Gastric Sleeve Katy

Starting weight: 287 lbs | Surgery weight: 266 lbs

Current weight: 150 lbs | Goal weight: 135 lbs

Starting BMI: 48.61 | Current BMI: 26.37

Everyone says it’s not about the numbers, but let’s face it, it’s about the numbers! One year ago today I had my gastric sleeve surgery at Cedar Park Regional Medical Center. I had my last follow-up appointment this morning with Jessica, and took a walk down memory lane with Melissa by my side. I had no idea how emotional that “walk” would be, standing in the pre-op area, taking these surgiversary photos. On August 23, 2016, I was filled with hope, doubt, failure, excitement, anxiety…you name it, I had it!

But today I can rest easy knowing I did the best thing I could have done for my health, for my children – and for ME! Dr. Basa (my surgeon), Jessica (my dietitian) and Melissa (leader of the monthly support group meetings) work together wonderfully to create an environment rich with information and support. My path has been a bit different from many – I didn’t yet have some of the red flags (diabetes, high blood pressure…) that often lead to this surgery – but after 51 years of extreme weight loss/gain, it was most certainly only a matter of time until these conditions would have appeared. I am a single mother of two kids in college and I made the difficult financial decision to go self-pay and just get this done.

To date, my only regret is that I didn’t take the leap 10 years ago. You should keep (start) going to the monthly meetings – they go a long way in keeping you motivated and up to date on all the latest / greatest information about bariatric surgery, pre and post op. Best of luck to all of you on this journey, it’s worth it!