Pictured above is Gary Erickson before starting CRMC’s medical weight management program. Submitted photo.
Gary Erickson of Ironton, Minnesota, said he lost more than 100 pounds at the new hospital at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center and said his health improved significantly. medical weight management program. With my weight improved, I am free of heart disease, diabetes and sleep apnea. It also lowers blood pressure and blood sugar.
A retired respiratory therapist and former paramedic, Eriksson spent his 37-year career observing what other overweight people were going through and started seeing them start happening to him. I noticed that there is He knew that being overweight took a toll on his heart and overall health.
“I tried many different diets: mayonnaise, eggs and grapefruit, cabbage, etc. I would lose weight, but like a yo-yo, I would come back,” Erickson said. After several cardiologist visits and tests in the summer of 2021, he decided to change his lifestyle.
Pictured above is Gary Erickson, who participated in CRMC’s medical weight management program and lost over 100 pounds.
Ericsson, who weighed over 300 pounds, was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. He said he couldn’t even go to the mailbox without being short of breath because of his irregular heartbeat. His ejection fraction heart failure measure was 32%, indicating he was at high risk of developing dangerous arrhythmias and heart failure. “The cardiologist explained my test results,” Erickson said. “It bothered me and I knew I needed to make a change.”
Ericsson heard about CRMC’s medical weight management from two friends who enrolled in the program. In September, he made an appointment with bariatrician Angie He began taking monthly appointments with Dr. Ausban. Throughout the program, he also met with a registered dietitian who provided meal plans and a physical therapist who recommended appropriate exercise.
“I was loyal to what was planned for me,” said Eriksson, 67, who stopped drinking alcoholic beverages on the recommendation of his doctor, ate only sugar-free foods, and reduced his intake of bread. restricted.
Fifteen months later, on December 1, 2022, he reached his goal weight of 195 pounds and maintains it with the help of daily exercise. Ericsson follows a meal plan, weighs all meals, and continues to use fitness apps. He walks his golden retriever, Maggie, along the three to four miles of her Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area trail every day. In bad weather, run the same distance on the treadmill. His new routine also includes planks and weightlifting to keep his muscles strong.
“I feel 100% better and I’m ready not to go back to gaining weight,” exclaims Eriksson, who requires eight medications and is proud to abstain from alcohol. With the weight loss, he is no longer diabetic and has improved his heart failure ejection fraction measurement to 56% of his. This is normal now.
He said his blood sugar and blood pressure, which were dangerously high, are now normal, too. I am also happy that is gone.
To stay on track, Ericsson continues with medical weight control visits every three months.
“This program changed my life and was exactly what I needed to get healthy,” concludes Erickson. “I am very grateful to Dr. Ausban and the staff for making me believe that this can be done.”
Peggy Stebbins is the Director of Marketing and Public Relations at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby, Minnesota. She lives in Deerwood, Minnesota.
