Bariatric Surgery Program

I never thought I would be able to write this next sentence. I am thin. 3 simple words that I could never write and never say, yet always seemed to be trying to find ways to make those words a reality. I tried every diet. I hoped, I prayed, and I gained more weight. I eventually piled 255 pounds onto my 5 foot, 3 inch frame.

And then I made the decision that would alter my life. I stopped listening to all of the negative things that are said about gastric bypass surgery, and I made a phone call. I knew in my heart that this was my last hope for a normal weight. Less than 6 months later, in January of 2005, I began my new life by undergoing RNY at University Hospitals. The morning of the surgery, I woke up, and the fear that I had had my whole life was gone. I knew that I was in good hands with Dr. Stellato and his surgical team. I was actually excited.

My recovery after RNY was very smooth. It is never easy to completely change one’s eating habits, but I never experienced hunger, and with each pound of weight that melted off, I was more motived. The team at UHHS was always so encouraging and supportive, and I never felt alone in my experience. Before, long I was jogging long distances, and shopping for clothes saying to the clerks, “I’m sorry, I need a smaller size”.

3 years later, I feel that I have been resurrected from the dead. I wake up in the morning, and my body doesn’t ache, my blood pressure problems are gone, and that nagging fear about anything and everything doesn’t plague me anymore. Many people say that when you are obese, you are the same person you would be if you were thin.

I don’t agree with that. Certain elements of who we are remain the same, like our core beliefs, etc. But when I was 255 pounds, I was fearful. I was fearful of being seen, I didn’t want to go out and do things, because my weight inhibited my movement and my self-esteem, and I tired so easily. Now I have the energy and desire to do any number of activities with my 9 and 6 year old boys, and I can go out to eat and not feel guilt or shame. I can eat anything I want within reason, and truly do not feel deprived with the quantity of food I consume.

Thanks to my 100+ pound weight loss, I have recently fulfilled my life’s dream of being a flight attendant. I grew up the daughter of a flight attendant, and have always loved the travel industry, but my weight always kept me from pursuing an airline career. The first time I saw myself in the mirror in my uniform, I cried! I love my job, and it allows me a flexibility of schedule and benefits that a traditional 40-hour a week job does not offer.

Thank you again, Dr. Stellato, Kristen, and the entire UHHS weight loss team! I am living the life that I have always wanted to live. And best of all, I am thin!