Patient – DR
Aged 54 · Gastric bypass patient · November 2022
Kia ora koutou. I hail from Taranaki and had a great opportunity to improve my hauora (health) outcomes.
I have been in health for over 30 years as a registered nurse and registered midwife, and in education. However, I have always been unhealthy and I wasn’t a good role model of health. I needed to walk the talk.
From a young age I have always been overweight. I was brought up on carbohydrates and enjoyed this food all my life. I noticed the weight creeping up over my adult years, especially during my pregnancies. However, my lifestyle of eating and little fitness activity resulted in many comorbidities. I was diagnosed at an early age with diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which worsened over the years. I became insulin dependent, having 150 units of insulin per day, and commenced on a cocktail of 20 medications to manage my diagnosis.
I have a great relationship with my GP. Five years ago my GP gave me a reality check: ‘if you do not do anything to change your lifestyle, you will shorten your life and other medical interventions will be necessary, just to keep you alive’.
I went through a denial phase but started to change my lifestyle through healthy eating and increasing activity. Back then I was at my heaviest, 136kg. I said to myself ‘get busy dying or get busy living’. I chose to live longer, and I wanted to be present with my husband, tamariki, mokopuna and whānau. I especially wanted to be involved and be present with mokopuna.
My brother went through the process of weight loss surgery. This kick started my thoughts and processes. I watched and supported my brother for a year, making the necessary changes hinengaro (mentally), tinana (physically), wairua (spiritually) and in his whānau (family). I was totally amazed at his determination and the changes he made.
We spoke a lot about weight loss surgery – what the process is, what to expect – and the support post-surgery. I decided this was the pathway I would like to pursue, and I spoke with my immediate and external whānau. I decided to go down the weight loss surgery option and booked an appointment in March 2022. There was lots of preparation and processing until the surgery date (2nd November 2022). By then I had already lost 21kg and I weighed in at 115kg.
The surgery was great and I had a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. This was my preferred option due to my diabetes and long-term weight loss goals. There were no concerns post-surgery. However, my blood sugars were monitored and they were becoming dangerously low with insulin. Therefore my doctors titrated me off insulin and oral medication. Within one month post-surgery I was completely off ALL insulin and oral medication. My veggie drawers in my fridge were full of insulin needles, and had been for 15 years; this was my normal. Therefore being off insulin and oral medication was a huge mindshift of wellness in my health and being.
The surgery helped to reset my body, diagnoses, health and especially my wellbeing. This was my first reality. I will be living longer and my ‘why’ became a definite reality from this point on.
Having the two year support post-surgery with a surgeon, dietician, nurse and wellness practitioner is hugely important to keep you on track, accountable. Having this support when needed has been a huge success in my weight loss, health and wellbeing, and my mindset.
My brother and I found ourselves supporting other friends and whānau also going through weight loss surgery. During my first year post-surgery, I struggled to find a New Zealand/Aotearoa context for weight loss surgery. But the ones I did find on podcasts, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook were very useful. They set out what to expect and how to overcome many situations, and also the stigma that surrounds weight loss surgery.
By 18 months post-surgery, I weighed in at 68kg and have lost half my body weight from when I was at my heaviest (136kg). I have had six full wardrobe re-sizings going from a size 24 down to a size 10.
I can now comfortably maintain my weight at 68-70kgs. I am active 3-4 times per week. I do not have any comorbidities, my HB1C (marker for diabetes) is within a normal range, my blood pressure is normal and my cholesterol is normal. I have more energy to participate in the gym, swimming, running and biking since my weight loss journey. My confidence has increased by 100%. I enjoy dressing up now; I can walk into any shop and try on clothes and buy a size 10.
My normal eating has changed significantly now. I can hardly tolerate red meat. But I have lots of protein and lots of fluids. I still have to eat slowly and will be forever on multi-vitamins and minerals for the rest of my life.
My advice to anyone looking at weight loss surgery is to do your research about surgeons. What support will you receive post-surgery? It involves a commitment to life changes with food, habits and mindsets. Have supportive people around you and drop the negative people or their comments. Stay focused on your ‘why’.
My only regret is not having the weight loss surgery earlier in my life!
I would like to take this time to thank the surgeons, dieticians, nurses and wellness coach for all your support during my surgery and consistently being there over two years.
To my husband, children and mokopuna – you are all my ‘why’ and I thank you all for your wonderful support, help, advice and just being there for me unconditionally.
To my brother, thanks for your unconditional support throughout my life, and helping me through my biggest change of life. To my other brothers, I love you both. To my lil brother, always little bro and thank you, loved and missed always.
To the rest of my whānau – thank you and love you all.
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