As a nurse, Debby Smith knew her lifestyle wasn’t healthy — and that change was needed. “Its embarrassing being heavy when you’re a nurse,” she said. “Here I am counseling patients on the importance of diet and exercise and wellness in general, and they’re looking at me and wondering — Why don’t you do that?’”
Debby’s struggle with weight began early. “I remember having to work to lose 25 pounds when I was in 7th grade,” she said. “I was able to keep the weight off in high school, but it started to come back on in college.”
“I was a comfort eater. I ate the wrong things for the wrong reasons. I was a healthy eater at meal times, but then would eat the wrong things to satisfy a need for comfort or to reduce stress.”
Over the years she tried many different diets and programs — all with limited success. In some cases she would lose weight, but it would come back as soon as she stopped that particular diet, “because I hadn’t changed my lifestyle.” Debby’s weight fluctuated from 210 to 250 pounds from the late 1990s until early 2004.
As is usually the case for obese individuals, health problems came with the weight gain. “I had problems with hypoglycemia — I know I was sugar addicted. I was suffering from sleep apnea. I had benign hypertension, my cholesterol was up and I was worried about diabetes because I knew it was a possibility.”
The turning point for Debby came in 2003. “I broke my kneecap, and after nine weeks of basically not being able to do anything, I could see the weight coming back on. I was so frustrated and depressed. I was in a new marriage, and I know my husband [Doug] was getting concerned for my health. The bottom line was that I needed to be forced to change my bad habits.”
At the advice of her internal medicine physician, Debby made an appointment to see Zane Prewitt, MD, to discuss bariatric surgery. “That is the best thing people can do. Even if it costs some money, it is so worth it to take the first step and get your questions answered.” Debby also did additional research, reading books, searching the internet and calling other doctors who performed this surgery. “In the end I was comfortable with my choice.”
Throughout this process and decision, Debby had the support of her husband and her twin daughters. “My husband was really supportive,” she said. “He understood what I was telling him, that I’m not the only person out there whose body does not want to give this weight up.”
In the 12 months following bariatric surgery at Community Memorial, Debby Smith lost 90 pounds. "I haven't been this weight since I was in college," she said.
Debby had bariatric surgery at Community Memorial on August 9, 2004, and she was very positive about her experience and stay at the hospital. “From a nurse’s point of view, I was more impressed than with any other hospital I’ve ever been at.”
Following her surgery, Debby was grateful for the accessibility of Barb Taggart, Registered Dietitian and Coordinator of the Bariatric Program at CMH. “It was really helpful to know that there was someone there waiting to answer questions that came up,” she said. “It was good to know that there was someone there to say, ‘What you’re feeling is normal and ok.’”
For exercise, Debby went back to doing many of the things she tried or wanted to do but couldn’t when she was heavy. “I went back to my own routine, walking, using free weights and the elliptical trainer. I found it incredible, the first time I got back on my elliptical trainer that, after 15 minutes, I wasn’t even sweating. It was so much easier than before. Its true that when you are overweight and have to exert yourself, it is so uncomfortable. Now, its so much more enjoyable.”
Debby also had a relatively easy time adjusting to the differences in the food she ate. “I can still eat pretty much whatever my family is eating because we try to just cook healthy,” she said. In addition to watching her protein intake, she needs to pay attention to how much she eats. “I just need to remember when enough is enough. But its amazing how your new stomach feels satisfied with so much less.”
Debby saw positive results thanks to her efforts. “The weight came off steadily and is continuing to come off gradually just by doing what I’m supposed to — maintaining a basic diet and exercise.” In the year following her surgery, Debby lost 90 pounds and set a goal to lose another 10-12 pounds.
“Sometimes it does feel easy, but I had tried the other ways and my body was not letting go of the weight,” she explained. “I was concerned with health issues. I want to live longer and be happy with myself.”
The changes have made a direct impact on how Debby feels every day. “I really feel like a different person. It has definitely affected my depression. It has boosted my self-esteem.”
Her family has noticed the positive impact the weight loss has had on her mental health as well. “My daughters are thrilled with the change,” said Debby. “After I had lost 40 or 50 pounds one of them said to me, ‘Mom, you smile a lot more now. You’re happy again.’”
“There were so many things that I wouldn’t let myself or couldn’t do before — like horseback riding. Now I feel good at doing all sorts of activities again. I had forgotten how good it felt just to run and bend over!”
Debby understands that bariatric surgery isn’t right for everyone, but that it was right for her. “You need to weigh the risks you are taking with being obese with the risks you would take with the surgery,” she said. “Bariatric surgery isn’t for everybody. However, if you are unhappy with your life because of your weight, and you really have worked at losing it and been unsuccessful, then bariatric surgery is something to consider without being frightened.”
“A lot of people I’ve talked to seem to be afraid that they would have to give up eating. But you don’t have to give it up. In fact, you’ll enjoy it so much more when you are slim.”
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