Meet Sheila.
Like so many, Sheila struggled with her weight – both physically and emotionally – for years, as well as with decisions about what to do about it.
For years, her weight had impacted her life and limited the enjoyment she could have with family and friends.
Join her as she details her motivation for wanting to lose weight, regain her health and how she finally decided to undergo bariatric surgery.
Sheila, prior to surgery
To learn more about the many benefits of bariatric surgery at McLaren Macomb, visit mclaren.org/macombbariatrics.
Had you always struggled with your weight?
I have had a weight problem since about age 10 – I was already dieting at that age. I remember always being the largest child/person within my peer group or family. I dieted my whole life and never got to a “normal weight.”
In what ways did you feel your weight hindered your life and quality of life?
I did not feel hindered by my excessive weight until I reached 300 pounds. It was at that point that I had to make so many adjustments to live like a “normal person” does. I was always so tired, not able to do activities of daily living without help from my spouse or daughter, like tying shoes and getting dressed. I had no energy to do housework, garden, walk any distance, shop, cook or vacation – all things that I loved to do.
I had to worry about so many things before I went anywhere, like would I fit in a chair, in a booth, in a plane seat, a theater seat? If I did fit in the seat, would I encroach on the person next to me? I stopped traveling.
Would I fit in the chairs on my neighbor’s patio? If I did stop by her home, I would stand while everyone else was sitting, and then make an excuse why I was standing up. I stopped socializing for this reason.
Sheila, six months after surgery
I was always in pain, knees, back, body in general. I had hypertension, pre-metabolic syndrome, fatty liver disease, high cholesterol. I was slowly killing myself. Emotionally, I felt like a failure. I couldn’t participate in life. I had no joy anymore, although I always put on a happy front to try and fool everyone about my emotional state. I felt trapped in my body.
Had you ever previously considered bariatric surgery?
I had thought and prayed about bariatric surgery for about 10 years. When I hit the 300-pound mark, I knew trying to eat less was not going to get rid of 150 pounds, but I was too scared to have surgery. I felt, at that time, it was “too extreme.” I had not educated myself about it. Ten years later, I weighed 417 pounds. I knew I had to do “something extreme.” I could no longer live like I was.
What was the moment you decided you were going to get bariatric surgery?
I had decided I wanted to go to a seminar about bariatric surgery but had no concrete plan. The week before I met Stephanie Auch was traumatic for me. I had decided I was going to get on the floor to play with my granddaughter. I went to get down and fell to the floor. Once there, I could not get back up. I had to have my spouse, son and daughter-in-law pull me up. It took three people and about 20 minutes.
I said, “I can no longer live like this.” I was so embarrassed and ashamed I had gotten to this point. I had jury duty the next week. While waiting in a room of 400 people, Stephanie came in and sat next to me. We both discovered we were nurses, so I asked her where she worked. I could not believe she was a bariatric nurse. I told her, I was thinking about having surgery. I asked her if she would answer a few questions I had. She said yes, and my education began.
She shared how she weighed over 400 pounds and knew she needed help. She shared how she felt both emotionally and physically prior to surgery, which was much like I was feeling now. She then told me how she felt after surgery. I felt at that moment that there was hope for me. After talking, I asked her where she worked and what surgeon performed the surgery. She told me about Dr. Pesta and spoke so highly of him. I asked if they had seminars. They were having a class the following week. I called that Friday and registered. The rest is history.
What did you do in advance of the surgery to prepare for success?
I went to the bariatric seminar and then I did everything that was suggested at the class. I followed all the info given in my book. I read the manual several times, so I felt educated on what to expect emotionally and physically post-op surgery. I watched the gastric sleeve surgery online, I kept all my appointments and I strictly adhered to my pre-surgical diet. I made sure I shared I was having surgery with my family and friends, I felt this would keep me accountable. This was also good because they gave me so much support. I prayed daily for success.
What was your mindset as surgery date approached?
I was very excited when I got my surgical date. I knew my life was going to change forever. I did become a little apprehensive about surgery the night before. I had lost about 40 pounds with the pre-surgical diet. I said to my husband, “Maybe I don’t need surgery. I have lost 40 pounds without it.” His response was, “How many times have you lost 40 pounds on your own and then gained 80?”
I then realized I needed to have bariatric surgery for my health and well-being. I am so grateful I came to this realization and had surgery. My life is so much better and I feel wonderful!