My One-Year Surgiversary: A Gastric Sleeve Success Story
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If you’d told me a year ago that I’d be writing publicly about my bariatric surgery experience, I would’ve laughed in your face. Deciding to go through with weight loss surgery was a long time coming, but it’s something I kept pretty close to the chest. Not exactly a secret, but I wasn’t shouting it from the rooftops either.
For years, I mulled it over but was always too scared to take that first step. Heck, I was too nervous even to ask my doctor about it! But then the pandemic hit, and like a lot of things, my world shifted. Working from home all day, barely moving, and spending my evenings pouring my energy into my side hustle, Fortuna June, took a serious toll on both my physical and mental health.
By late 2022, my body had straight-up mutinied. My knees were so inflamed and painful that I could barely walk. I knew I couldn’t keep going the way I was. Obesity was something I’d been fighting for so long, but I was done pretending I could do it all on my own. Every bit of genetics was working against me, and I needed help. So, FINALLY, I reached out to the bariatric surgery program at The Ohio State University, and I made my first appointment for early January 2023.
What followed was a grueling ten months of fulfilling all the requirements for gastric sleeve surgery. There were so many appointments—six weight management visits with my primary care doctor, an endoscopy, a psych evaluation, sessions with a dietitian, binge eating disorder treatment, a sleep study, meetings with the surgeon…you name it, I did it. And to anyone who thinks bariatric surgery is the “easy way out,” I’ve got three words for you: It. Is. Not.
This journey has been wildly difficult, but also incredibly rewarding. But let’s be real—it’s not some magic fix. I have to put in the work every single day, making choices that help me feel like the best version of myself. And my eating disorder? That’s a lifelong battle. It’s a demon I’ll wrestle with every day, every minute, but now, I’ve got a bit more help to keep my head above water.
Now, as I reflect on my one-year surgiversary, I can confidently say that bariatric surgery was the right decision for me. It has completely changed my life. But I’ll be the first to admit that it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. The benefits I’ve experienced may not be the same for someone else, and the risks are different for everyone. You’ve got to weigh the pros and cons for yourself.
But for me? I don’t regret it for a second.
Here are ten things that made my first year a little easier:
RENPHO Smart Scale: While I try to not weigh myself often (so as not to have my self worth tied to the number on the scale), it is definitely one important way to keep track of progress. I got this scale right before surgery and it’s been such a helpful tool to chart my journey.
Bento 4-compartment snack box: I became of fan of girl dinner before it was cool. These boxes are perfect for taking a small amount of a variety of things so that you can do girl dinner on-the-go. And it comes in a 5-pack so that you can prep several boxes at once!
Handheld frother for coffee: Over the first year after bariatric surgery, protein intake is key and you’ll likely try many different kinds of protein supplements to aid in hitting your daily goals. I am a huge fan of adding unflavored protein powder to soup, but I HATE when the protein gets clumpy, even if the clumps are small. Using a frother helps tremendously with mixing in the protein powder so that you don’t even know it’s there.
Liquid I.V.® Hydration Multiplier: Water, water, water. Hydration is key after weight loss surgery. Ending up in the ER with an IV was the LAST thing I wanted, so I was always super diligent about getting in my water. But plain water can get boring after a while when you’re drinking so much of it, so I found it key to add in flavored packets to jazz things up. I tried sooooo many different brands, but I always come back to Liquid I.V. To avoid too much added sugar per serving (something you have to watch after surgery!), I usually just add in half a packet per 40 oz of water.
Isopure unflavored protein: Unflavored protein is the unsung hero of my journey so far, and Isopure brand is the one that I’ve found clumps the least (with the help of the frother, of course!). Nothing is perfect, but adding a scoop to a bowl of soup really amps up the protein intake each meal, keeping me fuller longer.
Vital Proteins collagen peptides powder: Contrary to what you may have heard, the protein in collagen peptides are not complete proteins, meaning I can’t add them to my daily total to hit my goals. But what I do love about adding a couple scoops of this to my coffee in the morning is that it supports my joints and also my hair regrowth (losing hair after bariatric surgery is common!). I also find that it makes my coffee creamier and makes the coffee feel more like a meal, leading to increased satiety. And the bonus is that it dissolves so easily - no frother required for this one!
PackIt freezable snack bag: Having high protein snacks with me when I’m not at home has been key to my success over the last year after weight loss surgery. Being able to pack a yogurt, string cheese or other items that need to be kept cold really increases my likelihood of making good food choices while I’m out and about. It’s so easy to pull this out of the freezer to keep snacks cold on the go.
Owala water bottle: If you know me, you know that I always have to have my emotional support water bottle with me. And Owala is my go-to brand for my hydration needs. Not only are they eye-catching, they’re incredibly durable and easy to use. I have one of each size in all different colors, and I’m constantly fighting back the urge to acquire more. That’s how much I love them.
Brumate tumbler: Speaking of hydration vessels, this Brumate tumbler is another one in my daily rotation. While I use my Owala for water, I like to use the Brumate for flavored water or electrolytes. Don’t ask me why I’m this particular - I don’t know! It’s just how my brain likes to use them. It’s so clutch that it’s 100% leakproof, dishwasher safe, cup-holder friendly, and backed by a lifetime warranty.
Stanley Adventure To Go Insulated Food Jar: I already shared what I use to keep my snacks cold, but there are times when I want something hot while I’m away from the house. The Adventure To-Go insulated food jar is designed for easy portability with a leak-proof lid, keeping my food hot for hours. It’s also BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and backed by a lifetime warranty for lasting reliability.
