As we get closer to Thanksgiving 2020 and a time to think about all the things we are thankful for, we want to say a big “THANK YOU” to all of our wonderful patients. This year has been challenging for all of us, but with your patience and trust, BMI Surgery has been able to continue seeing patients and performing life-changing weight-loss surgeries even amid a global pandemic.

Continuing to provide our services and surgeries is so important to us because we are able to help people get healthier, both physically and mentally. We love seeing your success and hearing about it. 

Stories of Thanksgiving from BMI Patients

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we are sharing some of the stories patients have told us about regarding why they are so thankful they had weight loss surgery. Their starting weights, health conditions, and surgery experiences are all different, but the common thread is that they are thankful for our surgeon, Dr. Jay Long, and how he has helped them on their weight loss journeys.

Patty: Thankful for a great recovery process
“The recovery process after surgery was really good for me. I was only out of work for two weeks. Considering a lot of people are out for six to eight weeks, it was a big plus to have such a short recovery time. Doing the surgery laparoscopically made it possible for me to have minimal down time, so I could get back to my normal life. I didn’t have to miss much work and I haven’t experienced any problems since the surgery.”

Lisa: Thankful for significantly improved health conditions
“Immediately after beginning to lose weight, I was able to live without my diabetes medication. I was no longer diabetic. I no longer had high cholesterol, high triglycerides, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea. Just being free from all of those diseases and corresponding medications so quickly was a huge surprise to me.”

Natalie: Thankful for a smooth pre- and post-surgery experience
“The process leading up to the surgery was very simple. We scheduled my surgery about two weeks after I first met with Dr. Long. I went to the nutrition class on a Monday, had my surgery on a Tuesday, and went home the same day. The following Monday I was able to help my son get to a doctor’s appointment, and by Tuesday, I was back to work.”

Amber: Thankful for the ability to be active
“I am very active now, and I love it. I enjoy exercising, kayaking, hiking, and keeping up with my active kids! I also love getting dressed up and going out now, whether it be dinner with my husband or going to the movies with my friends. I actually enjoy getting ready and feel comfortable in my own skin.”

Elizabeth: Thankful for the desire to eat healthy
“Since the surgery, while I tend to crave a variety of things, I’d say I eat very healthy most days. If I have something that’s super processed or full of sugar, it makes me feel weird, like I can feel my system is in the wrong gear. Because of this, I definitely crave unhealthy stuff a whole lot less than I did before, and for someone who was able to always pack it in, it’s nice to have an internal governor that makes me want to stop after only a bite or two.”

June: Thankful for a doctor who looks out for your best interests
“When I went to see Dr. Long for the first time, I immediately told him I wanted to do gastric band. After he spent some time getting to know me, he told me he just didn’t think I’d be happy with gastric band. He didn’t think it would fit my lifestyle. He thought I would do better with gastric bypass and said something I’ll never forget. With gastric bypass, he said that at some point in time, I would be able to eat whatever my family eats – I just wouldn’t be able to eat as much. I’m so glad I decided to do gastric bypass because Dr. Long was absolutely right. I have no regrets. None.”

We are thankful for all of these successes our patients have experienced. We are confident that you will have success as well, and it will probably be better than you could have ever imagined!