Weight loss surgery: ‘I have so much more energy and feel happier’
Since she was a child, Christina Overby struggled with her weight, but after becoming a nurse, she set a goal to become healthier and lost 115 pounds.
At the time, Christina, 34, worked the third shift and could focus on exercise and nutrition in her free time. Her healthy habits and a nutritional supplement program led to her success.
Then, as they say, life happened. Christina and her husband, Casey, who live in Hampton, joyfully welcomed their first child, Ellie. Christina settled into her role as a new mom, and when her maternity leave was over, she returned to work in the emergency department at Sentara Obici Hospital.
Exercising and eating consistently healthy became difficult with her hour-long drive to work and juggling a job and a baby. Already stressed by these life changes, Christina faced the sudden passing of her mom. An empathetic and nurturing person, Christina helped her dad navigate this terrible time while coping with her loss.
“That was a devastating time in my life,” Christina shares. “I used food as comfort and didn’t really focus on myself. I was depressed. When I got on the scale one day, it snapped me out of my funk.”
Motivation kicks in
At the time, Ellie was 2 years old, and Christina, who weighed 294 pounds then, was determined to get healthier so she could be more active playing with her daughter and experience all the excitement of her childhood. One decision was to take a job at Sentara Port Warwick as the manager of the emergency department to reduce her commute. The other was to look into weight loss surgery.
“I want to be here for my husband and my daughter and to enjoy my life,” says Christina, who sought out Dr. Gregory Schroder at Sentara CarePlex Hospital for information on bariatric surgery. “I could no longer dedicate hours in the gym while caring for my family, but I certainly could follow a healthy eating plan.”
After meeting with Dr. Schroder, Christina decided to pursue gastric sleeve surgery, also known as sleeve gastrectomy. During the procedure, the surgeon removes about 75-85 percent of the stomach in a minimally invasive procedure. The remaining stomach takes the shape of a tube or “sleeve” and is about the size of a banana. This procedure limits the amount of food you can eat and helps you feel full sooner.
Preparing for surgery
Before bariatric surgery at Sentara, dietitians meet with patients to establish an eating plan compatible with bariatric surgery.
For Christina, that meant meeting with the dietitian three times in person and twice on a video call over three months. She completed modules on topics such as recommended foods, vitamins, exercise and nutrition labels.
Before and after surgery, dietitians at Sentara recommend the “plate method” with these portions:
Lean protein (about the size of your palm) on a quarter of the plate. Eat this first.
A quarter of healthy grains or healthy starchy vegetables
Half a plate of non-starchy vegetables and fruits
“The goal is to set yourself up for success after surgery by learning how to eat healthier and in the right portions before surgery,” says Christina, who lost 40 pounds on her own before surgery. “Ask a lot of questions so you are confident about what and how to eat correctly.”
Thrilled with the outcome
Armed with knowledge from her pre-op classes, Christina was ready for surgery and to commit to her new healthy eating plan. She stayed overnight at Sentara CarePlex Hospital after the procedure, and her husband helped her after she returned home.
Following bariatric surgery, doctors instruct patients to drink clear liquids, then move to other liquids (including protein drinks), pureed foods, soft foods, and solid foods. They must eliminate caffeinated beverages, sodas, pasta, fried foods, white bread and sweets from their diet. Portion control is also an essential part of the strategy.
Christina has settled into her new routine following surgery with her new diet and exercise routine. So far, she has lost 97 pounds.
“I have so much more energy and feel happier,” Christina beams. “I feel better in my skin. My physical appearance is better. I am emotionally better. The health benefits of bariatric surgery are life-changing.”
At the time, Christina, 34, worked the third shift and could focus on exercise and nutrition in her free time. Her healthy habits and a nutritional supplement program led to her success.
Then, as they say, life happened. Christina and her husband, Casey, who live in Hampton, joyfully welcomed their first child, Ellie. Christina settled into her role as a new mom, and when her maternity leave was over, she returned to work in the emergency department at Sentara Obici Hospital.
Exercising and eating consistently healthy became difficult with her hour-long drive to work and juggling a job and a baby. Already stressed by these life changes, Christina faced the sudden passing of her mom. An empathetic and nurturing person, Christina helped her dad navigate this terrible time while coping with her loss.
“That was a devastating time in my life,” Christina shares. “I used food as comfort and didn’t really focus on myself. I was depressed. When I got on the scale one day, it snapped me out of my funk.”
Motivation kicks in
At the time, Ellie was 2 years old, and Christina, who weighed 294 pounds then, was determined to get healthier so she could be more active playing with her daughter and experience all the excitement of her childhood. One decision was to take a job at Sentara Port Warwick as the manager of the emergency department to reduce her commute. The other was to look into weight loss surgery.
“I want to be here for my husband and my daughter and to enjoy my life,” says Christina, who sought out Dr. Gregory Schroder at Sentara CarePlex Hospital for information on bariatric surgery. “I could no longer dedicate hours in the gym while caring for my family, but I certainly could follow a healthy eating plan.”
After meeting with Dr. Schroder, Christina decided to pursue gastric sleeve surgery, also known as sleeve gastrectomy. During the procedure, the surgeon removes about 75-85 percent of the stomach in a minimally invasive procedure. The remaining stomach takes the shape of a tube or “sleeve” and is about the size of a banana. This procedure limits the amount of food you can eat and helps you feel full sooner.
Preparing for surgery
Before bariatric surgery at Sentara, dietitians meet with patients to establish an eating plan compatible with bariatric surgery.
For Christina, that meant meeting with the dietitian three times in person and twice on a video call over three months. She completed modules on topics such as recommended foods, vitamins, exercise and nutrition labels.
Before and after surgery, dietitians at Sentara recommend the “plate method” with these portions:
Lean protein (about the size of your palm) on a quarter of the plate. Eat this first.
A quarter of healthy grains or healthy starchy vegetables
Half a plate of non-starchy vegetables and fruits
“The goal is to set yourself up for success after surgery by learning how to eat healthier and in the right portions before surgery,” says Christina, who lost 40 pounds on her own before surgery. “Ask a lot of questions so you are confident about what and how to eat correctly.”
Thrilled with the outcome
Armed with knowledge from her pre-op classes, Christina was ready for surgery and to commit to her new healthy eating plan. She stayed overnight at Sentara CarePlex Hospital after the procedure, and her husband helped her after she returned home.
Following bariatric surgery, doctors instruct patients to drink clear liquids, then move to other liquids (including protein drinks), pureed foods, soft foods, and solid foods. They must eliminate caffeinated beverages, sodas, pasta, fried foods, white bread and sweets from their diet. Portion control is also an essential part of the strategy.
Christina has settled into her new routine following surgery with her new diet and exercise routine. So far, she has lost 97 pounds.
“I have so much more energy and feel happier,” Christina beams. “I feel better in my skin. My physical appearance is better. I am emotionally better. The health benefits of bariatric surgery are life-changing.”
By: Lisa Marinelli Smith