Becky's Weight Loss Journey

Before Gastric Bypass 287 pounds After Gastric Bypass 160 pounds

I was always thin until I hit my late thirties, and then the pounds started piling on. I guess when you get comfortable in a relationship you tend to let yourself go a little, at least that is what I did.

I went from a young, thin, happy woman to a 287- pound, size 24, miserable woman. My marriage ended in divorce. My 5-year-old son was very active in sports and I couldn't do anything with him, because I got winded very easily and my knees ached with any activity. Due to my weight problem I had difficulty standing during my long shifts as an X-Ray tech. I had been going to a podiatrist to address my foot pain, and I had to wear special insoles in my shoes everyday. Every time I would climb stairs, I heard my knees crack and I thought I would need knee surgery soon.

I tried several diets. When I attempted the Atkins diet, I lost 70 pounds and gained all of it back and then some when I stopped the diet.

One of my girlfriends mentioned she was going to have gastric bypass and I thought she was crazy. However, the more I thought about it, the more I thought maybe it was for me. I waited and researched it for about a year. When I talked to Dr. Raja and the staff at the Bridges Center, I knew I was ready to have surgery. I did not tell my friends or family that I was going to have surgery. However, everyone figured out that I had surgery when the weight started coming off, and I could not wear new clothes for more than a week before they were too loose on me. By then, I was so excited about my weight loss that I did not care who knew.

It has been 9 months since my surgery, and I weigh 160 pounds and wear a size 10, which is the same size I wore in high school. I could not be happier and I have never felt better. I no longer have to wear insoles and I can wear any kind of sandal I want, comfortably. I run up and down the stairs with no pain in my knees. Before, I hated any situation where I had to sit in small seats and avoided them as much as possible. Now, I love flying and going to the movies. It is amazing how exciting it is when you first realize that you can fit into the seats anywhere.

I work in the Radiology Department at Southwest General Hospital, and see Dr. Raja's patients come in almost everyday. I enjoy sharing my experience with them and being a source of encouragement.

If I had to do it over again, I would in a heart beat. Not only do I feel healthier and eat healthier, I feel 20 years younger and I no longer take any more medications. I want to thank everybody at the Bridges Center for your continued support in my ongoing care. I feel like you are part of my extended family.