In January 2015 I made a decision that changed and quite possibly saved my life. I attended an informational class for the 2nd time in as many years. But things were different this time. I wasn’t going to keep weight loss surgery and all that it encompassed a secret. So I started sharing my pre-journey with friends and family on Facebook. I knew I would need their love and support to be successful. When I tell people that I had weight loss surgery I get a mixture of reactions from, “Good for you”, or “I’ve done it and you will be great”, and my personal favorite… “isn’t that cheating”. Trust me I felt that way too, I thought I was cheating, I mean I am the one who packed these extra pounds on, not anyone else, but here is the thing… Everyone battling obesity should do what works for them, what works for some may not work for others. It isn’t the easy way out.
Making the decision to have major surgery is not easy. The risks involved for an obese person undergoing anesthesia are serious. It will require a permanent lifestyle change, learning to eat all over again, better decisions are made and eventually new habits. Weight loss surgery isn’t the answer, it is a tool that I can use to help me get healthy. Fast forward a year and what a ride it’s been. I’ve cried over no funeral potatoes at Easter dinner, giggled like a little girl the first time I bought a shirt that was a large..without 4 X’s in front of
Fast forward a year and what a ride it’s been. I’ve cried over no funeral potatoes at Easter dinner, giggled like a little girl the first time I bought a shirt that was a large..without 4 X’s in front of it. I’ve learned a lot about myself and discovered that I’m stronger than I thought and that food isn’t and can’t be a security blanket, friend or even a pain eliminator… .. Am I where I want to be yet, nope. I still catch myself tripping over my own insecurities, but I’ll get there. I can’t order phentermine 37.5 mg wait to see what the next year brings me. I know the how hard being super morbidly obese is trust me …my wake-up call was probably my primary care physician, two years ago at my annual physical, he asked me if I wanted to live to see 40. I said, “Well I’m only 38 that would be awesome.”. He said at your size, every day you wake up without diabetes, without high blood pressure, not having a stroke or a heart attack is a gift. This was shortly after I’d lost a good friend who was overweight to a stroke at my age. I was scared, I knew I was big I wasn’t blind but having my doctor put it like that it was the wake-up call I needed.
Looking at the before and after pictures back from RMAP and I honestly don’t recognize either of the ladies physically. I don’t remember letting myself get that big, but I still don’t see myself as this small. But, the one thing I do recognize was that fight in my eyes in the before. I knew it would be hard but I had no idea it would be the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Thank you Rmap Staff and Dr. McKinlay.
Goal was to be healthier and under 200. Mission accomplished. It’s still me inside, just a new lower-fat funny version of the other funny fat girl. What a difference a year makes. November 30, 2015 is the day I took back control of my health and honestly my life. What an amazing, crazy, year. I’ve giggled, I know I’ve celebrated, I’ve cried, I’ve yelled but one thing I didn’t do was give up on me. Having a Duodenal Switch not only saved my life, but it gave it back to me.
— Sarah B.
Heavy weight 392.2
Surgery weight 359.6
Current weight 170.2
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If you would like to share your weight loss surgery story with others and on Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians (RMAP) other social media outlets, contact Jessica at Jessica@rmapinc.com.
www.RMAP.com
Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians
801-268-3800
1160 East 3900 South, Suite 4100
SLC, UT 84124