Losing Weight Together
Where the weight loss journey began
Miranda had always been overweight but never to the point where it affected her life. However, after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 and gaining a lot of weight during her treatment, she realized that she needed to make a change. Her weight gain led to severe back pain that interfered with her daily life and work. Worried about the potential recurrence of cancer and wanting to be healthy for her three children and her demanding job, Miranda sought help from her oncologist, who recommended weight loss surgery.
Initially, Miranda was hesitant to consider gastric sleeve surgery. She was concerned about the potential risks and adverse side effects her family member experienced after undergoing a similar procedure. Instead, Miranda's family doctor, Seth Ruggles, D.O., suggested she see Donald Cundiff, M.D., at the Weight Management and Nutrition Clinic at Firelands Center for Coordinated Care to help her lose weight without surgery.
Finding Firelands Center for Coordinated Care's Outpatient Weight Management Clinic
Firelands Center for Coordinated Care's outpatient weight management clinic offers personalized nutrition and exercise plans, behavioral counseling and medical supervision. The medically-managed weight loss program is designed to guide individuals through the phases of weight loss while equipping them with the tools to maintain their healthiest weight. The program is comprehensive and individualized, understanding that each patient's goals differ.
Miranda started the program in February 2021 and works with Dr. Cundiff and registered dietitian Andrea Traut, both board-certified in weight management. Her regimen is a combination of healthy eating, exercise and medication. Initially, she was nervous about giving herself shots, but with support from the weight management and nutrition clinic team, she quickly overcame her fear. Throughout her time in the program, Miranda faced different challenges, but she found comfort in the fact that the team was always there to help her find ways to work through them.
The program works for Miranda because it treats her weight as a medical issue rather than just a lack of willpower. The team understands that she is human and not perfect. They taught her how food works in her body, suggested how to pair foods by the nutrient group to stabilize blood sugar, and gradually eased her into the food part of the program. It isn't a restrictive diet but a sustainable way of life for her.
Miranda's Weight Loss Success
Miranda's success in the program is evident by her home scale, which is consistent with the one in Dr. Cundiff's office. She has lost 70 pounds. Miranda is still a patient in the program and continues to lose weight, just a little slower than in the beginning. When asked what she loves about this journey, Miranda stated, "I love that they connected me with the exercise group at the hospital. Madison Rospert, M.Ed., clinical exercise physiologist, set up a specific plan for me. I did it at my local gym for a while, giving me the confidence and strength to try new things. Now I do cardio drumming classes twice a week. I could never have done this before losing weight. While I still have a ways to go, my quality of life has increased immensely. My back pain is gone. I can get up and down without pain and walk and stand for long periods, which I could not do before losing weight."
Obesity is a severe and chronic disease that affects a large percentage of the population in the United States. With rates continuing to climb, clinics like the weight management and nutrition clinic at Firelands offer essential resources for individuals seeking to improve their health and well-being. Miranda's story is a testament to the program's success and the team's dedication at Firelands Health to help individuals achieve their health and wellness goals.
For more information about the weight management and nutrition clinic at Firelands, visit firelands.com/weightmanagement or call 419-557-6550.
