For Lisa Dugan, the choice to have weight loss surgery was the only option if she was going to be there for her family. “I decided to go do the surgery because I wanted to stay alive and be healthy for my children and grandchildren, so this was a personal choice.” Lisa made the decision to have a gastric bypass surgery at the Center for Bariatrics at Bailey Medical Center three years ago. Today, she feels like it was the best decision she could have made as a mother and grandmother. “My grandkids feel like they don’t have the typical grandmother who can’t do things with them because of their age or weight, I can run around with them and chase the dogs in the yard, go on the trampoline and go to the water park* with them, they love it.”
Lisa was reluctant to have the surgery at first, and so was her youngest daughter. “I knew a few women at my job that had weight loss surgery, so I spoke to them about it. I had gone
back and forth for years losing and gaining weight in my 20’s and 30’s, and once I found out I had a triglyceride problem and was put on medication, I decided it was time to have surgery.” Triglycerides are fat in the blood and are used to provide energy to the body. If your triglyceride levels are high, that puts you at risk for heart disease. Normal triglyceride levels are considered less than 150 milligrams, and high triglyceride levels are 200-499 or higher. Lisa’s triglyceride levels were around 1500 before her surgery, and are now down to 160-170 milligrams. Lisa is completely off of her triglyceride and high blood pressure medications.
Lisa was 214 pounds pre-surgery and now weighs 110-115 pounds. She lost all of her weight in nine months, and has stayed the same weight for two years. “The biggest benefit after surgery is the energy you have after you lose the weight*. My knees stopped hurting, and I’m not out of breath all of the time*.” Lisa shares how she handled the changes to her body post-surgery. “Weight loss surgery is just as mental as it is physical, you lose the weight so rapidly after surgery, it really is a mind and body change. You see your reflection and you don’t recognize yourself, so you need to keep your mind intact with the changes.” Lisa is determined to stay fit and active post-surgery. She has attended a few support groups, but mostly it is her own determination helping her take full advantage of her weight loss. She works out at home and walks around a park near her house 3-4 times a week for 4-5 miles. “You need to stay fit, do cardio and stay toned up once you lose the weight. I also have followed all of the instructions given before and after surgery.”
Lisa shares that she can’t sing enough praises for Bailey Medical Center general surgeon, Dr. Brandon Varnell and the Bariatrics program. “Bailey is wonderful, Dr. Kirk is wonderful and Dr. Varnell is so friendly, laid back and has great bedside manner. The hospital is beautiful too. I couldn’t have asked for better care from the whole bariatrics department.” Lisa also credits the seminar for putting her daughter at ease before surgery. “The seminar was great; my youngest daughter didn’t want me to have the surgery, so I had her come with me to the seminar. Afterwards, she felt a little better about it, and after seeing my transformation post-surgery, she’s glad I had it done.”
Aside from staying active and playing with her grandchildren, Lisa enjoys spending time with her youngest daughter in Oklahoma City. “We hike the nature park there all the time, we go to Bricktown, and we go shopping. I love clothes shopping now and trying on clothes.” She also went sky diving after she lost the weight and wants to go to an amusement park and go on rides. “It’s my second chance to get it right, and most people don’t get a second chance, so I’m not going to mess it up.”
To learn more about our program, attend one of our free seminars. Click here for dates and to register.