Before & After RNY with Rachel B., losing 135 pounds!
November 19, 2019Why I Decided to Have WLS
My struggles with my weight began when I was about eight years old. That’s when I started gaining weight and found out I had Hypothyroidism and Adrenal Hyperplasia. Since then, my life has been a roller coaster of weight issues.
I was put on Synthroid and Decadron when I was a child. Decadron is a steroid used to control the Adrenal Glands because they were overproducing and could interfere with my female development. At the young age of eight, going back and forth to the hospital every three months, made me feel like a guinea pig. It was a never-ending hell for me as a child. I really didn’t understand what was going on or why my body was gaining weight.
Before & After RNY with Rachel B.
OH Username: Rachel B.
Total Weight Loss: 135 pounds
Surgery Type: RNY
Date of Surgery: September 26, 2017
Surgeon: Dr. Christine J. Ren-Fielding
Having Surgery and Life as a Post-Op
I tried at least three times to lose weight on my own until I finally gave up. The last time I tried to lose weight, I got down to 198 pounds but ended up gaining it all back plus more. I went up to 310 pounds, which was my highest weight. At this point, I was depressed and felt like a failure.
My endocrinologist suggested that I get the gastric sleeve surgery. When I spoke with my bariatric surgeon, Dr. Christine J. Ren-Fielding, she told me the gastric bypass was the best surgery to get rid of type 2 diabetes. I decided to go to NYU Langone Hospital.
My surgery was at the end of September 2017, I was 42 years old. So far, I have lost 135 pounds. The co-morbidities I had from my weight are gone, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol.
I knew I had to take my time deciding to get the gastric bypass because it is a major life change. It took me a year to decide because I knew I had to give up the emotional eating that I have been doing for years. I would have to learn to deal with emotions and make boundaries in my life without the use of food. I began therapy before my surgery with a therapist that also had a gastric bypass 15 years ago. So I knew she could understand what it was like to live like this after the surgery.
A Special Milestone / Non-Scale Victory
I am glad I did the surgery; it saved my life. I don't have diabetes, and my A1C is now 4.2 from 8.0.
I am happier and have more energy, and I sleep better too. I just got a new full-time job and have been documenting my journey on my YouTube channel, Rachel's gastric bypass buddies. I want to encourage others with obesity to never give up. To keep improving their lives and moving forward.
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