Central Maine Bariatric Surgery Medical Director Dr. Jamie Loggins, FACS, FASMBS, recently had the honor of performing the center’s 2,000th procedure. Accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program since 2010, the center has an established history of helping patients lose weight and live healthier lives.

Dale Morgan and Gail White, identical twin sisters who underwent surgery just 20 days apart in February 2017, decided to have the surgery to lose excess weight and control chronic conditions, including high blood pressure. Having the surgery at CMMC was an easy choice for the sisters, who are visually impaired, because of their proximity to the hospital and their access to CMMC via the bus route. In the last year, the twins have lost a combined 183 pounds.”

“On my 60th birthday, I decided that my sixties were going to be the ‘decade of health,’ and the surgery was part of that,” said Morgan. White agreed, adding that she wanted to increase her energy and that her head and body were ready for a change.

“As we mark the milestone of 2,000 bariatric surgeries at CMMC, we reflect on the improved quality of life we provide for our patients,” said Dr. Loggins. “Being able to see the smiles and tears of joy, share the hugs, and hear our patients say ‘thank you’ is the most rewarding part of working in bariatrics. We’re proud to be a top-quality bariatric surgery center for patients in Maine.”

Morgan and White couldn’t agree more about the improvement to their quality of life, even remarking that, instead of dreading having to walk, they now love to walk. During the summer, the pair was able to walk up to eight miles, and they’ve also been able to stop taking prescription medications.

Another deciding factor for the sisters in choosing CMMC was the center’s bariatric surgery information session that provided honest details about the process. Morgan and White also commented on the thoroughness of the pre-surgery process, where they received in-depth medical assessments and learned about healthy living, which has helped them achieve and maintain their weight loss.

Central Maine Bariatric Surgery offers free informational sessions for the public on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 5:45 p.m. in Chairman’s Conference Rooms A, B, and C at 12 High Street in Lewiston. For more information, call 795-5710.