“More than anything, being a team and being able to talk and deal with these things together has created a tighter relationship for us,” said Toby. “I wanted to lose the weight, and I always wanted to be on track to lose that weight. Finding and sticking with a diet was so difficult; I just needed a way to do it. Well, the surgery does that for me because it limits my food intake.”
“Since I had the surgery first, it was really nice to know what’s going to happen and to be able to support (Toby) and also know that everyone’s going to react to surgery a little bit different,” Christina added.
The gastric sleeve procedure, also called the vertical sleeve gastrectomy, inhibits the amount of food a person can eat by removing about two-thirds of their stomach. A permanent procedure, the gastric sleeve results in a patient’s stomach resembling a tube or sleeve shape. The new, smaller stomach can receive only about one-half to one full cup of food per meal. The gastric sleeve procedure also helps decrease the production of the hormone ghrelin. Ghrelin, which is secreted by the stomach, causes feelings of hunger. Thanks to reduced ghrelin production, patients do not feel the need to eat as intensely as they did prior to surgery.
“Dr. Velazquez was amazing,” Christina said. “In fact, I had two teacher friends that had surgery after me – with him – because of my testimonials about how phenomenal he is. He was very understanding and very easy to work with.”
In the two years following the procedure, the average weight loss experience for a patient with a gastric sleeve is about 50-60 percent of excess weight.
“Like all bariatric procedures, the results can be incredibly positive for the patient – but only when the patient is committed and understands that the surgery is just one part of a formula for success,” Dr. Velazquez said. “Both Christina and Toby have been successful because they have the right mindset, and I’m so happy for them.”
Those patients who undergo a gastric sleeve must not only eat a specific amount of food but also stick to a diet based around quality protein intake. The gastric sleeve surgery also requires that patients maintain a consistent vitamin regimen and avoid all carbonated beverages.
For the Coles, the sacrifices have been worth every ounce of effort.
“I make sure that I eat healthy, and I make sure that I prepare for things, and it’s made me a better person, better wife, better friend, better mom. And I just feel good. I feel great and better every day,” Christina said. “And recovery was not difficult. I had my surgery in the summer, so I didn’t have to return to work right away, but Toby was able to return to work within a couple weeks. And there were very minimal side effects.”
The Coles’ family have also been amazed by the differences bariatric surgery has made – even if they weren’t always certain it was the right decision.
“Christina’s family was not very happy and very concerned about the decision at first,” said Toby. “My family, meanwhile, was very supportive. Now, both families are thrilled with the decision we made and believe in us. In the beginning, Christina’s family thought that it was going to be unsuccessful and that she was going to gain the weight back – but here we are three years later and still going strong!”
Indeed, Christina now relishes her exercise routines – and makes sure that she always takes some time for her own wellbeing.
