Disneys lose 330 pounds through bariatric program

For Chris and Stacy Disney, dropping more than 330 pounds was more about what they gained than what they lost. The couple lights up when they talk about their journey together through Community Healthcare System’s Healthy 4 Life program.

“I still giggle when certain things happen now. Like when I used to drop something on the ground when I was around 300 pounds, I would just get another one of whatever it was. Now I can bend down and get it no problem,” Stacy Disney said. “Life’s not a struggle. Chris can get his arms all the way around me to hug me. For me, it’s those little things that are bigger things that a lot of people take for granted.”

The Park Forest couple underwent gastric sleeve surgery, with Chris Disney having his procedure done in November 2018. His current weight is around 250 pounds, down from his presurgery weight of 486.

His main motivation to get healthy was his 10-year-old daughter, Grace.

“I started to think about what it would be like for her if I wasn’t here,” said Chris, 47. “I figured if there was ever a good reason to change, it would be that. That made me start looking into weight-loss surgery. I checked around in the area, all the different programs. Fortunately, I found Community’s Healthy 4 Life.”

“I was type 2 diabetic before, and I’m not now. I had severe obstructive sleep apnea. I don’t have that anymore,” he said. “I sleep so much better. I have so much more energy. And all of that together inspired me to go back to school for exercise science. It worked out as a bonus!”

Among the couple’s health care team is bariatric surgeon Paul Stanish, MD, who performed their procedures.

“Some people think bariatric surgery is a quick fix for weight loss. It’s not. Patients still have to put in the hard work,” he said. “Stacy and Chris are perfect examples. A combined 330-pound loss is not something that comes easily. Surgery is just a tool; you still have to put in the work.

To see success stories like the Disneys’ makes what we do at Healthy 4 Life worth it.”

Stacy’s resolve to have the surgery was “one of the hardest but easiest decisions I’ve ever made.” COVID-19 and the restrictions it brought pushed her surgery to March 2022. The Healthy 4 Life team supported her decision to postpone the surgery until she was ready and could have her loved ones by her side.

“There was no way I could be in the hospital for this life-changing surgery without my husband, my mom and my people there. When I told (the Healthy 4 Life team) this was my decision, they absolutely praised me,” she recalled. “They said, ‘We are here to support you in any way we can. When you are ready, you say the word.’”

Two years later, Stacy gave the green light for the surgery. Nearly a year after that, she stepped on the scale to see she had lost 100 pounds. To commemorate the milestone, she got a tattoo of a mountain range and the words, “It’s not always a straight climb to the top.”

For more information about the surgical and non-surgical options available through Community Healthcare System’s Healthy 4 Life, visit COMHS. org/services/bariatric-medicine.

Send listings of events, hosted by nonprofit organizations, to Senior Life, P.O. Box 188, Milford, IN 46542 by Aug. 28 for September events. With listing, include contact person and a phone number.

Maria Reiner Center

• Monday Stretch class level 1, 9 a.m.; ukulele, 10 a.m.; cardio strength with Janice, 10 a.m.; bocce ball, 10 a.m.; smart phone class Androids, 10:30 a.m.; smart phone class I-phone, 11:30 a.m.; oil painting, noon. Pickleball: intermediate, 8-10:30 a.m., advanced, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., open play, 12:30 p.m. to close.

• Tuesday — Breakfast served from 9-11 a.m. for $5. Dominos, 10 a.m.; pool tourna- ment, 10 a.m.; senior cha cha cha, 11 a.m. Pickleball: beginner drills, 8:30-9:30 a.m., beginner and low intermediate, 9:30-11:30 a.m., open play, 11:30 a.m. to close.

• Wednesday Experienced art class, 8:30-11 a.m.; stretch plus level 2, 9 a.m.; bocce ball, 10 a.m.; hand and foot, 10 a.m.; beginner’s art class, 11:30 a.m.; euchre, 12:30 p.m. Pickleball: intermediate, 8:30-10:30 a.m., advanced, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., open play, 12:30 p.m. to close.

• Thursday Lunch served from noon-1 p.m. for $5. Bridge, 10 a.m.; pool tournament, 10 a.m.; dominos, 10 a.m.; Bible as literature, 1:15 p.m.; Happy Hookers and Naughty Knitters,

1 p.m.; Scrabble, 1 p.m.; meditation, 1 p.m. Pickleball: beginner and low intermediate, 8:30-11:30 a.m., open play, 11:30 a.m. to close.

• Friday — Yoga, 10 a.m.; bocce ball, 10 a.m.; bingo (every second and fourth Friday), 12:30 p.m.; bunco (every first and third Friday), 12:30 p.m. Pickleball: intermediate, 8:30-10:30 a.m., advanced, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., open play, 12:30 p.m. to close.

Plus many special classes and presentations. Computer “Ask the Doc” technology Zoom classes on the first Thursday of each month from 2-4 p.m. Book Club on the third Thursday of every month. Call for more information. Membership $30/year for Hobart residents and $50/year for outside Hobart residents.

$3 daily visitation fee for nonmembers. Call (219) 947-1864 or visit 705 E. Fourth St., Hobart. For more information, visit www. hobartseniors.com.

St. John Lions Club

Seeking donations of old eyeglasses, sunglasses, hearing aids. Drop-off sites: Community Outpatient Clinic, 9660 Wicker Ave. (Route 41); St. John Library, 9450 Wicker Ave.; Boric Religious Supply Store, 10951 Thiel St.; St. John Town Hall, 10955 W. 93rd Ave.; VFW Post 717, 10400 W. 93rd Ave.; Clear Vue Eyecare, 9270 Wicker Ave.; Dr. Weisman Ophthalmology, 10220 Wicker Ave. # 3; Kolling School, 8801 Wicker Ave.; Metropolitan Eye Care, 9488 Wicker Ave.; Moses Eye Care, 7974 Wicker Ave.; Strack & Van Til, 9825 Wicker Ave.; Vision Boutique, 8319

Wicker Ave.; Welch’s Stop and Shop, 11333 W. 95th Ave.

Monthly meetings are held at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of every month (September to June) at Roma Grill, 9543 Wicker Ave., St. John. Questions, contact Lion Al at (219) 201-9103.

Whiting Lions Club

Seeking donations of old eyeglasses, sunglasses, hearing aids. Drop off in yellow collection box on 119th Street, Whiting.

Highland Lions Club

Seeking donations of old eyeglasses. Drop off sites are: Town Hall, 3333 Ridge Road; Lincoln Center, 2450 Lincoln St.; Centier Bank, 9701 Indianapolis Blvd.; McColly Realty, 2002 45th St.; Dr. Ligget, 2940 Highway Ave.; Family Eye Care, 8417 Kennedy Ave.; and Johnson Opticians, 8128 Kennedy Ave., Highland.

221 W. Division Road, Demotte, IN 46310 (219) 987-7005 • www.oakgrovecrv.org

46394 (219) 659-2770 www.hammondwhitingconvalescentcenter.com

Rehabilitation Unit, Skilled Licensed Nursing, Semi-Skilled Nursing, Therapies: Speech-Occupational-Physical, Long Term Care, Temporary Care, Respite Care, Hospice Care, JCAHO Accredited, Private/SemiPrivate Rooms, Pet Visitation Allowed, Medicare and/or Medicaid

Experience Our Unique Approach To Senior Living & Memory Support 2300 Village Point, Chesterton, IN 46304 (219) 921-5200 • www.ResidencesAtCoffeeCreek.com

Life Care Center of The Willows

1000 Elizabeth Drive, Valparaiso, IN 46385 (219) 464-4858 • www.lcca.com

Rehabilitation Unit, Skilled Licensed Nursing 24/7, Ready Set Go Program for Rehab to Home; Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapies; Exceptional Wound Care; Respite Care; Pallitative and Hospice Care; Long-term Care; Private/Semi-Private Rooms; Pet Visitation Allowed; Medicare, Medicaid, Most Insurances, Private Pay Accepted

Life Care Center of Valparaiso

3405 N. Campbell, Valparaiso, IN 46385 (219) 462-1023 • www.lcca.com/Valparaiso

Rehabilitation Unit, Skilled Licensed Nursing, Ready Set Go Rehab Program, Inpatient/Outpatient Physical, Occupational, Speech, Respiratory, Therapy, Wound Care, Respite And Hospice Care, Private/SemiPrivate Rooms, Pet Visitation Allowed, Facility Van, JCAHO Accredited, Medicare, Insurance, Medicaid Accepted

Experience Our Unique Approach

To Senior Living & Memory Support 401 E. U.S. 30, Schererville, IN 46375 (219) 864-0700 • www.ResidencesAtDeerCreek.com

Saint Anthony

203 Franciscan Drive. Crown Point, IN 46307 (219) 661-5100

MajesticCare.com

Assisted Living, Private Rooms, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing, Long Term Care, Respite Care, Rehabilitation Services (including Physical, Occupational, Speech and Respiratory Therapy), Pet Visitation, Accepts Most Payer Sources. *Saint Anthony is no longer affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, the Diocese of Gary or the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago.

606 Wall Street, Valparaiso, IN 46383 (219) 464-4976