Weight Loss Surgery Success Stories For many who have been obese and have had weight loss surgery, the experience has been both physically and emotionally life-changing. However, a common misconception about weight loss surgery is that it is the easy way out or a magic solution to losing weight. In reality, it's anything but easy. People who have the surgery must adhere to a strict diet and behavior modification program before and after surgery in order to keep losing excessive weight or to maintain their newer, healthier weight. Many who have undergone weight loss surgery through the Bariatric Surgery Program at OSU Medical Center claim weight loss surgery has lengthened their life span, improved their physical and mental health and boosted their self-esteem and confidence. Learn how weight loss surgery has affected some of our patients as they share their stories below. John Rankin – a mechanic who says he’s increased his earning potential and job productivity among other things thanks to weight loss surgery and his successful weight loss afterward. Debara Colegrove – who now says the sky's the limit after having weight loss surgery and finding her inner strength. She stands tall, is confident and above all, has respect for herself. Susan Riley – struggled her whole life with her weight and after having weight loss surgery went from 366 pounds to maintaining an astonishing 138 pounds. John Rankin
As a mechanic, John says his obesity affected his productivity and earning potential because he couldn’t work efficiently and had trouble working on the ground and underneath cars as mechanics often do. After many failed attempts at losing weight on his own and much physical and mental anguish over his obesity, he decided to have weight loss surgery after meeting the requirements. Aside from making smarter food choices and exercising, John says a support system is essential. “The camaraderie in my support group through OSU Medical Center is wonderfully encouraging. I’m so grateful to the support group and staff there.”
Debara Colegrove says she was a “prisoner of her own fat” and had been overweight since her childhood. “My weight always made me feel socially unaccepted,” says Debara. Despite her efforts to accept herself for who she was, she couldn’t. Being obese made her feel as if everyone was always staring at her and she didn’t feel like she was good enough for anyone. Debara’s defining moment came while vacationing in the Bahamas alone. Upon arriving at the resort she became painfully aware of how out of place she felt. She spent her entire vacation on her patio – never once going to the ocean or the pool. Paralyzed with fear, Debara began thinking about her life, praying and soul-searching. When she returned home she says she found a before and after picture of a woman that looked just like her who had undergone weight loss surgery. “The picture took my breath away. I remember looking at it and thinking this is the person who lives inside of me,” says Debara. “I knew then and there that it was not a matter of “if” I’d have the surgery but “when.” She weighed 375 pounds on the day of her surgery. Today, Debara couldn’t be happier with the results of her surgery – she is now 193 pounds slimmer. “The surgery and weight loss has given me a caliber of life I never knew possible,” she says. She attributes her success to the great care and preparation for life after surgery that she received at OSU Medical Center. “Thank God my surgery was at OSU Medical Center. I received such great care from everyone at a time when I couldn’t take care of myself.” Debara says she doesn’t hesitate to do anything now – the sky’s the limit. “I walk tall and proud. I’m confident and I expect to be respected. But most importantly, I now have respect for myself.”
It’s no exaggeration when Susan Riley, 46, says she struggled with her weight her whole life. Her first visit to a dietitian was in kindergarten. At her heaviest as an adult, she carried 366 pounds on her 5-foot-3-inch frame. “Although I’ve always been a very positive and active person, my weight caused numerous problems,” says Riley. “For example, most people don’t worry about fitting into an airplane seat or amusement park ride, but I did for most of my life.” With limited success on numerous diets, Riley finally accepted that dieting alone wasn’t the answer. That’s when she started considering surgery. As the insurance manager at OSU’s College of Dentistry, Susan found expertise close at hand with OSU Medical Center’s Bariatric Surgery program. In April 2004, Susan had gastric bypass surgery, and by November 2006, had lost a total of 243 pounds. Ironically, at 123 pounds, Susan’s doctors decided she was too thin, so she now maintains her weight around 138 pounds. “Having weight-loss surgery was the best decision I ever made,” says Susan. “I know the education and support offered at OSUMC’s Bariatric Surgery Program, along with regular exercise at the OSU Center for Wellness and Prevention, have been key to my success. It’s been a miraculous change in my life, giving me the self-confidence to live life to its fullest. My only regret is not having the surgery sooner.” |
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