Patient Stories
Tiffany Bradford
Age: 42
Weight Loss: 144 lbs.
Occupation: Teacher
As a teacher and a mother of two, Tiffany Bradford had always had a very full and active life. She was consistently struggling with weight and couldn't seem to overcome it. She had been diagnosed with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and a blood clotting disorder that could lead to blood clots in her lungs. Her doctors told her that losing weight would significantly help with the risks involved in these diagnoses.
Tiffany had several friends who had weight loss surgery and was interested in the procedure. But she was scared to have surgery and was hesitant to ask her doctor about it.
When Tiffany began experiencing abdominal pain, she was referred to Wesley Girod, M.D., to have her gallbladder removed. She realized that he also performed the gastric sleeve weight loss procedure and began discussing it with him during her pre-surgical appointment. Dr. Girod's team worked closely with the hospital and scheduled her to have her gallbladder removed and her gastric sleeve procedure performed simultaneously.
In the 16 months since Tiffany's surgery, she has lost 144 lbs., and her blood pressure and cholesterol are now controlled without prescription medications.
"I love sharing my story,” Tiffany says, "because I was scared, and I know that there are others who are, too. I want them to know this is a great tool that gives you that push and motivation you need to jump-start your weight loss.”
Recovery was very smooth after Tiffany's procedure. She could walk that afternoon and went home the next day with very little pain. She returned to work the following week.
"You still have to put in the work,” Tiffany says. "Find a hobby that you can get into before your surgery because food is no longer going to work for you as a hobby. Exercise is necessary to lose weight and keep it off.”
Tiffany says one of the biggest factors in her success was the support and guidance she received from Dr. Girod and the bariatric team. She suggests that anyone interested in a weight loss procedure attend the seminar as the first step to answer any questions, set expectations and know that you're not doing this alone.
Name: Chance Farris
Age: 26 (was 23 at the time of surgery)
Occupation: Currently in Dental School at University of Mississippi Medical Center
For as long as I can remember I had struggled with my weight. I dieted for the first time at age 7 and was seeing bariatricians and nutritionists by the age of 8. I had blood work drawn regularly to ensure I didn't have thyroid issues, but everything was always normal. At the age of 14, I understood that dieting alone wouldn't be a long-term answer to my problem. That said, it wasn't until I was 23 weighing in at 467 pounds with hypertension and prediabetes that I decided to make a permanent change.
When I got serious about having the gastric sleeve, I asked around town. Each of them had gone to Dr. Girod. They all spoke so highly of him and the Merit Health Wesley team. I also had the opportunity in high school to shadow Dr. Girod in a laparoscopic surgery and his knowledge and expertise was evident.
In a matter of 11 months I went from 467 to 205 for a total of 262 pounds lost. I actually had to make myself stop losing weight because it was coming off so easily. Now 3 years out from surgery, I still fluctuate between 200 and 210 and am no longer hypertensive nor prediabetic.
My experience exceeded all expectations that I had. At my first consultation, we set a goal weight of 225 pounds. He said that he thought with my age I should be able to reach that in 2 to 2.5 years. The fact that I got to 205 in 11 months was just unbelievable. I also never thought the recovery would be as quick as it was. I had the surgery done on a Monday morning, stayed one night in the hospital, and by Wednesday I was back to the ole grind.
I had tons of support throughout my journey both from Dr. Girod and his staff and from friends and family. The first two weeks of liquid dieting before the surgery were the hardest without a doubt. During that time I would walk with my wife, mom, and sister a few miles every day around meal times both to help with the weight loss and to keep my mind off of food. That support is what I needed to jumpstart my weight loss journey. After the surgery, we continued our daily walks for 3 or 4 months. By the time I could reintroduce solid foods into my diet, friends were invested in my weight loss as well. Everyone around me considered my diet whenever we would cook out or go out to eat. That sense of unity and belief from others around me is what I attribute most to my success.
I have been married to my wife, Elizabeth, for a little over a year now.
Everything about life is easier. I can get into a vehicle without my knees hurting; I can walk up a flight of stairs without getting winded; and I can go into a store and buy clothes right off the rack. None of which were possible before having the gastric sleeve.
I can't say enough good thing about my experience. The staff and the amenities at Merit Health Wesley were top notch. The nurses were extremely kind, patient, and helpful.