In this episode of the Pound of Cure Weight Loss Podcast, we sit down with BethAnn, whose journey through bariatric surgery has completely transformed her life. From struggling with weight her entire life, trying countless diets, and facing health challenges, to finally achieving long-term success after surgery, BethAnn's story is one of determination, resilience, and self-care.

BethAnn didn’t just stop at weight loss—she took additional steps to feel comfortable in her new body, including skin removal surgery. She also navigated the self-pay bariatric surgery route, making informed decisions to get the best results for her personal situation.

Let’s dive into her incredible journey and learn how bariatric surgery can change not just your body, but your entire outlook on life. Whether you're exploring bariatric surgery for yourself, curious about skin removal after weight loss, or considering self-pay options, BethAnn’s story is packed with insights that may guide you on your own path.

Bariatric Surgery Success Story: BethAnn's Lifelong Weight Struggles

BethAnn’s story is one that many can relate to. She had been battling her weight since childhood, trying everything from Richard Simmons’ Deal-a-Meal to more extreme options like OptiFast, a liquid-only diet. While she did experience short-term weight loss success with these diets—losing as much as 150 pounds—BethAnn found herself regaining the weight over and over.

By the time she reached her late 40s, BethAnn had resigned herself to living with the constant weight struggle. After undergoing a hysterectomy, she noticed her weight began to redistribute to her midsection, leading to additional health concerns like high blood pressure and rising cholesterol. She knew she needed a long-term solution.

"I’d done this seven times—lost the weight, gained it back," BethAnn explains. "The real battle for me was not losing the weight, but keeping it off."

That's when she began to seriously consider bariatric surgery. Initially, like many, she hesitated, thinking of it as "cheating" or "taking the easy way out." But as she reframed the narrative, it became clear that bariatric surgery was a tool that could give her a second chance at a healthier life.

After researching extensively and watching Dr. Weiner's video series, BethAnn decided to move forward with a gastric bypass procedure. This decision would turn out to be the start of her success story.

Choosing Gastric Bypass Over VSG

BethAnn’s success with bariatric surgery didn’t happen overnight, and her choice to go with gastric bypass rather than VSG (Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy) was strategic. For her, avoiding weight regain was the ultimate goal. She was determined to pick the surgery that gave her the best long-term chance of success, and after careful research, she saw that gastric bypass offered better outcomes for maintaining weight loss over the years.

"I was less concerned about losing the weight and more focused on keeping it off," she says. "I knew that gastric bypass had better stats when it came to avoiding weight regain, and I’d been through enough yo-yo dieting to know that was my biggest challenge."

At the time of her surgery, BethAnn weighed just under 200 pounds—making her a lower BMI patient for bariatric surgery. Still, her choice of gastric bypass was a decision based on her history of weight regain, not just her starting weight.

Skin Removal After Weight Loss: A Necessary Next Step

After her weight stabilized at around 115-120 pounds, BethAnn faced another challenge that many post-op patients encounter: loose skin. This is a common side effect of significant weight loss, especially after bariatric surgery. Skin doesn’t always “snap back” into place after the weight is gone, and for BethAnn, it was more than just a cosmetic issue.

"It wasn’t like the loose skin was only visible at certain angles