A simple push is often all it takes to start an incredible journey.
“The last push last July was that my A1C was going up. I was very, very close to being fully diabetic,” said John Vodochodsky of Sioux City, Iowa.
Vodochodsky began researching and in December 2021 started the Sanford Weight Management Program.
It started with a meeting at the Talley Building in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with Dr. Adeem Abdulwahab, who is a family medicine provider at Sanford Health.
“We are all board certified in obesity medicine, we can prescribe FDA approved weight loss medications to help patients safely and effectively lose weight, and not just lose weight, but keep it off . That can sometimes be the struggle,” he said.
Find Long-Term Success: Weight Management at Sanford Health
In addition to board-certified obesity medicine doctors like Dr. Abdulwahab, the weight management center has registered dietitians, health coaches and offers counseling to those who need it.
Dr. Abdulwahab worked one-on-one with John to create a personalized approach to his non-surgical weight loss plan.
“We’ll talk about what I need to do, what I need to change, and I’ll adapt those changes accordingly,” Vodochodsky said.
Following her doctor’s diet and exercise plan saw the pounds begin to fall off quickly.
“Well, I started at 415 pounds, and today I’m down to about 234.5,” he said.
A transformation beyond the physical appearance
According to the CDC, losing 5% of your total body weight can reduce your risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular events, and other obesity-related risk factors.
“So losing 5%, which could be as simple as eight to 10 pounds, that could really affect your health,” Dr. Abdulwahab said.
Weight loss is transforming Vodochodsky’s health.
“I’m off my cholesterol meds. I’m off my blood pressure meds. So my health has taken a 180-degree turn,” she said.
At her last checkup, her A1C level was healthy and her diagnosis of prediabetes has been reversed.
Inspiring others
Vodochodsky’s success on the show inspired Marty Vodochodsky, his wife of 31 years, to take a leap of faith.
“You can only do so much clapping. Sometimes you have to jump in with both feet, heart and soul, and get your team together and run with it,” he said.
For several months, he traveled the 85 miles to Sioux Falls from Sioux City with John Vodochodsky for his appointments at the Sanford Weight Management Center. After that, Marty Vodochodsky also signed up for the program and made an appointment with Dr. Abdulwahab. They worked together to first challenge common misconceptions when it comes to weight loss.
“In high school they would tell you, ‘Do you want to lose weight?’ stop eating With Sanford’s program it’s been smart and it’s been sustainable,” said Marty Vodochodsky.
Today he lost over 65 pounds.
“I’m actually the weight I was in college. It’s the first time I’ve been this low in 30 years.”
Following his personalized weight loss plan has resulted in major milestones in just a few months.
“I was so excited when I was able to walk into the full size women’s department and buy the full size clothing. I was so happy and so excited that I probably danced to the cashier and walked out of the store,” Marty Vodochodsky said.
Dr. Abdulwahab says results come with hard work and dedication to the program.
“You can feel the struggles patients go through sometimes, but you’re supportive, you’re there for them, you’re open to suggestions, and you tweak and change your plan if you feel like you’re hitting a wall sometimes,” she said. .
With the support of others and their care team at Sanford Health, John and Marty Vodochodsky will continue on the path to health that lies ahead.
“Don’t be afraid to start,” said John Vodochodsky. “Use whatever motivation you need to reach out to this program and ask the necessary questions.”
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Posted in Family Medicine, Healthy Living, Weight Loss