Kelly and Tracy | How Bariatric Surgery Changed Two Lives

Kelly

Before Kelly’s surgery, she says she could tell she was unhealthy. She didn’t feel good, she avoided going out with friends, and she had developed diabetes and high blood pressure. She attended an information session on bariatric surgery at Cone Health, and after a lot of research and thought, Kelly underwent gastric sleeve surgery in September of 2016.

Before and after her surgery, Kelly had a lot of support from the Cone Health team – they helped her understand what to expect after the surgery, and taught her healthy habits like the healthiest foods to eat and in what amounts.

Kelly’s surgery helped, but she says it’s important to remember that surgery is just a weight loss tool – surgery was only one step in her journey to becoming a healthier, happier version of herself. Kelly says a lot of people may look at it as the easy way out, but it requires a lot of conscious effort after the surgery. The real challenge is changing your mindset. Kelly makes the choice every day to continue on this path, and it can be difficult at times. It takes a lot of hard work, but it pays off.

Kelly, a Cone Health bariatric patient, spoke on Fox 8 about her weight loss story.

Tracy

Losing weight had always been a challenge for Tracy – she has PCOS, which made it especially difficult. Since she was 18, Tracy tried many different diets but none were successful in the long term, and she couldn’t get her weight consistently under control. After attending several Cone Health seminars and doing tons of research, she decided to have Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.

Tracy says she wouldn’t have been able to succeed without the support of her husband and two children, and her Cone Health support groups. Since her surgery, she feels like her outside reflects how she’s always felt on the inside.

“I’m so much more confident in myself. I also feel so much better now – my high blood pressure and sleep apnea were both reversed after surgery, so I no longer need my CPAP or blood pressure medication. In the past, I couldn’t keep up with my family while out walking; I was always out of breath and needed to stop and sit down. Now, I feel like I got my life back!”

Laurie Deaton, bariatric nurse coordinator for Cone Health’s Bariatrics and Wellness Services, and Tracy W., a local Cone Health bariatric patient, spoke on Fox 8 House Call about Tracy’s experience with bariatric surgery.

The Importance of Nutrition for Weight Loss Surgery

Many of us have already tried every diet and exercise plan imaginable to try to lose weight. Sometimes, in spite of such diligent efforts, we may not be able to achieve long-term results by ourselves. In certain cases like these, bariatric surgery can serve as a tool in achieving significant, long-term weight loss.

Bariatric surgery can be an effective step toward losing weight and improving your entire well-being. Yet in order to be effective, it requires a full commitment toward a lifestyle change. If you are considering bariatric surgery, it is important to understand that this is not the easy way out – you will have to prepare and dedicate yourself mentally, physically and emotionally.

Individuals who are interested in learning more about weight loss surgery and getting started in the process are encouraged to attend one of Cone Health’s bariatric seminars.

Leslie Williams, a registered dietitian at Cone Health Nutrition and Diabetes Education Services at Greensboro, spoke on Fox 8 House Call about how important nutrition is for weight loss surgery.