NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Hundreds of Middle Tennesseans have decided to go through weight loss surgery to help them shed their unwanted pounds especially since the medical surgery continues to improve.
In part two of our special Lap-Band surgery series we continue to follow our own NewsChannel5 employee Mitzi Gargus during post surgery to find out how she coped with her new lifestyle.
At 24-years-old, NewsChannel5 Plus director and producer, Mitzi Gargus knows about dieting.
"I've had some success at times. I'd lose maybe 15 pounds at a time, but it never lasts" said Gargus.
After working on a Medical Monday program about weight loss Gargus decided to make a lifestyle change.
"There's no cheating, it's not an option. You know, there's no reason to half way do it. If we're doing it, we're doing it," said Gargus.
In December of 2008 Gargus had Lap-Band surgery. A small device was placed around the upper portion of her stomach in order to restrict the amount of food she can eat.
One Patient's Weight Loss Surgery
Bariatric Surgeon Dr. Charles Morton performed the operation.
"If she'll be diligent, if she'll stay focused, you know we'd like to see a pound or two a week I think that first year," said Morton.
At her post-surgery follow-up in February she had lost 20 pounds. At the visit, she got an adjustment placing saline in a port hidden under the skin causing the lap-band is tightened.
"It's a little bizarre to feel the saline going in and you can feel it go into the band, and it's a little bizarre feeling but not bad," said Gargus.
The adjustments Gargus received restrict how much food she can have every day. Dr. Morton wants Gargus to have eight glasses of water everyday.
When Gargus first got the lap-band she could tolerate maybe a cup of food and now she is at a 1/2 cup to fill her up.
Along with the adjustment she must follow a healthy diet including proteins like beef, chicken, turkey and vegetables, fruits and protein shakes.
Lap-Band Surgery Diet, Rules For Success
She must also exercise 30 to 40 minutes three to four days a week.
"Some days it's easy and I'm motivated and then some days I wake up and think I don't want to exercise today. I just want to go have an ice cream sundae," said Gargus.
Her dedication has helped her lose significant weight.
"I was in a 24 or 26 before and I'm in about an 18 now," said Gargus.
Everyday we took her picture and the weight was visibly melting off, not quite 5 months later a dramatic difference.
Gargus started at 280 pounds, Tuesday she weighed 210 pounds, a total weight loss of 70 pounds.
"She's done everything right down the line, so I'm proud of her," said Morton.
Gargus's goal was to weigh in at 160 pounds.
"I can tell I'm a lot healthier and I feel a lot better. I still have a long way to go, but I'm feeling good," said Gargus.
The lap-band device is permanent but Gargus can have children if she wants. They just adjust the band during pregnancy.
