50th YRMC LAP-BAND patient seeing success

Twelve days after having bariatric surgery, Yuman Ashley Horsley had already lost 21 pounds ­— and she's back at work.

Horsley is the 50th patient at the Yuma Regional Medical Center to undergo LAP-BAND surgery, a procedure designed to help patients achieve long-term weight loss.

It involves placing a silicone band around the upper part of the stomach to control hunger and food intake.

Dr. Candice M. Jensen oversees the program at YRMC, which first began at the hospital in April 2009.

The band is adjustable and usually requires several alterations.

Horsley said she used to be a lot smaller and then gained weight after college.

She used to wear a size 5/6.

In the next two to three years, she said her goal is to reach 140 pounds “and just keep the weight off and stay healthy,” she said.

As for the procedure, “it wasn't that bad,” she said.

Her husband, Hunter, helped her a lot.

He said it was a good experience.

“It actually brought us closer,” he said.

Horsley said she was back at work Aug. 13 and is now feeling a lot better.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from 2007 to 2009, the number of states with adult obesity of 30 percent or more tripled.

Diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension and arthritis are just some of the effects attributed to obesity, according to the report.

Another Yuman, Randy Anderson, who was the 13th patient to undergo the procedure at YRMC, said he started out at 340 pounds and is now 257 pounds.

And, he's officially off all blood pressure medication, he said.

The program includes support groups, patient education and dietician services. The program typically begins about three to six months before the surgery and continues after surgery with the support groups.

To watch interviews with both the Horsley family and Dr. Jensen, visit www.yumsun.com.

For more information about the procedure and to reach Dr. Jensen, call 336-LITE (5483).

Stephanie A. Wilken can be reached at swilken@yumasun.com or 539-6857.