The average lifespan for Americans is now at 76 years. That’s 912 months, 27,759 days or 666,216 hours. The obesity rate for Americans is now at 40% and with it comes the associated diseases and conditions that contribute to a less-than life. But for those affected by obesity, there is hope and opportunity to get their life back. One such example is Brandy – a powerful story of fear, courage, discipline and ultimately success.
Confronted With a Stark Reality
After watching her mother die at just 52 years old (she weighed over 600 pounds), Brandy could see she was headed for the exact same fate, “I was following the same path, with a heart doctor telling me I wouldn’t live past my 40s if I didn’t take drastic action. I had lost mobility, was on the brink of being bedridden and suffered from type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, neuropathy, and heart problems.” For Brandy, the choice was clear – lose weight or die. She decided that her only hope was weight loss surgery.
Losing Weight, Gaining Confidence
As she recalls, “I had Duodenal Switch surgery in August of 2019, and it completely transformed my life. Before the surgery, I weighed 438 pounds, but now I’m at 119 pounds – a total loss of 319 pounds!” And for the last three years, she’s maintained a healthy weight of 120 – 130 pounds. The surgery gave Brandy her life back. Now, she can walk without a wheelchair, shop on her own and even ride all the rides at amusement parks! She has so much more energy now and with that she’s gained a new confidence. As Brandy puts it “It’s given me a new perspective on life—I’m more open-minded and empathetic to others going through similar struggles. And I’ve completely changed the way I shop for food and approach daily living.”
Navigating the Negatives
For all the positives, the journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Accepting her “new” self, both physically and mentally, took time. Sadly, she even lost friends and family due to jealousy and anger. “I had to let go of people who didn’t support me and rethink my habits, like how I approached eating out or shopping for clothes. I learned to cope with stress and anxiety without turning to food, which was a huge shift for me,” Brandy says.
New Life, New Experiences
She’s doing things she never thought possible—like completing 5K and 10K walks, driving comfortably and using regular bathroom stalls, no longer requiring the handicap stall. She’s able to climb stairs and shop at any clothing store. Brandy even got a passport so she can travel outside of the U.S. for the first time! As she proudly proclaims, “I’ve regained my independence, and the only medication I take now is vitamins.”
Don’t Wait
When asked what advice she would give to others, Brandy responds with “My advice to anyone considering weight loss surgery is to go for it 100%. Don’t wait. This surgery saved my life, and it can save yours too. But remember, the surgery is just a tool—you still need to put in the work to maintain your weight. My daughter also had the Duodenal Switch and has gained her life back too!”
The support from her family, friends, Dr. Ayoola and the DS community have been invaluable to Brandy’s success. She emphasizes that it’s essential to have a strong support system to lean on when things get tough, “I’ve learned the importance of counting carbs, taking daily vitamins and staying active. I maintain my weight by keeping my carbs under 100 a day, focusing on protein and fat, avoiding soda, pasta, rice, sugary drinks and sweets as much as possible.”
And for Brandy, it’s worked wonderfully! She shares these words of encouragement…”If you’re thinking about taking this step, don’t be scared. Get ready for the hard work, but know that it’s worth every bit of effort. You’ll gain your life back just like I did.”
If you or someone you know needs to take their life back from obesity, we’re here to help. Your story can be rewritten. We invite you to experience a no blame, no shame, compassionate approach with Dr. Ayoola and the team at Weight Loss Specialists of North Texas. You’ve got this. We’ve got you.
