Skip to Main ContentSkip to Footer
Alana

Tired of temporary weight loss

I yo-yoed with my weight my entire life. I'd lose 50 pounds, then gain it back. At 35, I got down to 150 pounds and was running and staying active. Then, I married my husband, T.J., who is an amazing cook. He likes using butter and loves sweets. My weight started ballooning up.

A longtime friend's gastric bypass surgery was my first motivation to change. I was amazed at how well she did and how healthy she looked. I started reading about the surgery.

Surgical Weight Loss

Alana before and after

A permanent, positive change

I work in a department store with all these cute clothes. I knew how it felt to wear regular sizes. I wanted to be there again.

On top of that, in my work, I sometimes walk eight miles a day. I'm up and down stairs, on my feet constantly. My knees were killing me. I also had sleep apnea, which made me tired all the time. I was borderline for diabetes.

Eventually I changed my life with gastric bypass surgery. I'm happy. I'm healthy. I'm the most comfortable I've ever felt in my body. I can put on a dress that I never thought in a million years I could wear.

I saw gastric bypass surgery as something that could stop the weight yo-yo. And I was motivated it would be a permanent solution.

I went to Vanderbilt's surgical weight loss seminar and was very impressed. I talked to my friend who had the surgery. I was so excited that, wow, this could really be what's going to change my life for a lifetime, not just a year or two.

I'm happy. I'm healthy. I'm the most comfortable I've ever felt in my body.

There were some naysayers who told me that it was dangerous. But I didn't listen to them. I thought, "Well, I disagree with you, and this is what I'm going to do." After reading about the different surgeries, I realized that Roux-en-Y was the best surgery for the outcome I wanted, which was to lose 100 pounds. It was a minimally invasive surgery with only five little, tiny scars. My doctor did a great job.

The nutritionist was very helpful before and after surgery. I take a lot of vitamins since the surgery, and she explains when to take them and how they work.

I also talked with a psychologist, but I was already in the right mindset.

This surgery is not a magical fix. You have to put some work into it.

Alana Stopped the Weight YoYo with Roux-en-Y Surgery

No more achy knees or sleep apnea

I love food and a glass of wine. I have a love affair with Jujubes. After surgery, the hardest thing was learning how to eat correctly. I spent so much time educating myself and reading labels in the grocery store. It was time-consuming and difficult, but so worth it.

I limit my calories. Thank goodness I have friends and co-workers who give me just one bite of their dessert. And I'm happy with that.

I don't want to just be thin; I want to be healthy. Wearing a size 6 or 8 is wonderful, but I run around with my 2-year-old grandbaby. I wouldn't be able to do that with that extra 100 pounds on me.

My knees are so much better, my sleep apnea is gone and I haven't gotten diabetes.

I tell everybody who asks about it. This has to be a personal choice for the right reasons. You're working your way toward healthy. Being healthy is the best thing we can do for ourselves.
 

Surgical Weight Loss

Matthew D. Spann

Matthew D. SpannMD

    Bariatric/Weight Loss Surgery, GI Surgery, General Surgery, Minimally Invasive Foregut Surgery, Surgical Weight Loss Surgery