Nancy Bittman
My life changing moment occurred in the summer of 2010. I had been overweight most of my adult life and after the age of 54, I added hypertension and sleep apnea to the list of chronic diagnoses that were directly attributable to my primary diagnosis of Morbid Obesity. My hypertension was difficult to control. Having been on several medications, frequently requiring adjustments, the years of being overweight caught up with me. During that summer I experienced a sudden onset of loss of vision that lasted 10 minutes – long enough to scare me into finally acknowledging my struggle with obesity. Following an extensive workup, I attended a weight loss seminar at Griffin Hospital on November 1, 2010 and made the decision to learn more about gastric bypass surgery. My BMI was 44 and I weighed 267 lbs when I was first seen in his office in November 2010.
While I was awaiting insurance confirmation and planning for my surgery, I started making small changes to prepare me for my future; limiting my food intake, making smarter food choices, becoming more attentive to protein intake, writing down what I ate each day and weighing myself on a more regular basis, all while attending regularly scheduled consults.
I underwent Gastric Bypass surgery on March 15, 2011. My post op period went smoothly and I started walking everyday that I could. Eventually, I was able to participate in a more structured exercise program at the gym. I was never hungry and I lost weight steadily throughout this past year. I currently weigh 136 lbs and my BMI is 23.
My success in this personal journey would not be possible without the support of every member of the Bariatric team and the support offered through Griffin Bariatrics. It is not just about having surgery. I believe that the most successful outcome can be achieved when one has the opportunity to engage in ongoing support programs, such as the programs offered by Griffin Hospital. I attend the monthly support groups (2nd Wednesday of each month, 3rd Saturday of each month) whenever I can. These support groups help me to acknowledge my challenges, to learn from others who understand my struggles and to hopefully inspire others as they proceed with their journey. I am grateful for the support and wisdom provided to me by the professionals, as well as the friends that I have made along the way.
