Nancy’s Turning Point and Triumph: A Bariatric Surgical Success
A Wake-Up Call
When Nancy Kelly began talking with her Harbin Clinic primary care physician, Dr. John-Scott Carroll, she felt like she had tried everything to lose excess weight. Her greatest struggle seemed to be consistently keeping up with the suggested lifestyle plans doctors encouraged her to follow.
“I had a diet and exercise plan but could not follow it. Then, I tried medication and then ultimately shots, but I could not keep my average blood glucose levels (A1C) in a healthy range.”
It was at this point that Dr. Carroll shared with Nancy that he wanted her to be healthy and strong to enjoy her family and retirement. He was concerned if she continued to go down this road, that might not be the case. “Think about your long-term goals in life,” he said, reminding her that poor health, which could lead to stroke, heart attack or heart failure, would prevent her from achieving these goals.
“I was nervous, but I needed this direct encouragement,” said Nancy. “That day, I told Dr. Carroll to go ahead and send over the referral for bariatric surgery to Harbin Clinic surgeon Dr. Peter Adams.”
Finding the Right Treatment
For Nancy, weight loss through bariatric surgery was her best option. Harbin Clinic physicians often remind patients working through these options that everybody is different and every body is different. What works for one patient might not be the right answer for another person’s health journey. Like Nancy, considering the options available with a physician is an important step toward maintaining healthy weight goals.
For some, receiving and following a diet and exercise plan may be the right path. Another recent option is weight loss medications like Wegovy and Zepbound or diabetes medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro. These medications slow down how quickly food leaves a person’s stomach, which makes people feel full.
This treatment option commonly requires daily to weekly shots, has up to around 20% potential weight loss and has a potential weight gain of 66% within one year of stopping. With an annual cost of around $12,000 a year, it is no wonder that, of the 12% of U.S. adults who have tried these medications, less than one-seventh of them continue the medication through two years.
Bariatric Surgery
Weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, is one of the most successful treatments for severe obesity. It works by making changes to the digestive system to help patients lose weight. The typical surgery requires an overnight hospital stay, is usually covered by Medicare and private insurance, and has a potential excess weight loss of up to 77% at 12 months after surgery. For many of these reasons, it was the right path for Nancy.
Losing Weight and Gaining Life
After sending over her referral, Nancy got down to business. She took the required nutrition courses and prepared for surgery with Dr. Adams. To her surprise, it was an easier procedure than she expected. She had her surgery at Atrium Health Floyd, and she said she experienced no pain during recovery. However, she knew that her surgery was just the beginning of her journey.
“After surgery and working with Dr. Adams, I started walking. It is a 3-mile roundtrip, a 5K, around my road, and I committed to walking it. I paced myself and pushed myself a little further each time. In a week, I could tell a major difference in my clothing, so I kept walking and started hiking too.”
As the weeks went by, Nancy said she walked and watched what she ate, and the weight continued to fall off. Within six months of the procedure, she could fit both legs inside one of her old pant legs. Her surgery was in February, and by October, she hit her goal weight, a milestone she celebrated by buying a mountain bike and signing up for a “Tough Mudder” race.
“In the first obstacle of my race, I fell flat on my face and ate dirt,” said Nancy. “I was covered in mud and laughing, going over and under hurdles, but I finished. I did it! I got an actual medal. I was tickled, and from there, I started entering races left and right.”
Making Healthy Strides
Now, in her 60s, Nancy spends a lot of time hiking, biking and racing. She frequently passes 20-year-olds on hills and easily keeps up with her grandkids. She eats small meals multiple times a day, makes her own protein bars and says her husband has been and still is a fantastic support person.
She has also quit taking most of the medicine she previously depended on to stay healthy. She no longer has diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure. “I do not even take probiotics anymore,” said Nancy. “I just eat yogurt.”
Nancy also said she would recommend this program to anyone who asked. “I lost 100 lbs. and have maintained my weight. I love it when people do not recognize me,” she said. “Before the procedure, losing the weight felt like something I could not do. But now with a new tool – my changed digestive system – and a different mindset, I could more easily commit to the changes. I was motivated by the weight loss I had not been able to do alone.”
Today, Nancy still sees Dr. Carroll and Dr. Adams and said it is worth the 45-minute drive from Dallas, Georgia, to stay in their care. “They saved my life,” said Nancy. “I thank God for them weekly. They were both the hard truth and the helping hand I needed. I am alive thanks to them.”
Nancy’s inspiring story shows that with the right options, support and determination, significant health transformations are possible. Start your journey today by visiting https://www.floyd.org/bariatrics. For more information on Harbin Clinic bariatric surgeons, visit https://harbinclinic.com/services/bariatrics/
