Tired of living with diabetes, cirrhosis, sleep apnea and stomach pain, Kelly stepped out to find a solution to a healthier life. She found what she was looking for with the help of bariatric surgery. Read her story.

Looking for Answers

I have struggled with weight all my life and was always heavier than any of the other girls. My heaviest was 260 pounds and I am only 5’ 2” tall.

My weight was always fluctuating. I gained weight after my first marriage and then lost some when my marriage unexpectedly ended. When I had my first child I gained forty pounds, then I lost thirty.

When I remarried and had my second baby, I gained fifty pounds and never lost much of that. After developing gestational diabetes during my second pregnancy, things went downhill. I found out that I had non-gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, anemia, fatty liver, sleep apnea, severe leg swelling, fatigue and stomach pain.

I was on six medications in the morning and nine in the evening. I felt miserable and hated taking all the medications.

Turning Point

I decided to have bariatric surgery after I had a scan to find out why I was having bad stomach pains on the right side of my stomach. The technician could not see my gallbladder because of my liver. More tests revealed I had an enlarged, fatty liver.

My father-in-law had just passed away with non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver, and it really scared me and my husband. I never considered the surgery prior to this. But I wanted to get the weight off fast, make major lifestyle changes and get healthy.

I began to research everything about the different types of weight loss surgeries. I knew I was too scared to go out of the country, so that was never an option for me.

I learned about the Bariatric & Metabolic Institute (BMI) through two friends who felt great after bariatric surgery at BMI. They were very happy with their results, the bedside manner of the doctors, and their care while in the program.

I went online and went through the process of filling out the form, doing the seminar and then I found out, to my surprise, that my insurance covered the surgery.

Surgery Experience

Dr. J.D. Fuller, bariatric and general surgeon, performed the gastric bypass, and my overall surgery experience was amazing. This was my first surgery, the first time I had ever been under anesthesia and my first hospital stay other than having my children. When I woke up, I was shocked that it was over.

The surgery incisions did not give me any pain and I had no complications. I was sore and had some bruising, but other than that I did very well. I spent one night in the hospital and was able to go back to work seven days after surgery.

The staff at the hospital were wonderful and made me feel at ease. They were very attentive to me and very kind. They took care of my husband while I was in surgery and made sure I had whatever I needed. I have always been impressed with the professionalism and kindness of the staff at BMI.

Less Medications, More Energy

Life is great. I look forward to things that I used to dread because I felt so bad that I just wanted to stay at home and rest. I am only on two medications. I have amazing energy, sleep like a baby without my CPAP machine and feel so much better.

I can do things that I never imagined I could do, and I look great on top of all of that. I have regained my health and improved my quality of life exponentially. I have confidence that I haven’t had since I was in my twenties. It has been life-changing in every way. If I had known I would feel and look this good, I would have done this much sooner.

I still get to enjoy food, but I do so in a healthy, moderate way. I don’t feel deprived or sad about it. I have learned to listen to my body and allow it to tell me what I want or need. I am more mindful of my protein daily, and I see food as energy and not a pastime or a coping mechanism.

I absolutely recommend bariatric surgery and BMI. If someone is on the fence about the surgery I would say, do it! You will not regret it.

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Our nationally recognized team of surgeons, dietitians, nurses and therapists are here to guide you to a longer, healthier, more fulfilling life through bariatric surgery. Go to bmi.arheart.com to see if you qualify for surgery, learn about your surgical options and watch our free online on-demand seminar.