Gradual weight gain year after year, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, unpredictable blood sugar, passing out at work.
This is where I was before coming to Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery. I was aggravated by my horrible health. I didn’t smoke, and I rarely drank even in social settings, but my health was terrible.
Hearing the harsh reality
My cardiologist told me that my number one priority was losing weight. He said I had literally taken years off of my life by not eating healthy and exercising. I was so tired of hearing the same speech from him year after year, but then one time, it was different. He told me that I shouldn’t have had children if I wasn’t going to live long enough to take care of them. It was harsh. His words made me cry. But it was true, and it was exactly what I needed to hear in order to get motivated. So I had gastric bypass surgery.
Finding Dr. Long
I attended a seminar that Dr. Long hosted at St. Vincent’s East where he answered questions and shared realistic expectations. I instantly felt that he was the one who needed to do this surgery for me. He is knowledgeable about all aspects of the surgery, including how to prepare in the months before surgery and what to expect after. He is so professional, yet comforting.
In preparation for my surgery, I had seven months of check-ups with my primary care physician, which was required by my insurance. My initial appointment with Dr. Long was simple. I followed all of the instructions he gave me, because I was dedicated to this being my chance to lose weight and live longer.
Success after surgery
My heaviest weight before meeting Dr. Long was 324.9. One year after surgery, I weighed 150. Today I weigh 134.
Aside from the numbers, I now have increased energy and freedom from joint pain. I can run five miles now in the mornings with no problem. I play baseball with my kids and fit into amusement park rides easily (like I never did before). I can run up flights of stairs skipping every other stair. There are so many things I can do now that I never even knew I was missing.
Immediately after beginning to lose weight, I was able to live without my diabetes medication. I was no longer diabetic. I no longer had high cholesterol, high triglycerides, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea. Just being free from all of those diseases and corresponding medications so quickly was a huge surprise to me.
My biggest “non-scale victory” has to do with the fun and playfulness in my marriage now. My husband wants to carry me all the time. He picks me up and raises me over his head. We are able to have a lot more fun together now that we couldn’t have before due to my weight.
The challenges from other people
While I had a lot of success, there are, of course, challenges. Especially in the beginning, everyone expected me to be able to eat as much as they did. They didn’t always understand that my portions would be smaller. People have also made comments about me being too skinny or needing to eat more.
I have found it surprising that people often bring their own eating habits into the conversation, sometimes feeling as though they have to explain what they eat or why. I have seen insecurities in others and had negative comments about why they would never have surgery.
Follow your heart
While there may be this type of negativity for you too, follow your own heart. So many people are scared of your changes from surgery, but I assure you that it will be the best decision of your life. I will never regret one minute of my surgery or the process. It is the best thing that could have ever happened to me. Dr. Long is my hero. He believed in me, and it changed my life.
Contact Us to Learn More About Gastric Bypass Surgery
Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery is a caring group of professionals who specialize in all types of bariatric surgery. Our surgeon Dr. Jay Long has highly specialized training in bariatric surgery, having completed a fellowship in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery at The Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, where he focused on taking care of patients that are morbidly obese. And we are so proud of our pricing that we publish the costs right on the front page of our website! Insurance won’t pay? We have a variety of financing options we can offer you so that you are able to get the healthy body you’ve wanted for years. Visit us today at http://www.bmisurgery.com/ or give us a call to set up a consultation at 205-833-6907.
