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My Life Before Bariatric Surgery I led a very sendentary
lifestyle and was afraid to engage in any strenuous activity for fear of collapsing. I had elevated cholesterol, a family
history of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and pain in my hips, knees and back. I was so unhappy with myself. I felt like such a failure because of my inability to successfully lose weight
and keep it off.
I am a training manager for a medical device company. I could not walk
up a flight of steps and give a lecture because I would be too short of breath. I was increasingly self-conscious in
front of the class. I dreaded traveling because I did not fit in the airline seats.
The extra weight was like carrying around a fifth grader everywhere I went.
Making the Decision
I
considered the lap band, but after doing research I recognized that I needed a 'tool' that would help me control the type
of food that I ate as well as the volume of food. As a former operating room nurse I felt that I knew a lot about bariatric
surgery, but I did my research anyway. I looked at several programs and decided that Barix was the program with the
most comprehensive patient care including both pre-operative and post-operative support.
I wanted a program with good aftercare. The reality
of this procedure is that the surgery is the 'easy' part-learning to use your tool successfully is the hard part. You
must be totally committed to changing your relationship with food for this to be successful. I still attend support
groups meetings. They bring comfort and encouragement towards my continued success.
Making Success Happen I
lost weight faster than I expected. I believe that I have tamed my food demons. I have a much healthier attitude
and a more positive approach to food. I work out 4-6 times a week.
When I made the decision to have bariatric surgery, I knew that it would mean that I
must be willing to make some difficult changes in my life in order to be successful. Today, I am nearly 3 years post-op.
I have maintained my weight loss and feel that I have been given a new lease on life. I will turn 50 in a few months
and I can say without hesitation that I am in the best shape of my life. My biggest regret is that I did not have the
surgery sooner.
How My Life Has Changed It is difficult to articulate the profoundly
positive impact this surgery and weight loss had on my emotional well-being and self-esteem.
My weight loss has given me the courage to seek out new opportunities with my employer.
Now I am never embarrassed in front of the class and often receive positive comments about how energetic I am.
I have so much more confidence and seek out social situations. I never would have done that before. I tell everyone about my surgery. I keep a 'before' picture in my workout log and show
it to people at the gym all of the time.
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