Bariatric Patient - Petty

Patient: Petty

Age: 45

Height: 5’4”

Surgery type: gastric sleeve

Surgery date: October 2018

Highest weight: 275 lbs.

Current weight: 182 lbs.

Goal weight: 160 lbs.

Largest Size: 20

Current Size: 10

Before Surgery

It started when Petty was growing up. Her weight always fluctuated due to poor eating habits and fad dieting. When Petty was 20, her mother passed away. The loss led Petty to turn to food for comfort. Once Petty was married and wanted children, she needed IVF treatments to get pregnant. The hormones from the treatments caused Petty to gain more excess weight.

Although Petty did not eat specific comfort foods, she ate large portions during meals. After she had her children, Petty would work out and maintain a healthy lifestyle, but she wouldn’t see results and would still feel hungry from dieting. At 275 pounds, Petty wasn’t able to lean over to tie her shoes or cross her legs while sitting down. At this point, she was also on medication for high blood pressure, which was caused due to her excess weight.

In August 2018, Petty was running on the treadmill and began having chest pain. She went to a cardiologist who recommended switching her blood pressure medication. Feeling overwhelmed, Petty cried and explained she couldn’t get the excess weight off despite her efforts. The cardiologist recommended that Petty consider the gastric sleeve procedure. Petty’s immediate reaction was, “No way. Plus, my husband would never let me.”

Dr. Sutker’s wife is an RN who also provides cosmetic treatments. The Saturday after Petty saw her cardiologist, she had an appointment with Mrs. Sutker. Petty repeated that the cardiologist had recommended the gastric sleeve. Petty knew Dr. Sutker was well-respected in Dallas, so she decided to have a consultation with him. Her husband also met with Dr. Sutker so he would understand the benefits of utilizing bariatric surgery as an effective weight loss tool and to eliminate weight related diseases such as high blood pressure.

Throughout this process, Petty and her husband found Dr. Sutker to be “a very kind human being, very caring, understanding, and supportive. And he’s smart.”

After Surgery

Diet

Petty worked with a dietitian to work on creating healthy portion control habits. The dietitian also helped Petty create a meal plan that would help address her metabolism which did not function properly. Over time, Petty has successfully practiced not turning to the pantry as a coping mechanism. Instead, she recognizes her emotions and has learned to deal with a situation properly. Now, Petty can tell when she is physically hungry, or whether she wants to eat due to an emotion.

Below is an example of Petty’s daily food plan.

Breakfast: Premier Protein shake

Lunch: Tuna from a pack with one slice of whole grain bread OR

Two boiled eggs with a couple of whole wheat crackers

Snack: cheese stick, ½ cup yogurt with fruit, skinny popcorn, or Robert Irvine cheese balls

Dinner: grilled fish, or grilled chicken and veggies.

Patty also has a plate where food is portioned out for protein / carb / vegetables. She highly recommends this for bariatric patients. When she goes out to eat, she will now split an entree with her husband and only have one drink. Of course there are times when Petty feels tempted to slip into old habits. This happens especially during family gatherings, where both her family and her husband’s family want to celebrate gatherings centered around food. During these times, Petty will remind herself, “I can’t eat that much anymore. Look how far I’ve come, I’m going to keep it this way.”

Exercise

Petty also maintains weight loss with a consistent exercise routine. She does orange theory twice a week, and a yoga or pilates class one time per week. She can also work out at her home gym.

Life Today

Before surgery, Petty always presented a happy, bubbly front, however deep down she felt miserable due to being overweight. However, today her attitude has completely changed. Petty’s confidence has skyrocketed and her husband notices this. Before Petty’s surgery, her weight strained their marriage and they decided to see a therapist. The therapy and Petty’s weight loss has helped their marriage immensely. Petty has chosen not to be private about having surgery. She told her friends and family about the procedure. Petty appreciates the “little things” such as being able to go on the swing with her daughter.

Petty advises those considering weight loss surgery to do their homework in terms of researching the surgery and surgeon. “You need to be mentally prepared to have the surgery and change your eating habits. You don’t want to go back to where you were.” Petty views the surgery as an amazing weight loss tool that will help her successfully keep the excess weight off long-term. In order to be successful, Petty explains patients need to have a specific goal in mind. Her lifetime goal: keep the weight off.