By Jean Ruzicka Reprinted with permission from the Park Rapids Enterprise Setting an example of healthy eating is important A human’s most rapid growth is experienced within the first year of life. From birth to six months, a baby’s weight doubles, tripling by the time the child reaches a year. Once children begin eating table [...]

Now is the time to embrace the new you. If you’re serious about weight loss and would like to learn more about surgical and non-surgical solutions, there will be a free, weight-loss surgery informational session from 6-8 p.m. Monday, Mar. 19, 2012, at the Ramada Plaza & Suites in Fargo, ND. Bariatric surgeons along with [...]

Brenda Norby, PA-C, FNP, joined the bariatric surgical team at the Center for Weight Management recent- ly with the retirement of Sandy Jones, PA-C. Brenda Norby came to Essentia Health Park Rapids in October 2009 when she started working with Family Medicine physicians at the clinic and St. Joseph’s Area Health Services. “Seeing patients take [...]

The data is in. Weight-loss surgery, in combination with behavioral modifications, can be a “powerful tool” in the treatment of type 2 diabetes for obese patients. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Taskforce on Epidemiology and Prevention said as much in a position statement released recently. The taskforce substantiates evidence backing bariatric surgery as a cost-effective [...]

Eydie Garcelon lost her best friend the day she had weight-loss surgery. The food. The junk food. Chips, candy and soda pop at one time brought her comfort, day or night, without judgment: all gone. “When I was happy, food was there to help me celebrate. If I was sad and woke up at three [...]

It takes a special set of nursing skills to help bariatric patients become successful with long-term weight loss. St. Joseph’s Area Health Services Tia Kocka, BSN, RN, Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) recently added Certified Bariatric Nurse (CBN) to her title since earning her credentials based on standards established by the American Society for Metabolic and [...]

Melanie Stauty of Fergus Falls sits in a clinic chair during a follow-up bariatric appointment at Essentia Health Park Rapids. On her lap sits a bouncing baby boy, Seth Alexander and, gosh, his smile is infectious. “He was a miracle,” Melanie says. “I didn’t think I would have any more children.” In fact, when she [...]