In the spring of 2018, Archbold launched a new bariatric and weight management program, offering a comprehensive range of individualized nonsurgical and surgical weight loss options for effective long-term weight loss results.

The program remains the only one of its kind in the region to have two fellowship-trained bariatric surgeons: Katie Hanisee, MD, and Joey Jarrard, MD.

Since the implementation of the program, many patients have successfully transformed their lives post-surgery.

Drew Berry has struggled with being overweight and weight loss for his whole life. In fact, at 27, he was diagnosed with high blood pressure, a common co-morbidity associated with obesity.

“I come from a family that tends to be overweight, so it’s all I’ve ever known,” Berry said. “However, a few years ago, due to my work schedule my eating habits changed, and I lost 150 pounds.

However, the weight came back.

“I slowly fell back into my old routine,” Berry said. “My weakness at the time was milkshakes, and my thought process was, ‘Only one won’t hurt me.’ Before I knew it, I was drinking three or more a week, which led me to eating the foods I had cut out of my diet, and I gained back the weight I had lost and more.

“I was tired of being overweight.”

After discussing his weight loss options with his primary care physician and Dr. Hanisee, Berry had the gastric sleeve procedure on Oct. 4, 2019.

“I started the program weighing 408 pounds, and since then, I’ve lost 163 pounds,” Berry said. “I’m working towards losing 20 more pounds to reach the goal weight I was at when I lost weight the first time around.” Berry is now doing things he couldn’t before losing the weight.

“I’m able to walk around outdoors and even exercise and not be out of breath or have my back start hurting,” Berry said. “I can also see my feet now when I stand up!”

According to Berry, the key to bariatric surgery is sticking to the plan that the bariatric team gives you.

“Stick to the advice of portion control, cutting out certain foods, and not eating after a certain time,” Berry said. “It’s not easy, and it takes time to adjust, but it’s worth it.

When he reaches his goal weight, Berry plans on buying new clothes. “Dr. Hanisee and bariatric surgery have given me a new outlook on life,” Berry said. “I would recommend bariatric surgery to anyone who wants to lose weight and keep it off.”