 | Gastric Bypass | 2009 My Life Before Bariatric Surgery Before the surgery I was not in good shape. I had a 2 year old that I wanted to be able to keep up with. I wanted to be able to take him on rides, walks and just play and run. |
I was on medication for high blood pressure and pre-diabetes. You would think activities like shopping, flying in a plane, and sitting in a roller coaster would be easy, but it wasn’t. You either don’t fit, worry about breaking something, or need an extender so you can get a seatbelt on.
Shopping for clothes was always a nightmare. Trying to find something that fit was always a challenge. And with my being a professional, dressing up could be difficult. You certainly felt the world was not designed for a larger person.
I was always pretty and funny but inside I was dying a slow, painful death. I hated who I had become and when I had to look in a mirror I would only look from the nose up. I never made eye contact with people and walked with my head down. My children will probably wonder where I was the first few years of their lives because I avoided cameras and being in photos at all costs.
I was an unhappy soul and my family suffered from my unhappiness.
Making the Decision
I had yo-yo dieted so often. I would lose 20 pounds but it would always come back. Lose, gain, lose, gain… this is not healthy, but it was my habit. Also, I just wanted to have the energy to be able to go play with my son. How unfair all this was to him, and to me. I then took a really good look in the mirror, and realized I was not happy or healthy in my current state, and I needed to make some changes. So I started talking with others who had gone through this process. I did a lot of research online, spoke with my doctor, who supported me, and just went for it.
My Barix Clinics Experience
Barix was great!! It is set up for larger people so you felt comfortable while you were there. The doctors and nurses are all so pleasant and upbeat. They answered all my questions; they explained things to me and gave me options. Meeting with Dr Poplawski really inspired me. They all showed compassion. When a person makes the choice to do the procedure, there are natural fears and insecurities, and the Barix staff were right there to help guide me through. Barix always made me feel like a person, not a number.
The nurses on the floor were great. I woke up from surgery feeling nauseated and the nurses were giving me meds for this. One nurse decided to go another route and just held a cold cloth on my neck and head while I walked the halls to help keep the nausea away and surprisingly it worked. She took the time to be with me and help me through until I was feeling better. I was grateful for the extra time, care and compassion that she showed. It really shows that they truly care.
How My Life Has Changed
I just reached my surgery anniversary, and have lost 145 pounds – 3 pounds from my personal goal. I have gone from a size 24/26 to a size 8-10. I no longer have high blood pressure, or medication for being borderline diabetic and my PCOS seems to have resolved itself.
At the time of my one year appointment at Barix, I wanted to lose 10 more pounds. The nurse asked me where I was going to lose it from. She said I was going to be too skinny. “Too skinny” has never been part of my vocabulary before. Then my surgeon walked in said, “You don’t look like you belong here.” (giggles!!) He was so pleased with the results. He wants me to go out, enjoy life, always keep an eye on what I am eating but to still be able to enjoy life to its fullest.
I can now walk up a flight of stairs without becoming winded. I have the energy and ambition to go out and just start living and loving life.
My self-confidence and self esteem have improved drastically. I will try new things, take on new projects and I now am willing to put myself out there. Especially in my work environment. My life has changed and the new me has emerged! The amount of support I received from family, friends and co-workers was incredible. I have friends who have seen my success and after speaking and sharing my experience they too are now on this journey.
I want to thank Barix, my surgeon, my family and friends for their complete support and encouragement. With all of your help my life has changed and I can now fully enjoy everything it has to offer to the fullest.
I am now free to be me!!
