MUST WATCH Bariatric Surgery Success Story | How This Client Lost 70lbs Without Restriction

So you've lost 70 pounds in 3 months.

I don't feel like my surgery group really set me up well for success. They gave me a lot of tools, but they didn't really teach me how to use the tools. So I just felt very lost. Started this journey just because I could not get my health under track. And with Jessica's help and this program, I feel much more prepared to keep moving forward.

Hi everyone, I'm Jessica. I am the founder of Bariatric Success Academy. I'm a certified nutrition coach and bariatric coach. Had bariatric surgery myself. And here we have Courtney. Who just finished the Bariatric Success Academy, and she had such a transformation and wanted to thank her so much for sharing her experience with us today. So, Courtney, you want to introduce yourself?

Sure. I'm Courtney. I am just turned 32, but started this journey just because I could not get my health under track. And with Jessica's help and this program, I feel much more prepared to keep moving forward.

Amazing. So glad to hear so. And can you start a bit by just sharing, you know, about your bariatric surgery experience and like what motivated you to seek help soon after? Because we didn't start working together before surgery. It was pretty much like right after. I remember getting your Instagram message, like I legitimately do, getting your Instagram message right after your surgery and just like I could tell you had a, oh shit, this is going to be hard moment?

Yes, definitely did. I think I messaged you like one week out or something like that. But yeah, I just remember feeling like, I don't know how to do this. Like, I don't feel like my surgery group really set me up well for success. Like, they gave me a lot of tools, but they didn't really teach me how to use the tools, I guess. Um, so I just felt very lost. Um, and then I just happened to see one of your videos on Instagram, and I was like, well, I guess, I guess this is meant to be.

Yeah, I'm curious, what motivated you to reach out to me in particular?

I think it was just the video and just the timing. I was like already kind of stressing out about like, how am I going to do this? And I don't even remember exactly which video it was, but it just spoke to me. I was like, okay, this may be a really good answer for me.

Awesome. And then what were your, like, biggest fears or concerns right after surgery?

Um, biggest thing was I just didn't really understand nutrition in the sense that I should have for this. Um, you know, they tell you what you should be hitting and how you should be hitting it, but they don't tell you how to understand how to hit it. Um, so that was the biggest thing that kind of was scaring me at the time. Um, and then of course falling back onto old habits was a big scare for me.

Got it. And what old habits in particular?

Um, I did a lot of like binge eating, um, and just eating really unhealthy food. Um, you know, anything fried and sweet and all that stuff. But, um, those were the biggest things that I was afraid I was gonna fall back into if I didn't have any guidance.

Got it. And, and why did you feel like it was important to work with a coach in particular at that stage of your journey?

Um, I felt like I needed like the one-on-one just to understand everything more, um, and have like a more personalized guidance. Um, with my surgery group, they have like every 3 months a meeting with a nutritionist, but it's not very helpful, to be honest. So having somebody that could like sit there and teach me, you know, how do I read nutrition labels, how do I make sure that I'm doing what my body needs, all that was just very, very important.

Awesome. And what were like the main challenges that you faced, like right after your surgery?

Probably just Figuring out what I can eat, how much I can eat, making sure I hit my goals. Um, I think those are kind of the main things and just needing the help to get to that point of understanding.

Yeah. And did you have any like specific habits or patterns that you were struggling to break?

Yes. Um, so eating or wanting to eat sweet foods, like especially after dinner, is a habit of mine that was and truly is still kind of a, a problem that I'm trying to, to work through, but getting better every day.

Awesome. Um, and how did you find out about me in general? Was it just through Instagram?

Yeah, just the fates of Instagram scrolling.

Totally fair. That's how most people find me. It's the only marketing I do. And like, what made you decide that it was the right fit?

Honestly, I wasn't really sure until we had our meeting. I think that, yeah, our first meeting. After we sat down and chatted, I just knew. I was like, I need to do this. How—

tell me more. Like the, the— are like our first coaching call or our first like call that we ever had?

Yeah, our first call that we ever had. Um, I was like, I'll get more information. Like, I probably won't do this, but we'll just see what happens. And then we were chatting and I was like, okay, this is everything that I need at this point in my stage.

Awesome. And when you— can you tell me more, like what did What is everything that you needed?

Just the guidance, accountability, the teaching. I think that was really like the big things. Okay. Just like help I needed.

And what were you hoping to achieve by joining the program?

The confidence that I can do this once I no longer am a part of the program. I think that was a very, very valuable thing.

Awesome. And do you feel that way now?

I do.

Amazing. Goodness. Glad. That's fantastic. How soon after starting coaching, like, did you notice positive changes, both like physically, mentally, or emotionally?

Honestly, probably right away. I mean, it was just having that support that I didn't even know I needed at the time. It just helped me feel like I got this.

Yeah.

And you do.

I know that's something in particular that, like, we spend a lot of time, right? And so many people struggle with is just surgery itself is such a— it, it has the potential to be a transformational moment, right? If you let it. And the people that are successful are the ones that realize it's not just a surgery on your brain— or sorry, opposite, it's just a surgery on your stomach. Yeah. Nothing is happening to your brain. And like, so many people struggle with the confidence in so many different ways and like the mindset coaching and stuff. And so I'm glad you felt that way. Yes. What were some of the aha moments or like breakthroughs that you experienced?

Um, the one that I remember the most is whenever I was reading about emotional eating and it made me realize like, I have a lot of this.

Like, I remember, yeah, I remember you like came to our next coaching session after I assigned you that reading. We're like, I didn't realize, like, yeah. So tell me more, tell me more.

Um, I, I was just reading it and I remember, and I can't even remember which ones it was now off top my head, but, um, I just remember I was like, because I had been struggling with like the, the snacky, especially like once I got home, but I couldn't figure out why. But then when I was reading that, that reading, I was like, okay, I think it's a lot of boredom. And I get home and I'm just by myself and I just snack snack and going back to those little habits.

Yeah, for sure. Any other breakthrough moments?

Um, understanding nutrition was definitely a breakthrough moment for me. Um, that has really helped and especially is still helping. Um, and I'm able to kind of help guide like my mom and stuff for this journey too because now I understand how to read the labels.

Yeah, for sure. Can you share like any specific wins or like results you're especially proud of?

Being able to actually enjoy walking and working out is something I never ever thought I was going to ever like. Being able to see like those small little victories on, oh, I can walk faster and longer and not struggle. I'm able to like finally cross my legs. That's like a big thing I've never been able to do in my life. And I don't know, just being able to move my body in a comfortable way.

Yeah. So I remember when I think as well, like the yoga and the stretching too, like when I first gave you a workout plan, you— I remember during our Bariatric Blueprint call, you were like, Okay, yoga, like, sure, I'll do— I'll try it. Like, you weren't against it, but I could see the hesitation. But you did it, you know? And now I remember, like, in our last call, like, you rated, like, your flexibility, like, 7 out of 10. And I was— that was amazing. Or 8 out of 10, right? And, like, you— were you working out at all before your surgery or before No, no, never. And like, how many times a week would you say you're working out now?

Probably averaging 3 to 4.

Awesome. Great. Yeah. Fantastic. Any other like wins or results?

I mean, pretty much everything. I mean, seeing the scale going down and being able to eat good food and enjoying eating the good food. Feel like all those are, are big victories.

Let's talk about that in particular because I think one thing that a lot of bariatric patients hear from like their doctors is prioritize protein. And then when they hear that, they think only eat protein, but that's not what I had you do at all. Right?

Right.

Right. Um, and can, so can you tell me more about like what you thought maybe nutrition might look like after bariatric surgery, and then any changes or mindset shifts you made as a result of using my methodology.

Yeah. So before joining this program, my understanding of what nutrition was going to look like after surgery is fairly restrictive. So like meat and veggies and that's like it. But, um, sounds sad. Sounds very sad. And honestly, I was not looking forward to it. Um, but after going through the program and learning more about nutrition and like what foods truly are good and fuel your body, um, I mean, I'm eating this meal plan that I have for this week. I'm eating beef stroganoff. Um, I mean, It's delicious. So I feel like it's the shift of being able to like, okay, I can eat what I need to eat. Not need. Yes, I can eat what I need to eat, but also it'd be really good and not restrictive. So that's one thing that I really struggled with in the first part of surgery is the restriction part.

So yeah, I think a lot of people get surgery and think they have to give up their favorite foods and like, yes and no, right? It's not about giving things up. It's more about prioritization because your stomach's so tiny now, right? And you can only fit so much in it, so you have to fill your body appropriately. But it's really about like making space for what you want versus completely eliminating the things that don't, you know, like, like I wanna go to Disney World and have some Dole Whip personally. Yeah. But that's just me. Maybe not everyone does. But yeah. And then how much weight have you lost since joining the program?

Since I joined the program. So after surgery, I started— well, at surgery, I started at 336, I believe. And this morning I was 264.

Oh my God. Wait, so you lost 5 pounds since we talked? Like, I guess so. Like a few days ago?

I guess so. I don't know what happened there, but—

Wait, so what's the math on that? Let me calculate that really quick. I can't do the mental math. I mean, that should be really easy for me to calculate, but I couldn't either.

I was about to try to get my calculator on my phone too.

660. So you've lost 70 pounds in 3 months. That's crazy. Yes, that's insane.

It's very insane.

Like, how do you feel?

I feel wonderful. I I— that's it. I just feel wonderful about it. I feel very confident that I can keep it off, which has never been a thing in my past.

And did you lose weight every single week?

There was a couple weeks that I did not lose weight. Weight. Um, yeah, yeah. Which can hit you a little hard mentally, um, because you're like, oh, I'm gonna lose weight all the time now, but and understanding that like your body has to readjust and all that stuff. So that was important to learn. But, but yeah, most weeks I did, but I did go through a couple of stalls.

And how did your brain react during the weeks where you didn't lose weight?

I'm a little disappointed, I guess, in the lack of results. Starting to track my measurements has helped with that a little bit because I could see like even half an inch going away or, you know, whatever. Even if the scale doesn't move, it was important to, to realize there's still results happening even if the scale doesn't change.

Yeah. How do you think you would have reacted if you hadn't been working with someone like me or like getting support and you were on your own seeing like the scale wasn't moving?

Probably not very well. I probably would have either gone into the old mindset of like, okay, whatever, I'm just going to give up and eat what I want to eat, or go into like extreme restriction trying to get the scale to move. And neither is a very healthy way to go about it.

Nope, not at all. Yeah. And how did the program help you overcome like challenges or like blocks that you might have thought were permanent?

Um, honestly, just the support and the guidance that you provided. I mean, it was invaluable. Um, being able to kind of talk through those mental blocks or food changes that needed to be happening to like, for my body, um, was beyond valuable.

And what were some of the mental blocks that you might have experienced?

Um, mainly, well, the first one was probably when I had my first stall, and it was like something's wrong with me. Like, I can't lose the weight. So that was probably the first one. I also had a few mental blocks, like with initially, like, like working out and like trying to make sure, like, I can— not can— that I would go do it. Obviously I still struggle with that. Every day is a learning thing, but it's getting much better. And then just understanding nutrition. I know that I keep harping on that, but that was a big thing for me. Big mental thing that I just could not understand.

Yeah, for sure. I remember very vividly, like during our first call, like that was 100% the thing that you were most focused on too.

Yes.

And what role did like the coaching calls, you know, the accountability and like Boxer and Trainerize and like support play in keeping you motivated?

A huge role. Very, very huge role. And having that ability to reach out and say any of my concerns or my victories and have somebody that has also been through it is very, very valuable. I don't have— I mean, my mom is going through this journey too, but it's a little bit different between us right now. And I don't know, just being able to tell you all this stuff is very important.

Yeah. For sure. And how did having like a structured plan impact your progress, but also your confidence?

Yeah, I could not be more in love with having a structured plan, to be honest.

I know you love meal planning now. I do.

I love meal planning. I love having it, everything just like laid out. I don't have to think about it more than like once a week to make sure I'm hitting all my goals. I think that is an amazing way to do this. And I know it's not for everybody, but, um, it has been very, very valuable for me. Um, but being able to have like a timeline of like, okay, this is when we— I should try to hit this amount of water to drink to make sure I hit my goal, and all that stuff was also very important to like make sure I hit those goals.

Yeah. Who do you think it is for? Who do you think it's not for? Because I myself am very like, I, I try to build a program for people that I think are like me. So kind of like type A, want to know that they're doing the right thing, even though right thing's gonna look different person to person, right? But want a metric of success and know how they're achieving against that and like a plan, like things written down. But I'm curious, like, who do you think this is for and who do you think it's not for?

Um, I completely agree with that, the whole Type A thing, 100%. Um, I'm very Type A. My mom is very not Type A. She does not want to do meal plans. She doesn't want a strict schedule, even though I keep telling her about how important it is for me. Um, so I mean, I think everyone's just so different, but I do think that the more Type A, like, we need a schedule, we need to know what we need to hit and all the goals and all that stuff. I think this is extremely valuable for her. And honestly, I think it's probably valuable for the other people too. I just got to shift it around a smidge.

That's fair. Yeah. And was there a particular part of the program that you found especially helpful in keeping you on track?

All of it. Okay. Yeah. Especially like right after surgery, I was like, every part of it was just very helpful to like get me there and help me understand that even if I slip up, like I don't, you know, hit all the goals, or I go on vacation and I have wedding cake, or, you know, whatever, just having that extra guidance and support of like, you got to live your life, it's, it's okay, is very valuable, very important.

And like, what tools or techniques from the program do you think like were most valuable, or that like you find yourself using the most?

The cookbook, I use that all the time right now. The learning modules that just came out, I think those are very valuable as well. All of it, honestly, but those are the kind of the main things that I go back to all the time.

Awesome. I'm actually, I'm personally curious, like, which of the modules do you find yourself like Um, finding the most helpful?

The nutrition. I keep going back to nutrition. The nutrition ones were very valuable for me. Um, just, I mean, nutrition's just confusing and the whole net carbs versus carbs versus the protein you should get and the fat, and it's just a lot and it's overwhelming. So, you know, our coaching sessions helped a lot, but then I sleep and I forget stuff and being able to go back to those modules to like kind of refresh all that.

Yeah, for sure. And, and how has coaching in general changed your approach to like long-term weight maintenance?

Um, I guess kind of just the understanding of life is life, and like I'm able to still live life but then go right back to where I was instead of the whole old mindset of like, oh, I screwed it up, I guess I'll start next Monday. Um, so that's very important. Also, just again, just understanding everything is very valuable in like the long-term progress and the long-term support for, for myself. And hopefully I can help my mom too whenever she's at that point.

Yeah. Do you feel like you developed a routine that will help you continue to lose weight and keep it off that you can do forever?

I do. I do.

Awesome. Great. And what's different about your mindset and your habits now compared to when you first started?

I'm just getting off of the restriction mindset because like I said, when I started, like, that's what I thought I had to do is just be really restrictive. But I'm able to Enjoy foods that I've always loved, just in a healthier way. Like, ice cream was always my guilty pleasure. I mean, I think I went to Dairy Queen every freaking day for my whole life. I think they even knew me when I drove in. But, um, being able to make like the protein ice cream and use my Ninja Creami and like still be able to have ice cream but healthier, um, and same with the food, like Like I said, I'm having beef stroganoff this week. Like, who would've thought I could eat that while still losing weight? Just have to find a healthy recipe, which was in your cookbook.

Yeah. And I remember last week you had chicken pot pie.

Yes. Yeah.

Yeah, for sure. It's all about just figuring out how to fit it in. And like, do you feel better prepared to handle setbacks or challenges that come your way?

Absolutely. Yeah, definitely do.

Awesome. And in what ways has like your confidence improved? Because I know that's an area in particular too that we like really worked a lot on.

Yeah. Yes. Yeah, it— I'm still not a very confident person in general, but my confidence in how to keep my body going and keep on this track of losing weight and keeping it off is significantly higher than when I went into surgery.

Amazing. And why is that?

All the support, guidance, and teaching that I got during this program.

Amazing. Um, are there any activities or experiences you can now enjoy that weren't possible before?

Pretty much all of them. I mean, taking my dogs for a walk, I can actually enjoy it and not feel like I'm gonna die. Um, playing with my 6-year-old niece, like I can get up and down off the floor. A lot easier and going up the stairs and playing with her upstairs. Um, even just working at work is just easier now. Um, so just being able to just move my body in a way that you should be able to move your body, but I couldn't before.

Amazing. And I remember like when you were on vacation in Maine, like you were walking around all over, you almost went on a hike. I personally still don't like hiking. Part of it's like PTSD from this one time when I was 300 pounds, someone like tricked me into going on a hike. Um, it was not fun. Uh, but like little things like that, you know, that's awesome.

Yeah.

Um, and what would you say to someone that was hesitant about investing in themselves with a program like this? 'Cause like, it's not cheap at all.

Yeah.

Yeah.

It's definitely not cheap. And honestly, that was one of the reasons why I was like, I'm probably not gonna do this. But then we had our call. Um, I would just say that if it's something that you can do, it's very valuable. Just having the understanding on how to eat like you should and get the goals that you need to get and just have the support system and the accountability and having somebody that you can directly ask questions to and get answers for. And if you're having a bad day, you can reach out, or if you're having an excellent day, you can reach out. And I mean, I think it's It was just such a valuable experience for me.

Awesome. And looking back, like, how do you feel about the decision to make an investment in yourself?

Amazing. I don't regret it in the slightest.

Awesome. I'm glad. Yeah. And how has the program impacted not just like your weight loss, but your overall health and quality of life?

It has given me so much more than I thought I was gonna get. After surgery. Just the, the confidence in like, even if I go out to eat right now, like I can fairly confidently like pick a food or a meal off the menu that still aligns with what I need to hit. And that is just so valuable. I mean, before I would just be like, oh, let me just get the chicken breast and, you know, the boring foods. But now I can actually get something that still tastes good and I still want, but also still hitting all my nutritional needs.

Amazing. And then, like, what advice would you give to others who are just starting their post-bariatric journey? Maybe they just had surgery a week ago and are exactly where you are or where you were.

Yeah, um, I would just say to find the support system that you need, whether that's friends and family, finding a bariatric coach, reaching out to your surgeon group, something, because it's, it's a lot. It's not just a quick fix, and there's a lot of information that you need to understand completely before you can confidently go through this path.

And there's a lot of information out there too, and it conflicts.

There is, absolutely. Yes. Um, I joined a lot of those Facebook groups when that first— that, uh, I first got my surgery, and have since gotten off of all of them because they're— it's very confusing when you're hearing 6 different things on Facebook and then, you know, you're getting taught how to do it more appropriately and it just gets confusing. So, um, having somebody that has that guidance is very valuable and I got off all those Facebook pages because they were not helping me. Um, but yeah, there's a lot of information out there.

Amazing. And then what are you personally most proud of accomplishing over the last 3 months?

Probably just being able to work out and enjoying it. Um, that is a big, big thing for me. I've never liked it, even in high school when I was doing sports, I hated it. Um, but now I kind of enjoy going to the gym and getting on the treadmill or doing little weight workouts. And yeah, that's probably my biggest thing at the moment.

Yeah. And what are you looking forward to next?

I am looking forward to being able to confidently do this on my own. I mean, obviously I don't want to do it on my own, but I have all the tools and the knowledge and the ability to do it, and I'm ready to tackle that, that next part of this, this progress.

Awesome. And then is there anything you'd share with anyone considering joining this program or working with me as their coach?

I mean, I keep saying all this, but just having that support, accountability, and the knowledge, especially when it comes to nutrition. Was just beyond needed for me. And if that's something that somebody else feels like they need, I think this is an excellent program for that. I think it's an excellent program in general, but those are the biggest things that really helped me feel set up to, to do this.

Awesome. Well, thank you, Courtney, for your time. I really appreciate it.