Page 9 - Martin Downs Bulletin - January '24
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Martin Downs, Page 9
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New Year, New Me? It’s unlikely that a “new you” will emerge in the first few
weeks of the year, but you certainly can be well on your way to
Did you know studies show the majority of people have a healthier, happier you by the end of the year if you consistently
already given up on their New Year’s resolutions by Jan. 19? build on your improved habits!
Don’t fall into the average statistic – change the approach! Depression, high blood pressure and risk of diabetes are
Long-term consistency trumps short-term intensity … some of the most common health issues associated with
ALWAYS. obesity. Infertility, sleep apnea and osteoarthritis could also
Try to resist your urge to want to jump into an extreme diet/ complicate your health as well. Surgical weight loss may
exercise routine and just start taking one or two small steps to reduce your weight, but it can also potentially treat these
improve your habits daily. symptoms or future health risks.
Answer these questions: Weight loss surgery is generally designed for those with a
• What is my health goal for the next six months? Be specific. body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 40, or equal
• What is one thing that you can realistically do daily – no Richard Follwell, D.O., Gustavo Lopes, D.O., to or greater than 35 with serious comorbidities. Laparoscopic
matter what disruptions/unexpected things happen? Start now. FASMBS, general and FACOS, general and adjustable gastric banding is also FDA-approved for weight loss
• How will I feel in six months from now if I am still in the bariatric surgeon bariatric surgeon surgery in people with a BMI of 30 to 35 who have at least one
same position I am in now (or went backwards)? obesity-related condition. Weight loss surgery is considered safe,
• What is my “why”? The real, deep down, nitty gritty • Who do I trust that I can share these answers with and but like many types of surgery, it does have risks.
reason you want to improve your health. will hold me accountable? Good Samaritan Medical Center has two highly
experienced physicians in the Treasure Coast that offer
weight loss surgery, Richard Follwell, D.O., FASMBS and
Gustavo Lopes, D.O., FACOS.
Richard Follwell, D.O., FASMBS is a general and bariatric
surgeon with the Palm Beach Health Network Physician Group
(PBHNPG) in Port St. Lucie. Dr. Follwell specializes in revisional
bariatric surgery, gastric band revision and follow-up, gastric
bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, pre- and post-surgery endoscopy,
general surgery as related to post-bariatric procedures, robotic
and laparoscopic surgery, and hernia surgery. Follwell is board-
certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery.
Gustavo Lopes, D.O., FACOS, is a general and bariatric
surgeon with the Palm Beach Health Network Physician Group
in Port St. Lucie and West Palm Beach. Dr. Lopes specializes in
robotic, laparoscopic, and minimally invasive surgery including
weight-loss surgery (bariatric surgery) and performs Roux-en-Y
gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy.
Learn more about the Good Samaritan Medical Center’s
Surgical Weight Loss Program. Contact our Bariatric Clinical
Program Coordinator at (561) 650-6216 or email GSMCBMI@
tenethealth.com for more information on the procedures we offer.
You may also visit https://www.goodsamaritanmc.com/services/
bariatric-surgery.
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goverNmeNt
Vote By Mail In 2024!
Martin County voters are no
longer waiting until Election
Day to cast their vote. Voting
by mail is one option voters
can choose to cast their vote.
Other options include early
voting and voting on Election
Day. More information can be
located at www.MartinVotes.
gov or by calling the Elections
Office at (772) 288-5637.
Here are some important facts, about voting by mail as you
prepare for the 2024 elections cycle:
• Vote by mail requests must be renewed after every
general election.
• Vote by mail ballots cannot be forwarded. To mail a vote
by mail ballot to a different address, a note including the voter’s
signature and date of birth is required.
• To request a vote by mail ballot, visit www.MartinVotes.
gov or call (772) 288-5637.
• When requesting a vote by mail ballot, Florida law requires
voters to verify their driver’s license number, or the last four
digits of their Social Security number; whichever is on record
with the Supervisor of Elections Office.
• You can verify your ballot was received at www.MartinVotes.
gov, click on “Track Your Ballot” or call the Elections Center at
(772) 288-5637.
• All vote by mail ballots are counted, regardless if an election
has a close race or not.
• Florida is a no excuse state. Voters do not need a reason to
request a vote by mail ballot.
• Voters have the option to hand-deliver and place their voted
mail ballot in our secure ballot intake stations located at any Early
Voting site during Early Voting dates and hours.
• All vote by mail ballots must be received at the Elections
Office by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
To request a vote by mail ballot for the three scheduled
elections in 2024, call the Elections Office at (772) 288-5637
See answer in this paper. or visit us online at www.MartinVotes.gov.
Vicki Davis, Martin County Supervisor of Elections
