Nurse’s Life Transformed with Weight Loss Surgery
June 17, 2024
More than the number on the scale, 35-year-old Bernard “Bernie” Michalak’s goal to become healthier prompted him to make a radical change with the help of UH Parma Medical Center.
At six foot one inch tall, Michalak, a registered nurse who floats between several intensive care units at University Hospitals, weighed 350 pounds. “People gain the freshman 15 in college but for me it was the freshman 50,” he said. “Over the years, I would gain weight and then lose it with yo-yo dieting. Each time I would gain more and lose less.”
Playing with his two young children became more difficult. Enjoying vacations became a challenge too, to the point that he avoided what he used to love most, riding on roller coasters.
Considered morbidly obese, Michalak knew it was a diagnosis he could change. He turned to the UH weight loss management team and says Dr. Mujjahid Abbas, Director of Bariatric Surgery at University Hospitals Parma Medical Center, transformed his life.
In August of 2023, Michalak elected to have a robotic assisted sleeve gastrectomy. He says his recovery was swift and he was up and slowly walking once he got home.
Michalak lost a total of 165 pounds.
“He was an ideal candidate with a super successful outcome,” said Dr. Abbas. “On average, a person loses 60 to 80 percent of their excess body weight one year after surgery.”
Successful procedures at UH Parma Medical Center are plentiful, given it is among the busiest locations for bariatric surgery in the health system. Dr. Abbas said 500 procedures are done per year across the program. Patients can also access bariatric procedures at UH Cleveland and Geauga medical centers.
The typical recovery time includes one night in the hospital, followed by a couple weeks of rest before resuming daily activities and four weeks to start gym exercises. “We have a great team available to help patients through the process,” says Dr. Abbas. “We encourage frequent follow-ups and are happy to help.”
Positive outcomes are ahead of or at least equivalent to top programs in the country according to Dr. Abbas.
“I’d never had surgery before and the butterflies were there, but it’s changed my life and I’m excited for the next chapter,” said Michalak.
Since his surgery, Michalak, a UH employee for 10 years, says he has fallen in love with running. He has completed five 5k runs and is training for two half marathons and more 5k runs later this year.
Michalak is looking forward to enjoying vacations with his wife, his high school sweetheart, and going on “run rides” with his older son who rides his bicycle as he runs. As for his love of rollercoasters, Michalak has already purchased a season pass to his favorite theme park.
“It’s been a crazy ride, but it’s been 100 percent worth it,” he said. “I would do it again. It has changed my life for the better.”