Shirley’s story:
130 pounds lost, 1 busy life re-claimed
At 41, Shirley has seven children, a husband and a job as a math teacher for seventh and eighth graders. And while she’s always had a full life, her weight prevented her from living it the way she wanted to. “I had to give up my daily living. Taking care of my family on a regular basis. The weight made it hard to get up and go. I like going to the park, and that was hard to do.”
In 2003, Shirley made the decision to have gastric bypass surgery, and has since lost 130 pounds.
“Now I can take daily walks. I workout without people staring at me, looking at me. I can keep up with my family. Mentally I wanted to before, but couldn’t. I can do yard work and decorate my home. I like to go to shopping the mall and just walk. I used to just want to go to Wal-Mart, eat a snack and go home.
I’ve always liked to travel, but it’s much easier now. I’m not forbidden to do things like ride on roller coasters. Being turned away at the amusement park rides was embarrassing. Now I can ride on roller coasters with my kids. And then there was a parachute thing in Las Vegas that you couldn’t be more than 250 pounds to do. I’m planning to go back and do that again!” Shirley says.
Shirley has advice for those considering surgery, “Realize that it is a life-changing procedure, and you’ll have to make some positive adjustments. It’s a day-by-day deal. But as long as you make those adjustments, you’ll find success. The best way to do it is to come in with the mindset of win-win. I always follow the advice of The Jewish Hospital Center for Weight Loss Surgery for getting my nutrition; I talk to other people, and I’ve started exercise at home and outside. I channeled my eating habits to other activities. Journaling worked for me, and I joined Civic Garden Center. I’ve also learned that buffets are not your friend!”
Like so many weight loss surgery patients, Shirley carefully considered her options before selecting The Jewish Hospital Center for Weight Loss Surgery, “I saw a commercial and once I took the initiative to go to the information session, the support and the educational background was better than the other programs I’d seen. The support and education was awesome.
I have friends who have had it done, and by far, Jewish Hospital has been the best program with the support, including education before, during and after. It’s helped me lose the weight and keep it off, and just having them there to help and assist me. Knowing that I wasn’t out there by myself was tops for me.”
And Shirley’s plans include a lot more for the future, “I’ve thought about modeling. I want to jet ski by myself. I would like to go back to Washington D.C. and do a tour with my family and not have to stop because of my weight!”
