Confident And Active With Bariatric Surgery: Jennifer’s Bariatric Surgery Story

Weight loss milestones might look like wearing a smaller clothing size, breathing easier or losing the need to be on a certain medication. For Jennifer Baughman, her milestone was simple: rediscovering the joy of play.

"It's an amazing feeling to be active, just to be moving and not worn out," said Baughman. "At Christmas this year, I finally won a Nerf gun war with my cousin's 9-year-old son since I could run and be active. Moving freely was really the one thing that's been just so exciting."

Baughman, with diet, exercise and the help of bariatric surgery at Franciscan Health Indianapolis, has lost 150 pounds and gained means to keep up with her playful nieces and nephews.

"It's amazing just to have the energy to be active and to do those things that have always interested you but you've never been able to do," she said

'I Was Prediabetic In My Mid-30s'

Baughman faced symptoms of prediabetes symptoms in her 30s. Prediabetes is a condition where a person's blood sugar levels are noticeably high but not high enough to be recognized as diabetes. This condition can be reversed through lifestyle changes such as dieting, exercise and sometimes medication.

Her condition, along with her father's passing, inspired her to keep up with her personal health.

"I don't think anybody is ever excited about having health risks in their 30s," Baughman said. "You want to live a long, healthy life. I lost my father at 45 and he was very young and healthy. His passing made me nervous about my own personal health."

"My diets and exercises weren't really helping out, so I decided it was time to try surgery," Baughman said. "It was the best decision I made for myself. Now I'm down to a size 12 from a size 28."

Bariatric Surgery Is Not A Weight Loss Shortcut

Baughman said she initially thought of bariatric surgery as "the easy way out." Some may think bariatric surgery is a shortcut to avoiding hard work and maintaining an exercise and diet plan in order to lose weight. Still, considering this surgery option as a shortcut is not accurate.

"I know that culturally there's a stigma that this is taking the easy way out," she said. "I had that stigma as a plus-size person that if I do this, I'm taking the easy way out. It is not an easy way. It is a complete lifestyle change that will change how you think, eat and feel about your body in so many different ways. But it is so worth it to be healthy. More important than anything is getting your health back, and that's what I feel like I've done. I have gotten my health back."

With bariatric surgery, it's more important than ever to maintain your weight loss by continuing and improving your daily eating and exercise habits. The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery recommends the following:

• At least 64 ounces of water every day
• 60 to 100 grams of protein every day
• Avoid foods with high sugar and starch
• Continued use of vitamins and supplements
• Continuous exercise
• Avoid smoking and alcohol
• Continuous follow-up appointments

There are even temporary recommendations such as changes to medications, a liquid diet early after surgery and avoiding pregnancy for the first year.

"I started the process during COVID," Baughman said. "All of my meetings were virtual at first or meeting with masks, so it was really difficult. Still, the hardest part was adjusting to the new eating habits and portion control. I was one of those people who heaped it all on my plate, but once you get in the rhythm and the mindset, it's possible to make those adjustments."

"Especially at first, the surgery seemed really scary, but the recovery process was really easy for me," Baughman continued. "What was really nice was there was a team around me. Anytime I was nervous, I felt like I could call my nurse practitioners. I felt like I could call Franciscan Health and someone would be there to answer my questions. So I never felt alone during the recovery and I was really grateful for that."

'Bariatric Surgery Changed Me In So Many Ways'

Bariatric surgery has several health benefits. Jennifer Baughman quickly noticed those benefits as she spent time with friends, family and hobbies after recovering from her surgery. Bariatric surgery benefits can include:

• Post-surgery weight loss
• Reduced appetite
• Improved metabolism
• Reduced weight-related pain
• Increased energy
• Reduced risk from several disease-related deaths

"When I think about how surgery has impacted my life, it has changed me in many ways," Baughman said. "It helped me enjoy being active. It's given me more energy and I'm no longer prediabetic. Health risks and concerns that I had before aren't health risks for me anymore and it's amazing just to know that I am healthy."

Jennifer's Bariatric Surgery Experience At Franciscan Health

Baughman confidently recommended bariatric surgery for those who may struggle with weight loss.

"What I loved about Franciscan Health was the availability, honesty, openness and encouragement," Baughman said. "One of the things that you have to do before surgery sometimes is lose weight. And they asked me to start dieting and exercise to prepare for life after surgery. And they celebrated my victories with me."

Baughman also talked about her weight fluctuations alongside her weight loss progress and how passionate staff with Franciscan Health encouraged her to keep working hard alongside new adjustments.

"If I have a question or concern, all I have to do is send an email or a call and I'll get answers and even support when needed," Baughman said. "When I was in the hospital, the nursing staff treated me with kindness and respect. And again, I was in the hospital during COVID, so there were all of these protocols, and they were so respectful."

Baughman is appreciative of her care under Franciscan Health even two years after her bariatric surgery.

"When I went in for my two-year checkup and I had concerns about a five-pound weight gain, they were there to give me advice on how to make sure I'm taking care of my body," she said. "Franciscan Health has really focused on me as an individual patient with personalized care. Their care really shows that the goal is for every patient to be happy, healthy and where they want to be. That's a big difference that I've really appreciated in Franciscan Health."