Published on March 01, 2011

Celebrating Over 170,000 Pounds of Weight Loss Success

Patients from the middle of Michigan celebrated their weight loss successes at a Valentine’s Ball hosted by Great Lakes Surgical Associates and MidMichigan Health.

More than 180 patients, staff and guests of Great Lakes Surgical Associates and MidMichigan Health attended the fifth annual Valentine’s Ball on Feb. 12, to celebrate their combined weight loss achievements.

“Our patients have made important lifestyle changes that have enabled them not only to achieve a healthier weight, but also to control serious medical conditions, improve their emotional well-being and self-image and find renewed energy to do the things they love with the people they love,” said Jeffery Smith, M.D. “These are all major milestones worth celebrating, and the ball gives them a chance to recognize those achievements in the company of others who have made the same commitment.”

More than 1,000 bariatric surgeries have been performed at MidMichigan Medical Center–Gratiot since 2003, resulting in a combined total weight loss of more than 170,000 pounds. Additionally, MidMichigan Medical Center– Midland began offering bariatric surgery in 2010. Surgeries are performed by an experienced team of board certified surgeons, including Jeffrey Bonacci, M.D., Ernest Cudjoe, M.D., Matthew Fourman, M.D., James Pilkington, M.D., and Jeffrey Smith, M.D.

MidMichigan Medical Center–Gratiot and Surgeon Ernest Cudjoe, M.D., are designated as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC). This designation recognizes surgical programs and surgeons with a demonstrated track record of positive patient outcomes.

Those who would like more information about bariatric surgery or a list of upcoming weight loss seminar dates may call MidMichigan Health Line toll-free at (800) 999-3199 or visit www.midmichigan.org/bariatrics.