Weight Loss Surgery: Healing Carla’s Heart

Weight loss surgery was the next step in the crossroads for Carla Burkhalter, who weighed 289 pounds and knew something had to change. The change has been rewarding.

When I was first approached about telling my story I was hesitant.  I hesitated because recalling my past at 289 pounds is a painful memory for me.  When I think about the person I used to be and the person I have become today, I realize the change is really overwhelming.  I’ve changed physically, but any morbidly obese person already understands that the internal change is the most significant, and the toughest.

As overweight people, we learn to work around the aching back, the heel pain in our feet, the knees that hurt when we walk, the shortness of breath when we walk from the office to the car across the parking lot. We know in advance the suggestion of “just take the stairs” for additional exercise is beyond us.  We can’t handle the stairs.  We can’t breathe and the pain on our knees is excruciating.  I remember a fire drill at work once when I had to sit down and rest before I could continue down the stairs from the tenth floor.

Size issues range anywhere from needing a seatbelt extension to comply with the seatbelt law – to not being able to go through one of those rotating gates at amusement parks. And forget about fitting in a rollercoaster.  Sometimes theater seats wouldn’t fit.  The list goes on and on.

Most obese people have had a childhood filled with name-calling and not fitting in.  I would always get the comment from my mother that I had a pretty face.  I knew she was being kind to me, but I also understood why she emphasized the face rather than mentioning the rest of me.

In 2001, I became a widow and single mom.  The loss of my husband and the stress of being a single mom sent me into a depression.  I did what was easy for me.  Fast food, sleep and no social life.  I knew I eventually wanted something more for myself, but the thought of transforming my life after so many failed attempts seemed overwhelming.  I needed something that would work.

Everyone understands the health reasons for losing the weight, but it seems to me that the mental health issue is minimized because insurance companies don’t recognize your mental health as criteria for needing surgery.  I disagree.  I think living a lifetime of shame and self-loathing is reason enough.   No other co-morbidities are needed.

But like most weight loss surgery patients, I had them. I had sleep apnea, high pressure in my eyes requiring me to use glaucoma drops each day, heel spurs, back and foot pain, shortness of breath and psoriasis … to name a few.  All of those problems are gone now.  No more eye drops, no more skin problems, no more foot pain – all gone.

My family didn’t want me to have weight loss surgery.  They wanted me to try, again, with diet and exercise.  I had been successful with Medi-fast.  I lost 80 pounds.  I regained it, of course.  I have lost and gained 40 to 60 pounds over and over again.  Like a lot of you, I had tried Atkins, Weight Watchers, Medifast, calorie counting, Mayo Clinic, South Beach Diet and countless others.  I could be really strict for a while, but I just couldn’t maintain that over an extended period of time.

My family was concerned that I would die from the surgery.  My mother and sister begged me not to do it.  My sister is a nurse and she was terrified that I might actually die.  I explained to my family that I would die anyway if I didn’t get this problem under control – permanently.

I began to research weight loss surgery.  I originally wanted the duodenal switch, but it was considered experimental by the insurance company.  I learned from my health insurance company that the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery was considered the “gold standard” for morbidly obese patients.

I asked my doctor’s office about regain and they explained to me that I might fluctuate some, but I could never again gain 100 pounds unless I really worked at it and even then – they didn’t think it would be possible.  That works for me.

My doctor took one look at me and scheduled me for the following week–gotta love that.  My surgery was a 24-hour hospital stay and a two-week recovery.  I was lucky enough to be able to have the laproscopic procedure.

The doctor sat by my bedside after the surgery and asked me how I felt.  I told him it was the easiest surgery experience I had ever had, and the best thing I have ever done for myself.  I still stand by that statement.

I lost 154 pounds within the first year – and 20 of that came off during the first month and a half. I’ll add that I’ve maintained that 154-pound loss since my operation.

The biggest health issue that is improved with weight loss surgery is the mental health aspect.  Sure, it is nice to be able to see your feet again, but the best part is to be able to use your heart again. And that is what weight loss surgery has done for me.

- Carla Burkhalter