5 Short Stories of Bariatric Success

5 Post-op Bariatric Short Stories

Alex

My health was in a downward spiral prior to surgery. Every time I turned around there was another health related issue popping up due to the excessive weight I was carrying around. I had tried for years to do it on my own but, that wasn’t enough. After making the decision to get the surgery, my whole outlook on life has changed. Friends told me it would change me, I disagreed with them and said it wouldn’t. But, now that I look back, how could it not change me? Everything about me has changed! In a matter of 10 months I lost 150lbs. I am now doing things that my old self would have thought I was crazy for even thinking! This surgery has given me a second chance at life. 

Kim

My name is Kim Born and I had gastric sleeve surgery with Dr Matthew St Laurent in Houston TX on January 10, 2019. I spent 3 years researching weight loss surgery. During this period of time I learned all I could about the emotional triggers that caused my weight gain and tried to become as knowledgeable as possible about behaviors that I would need to embrace to be successful on this journey. I found many online support systems through Facebook and YouTube. At age 52 the youngest of my 4 children moved out of the house and my husband and I were ready to start a new chapter in our life!! My husband had always been very active, ate healthy and went to the gym 5 days a week. Today he is my #1 cheerleader and support system! After 30 years of being a stay-at-home wife and mom it was time to focus on me!! I made a decision I wanted to live life to the fullest and be around to enjoy my children and grandchildren. BEST DECISION EVER!! I absolutely love my tool and am loving life!!! I feel 20 years younger and look forward to a bright future!! HW: 235 SW: 222 CW:125 I met and surpassed my doctor and my personal goal and am now focusing on long term maintenance.

Harold

At my heaviest I was 344 lbs, it hurt my knees to just walk across a parking lot. I was prediabetic, my blood pressure was threw very high and my Dr was talking going on meds, and I was very prone to gout. We are an active family and my weight was holding me back a lot. No amusement rides, no hiking, excise at all was a challenge. I started researching different methods and found a bunch of information online and luckily found Kimberly's YouTube page. I decided on the gastric sleeve. Once I made the decision, I found an incredible Dr. I had my surgery on 3/2/20 and have lost 110 lbs so far. All my medical conditions are gone, I am camping, biking, hiking and kayaking now. It has been an incredible journey. I am very happy I decided to take it.

Frances

The main reason I decided on the surgery was beyond trying to be healthy, I had tried it all, Herbalife, Xyngular, Advocare, gym everyday for a year and never saw real results beyond 15-20 lbs... my A1c was getting higher no matter what I tried to do, and I was on 3 BP meds. January of 2020 I decided to take a leap of faith, in myself and do this... surgery was February 14... being single I always dreaded that day... now it represents my new life. I am still "finding and trying to see" the new me.. its a daily process. ive just hit the " my hair is falling out" stage and am bummed about it. However this too shall pass... (I hope).

Jeanette

I had the surgery because I have been overweight all my life. I lost a large amount three different times, only to gain it all back. After the last time, my cousin had surgery. She is ten years older than me. She asked how I would feel in 10 years if I wasn’t successful after continuing to try to lose weight the way I have been. I decided right then to change my mindset and my life. Life now isn’t what I expected before surgery. It’s still scary, still uncertain. The biggest difference in my life is my mindset. I decided there is no going back, and that is what I intend to live out. I get rid of all the clothes that are too big for me as I lose. I think more and more about eating as fuel for my body and not a chance to indulge in every one of my cravings. Living with all the new non-scale victories is a huge plus as well!! I still don’t recognize myself in the mirror sometimes