Bariatric Surgery Is Like A Three-Legged Stool

I felt like I was the mom who always sat on the sidelines. I would cringe anytime my husband or son suggested a trip to the park, a walk into town, or a bike ride around the neighborhood. When we did go to the park, I quickly became winded walking from the car to the playground. I had no energy left to push my son on the swing. I could feel my body overheating immediately and sweat rolling down my forehead. My heart pounded so hard that it felt like it was coming through my chest. I would find the closest picnic table and sit down as fast as I could because I felt like I couldn’t breathe. What kind of mom doesn’t push her son on the swings? I can remember feeling so alienated from my family and from the world. My dog would look at me with sad puppy eyes just begging me to take her for a walk. When I couldn’t bring myself to do it, she’d hang her head and walk away. I’d lay awake at night hearing my son’s voice saying “Mommy, why won’t you ever ride your bike with me?” Words cannot describe what happens to a parent when you feel like you’ve let your kids down.

As I drove to work one morning, a voice came over the radio. It was a young woman discussing her health, how it had deteriorated, her co-morbidities, and how it affected her physically and mentally. I felt like I knew this person’s voice on the other end of the radio. Her story was so familiar, but I couldn’t figure out why. I came to the realization that I was
so emotional over this because it was my personal story I heard. I had spent so much time focusing on taking care of my family and friends that I completely discounted what I had been personally going through for many years. That was it, I was done. I sat my husband down the next day and expressed my concerns to him. I stated that I was interested in bariatric surgery and listed the reasons why. I was amazed at the heartwarming response he gave me. He explained that he was behind me 150% and would do whatever I needed him to do.

Traci Baker Pre-Op

In December of 2005, I attended a few weight loss seminars to gather more information on the programs in my area. I had completed many hours of research but I decided it would be in my best interest to attend a support group. I wanted to hear the good and the bad right from the horse’s mouth. I ended up attending support group for two years while I fought with my husband’s employer to cover the procedure. In 2007 , I started a new job and was excited to find out that they chose to cover bariatric surgery and once I was approved, I had the RNY gastric bypass procedure. At my six month mark, I had lost 100 pounds, which I never thought possible. The past few years have been very eventful for me physically, emotionally, and spiritually. My journey to date has not been easy and I’ve hit many road bumps along the way. I’ve had several complications with numerous visits to the ER and the OR. Those visits consisted of an abscess, dehydration, ulcers, gall bladder removal, internal hernia, and a small bowel resection. Despite all of the trials and tribulations I have been through, I still believe that bariatric surgery is a major life saving event. I know in my heart of hearts this was one of the most important and correct decisions I’ve made for my life.

When people find out that I’ve had multiple surgeries, many ask the question, “Would you do it all over again and are you still an advocate for this?” My answer is simply, yes! Although this has been a tough road, I still consider myself to be one of the biggest advocates for this lifestyle change. I believe that everything happens for a reason. We may not always know why, or like it when it happens, but at some point we later discover what it was all about. God doesn’t give us more than we can handle, right? Yes, some days I believe he may have had the wrong address, but in the end, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. If that’s the case, I consider myself to be one very strong mom and wife!

Traci Baker Post-op

Today I maintain a healthy weight and a healthy lifestyle. I have persevered through the uneven path of my journey. I have tried new and healthier food items that I would have never considered prior to surgery. My family has followed in my footsteps and is now more conscious of making healthier choices. My days consist of preparing meals for the next day to help me stay on track and to make healthier choices. I have smaller Tupperware containers that I use specifically for my portion control. I am a creature of habit and will eat the same thing for weeks at a time and then switch my menu. I do not eat foods that are high in fat or sugar. If it doesn’t contain a good amount of protein, I don’t touch it. No carbonated beverages, no fried foods, no bread, no foods full of sugar, or sugar alcohols. If sugar is listed in the first three ingredients, I don’t eat it. My mindset is that I did this to become healthier and it’s not worth risking everything I’ve accomplished for a piece of cake, something fried in greasy oil, or carbonated beverages. Not to mention the fact that any of those items would physically make me ill. I have a healthy fear of dumping and I wish to continue that fear for a long time. I don’t have the mentality of eating everything in moderation because I am a food addict; there is no moderation for me, so I just don’t go there. I am very aware of my trigger foods and I have learned that I am powerless over food. If any of my trigger foods are in my house, my old friend “Handful Harry” will sneak out and I will consume those items by the handful until I am miserable.