Your bariatric story is one that is filled with many questions you must ask yourself and the decisions you must make with your entire well-being in mind.  These questions will involve deciding when, where, and how you will have your bariatric surgery. Deciding to have bariatric surgery is typically not one that is made without much thought.  There is a lengthy packet of information you must fill out before you have your first initial meeting with a bariatrician. This packet asks questions about your health history, which includes your experience with dieting.  This comprehensive packet for me was over fifteen pages.  Many thoughtful questions were asking about my weight history.  

Many bariatric patients have a complicated relationship with their weight.  I concluded that bariatric surgery was my last option after years of failed diets and weight regain.  Bariatric surgery is a proven process that treats and, in many cases, cures many of the symptoms that go along with obesity.

I was suffering from severe obesity for over five years before I had my initial bariatric appointment. Many side effects of severe obesity are type II diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, depression, and polycystic ovarian syndrome.

I had all of these severe obesity symptoms and was significantly shortening my life expectancy due to my unhealthy lifestyle.

The Goal of Bariatric Surgery

The overall goal of bariatric surgery is to get healthy and to free you from the restrictions of severe obesity. Severe obesity affects your life long term.  I had many physical, mental, and social restrictions due to my excessive size.  I was uncomfortable existing in my physical form, and my body was in severe discomfort.

Basic things addressed at your initial appointment:

• Eating a proper diet: This includes rewiring your brain and its relationship to food.  You will teach yourself how to properly eat and look at food as fuel, instead of meeting your emotional needs.
• Being as active as possible: Think of activity as part of your everyday routine.. It is not one-off exercises, but a commitment to changing your habits for long term success.
• Consulting your bariatric team frequently: Meeting with your primary care doctor, bariatrician, dietician, therapist, and physical therapist. Having a reliable health care team that specializes in your health offers unlimited support while you endure the proper changes.
• For optimal success, both your mind and body must work together: Take vitamin supplements; malabsorption is a side effect, so proper nutritional supplements are essential for your health.

Getting healthy is no easy task.  There are many recommendations for losing weight, and your bariatric team likely offers a few approaches

The options available for bariatric surgery that have the highest success rate are gastric bypass surgery and gastric sleeve surgery.

My Gastric Sleeve Surgery

I had gastric sleeve surgery, where 80% of my stomach was removed through four small incisions on my abdomen.

I was left with a small banana sized sleeve for a stomach.  By having this surgery, the amount of food I can have at one time is significantly reduced so that I can feel full more quickly.

The success of the gastric sleeve is mostly due to the removal of the section of your stomach that produces the hunger hormone, ghrelin. Because your hunger levels are significantly affected, your weight dramatically decreases.  I had no appetite for about nine months after my surgery.  This helped me lose most of my weight.

Another fascinating fact about the gastric sleeve is that patients lose about 70% of their excess weight.  I can attest to this fact because I have lost over 68% of my excessive weight and have been stable at my current weight for seven months.

Other useful gastric sleeve interesting facts are that this surgery is the best option for bariatric patients with a BMI of over 40.  When you are 100 pounds or more over your ideal weight, this is the best surgery option because some people are too heavy for the gastric bypass surgery.

Gastric Sleeve Preparation

For your mind and body to be ready for life after your bariatric surgery, you must adopt new eating and exercise habits.   Your new eating habits will need to include a protein-based diet with plenty of green vegetables.

Also, you cannot drink with your meals.  This is because your stomach will fill up on liquid and lead to overeating.  With my gastric sleeve, I cannot drink 30 minutes before eating, and for 30 minutes after eating.

This is usually the most common adjustment bariatric patients have during their preparation process.  After two years of adopting this habit, it has become such a habit that I do not even notice it anymore.  With daily practice, it will get more comfortable but remain patient as you adjust.

Along with new eating habits, a daily activity routine is recommended as well.  This can begin with a light cardio routine.  You should begin with walking and gradually increase your resistance in a moderate amount.

Other fun ways to incorporate exercise into your daily routine can be yoga, zumba, pilates, hiking, and kickboxing.  Finding out how you want to find activity in your everyday life is exciting as you try new things.  I do cardio and yoga.  My cardio includes brisk walking with light resistance, the elliptical and stair master.

Along with my consistent eating and exercise habits tackling your mental health is especially important before and after surgery.

Finding a therapist that you can connect, reflect, and share your journey will allow you to process all the changes in your control and those that are not.

I have been seeing a specialized bariatric therapist for the past year twice a month.  I used to go weekly, but have lessened as I have positively adjusted to my life changes.

Bariatric surgery is a complete overhaul of your mind and body, and having a trusted ally on your journey is a valuable asset.

Overall Thoughts

I have had an extremely positive experience with my gastric sleeve surgery.  I had no surgical complications after surgery, and my body was fully recovered within the first week. I was very nervous about this surgery because it was my first major surgery.  The pain was tolerable, and I followed the diet restrictions diligently.

I am now 20 months post-op and have no regrets.  At times I wish I had the surgery sooner, but I realize that when I was in a good enough place, I would make my decision and never look back.

And I haven’t.