Nadine’s Journey To Losing 56 lbs With The Sleeve Clinic

Nadine lost 56 lbs after receiving life-changing bariatric surgery at The Sleeve Clinic in Toronto, Ontario.

Before sleeve surgery, Nadine hit the highest weight she had ever been, and she felt like she couldn’t get control of it. Even after trying every diet out there, she found it hard to do everyday things. “Crossing my legs, doing housework, getting down on my hands and knees to clean the floor, I couldn’t physically do it anymore. The straw that broke the camel’s back was when I saw a picture of myself, and I didn’t even know who that person was. I had this feeling of hopelessness. I didn’t feel like me anymore and I didn’t know what to do.”

Our team sat down with Nadine to ask her a few questions about her weight loss journey with The Sleeve Clinic:

How did your weight affect you?
“It was hard to do everyday things. You know, crossing your legs. Housework. Getting down on your hands and knees to clean the floor properly. I was trying to do things that at one point in time I could do, but I just couldn’t physically do it anymore.”

What was the final straw?
“The straw that broke the camel’s back is when I got on that scale and I'm like, that's it. Like, that's it. I saw a picture of myself and I'm like, I don't even know who that person is. The feeling of almost like, hopelessness. I didn’t even know what to do and I didn't feel like me anymore.”

What was your surgical experience like?
“Once I talked to Dr. Gmora and the team, I felt pretty confident going in. I was excited. I know that some people have apprehensions, but I knew that I was in very good hands. I guess my only concerns were if I would be able to enjoy food after.”

How has your life changed since having gastric sleeve surgery?
“Buying clothes is so much easier. I think everyone has that outfit in their closet that is their goal outfit. Like, I’m gonna get that, and I’m gonna fit into it. And then when you fit into it and then you surpass it, like now it's a little bit loose, it’s a really good feeling. Being able to ice skate with my kids again. Hiking, walking, all of those things. Being able to get down on my hands and knees and scrub my kitchen floor, as much as you don't like doing those things, these are the things that you have to do, right? So, all those little victories, I guess, non-scale victories.”

What does it feel like to have a gastric sleeve?
“Before surgery, I felt like I would never be able to enjoy food again. I thought I was going to be in a constant state of deprivation because usually people who are overweight, they like to eat, right? And a lot of our social gatherings are focused around food; going out for dinner, it’s an event, you want to enjoy your food and you want to enjoy your time, right? I can still do those things. It just looks a little different. And honestly, the things that I used to really love and crave, I don't really crave them so much anymore. I might have a mouthful or two and I'm satisfied. Completely satisfied. I don't feel deprived, I don't feel like I'm missing anything, and I eat a variety of foods.”

What advice do you have for people considering sleeve surgery?
“If this helps somebody. If this is their make-or-break kind of decision and they’re still on the fence. Do it. If you wanna make a positive change in your life and you're ready for that, do it. It really does change your life. Even more than the weight I've lost or how I look physically, I feel so good. I have not had one negative experience, not one. It’s how you feel and how it makes you feel, right? And the experiences that it opens up for you. You're able to be so much more active, and those things are what makes you feel good.”

What has the aftercare been like?
“I feel like I can call the team at any time if I need to just set up a zoom meeting for them to see me. That’s what we did, and it was great. I saw Dr. Gmora the one visit after, before I left, which was I think three days or four days after the initial surgery. And then, everything else we were able to do via Zoom.”

Why did you choose The Sleeve Clinic?
“I had heard great things about The Sleeve Clinic team. I did my research and honestly, when I talked to Dr. Gmora, when I talked to his team, everybody was just very open. There were no questions they couldn't answer. They were very thorough and even things that I didn't think of, they went over with me. So, I really felt like I was very well-informed going in. They were all very prompt, very punctual. That's why I chose The Sleeve Clinic.”

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