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Living Easier After Weight Loss Surgery
After losing 125 pounds following bariatric surgery, Brownstown resident Crystal Crump says, “Living life is so much easier now! It reminds me of how I felt in my early 20s.”
At five feet 11 inches, Crystal had always been tall and slim, until the birth of her son, Amir, in 2004. “At about six to eight weeks postpartum, I felt a definite hormonal shift,” she says. “I was hungry all the time and could never get full.”
Crystal began gaining weight, eventually reaching more than 350 pounds. By then she was experiencing shortness of breath and sleep apnea. Pain in her right knee required a cortisone injection every three months and made it difficult to exercise or take the stairs. “I was feeling old and always tired,” she says.
Crystal’s turning point
When an endocrinologist Crystal was seeing for her hormonal issues recommended the Weight Management Program at Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital, Crystal met obesity medicine specialist Suki Singh, M.D.
“Dr. Singh changed my life,” Crystal says. “Although I didn’t have diabetes or heart issues often associated with morbid obesity, Dr. Singh told me my weight raised my risk for 13 types of cancer. That was terrifying, because I wanted to see my son grow up, finish college and live his life. I never want to become a burden for him.”
Until then, Crystal hadn’t considered weight loss surgery. “It seemed like a drastic step and completely unnatural. I thought I’d have to live the rest of my life on protein shakes and vitamins,” she says. But Dr. Singh dispelled those fears and encouraged Crystal to progress from Weight Management to Henry Ford’s Bariatric Surgery program.
After discussing her options with her bariatric surgery team, and with the support of her family and pastor, Crystal chose to have a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, performed by bariatric surgeon Bilal Kharbutli, M.D., at Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital.
Preparing for surgery – physically and emotionally
“Choosing bariatric surgery is a big decision,” Crystal says. “I did a lot of research and praying. I asked a lot of questions and completed the program requirements. That included a psychological evaluation—to ensure I understood the procedure and was emotionally ready for it—visits with a dietitian and losing a percentage of my body weight (30 pounds) before surgery. The doctors and other medical team members gave me lot of encouragement and prepared me 100 percent.”
Support after surgery
About a week after going home, Crystal woke up briefly in the middle of the night feeling dizzy and lightheaded. She messaged Dr. Kharbutli’s office via her MyChart account, not expecting to hear back until the next day. “In the morning, I saw that Dr. Kharbutli had responded to my message within 15 minutes, reminding me that staying well hydrated is very important to avoid dizziness after bariatric surgery,” she says. “I mean, who responds at four a.m.? Dr. Kharbutli is a superstar.”
His office staff also followed up later that day to make sure Crystal was feeling better. “The whole team has been caring, supportive and accessible to me every step of the way. That’s been extremely important in my recovery,” Crystal says.
Crystal’s advice to those considering bariatric surgery
“I encourage anyone who qualifies for this surgery and is committed to making healthy changes to go for it,” Crystal says. “Just remember that surgery is not the easy way out. It changes your anatomy, but not your mind. That part, and what you do after surgery, is up to you. Once you have made a decision, don’t let anyone talk you out of it—including yourself.”
Doing the work
By one year after surgery, Crystal lost a total of 155 pounds, and she no longer experiences knee pain or shortness of breath. She works on being more consistent with exercise and intentional daily movement. And she continues to follow up with bloodwork and checkups with her doctor and dietitian.
Being thankful
“I am grateful to everyone on Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital’s Bariatric Surgery and Weight Management teams,” Crystal says. “I have since talked with others who had the same surgery through different health systems and, clearly, they did not receive the level of support and preparation I experienced at Henry Ford Health.”
Crystal was proud to participate on an expert panel at Henry Ford Health’s Annual Obesity Symposium, attended by physicians and other medical professionals. “This whole experience has increased my confidence and helped me realize my worth,” she says.