhang. “Before a patient is scheduled for surgery, we make sure they have medical clearance for the procedure and have them see a dietitian and a mental health professional to make sure they understand what is entailed in the surgery.”
Dr. Zhang said that anyone with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher who also has health issues associated with being overweight, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, is a candidate for bariatric surgery.
“We offer several types of bariatric surgery, including gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and intragastric balloon placement surgery,” Dr. Zhang explained. “I work with each patient to decide the best surgical option for them, depending on their comfort level.”
Choosing Gastric Sleeve Surgery
After discussing her options with Dr. Zhang, Wyche decided on gastric sleeve surgery, also called laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. This procedure involves removing a portion of the stomach so the person feels full after eating a small amount of food.
Feeling ‘Awesome’
On June 30, 2020, Wyche had the surgery. “I feel awesome,” she said. “I’ve lost 92 pounds so far and am down to about 244 pounds. I have a lot more energy, and my periods are under control.” And without the extra weight on her joints, Wyche can now walk three miles at a time. She is still losing weight and hopes to eventually reach her goal weight of 170.
Dr. Zhang said she’s right on track. “She’s doing great. The goal for most patients is to lose two pounds a week over 52 weeks. I tell patients that surgery is a tool. It helps teach you good eating habits and allows you to adopt a healthy lifestyle. But it’s an active process that you need to be engaged in if you want the best results. Tonique understands that.”
Wyche continues to see Dr. Zhang and appreciates the follow-up care he provides. To those who might be considering bariatric surgery, she shared this advice: “Just go ahead and take the chance because at end of the day, it’s a way to improve yourself. It’s a whole new way of life.”
