Having lost nearly 250 pounds between the two of them, Jennifer and Brian H. of Columbus, Ind., are a bariatric surgery power couple. They each underwent the procedure at the Weight Loss Institute of Columbus Regional Health about 17 months apart, and are reaping the rewards of newfound health and energy.
Jennifer, 30, and Brian, 34, had both struggled with their weight since childhood. “I could lose it but I could not keep it off. And then I would gain it back, plus more,” Jennifer said.
She tried all sorts of diets, counting calories, even hiring a personal trainer. During 2009 while pregnant with their second son, she heard about the possibilities of bariatric surgery and decided it might be the answer for her. After undergoing the normal screening and qualifying phase, she underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery in March 2011.
On the day of her surgery, Jennifer weighed 294 pounds “…and a half,” she added.
The pounds began to fly off immediately. But then seven months post-op, a little complication came along: a surprise pregnancy. Dealing with both morning sickness and the different eating habits of post-surgery life presented a challenge, but one Jennifer soon overcame.
Today she weighs 165 pounds, nearly to her goal of 140 pounds. And she has a baby girl to boot!
Brian was also intrigued by the possibilities of bariatric surgery, but admits he was on the fence — until he saw the success his wife was having. In August 2012, he underwent the same type of procedure as Jennifer. He weighed 363 pounds pre-op.
“There really wasn’t any worry on my part, because I saw her do it. I knew what not to do,” Brian said.
An athlete in high school, Brian had seen his weight go up and down as his activity level varied. He had no trouble losing the pounds, he said, but then he’d stop exercising and the weight would return as quickly as it fled.
Brian encountered some issues post-op, including an ulcer unrelated to surgery. But his weight loss has been astonishing, down to 245 pounds just six months post-op. “I’m breaking a lot of the records,” he joked.
His goal for his one-year mark is to be under 200 pounds for the first time since sixth grade.
Brian and Jennifer’s greatest joy from having the surgery is that they can do so much more with their children, ages nine months to five years. Instead of “sitting on the sidelines,” they’re climbing onto swings, careening down slides and having more fun with their family than they’d ever imagined.
“We can do things with our kids now we couldn’t do before. Now we can actually join in playing with them at the park,” Brian said.