How bariatric surgery and hiatal hernia repair reignited one woman’s weight-loss journey
November 18, 2024Categories: Patient Testimonials
Tags: Bariatric Surgery
Constance “Connie” Melnyk, 63 of Levittown Pa., began her weight-loss journey three years before exploring bariatric surgery as an option. Despite regularly logging her dietary habits in a food tracker and losing 37 pounds, arthritis in both knees made exercise and walking painful, leaving her in constant discomfort and questioning if her efforts were enough.
During her annual wellness appointment with Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic Medical Group primary care physician, Marina Kravets, MD, Melnyk discussed her struggles and expressed interest in additional weight-loss options.
“I have always trusted Dr. Kravets, and immediately made the call to Surgical Associates Langhorne upon her recommendation to schedule an appointment with Dr. Trang,” Melnyk shares. Alfred Trang, MD, is a bariatric surgeon at St. Mary Medical Center who also specializes in hiatal hernia.
She first met with Dr. Trang in March 2023. After several monthly nutrition appointments and a required psychological evaluation, she was scheduled for surgery seven months later. Melnyk underwent two procedures at the same time—a sleeve gastrectomy and a hiatal hernia repair.
“It’s customary for many bariatric programs to only offer a gastric bypass to patients diagnosed with a hiatal hernia,” Dr. Trang explains. “Here at St. Mary Medical Center, our program specializes in hiatal hernia repair and we routinely perform them in conjunction with sleeve gastrectomy surgeries. Not only do patients lose weight after surgery, but their reflux symptoms also resolve.”
Melnyk wasn’t surprised by the hiatal hernia diagnosis. “Dr. Trang thoroughly explained what it was and assured me that it’s common to discover during bariatric surgery,” Melnyk recalls, noting minimal discomfort during recovery.
Committed to her health and weight-loss journey, Melnyk regularly attends bi-monthly bariatric support group meetings for accountability in staying on track with her nutrition goals.
“The post-op appointments and the support groups have been essential in helping me heal, stay motivated and address any questions,” she adds.
During the presurgical process, Melnyk lost an additional 15 pounds and since surgery has shed another 54, bringing her total weight loss to 106 pounds.
Request an Appointment
For more information about hiatal hernia surgery and to schedule an appointment, visit St. Mary Hiatal Hernia and submit a request online.
Learn more about bariatric surgery at Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic.
“Within a few months of surgery, I no longer needed the prescription medication I had been on for over 20 years.” – Connie
“Within a few months of surgery, I no longer needed the prescription medication I had been on for over 20 years,” she says. The surgery reignited her weight-loss journey and gave her the boost she needed to stay positive about her future goals.
“Since her surgery, Connie is incredibly happy with the improvements in her quality of life, especially her ability to be more active and pain-free,” Dr. Trang adds. “She has successfully adapted to a healthier lifestyle and is eager to meet her goals.”