Their new life
after weight-loss surgery
After nearly 10 years of struggling with their weight, Lesley
and Crystal Aulds are excited to have their health on track.
“We tried dieting, we tried everything, but we could never
get down to a healthy weight,” explains Lesley. “I had high
cholesterol, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and pretty
much was heading on a bad route health-wise.” Crystal
meanwhile was coping with Crohn’s disease and fibromyalgia.
Considering weight-loss surgery was a big decision, but they
were both concerned about how their weight might impact their
long-term health. Together, they made an appointment with
Stelios Rekkas, MD, FACS, FASMBS, Medical Director of Manatee
Memorial Hospital’s Surgical Weight Loss Program. Lesley is a
biomedical equipment technician at Manatee Memorial Hospital,
and Crystal works in nursing case management at Lakewood
Ranch Medical Center, so they were familiar with the program.
“You can tell that Dr. Rekkas and his staff really care about what
they’re doing,” Lesley says.
Lesley and Crystal both chose to have a gastric sleeve procedure,
which removes about 80 percent of the stomach, restricting
the amount of food that can be eaten. To prepare, they worked
with the program’s dietitian, who helped them get started on the
lifelong commitment they were making.
Adjusting to their new post-surgery lifestyle has required hard
work and also brought great rewards. Together, they’ve lost
Weight-loss treatments offered:
Robotic Sleeve Gastrectomy (“Gastric Sleeve”):
Reduces the size of the stomach so you feel
full with less while absorbing full nutrients.
Lap-Band® System: Adjustable band to
decrease the amount of food that can
be consumed.
Robotic Gastric Bypass: A small pouch from
the top part of the stomach is attached to the
small intestine to restrict the amount of food
you can eat.
Non-surgical Obalon® Balloon System:
Swallowable lightweight balloons to help you
feel full and eat less.
Individual results may vary. There are risks associated with any surgical procedure. Talk with your doctor about these risks to find out if bariatric surgery is right for you.
Physicians are on the medical staff of Manatee Memorial Hospital, but, with limited exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Manatee Memorial Hospital.
The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the non-discrimination notice, visit our website.
190460-0153 10/19
about 210 pounds, and Lesley’s diabetes is now
100 percent under control. “Walking is superimportant,”
he says of their exercise
regimen. They eat regular meals,
but their portions are smaller
and healthier.
As the parents of a 7-year-old
son and two older boys –
ages 18 and 24 – they’re
thrilled to be feeling better
and more active. Lesley is
teaching their youngest
to play soccer, and even
simple things, like getting
out of the pool, are easier.
“It made us closer,” he says
of experiencing this with his
wife. Together, they look forward
to living longer to spend time with a lot
of grandkids and
“just having a better life.”
The Aulds before and after surgery,
with Dr. Stelios Rekkas and
Physician Assistant Julie Chorley,
PA-C.
To learn more, visit
msaweightloss.com
232 Manatee Ave. East
Bradenton, FL 34208
/msaweightloss.com