The Support Your Medical Team CAN'T Give You (Jackie’s Bariatric Success Story)

I was miserable. I don't think I've ever been that down in those 3 months as I was before I started with you. I met with the dietitian, just didn't seem to fit what I needed. You know, it was more about eat your protein, drink your water, take your vitamins, see you in 6 months. That was kind of off-putting to me. When you and I talked, I could tell that I was going to get a lot more out of this. Gave me all the tools that I need. I was out there on the internet. And it wasn't working. It wasn't until I got your meal plan and started eating again and I was still losing weight, you know, that, that helped me realize that this was something that I can just do for the rest of my life and it's going to work.

Hello everyone, welcome. I'm Jessica. I'm a certified nutrition coach and bariatric coach and founder of Bariatric Success Academy. And here we have Jackie. Jackie, would you like to introduce yourself?

Hi, I'm Jackie Russo and I had surgery back in May. I had a gast— a revision actually from a gastric sleeve to a gastric bypass, was having some issues, found Jessica on Instagram, and it's been such a success story for me.

Well, thank you, Jackie. So Jackie, do you mind just telling me a bit about, you know, your weight loss journey in general? Because I think a lot of folks struggle with their weight their entire life, right? Like, you know, I struggle with my weight my entire life. I can remember emotional eating when I was 13 for the first time and tried every diet. So I'm just curious, like, what did your weight loss journey look like? When did you have your first surgery, your second surgery, etc.?

Okay, um, I have been heavy all of my life. Probably once I hit puberty, um, you know, I started gaining weight. So all through, you know, my formative years in high school, college, all the way up, you know, through my working life, I've been overweight. In 2014, I decided to have bariatric surgery, and I had a gastric sleeve done, and I lost quite a bit, which was, was good. And then I kind of plateaued out, but I developed really bad acid reflux. So I went back to the doctor and found out that I had a hernia that needed to be fixed. But along with that, she said, we can get rid of the acid reflux by revising your sleeve to a gastric bypass. And I agreed because I was— it wasn't so much about losing more weight. It was really about getting that taken care of because it was miserable. So I had that done in middle of May this year, and it wasn't quite like the gastric sleeve recovery. I had a real difficult time for about 3 months with this gastric bypass, to the point where I said if I had it to do over again, I wouldn't. I wouldn't have done it. It was, it was that much of a struggle for me. I don't know if you want me to go into detail, Jessica, but it's up to you. If they're grateful or not. Yeah, a lot of it was throwing up all the time and not being able to go to the bathroom.

And that's something, like constipation in general, something that so many bariatric patients face and feel uncomfortable talking about too.

It was really, really difficult. And I remember I was on Instagram one day and just happened to see Jessica's reel, and she was looking for some additional people to coach. So we connected and I decided to go with her program. Extremely happy that I did. I've lost another 62 pounds as of today. Very, very close to the goal that I set for myself. And it's just been such a success for me. The vomiting is gone and I have taken care of the constipation issue as well. And for me, that was getting rid of not taking calcium citrate. That is what was doing it for me. So I don't know if it's the same for everybody else, but it affected me in that way and I've not had it for about a month and I'm Doing great.

Yeah. So amazing. And so, you know, I know you were dealing with some struggles after surgery like you just mentioned, but what specifically motivated you to seek help?

Probably because I was feeling so miserable, you know, and really reading— I didn't get as much support from the hospital as I thought I would. They were supportive when I called, but there wasn't a lot of follow-up. And I think that day that I connected with you, I was, you know, just so fed up. I mean, I just was not feeling good and happened to see your reel and it was very positive, very upbeat. And what you were talking about made a heck of a lot of sense. So when you said you were looking for people to coach, it just— I said, I need to do something. So I think that's what made me, you know, connect with you.

Yeah, I still— I personally still remember messaging you. Like, I think it was like a Wednesday or a Thursday night. Yeah, it was nighttime for me. I'm on the East Coast. I know, you know, you're in Arizona. But I remember, and I think we like had a call either the next day or 2 days later.

It was real fast.

Yeah, for sure. And so what were your biggest fears or concerns after surgery?

You know, I didn't really have too many concerns because I knew they fixed that hernia and I knew that a byproduct of what I had done was to get— that I would lose some more weight. But I was really most excited about getting rid of the acid reflux and it did. I mean, absolutely. I haven't had that problem since. It was just all the other things that came along, you know, with the surgery that I was not expecting and just really, really feeling bad. So, you know, like I said, connecting with you just turned all that around. Yeah.

And can you remind me, did you— I can't remember off the top of my head, but did you regain any weight at all after your sleeve or was it just—

Yes. Well, probably about 15, 20 pounds. Okay. Because I lost, I lost, I lost about 75 pounds after the gastric sleeve, and then I put back on 20, but then I maintained it for like a couple of years. I mean, I was just at that weight when I went into this surgery.

Okay, got it. And at that particular point in time, like, why did you decide to work with a coach instead of a nutritionist or someone else like that?

Well, I think a lot of that was because I met with the dietitian. You know, they set up calls for me from the hospital with the, you know, with the medical staff and then also with a dietitian. And what I got from her, while she's obviously very knowledgeable, just didn't seem to fit what I needed. You know, it was more about eat your protein, drink your water, take your vitamins, see you in 6 months, you know. So that was, was what was kind of off-putting to me. So when you and I talked, I could tell that I was going to get a lot more out of this than I was, you know, that I, and I honest to God did not reach out to any other nutritionist. You just, I don't know if it was, you know, serendipity or what, you just happened to pop up when I was on Instagram. That day and, you know, just worked out fine.

The stars aligned.

Yeah, exactly. That's a good way of putting it. The stars aligned.

And then aside from, you know, the nausea, etc., did you have any specific habits or patterns that you wanted to break?

Yeah. I mean, I always have eaten really fast. You know, I read when I eat. I'm single, so it's just me and I read when I eat and A lot of times I was just shoveling in and not thinking about what I was doing. And I also had a bad habit at night when I would sit down to watch TV, then it was snack time. So those were the things that I— and I'm not a sweets eater. I'm a bread, pasta, crunchy stuff eater. So, you know, at night it was a lot of chips and, you know, nuts and things like that, which, you know, if you're eating that after 7 o'clock, isn't good anyway. But so those were the two main things that I needed to break as well. And I love to cook and I don't, you know, I don't want to think I didn't purposely go out to cook unhealthy food, but I know looking because I like to cook for my family and stuff, but I know looking back a lot of it was, you know, very heavy in calories and sugars and, you know, everything, pastas. I'm Italian, so, you know, a lot of pastas and things like that. So yeah, I mean, those were the two main things was just the speed at which I was eating and then the late night eating.

And what did we do to fix those two things?

Well, the— with the eating too fast, it was the mindful eating, you know, really thinking about what you were putting in your mouth, chewing it, tasting it, taking time to eat, you know, 20 minutes to eat a meal. That really helped. And then also you started me out on 5 meals a day, and now I'm down to 4 meals a day. So spreading it out during the day. And then I think drinking all the water as well, which probably of everything was probably my biggest struggle with the plan. But drinking all the water, you know, by the, by the time I sit down at night, I'm crocheting or I'm doing something else. And sometimes I think about it, but because I don't have it in the house anymore too, you know, I've kind of broken that habit of that late-night bingeing.

Yeah. So it sounds like instead of relying on something like willpower or just saying, don't eat it, Mm-hmm. Like we used other strategies.

Yeah. And I think that was probably the biggest thing that I've taken away from your program is a ton of tools. I mean, you've given me all the tools that I need to be successful and it's really up to me, you know, to follow them. And, um, especially with the mindful eating and we were just talking about that too. I've gotten to the point where that's a habit now. Um, you know, I read and I'll read a page and a half before I take another bite and it's just become habit. So I'm not mindlessly just putting it in my face, you know, so, and And that really, really, really helped me with the vomiting issue that I was having. So yeah, no, good, good stuff for sure.

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

Feel better, take a more balanced approach to losing weight because I knew I was going to lose weight, you know, trying to put something in place where I wasn't going to pack it back on. And just have some guidance. I think more than anything, I'm a very structured person. I need a plan to follow. And you gave me that plan. And I knew that from when you gave me the blueprint, when I started to read through it. One of the things that really struck out for me when I met with a dietitian, I'd always been very calorie-focused. You know, I need to count calories. And I said to them, how many calories should I be eating? And nobody could really give me an answer. You know, it was, you just need to get your protein in, you need to get your water in, you need to do this. And it wasn't until You gave me the blueprint that said, here's your calories, here are your macros, this is what you need every day. And I was surprised. I mean, because I knew that I was probably eating about 1,000 calories a day during those first 3 months. And I know that what the recommended value is higher than that. So when you came back in and it was just under 600 a day, it was like, holy cow, you know, how is this going to work out? But it's great. I mean, I was getting enough food. You know, I'm feeling good. The 5 meals, you know, stretched it out and it was good stuff. And then, of course, the cookbook that you gave me, which has, what, over 600 recipes in it? And a lot of them are— well, most of them that I've tried are very, very good. So that's helped me do my meal prep. And yeah, it's just, it's just been an overall— it's a very balanced, good program. And for the type of person that I am who needs that type of a plan, was perfect.

What kind of person would you describe yourself as?

I'm very structured. I'm very organized. Um, I like to do things efficiently. Um, I, I need a plan and I need to be able to tick things off to know that I'm getting things done. Um, so yeah, I've always been very, very structured. Yeah. Excuse me.

You also, you, you know, used to work in corporate finance. Yes. Like, yeah, type A, you know?

Oh yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And I, I think too, probably a lot of my challenge, even though I have support with my family because I am alone, you know, I am single and I mean, that's a fine choice for me, but I am single. I needed that, that guidance because I honest to God, I, for those 3 months I was on the internet all the time looking up things and trying to find answers myself and just not having any luck. Yeah. So, you know, being able to go into a structured program was tailor-made for what I needed.

Awesome. And how soon after starting did you begin noticing positive changes, either like physically or mentally?

Mentally, pretty quick, because when I got your plan and I started reading it and realized that this was going to, you know, really steer me right, I think with the food issue, probably within the next— the first week and a half, 2 weeks, you know, because I stopped the vomiting, I mean, which was huge for me, you know. So yeah, it was, it was pretty quick once I got into it.

Amazing. And then what were some of the aha moments or breakthroughs that you experienced?

Well, I know one of them we talked about exercise. I thought I had to pile on exercise every single day and a lot of it in order to do what I needed to do. And you told me, nope, you really don't need to do that. So I have my spreadsheet plan today that I follow. That was a real aha for me. I think the calorie goal. That you gave me was huge because I'm looking at that going, "How does anybody survive on less, you know, 600 calories a day?" But I do. And I feel overall, I feel good. You know, I'm on track with where I want to be. And then what we were just talking about earlier is I have a goal in mind and I'm only 4 pounds away from that. But I've decided that really my ultimate goal is just to be able to buy clothes that are pretty. And once I get there, I don't need to lose another pound. I'll be very, very happy because I, for years and years and years, had to buy ugly clothes. And, you know, I'm to that point where, yeah, I just want to be able to get into something nice. That was a huge aha for me. It was like, I don't need to be 120 pounds to be happy.

So yeah, that's amazing. I love that. And can you share any wins or results that you're especially proud of?

Well, the weight loss. I mean, definitely. I mean, that has been huge. Being able to do more exercises in a limited way than I thought I would ever be able to do. And while I still struggle a little bit with the meal planning, only because, again, perfectionist, you know, trying to get it right down to the macros. That was another aha, is I don't have to do that. I just need to be close and everything will work out. You know, so yeah, all of that has just been real, real helpful.

And then how did the program help you overcome any challenges or blocks that maybe you thought might be just the way you were or permanent?

Um, that's a good question. Again, I think just because it was so structured, you know, having the Success Academy modules that you had, being able to read through those, all of the worksheets that you had or the downloads that you had to help keep you on track. All of that, even in their own little ways, seemed to help overcome anything I was experiencing. So again, I think it was just because it was so structured, Jessica. It was, it was what I needed.

Amazing. And what role did the coaching calls, you know, the ongoing accountability and support play in keeping you motivated?

Oh, well, it did because I knew that I was gonna have to be accountable. You know, you have us fill out the progress report, you know, and, and we would go through that and you would challenge me on things, which was good. You know, and I'd have to justify why I was doing what I was doing.

What did I challenge you on?

Well, things, things like the scores I was giving myself, you know, like why only this and why only that? Tell me more about this, you know. So it made me think more about was I, was I shortchanging myself on some things, you know, again, because perfectionist, you know, kind of that perfectionist mode, like if I can't do it 100%, then I'm not giving it a 10, you know, type of thing. So getting past that a little bit. Too.

Yeah. And how did having a structured plan impact your progress and confidence?

Oh, huge. Um, because again, once I got past feeling so bad for those first 3 months, it was like light at the end of the tunnel. Um, and I knew I was going to get there, and I knew that I had something that I could follow every day. In the beginning, it was— I don't want to say difficult, it was challenging because it felt like it was my whole life. You know, I get up, I have to do this, then I have to do this, and I have to do that. It's like when do I have time to just be like I want to be? But that has gotten so much easier now, again, because it's become a habit with having a, you know, a plan to follow. It's just like, I know when I wake up I need to drink water. I know that, you know, I need to do my exercises first thing in the morning to get it out of the way. I know that I need to meal prep on Sunday so I don't have to mess with it through the week, you know, and it's just easy to pull something out of the fridge or the freezer and stuff.

So amazing. And was there any part of the program that you found especially helpful in keeping you on track?

I think the worksheets that you had, probably more than anything, because filling those out made you think about what you were doing and what you should be doing. So those are probably the most helpful to me.

Awesome. Any worksheet in particular?

I'm trying to think of all of the ones that we downloaded. I know the exercise one was really good for me. The hydration one was good for me. And the meal planning. Yeah, those 3 were awesome.

Awesome. And then was there a particular module or lesson that deeply resonated with you?

You know, it's funny, you're probably going to laugh. I think the last one, number 11, you know, the just how to manage going forward, you know, and the whole Flourish that you had, you know, out there, the acronym for that. I mean, it was just, yeah, I mean, that to me probably just kind of It brought everything together. So, you know, everything I had been doing and that, you know, I can just keep going and I'll be fine for the rest of my life.

Yeah, I love it. And how has working with the Bariatric Success Academy changed your approach to long-term weight maintenance?

Well, it gave me all the tools that I need because, again, like I said, I was out there on the internet, you know, trying to structure my life going forward and it wasn't working. You know, I mean, I could find recipes and I could find these, that, and the other, but since nobody could really tell me what I should or shouldn't be, you know, eating in the way of macros and stuff like that. It wasn't doing me any good. I was losing weight, but only because I couldn't keep any food down, you know? So it wasn't until I got your meal plan and started eating again and I was still losing weight, you know, that that helped me realize that this was something that I can just do for the rest of my life and it's going to work. And not only that, I do go out to eat. I do get together with my family and stuff, but now I know what I can and can't do. And that's not saying that I'm depriving myself of anything. You know, if I, if I want a cookie, I'll have a cookie, you know, and then just kind of get back on track and stuff. I'm not, you know, not doing things in my life. I mean, it's not that rigid, I guess, is what I'm trying to say.

Yeah. And you're planning a trip to Europe for the summer where you're going to Italy and probably eat pasta and pizza and like, yep, you feel probably— I know we had a, you know, half of a session about that. So, you know, tell me how you're feeling about that trip.

Oh, I'm super, super excited. And I know, you know, what I can and can't eat. The biggest challenge for me, like I told you, is that I don't have a sense of hunger or a sense of fullness anymore. And I know that I talked to the doctors about that and they said sometimes that comes back, sometimes something got damaged where it doesn't. So I have to be careful. But I know now from how much I'm eating at a meal, how much I can eat in a meal. So, you know, not to feel miserable afterwards because with not being full, my trigger for that was if I ate too much, about 30 minutes later it would hit me and I would know that I'd eaten too much. Now with the portions that you've given me, I know what I can eat. So I think I'm going to be fine. And the fact that we're going to be doing so much moving around and walking, you know, will help offset some of that pasta calories, I'm sure.

So yeah, but it's It sounds like you're going to have a great time enjoying it, but also like enjoying it in a way that works for you.

Exactly. And I'm not going to, you know, feel like I'm going and I can't eat and I can't, you know, do things there. So that's a huge load off my mind because to me it would have been like, why go if I can't eat anything? You know, if I can't have the wonderful pastas and pizzas in Italy, it's like, yeah, why do it? Yeah. Yeah, super stoked for that trip.

Amazing. And what's different about your mindset now compared to when you first started?

Oh, I think, you know, I'm just a lot more positive because I was so— I'm not a depressed person by any sense of the imagination. I mean, I'm usually pretty up for most things, but I was miserable. I don't think I've ever been that down in those 3 months as I was before I started with you. So being able to break out of that and see that there was light at the end of the tunnel and that it But, you know, over the 3-month period, I mean, I just kept moving forward and it was just getting better and better.

Yeah. And now after the 3 months, do you feel better prepared to handle setbacks or challenges that come your way?

Oh yeah, absolutely. You know, and the tools that you gave me and, and, you know, the things that I was able to download and I've got 'em in binders and stuff, you know, you just go back and you take a crash course. Um, you know, and, and look, you know, the self-talk. You know, just boosting yourself up when you have a rotten day or whatever. And, you know, I'm really, really fortunate that I don't normally have those kind of days. So I think I'll be fine. I mean, I don't for a moment imagine that I won't have setbacks, but I know how to get out of them.

So amazing. And how has your life changed since joining the program?

I just feel better. I just feel so much better, you know, and I feel like I know what to do going forward, which for me is huge.

In what ways has your confidence improved and how has that impacted other areas of your life?

I've always been a pretty confident person, but I think probably I wasn't as confident when we started again because of what I was going through. So, you know, again, getting on track, having a plan to follow has just gotten the confidence back and I think I'll be fine going forward.

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

Um, a lot of the exercises that I'm doing that I didn't think I would ever be able to do. Um, I'm walking a lot more. I was walking before. I have some step programs and things that I've been doing for a while.

Yeah, you're walking. Well, let's, let's not just say you're walking a lot. You're walking like 3, 4, 5 miles a day.

Yeah, I'm back. Well, I have dogs too, so that helps, you know. I mean, they want to go outside, but, you know, so, but other than that, I mean, I think probably just more of the different types of exercise. And that was another thing, you know, getting into doing some chair yoga because my knees unfortunately are garbage, but doing some chair yoga. I bought myself a stationary bike and, you know, so changing up the exercises where before I was really just doing step programs. So that, that has helped as well.

Yeah. And then obviously this is not an inexpensive program. So what would you say to someone who is hesitant about investing in themselves with a program like this?

I mean, if I had it to do over again, I'd do it. I mean, I would absolutely do it again. It was well worth it to me. The coaching that you've given me, the tools that you supplied me with, the support that I've gotten was worth every penny for me. It just— because like I said, when I went into this, I was at a point where it was just like I didn't know what to do. I was just feeling, feeling so, so bad. And the fact that I now have tools that I can take forward for the rest of my life, I mean, so to me it was worth it.

Amazing. And then how is the program impacted not just your weight loss, but your overall health and quality of life?

Oh, I'm much healthier. I know I am. You know, I mean, I feel so much better. I don't get as winded as I used to. My endurance is better. You know, so I just think that overall, I'm in a much, much better place than I was.

Great. And then last 3 questions. What advice would you give to others who are just starting their bariatric journey?

Probably to talk to other people who have had it, because I never, never in my wildest dreams thought I was going to have the problems that I had because my gastric sleeve that I had back in 2014 was a breeze. I mean, basically I healed from that and there were no problems whatsoever. This one just threw me a curveball because I was not expecting to have to go through what I went through. So I think talk to a lot of different people. You know, find out what their experiences are, you know, and I think just do your homework, do your homework on it and make sure that number one, you're, you're selecting the right type of bariatric surgery and that you have a plan for afterwards and you have support. You do need that support.

Yeah. And then what are you most proud of accomplishing and what are you looking forward to next?

I think getting— having a structured plan, because for me that's very, very important. Knowing that I'm prepping on Sundays, I know what I'm going to eat during the week, so I don't have to— I can put that out of my mind. I don't need to worry about it. Losing the weight that I have, I mean, that's been amazing. Of course, it was a byproduct of getting rid of the acid reflux, but still, I'm happy with what I've lost. So, and just being in a better mind space. You know, and not, not feeling so bad. And, and now I'm really, really looking forward to just moving forward. And then that trip that's coming up next year, I mean, that's going to be amazing for me. Yeah.

Last question.

Okay. Is there—

I know there's been a lot. Is there anything you'd like to share with people considering this coaching program or working with me as their coach?

I think you'd be very happy. I certainly have been. You know, all of the support that I've gotten has been, you know, just first rate, Jessica. Everything that you put together is Amazing. I look at, I look at the effort that has gone into, you know, having been in business, I look at the effort that's gone into not only the cookbook, but the blueprint and the other information that you give. And I'm, I'm just in awe of, you know, of what you've done. So, I mean, I do really think that for someone who's seriously considering going through, it's, it's well worth it. You're going to get what you're paying for. Absolutely above and beyond, actually, I think.

So thank you, Jackie.