(West Islip, NY) Two weeks after bariatric surgeon Jonathan Klonsky, MD, an affiliated surgeon at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip made Elyse Capozza’s 25th birthday special by scheduling her for bariatric surgery, the West Islip resident is making the final preparations for her gastric sleeve surgery on April 17. She has been waiting a long time for the opportunity to take control of her life. Although her motivation to have bariatric surgery was to improve her health, she also looks forward to the social benefits of significant and lasting weight loss that surgery promises.
“I have been overweight my entire life and I am so happy that I made the decision to start living a healthier one,” said Ms. Capozza. “I am looking forward to being able to move around comfortably and enjoy going clothes shopping and to amusement parks like other young people.”
Ms. Capozza has spent six months becoming mentally and physically prepared for her surgery. She has been on a required liquid diet and is ready to begin a regimen of vitamins and protein supplements after surgery. In addition to an exercise routine, part of the plan following surgery will be to continue to participate in Good Samaritan’s bi-monthly bariatric support group.
“Members of the bariatric support group were very helpful at today’s meeting. They told me to keep positive and my surgery will go well,” said Ms. Capozza. “I am so grateful to have their support.”
Follow Ms. Capozza’s weight loss journey and hear her share her thoughts and feelings in a video diary posted at www.goodsambariatricsurgery.com. Updates will be posted bi-weekly.
Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center is a 537-bed (including 100 nursing home beds), voluntary, not-for-profit hospital located in West Islip. The medical center, which has more than 3,775 employees and 900 physicians on staff, had nearly 28,000 patient admissions and nearly 100,000 emergency department visits in 2012. Good Samaritan is a member of Catholic Health Services of Long Island. Visit the website at www.good-samaritan-hospital.org.
Good Samaritan provided more than $43 million in community service and charity care in 2011. The medical center supplies residents with the tools necessary to maintain good health. This includes community lectures, screenings, health fairs and other community programs and services.
