Sandra B. - My Story

Gastric Bypass  |  2004  My Life Before Bariatric Surgery I led a very sedentary 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 group meetings.  They bring comfort and encouragement towards my continued success. 

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.