Heather M.’s Gastric Bypass Story

A year ago, I had a small idea of where my life was headed, but I’m not sure I could ever have truly pictured just where my life would be and where I see it heading.

I just celebrated my one-year anniversary of my Gastric Bypass. The surgery that I chose to have. The surgery that has truly changed my life…saved my life! I have a second chance at living the life I have always wanted.

First, let me share what I feel bariatric surgery is NOT:

It is not a quick fix to weight loss problems. It is an invasive and life altering surgery that takes months and, for some even years, to get approved by insurance and the surgeons themselves. Mine took about 5-6 months of jumping through hoops to make sure I was both medically and psychologically ready for what would come after the surgery took place.

It is not the easy way out. A year out and I still have to be careful of what I eat and how much. Sometimes I make the right choices and sometimes I do not. Does that mean I have failed? No. It just means I have to choose differently at my next meal. It also can mean that I may never be able to eat that particular food again, or maybe in time, my body will say “okay, we can have this in small doses.” The fact that my stomach is much smaller does help tremendously in losing weight, but it is not a cure-all in keeping weight off forever.

Bariatric surgery is not a permanent solution. Over time, it is possible to stretch my stomach back out. This is something I am quite scared of having happen, and yes, I have had my moments of eating too much to where I am uncomfortable or even “dumping,” and that worries me. So, I try very hard to be mindful of the amount I eat at each meal, because I have worked far too hard to allow myself to go back to where I was a few years ago.

Bariatric surgery has been the most difficult lifestyle change I have ever made.

Now let me tell you what bariatric surgery IS to me:

It is a chance to take back your life—if you are willing to work HARD! And I mean hard, because this is probably the most challenging thing I have ever been through. Deciding to change one’s entire life—completely—is not some easy feat. You have to put in the work. You also have to surround yourself with people who will support you. Luckily, every person in my life (family, friends, coworkers) all jumped on board and supported me during my crazy new life journey. For that, they have my sincerest and deepest THANK YOU and LOVE!

That being said, this journey is also a real eye opener of who you are surrounded by. I am so very blessed to have a positive support system during this crazy time in my life. Going through something like this isn’t easy, even with a fantastic support system. I cannot even begin to wrap my head around what it would have been like to have not been encircled by people who were not supportive of the path I have chosen.

This process messes with your head. A full year post Gastric Bypass surgery, and 171 pounds off my body, 125 pounds of that is since surgery, and I still have “fat girl” mentality. I still find myself reaching for clothing that is a few sizes too big. Maybe it’s because I’ve always been that big girl hiding under her clothes. Maybe it’s because I’m afraid to be disappointed when I try a smaller size and it doesn’t fit. Maybe I’m just “trained” to grab the larger size. I don’t know, but it messes with your head. I have tried to help myself a bit with this by routinely purging my closet of clothes that are too big. That is as much as my pocketbook will allow, because I cannot afford a whole new wardrobe since I’m still in the process of losing to maintenance.

I also have a very hard time seeing myself getting to what is considered my ideal weight for my height (108-145 pounds), but my sister has that one covered for me. She won’t let me give up on myself. Not saying I won’t try, it’s just hard to wrap your head around that number when you haven’t been that particular weight since you were a kid.

Last, but certainly not least, this has been one of the best things I have ever done. Making the choice to have Gastric Bypass has given me my life back in so many ways. I have more energy to spend doing things with my family. I am able to do things that for MANY years I was unable to do. I have plans for the future that I hope to make happen, if finances allow, that I could have never even contemplated making a reality before this surgery, but now it won’t be my weight holding me back.

At almost 50 years old, my life is just beginning and I am going to enjoy, appreciate, and savor every single moment!

Surgeon: Dr. Steven C. Simper
Surgery: Gastric Bypass
Surgery Date: 8/2023

Heather M.’s Gastric Bypass Story

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