DAVENPORT, Fla. — Tuesday, March 4, is World Obesity Day and according to the Centers for Disease Control, more than two in five adults in the United States are obese and millions of people in the U.S. are frustrated over the struggle to lose weight.
Marquilia Martin Hymes was in a similar spot, trying to lose weight following the birth of her son in 2019.
“I pretty much tried everything including keto, I did the injections and nothing was working,” Martin Hymes said. “So, I researched bariatric surgery and decided to give it a go and it was basically the best thing that I ever did in my life.”
The now 31-year-old Martin Hymes said her research led her to Dr. Shiva Seetahal at AdventHealth Heart of Florida in Davenport, who performed her bariatric surgery in November 2022. Since then, she’s lost 100 pounds. She’s proud that she’s kept it off through a lot of hard work, which includes going to the gym, Monday through Friday, at 4:30 or 5 in the morning.
“Since the surgery, I have more motivation and I’m able to work out as frequently as I do. I’m able to do things with my son. I’m able to fit in my clothes more comfortably and confidently. It was just very life changing for me,” Martin Hymes said. “I’m glad that I went through AdventHealth because the team is the best and Dr. Seetahal is the best.”
Martin Hymes, who is an Administrator for Special Education at Orange County Public Schools, also takes dance classes as part of her workout regimen. She said it’s all been part of a long journey to get where she is today, and her advice to those who are struggling is to continue to follow the plan given to you and don’t give up.
“It’s a slow process. It was not a fast process for us to gain the weight that we had on, so we have to give our bodies the same grace to lose the weight that we gained,” Martin Hymes said.
If you’re a candidate for bariatric surgery, doctors say it can have transformative effects that change your health for the better.
Many adults with obesity have other serious chronic diseases. The CDC says 58% of U.S. adults with obesity have high blood pressure, a risk factor for heart disease. Also, about 23% of U.S. adults with obesity have diabetes.
To mark World Obesity Day, the Bariatric and Metabolic Institute at AdventHealth hosted walks at many of its campuses, including AdventHealth Heart of Florida to raise awareness and promote healthy living. This global observance is dedicated to addressing the obesity crisis and inspiring action towards a healthier future. This initiative aims to empower individuals with the knowledge and support they need to make informed health decisions.
If you have questions about whether bariatric surgery, you can learn more at www.adventhealth.com/practice/adventhealth-weight-loss-and-bariatric-surgery.
— provided by AdventHealth
