Gastric Bypass Sisters Shed 308 Pounds
Categories: Diet & Weight Loss
Johnson sisters before surgery. Photo: Jason Buckner, Daily Mail / ZUMA Press
With body mass indexes all over 50, worsening health and no luck dieting for years, three British sisters decided to undergo gastric bypass surgery at the same time. Since the operations last February, 29-year-old Sharon, 37-year-old Georgina and 36-year-old Pauline have lost a combined 308 pounds. As the weight dropped, the Johnson sisters also faced a roller coaster of post-surgical ups and downs.
It was all Sharon's idea -- after seeing Pauline's neighbor lose a ton of weight after bariatric surgery, she convinced her sisters to give it a try. With a slim dad and a mom who's never been obese, they weren't raised within a family of overeaters. The Johnsons admit to a food addiction, going from large teenagers to extremely obese young women with serious health problems.
Georgina was warned she'd die within 10 years thanks to the strain on her heart. Over 300 pounds, Sharon had to live with a painfully inflamed fallopian tube as surgery was too risky. Pauline had high blood pressure and little luck socializing with parents at her son's school -- others would "look right through me," she told The Daily Mail.
The Johnsons reportedly requested same day surgery for moral support. Initially after gastric bypass, they ate mainly mashed food. Hunger wasn't an issue, but eating only pureed meals was a chore.
Johnson sisters after surgery. Photo: Jason Buckner, Daily Mail / ZUMA Press
Sharon's post-surgical symptoms have been the roughest -- for the past five months she's sick after every meal, a side-effect potentially from an inflamed new stomach outlet. She's also been unable to fight off infections, dealing with chest, sinus, ear and bladder infections.
A lack of nutrients has Pauline losing so much hair she's wearing a wig on special occasions. Then there's all that loose skin, which is not eligible for removal until their weight has stabilized in two years.
For the sisters, it seems the positives outweigh post-surgical complications. At their previous weights, life was crippling. Georgina now has the energy to take her son to school and may return to her career as a care worker. Sharon is off her antidepressants. Pauline tossed her high blood pressure meds, her periods have returned and she's trying to have another child.
All three are cooking healthy foods, exercising and Pauline's son has lost 14 pounds. No doubt, bariatric surgery is serious business with potential complications affecting people differently, even sisters. But no one can deny the quality of their lives has improved after losing hundreds of pounds together.
Click on the gallery below to read about other people who have teamed up to lose weight.
Mother-Daughter Diet Duo: Sherrie and Courtney Harris, Before
Sherrie's Starting Weight: 285 Lbs
Courtney's Starting Weight: 217 Lbs
Typical Pre-Diet Day: For both, most meals consisted of fast food, fried foods and carb-heavy sides like mac and cheese and mashed potatoes. Neither paid attention to portion sizes. "Exercise was changing the channels on the remote, or going up the stairs to watch TV in our rooms as we ate M&M's or Cheez-Its," Sherrie adds.
Double the Weight Loss Success
By Mary Kearl
Mother-Daughter Diet Duo: Sherrie and Courtney Harris, Before
Sherrie's Starting Weight: 285 Lbs
Courtney's Starting Weight: 217 Lbs
Typical Pre-Diet Day: For both, most meals consisted of fast food, fried foods and carb-heavy sides like mac and cheese and mashed potatoes. Neither paid attention to portion sizes. "Exercise was changing the channels on the remote, or going up the stairs to watch TV in our rooms as we ate M&M's or Cheez-Its," Sherrie adds.
Provided by Sherrie Harris
Mother-Daughter Diet Duo: Sherrie and Courtney Harris, After
Sherrie's Current Weight: 138 Lbs
Courtney's Current Weight: 151 Lbs
Why Weight Watchers? "My attitude towards diet and fitness has done a full 180! I am well aware now of what 'portion control' means! It's all about portion control in actuality. With Weight Watchers, I can have whatever I want, however, [the question is] whether or not I want to spend the points for whatever the item is. I treat my points allotment as a checkbook. Would I buy something at full price or wait until it goes on sale? I try always to get the most bang for my points," says Sherrie.
Why Losing Together Helped: "Because if I got discouraged and felt I couldn't do it, I could go to Mama, and we would get through it together," Courtney says.
Sherrie adds, "Courtney is a culinary student and does 95 percent of the cooking in our house. She was doing the cooking when I started Weight Watchers and would call me at work and ask what I wanted for dinner. We would discuss the healthy way to prepare it, and it was done ... So it has encompassed my entire family."
Provided by Sherrie Harris
Successful Spouses: Cathy and Pat Sullivan, Before
Cathy's Starting Weight: 217 Lbs
Patrick's Starting Weight: 257 Lbs
Typical Pre-Diet Day: No breakfast; no real meal for lunch -- just junk food like chips, crackers and fast food; and dinner consisted of fatty foods, few vegetables and fruits, and dishes served with sauce or gravy.
Provided by Cathy Sullivan
Successful Spouses: Cathy and Pat Sullivan, After
Cathy's Current Weight: 164 Lbs
Patrick's Current Weight: 185 Lbs
Why Weight Watchers? "Just being in a room with other people in the same situation [helped]. Plus, it was encouraging to listen to other people's stories and ideas, and to share our own insights," Cathy explained.
Why Losing Together Helped: "Because I wasn't trying to cook for me and then something else for my family," says Cathy. "Because we both wanted to feel better and look better, and we were both on the same page all the way around. We were able to support each other in every aspect."
Tip for Those Going Solo: "If you can commit yourself to doing it, then great. But if you want extra incentive, extra motivation and a better chance of taking the weight off and keeping it off -- then try it with someone. You are not alone -- you have a support system, even if it is just one other person. In the end, you are more motivated because you want to prove to this other person that yes, you can do it!"
Provided by Cathy Sullivan
Twin Sisters Fabiana and Simona Dixon, Before
Fabiana's Starting Weight: 197 Lbs
Simona's Starting Weight: 197.4 Lbs
Typical Pre-Diet Day: "We would wake up and go to McDonald's for an Egg McMufffin with two hash browns and a glass of orange juice. Then we would each have a bagel with extra cream cheese to hold us over until lunch, when we would go to Chipotle and have the steak burrito with everything (not to mention a side of chips and guacamole each). Around 3 or 4 p.m. we would have a couple of candy bars and a bag of chips each (Munchos or Doritos with a king-size Twix and/or Kit Kat bar). For dinner we would eat two baskets of chips with salsa, soup and a bean and rice burrito, a chicken enchilada and rice and beans. We would then hit up Baskin-Robbins for a double-scoop hot fudge sundae. We had as many calories in a day as we now have in a week! This was our starting point and our rock bottom," the sisters explained in an e-mail.
Courtesy of Fabiana and Simona Dixon
Fabiana and Simona Dixon, After
Fabiana's Current Weight: 149.6 Lbs
Simona's Current Weight: 147.2 Lbs
Why Weight Watchers? "Weight Watchers taught us how to stop dieting -- which in our opinion means a temporary solution -- and start living, which is a change in lifestyle. They helped us get to the core of our issues and find out why we find comfort in food. Only after these issues are addressed can a permanent change truly be made," the sisters explained.
Why Losing Together Worked: "Having a partner to lose weight with ... keeps you accountable, provides support and keeps you motivated. You don't want to let them, or yourself, down ..."
Accountability: "Going to the gym with someone gives you less opportunity for excuses. Plus, you know if you don't go, that person will be calling and calling you to get you to come."
No Cheating Allowed: "On bad days or days when one of us feels discouraged, one will deter the other from hitting the Taco Bell drive-thru and instead suggest a walk or making Mexican food at home, with fat-free beans and fat-free sour cream. You would be amazed at how good you feel that you didn't 'cheat' that day!"
Staying Motivated: "You see the other one's losses on the scale and if they can do it, you can too!"
Keeps You on Your Toes: "Working out together brings out a little of our competitive sides, and we then push one another to run that extra two minutes, sprint that much harder, lift that extra five pounds or play that extra game of basketball."
Courtesy of Fabiana and Simona Dixon
Amy Hess (Partnered With Her Weight Watchers Team), Before
Starting Weight: 212 Lbs
Typical Pre-Diet Day: "[I ate] lots of fast food and restaurant take-out. I never felt like I was done with a meal unless I was very full. And every meal consisted of an appetizer, main course and dessert."
Provided by Lynette Giles McMillin
Amy Hess (Partnered With Her Weight Watchers Team), After
Current Weight: 155 Lbs
Why Weight Watchers? "If a day goes by that I don't get a workout in that was planned, I feel slighted, cheated out of that time. Trying new foods, many of which are suggested at meetings and in our group, has shown me so many new options and made me realize that I like more variety than I imagined."
Why Losing Together Helps: "Working out with a partner makes the time go by faster. I have someone there cheering me on -- [it also builds up] my competitive side, which also makes the workouts more exciting. It's easier to fight the good fight when you have reinforcements."
Provided by Lynette Giles McMillin
Lynette McMillin (Partnered With Her Weight Watchers Team), Before
Starting Weight: 158 Lbs
Typical Pre-Diet Day: "First, I would drink Coca-Cola all throughout the day. I would go for days not remembering my last glass of water. If I ate breakfast, it was Chick-fil-A biscuits with hash browns or a sugary cereal. Lunch was usually large portions of leftovers from the night before, or nibbles of chicken nuggets off of the kids' plates with cookies, chips and candies throughout the day. Dinner [consisted of] meat-heavy dishes and lots of potatoes or pasta. It would be pizza and fast foods if it was a busy night ... and after the kids were finally in bed, let the snacking begin!"
Provided by Lynette Giles McMillin
Lynette McMillin (Partnered With Her Weight Watchers Team), After
Current Weight: 122 Lbs
Why Weight Watchers? "I needed to see people who were transparent in their struggle so I didn't feel like such a loser in this area of my life. I also needed to see people who were succeeding, so that I knew it would be possible to reach my goals. At the Weight Watchers meetings there were beginners, people who were still losing, people who were backsliding and people who had already reached goal -- I needed every one of their stories!"
Why Losing Together Helped: "I am a very busy mom of four who is not used to spending time and energy on herself. If I had tried to do this alone, I would have quit very early in my program. When I started asking these girls to hold me accountable, they helped turn this discipline and new lifestyle into fun. They encouraged me when I had a bad week, gave me new recipes, exercised with me when I didn't think I could work out, slapped me around when I started to backslide and make dumb choices and cheered my successes in a way that made me feel that this time and effort I was finally spending on myself was worth it."
Provided by Lynette Giles McMillin
For an insider's perspective on life after gastric bypass, don't miss Karla Carrington's feature right here on That's Fit.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 10)
Karen 10-20-2009 @ 10:29PM
I think these 3 sisters did a great job losing the weight and I applaud you all.
Reply
christina 10-22-2009 @ 9:55AM
i think it is wonderful and just so you know i lost 80lbs with lapband and "Gastic Bypass is DANGEROUS! Long term effects are still unknown as the procedure is relatively new" is false i am in the medical field and it has been around a while.
its a tool, its how you use it, abuse it, you pay, just like everything else in life
Pat 10-22-2009 @ 11:27AM
Yes, I had gastric bypass, 6 years ago. healthier than i have ever been. and saw those who did not follow the rules and have lots of problems. to say just eat less or its just a quick fix- don't know all a person had tried not to eat or all that you 'adjusted' to after. it is a tool. Many of the problems come from not getting needed help after wards. Thinking they can do what ever they want. much of the deaths come from health issues that were there before the gastric bypass. and many deaths could have been stopped if great care was taken in the choice of who did it. People life is hell as a very fat person, no one wants that, many see no other way out and did try all the other ways. I am very sorry for any deaths, but you may not know all of the whys of what caused it.
becky 10-22-2009 @ 12:02PM
I don't know why they make such a big deal out of them losing weight~they had SURGERY to do it......it would really be something if they did it by exercise and diet.
Lisa 10-22-2009 @ 1:21PM
Gastic Bypass is the lazy way out!!
Mikey Mangione 10-22-2009 @ 1:38PM
I'm going tor gastric bypass to correct my diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Yes this will save my life.
Alli Schuster 10-20-2009 @ 8:46PM
There is another side to the gastric bypass story. My 38 year old son died with complications following the surgery. Anyone considering it, should double check the fatality percentage and ask a lot of questions. Also check the results on people after 5 years. Many have regained the weight.
Reply
Jennifer 10-20-2009 @ 11:19PM
I agree with your comment. I don't think any type of surgery like this is worth it. I have a friend who had it done and she has had nothing but problems ever since. She is now anemic, always feels like crap, among other problems that have totally changed her way of life for the worse. She wishes she never had this done. She is always telling everyone she knows to beware this type of surgery. I feel so bad for her..she was only trying to better herself and for the rest of her life she will have major problems.
joe 10-20-2009 @ 11:29PM
I am deeply sorry for your loss.
elizabeth 10-21-2009 @ 12:50AM
My ob/gyn had this surgery and died a few weeks later leaving two year old twins behind. It is a dangerous surgery with lots of possible complications even years after it has been completed.
Gastric surgery is taking the easy way out when a person is not willing to diet and exercise and work with a therapist to learn better ways of coping than using food.
Boucin 10-22-2009 @ 8:28AM
I agree with you, I had a friend who had the surgery and though she recovered well, she is now having complications with foods, and not being able to tighten up or lose the excess skin. I think when people result to this surgery they are looking for FAST results. IF they change their eating habits, and exercise regularly they can lose the weight. Also when people have this surgery, they fail to realize that this is a LIFESTYLE change. Hence the gaining of weight back,etc. I watched a documentary on people who had the gastric bypass surgery and out of the 5 stories they covered 3 had gained the weight they lost and then some back in less than 6 months.
Debbie 10-22-2009 @ 9:09AM
I too lost a family member, my sister died at the age of 43.. due to liver falure.. "one of the possible side effects" but she was told of the possibilities and still chose to have the surgury.. her kids grew up without a mom.. such a shame..
fjlamb1 10-22-2009 @ 9:23AM
I'm sorry for the loss of your precious son. Best regards, Jo
eva 10-22-2009 @ 10:06AM
that is horrible i am so sorry. bt for many morbidly obese, like these wmen, it is a risk of death with surgery as opposed to an almost sure death without it. for these who are not quite as severely obese, but stil obese there are other less extreme options like the gastric sleeve, a saline filled tube laced around the stomach whch has an external port allowing doctors to adjust, loosen and tighten the sleeve by injecting saline or extracting in in a regular office visit.
Masenko 10-22-2009 @ 10:27PM
You guys don't understand. Sure, its a dangerous surgery, but all operations have risks. If you say "Its the easy way out" you obviously haven't had a severe weight problem. For most people, its an eating, or not exercising problem. but for some people, hereditary thyroid glandular issues cause severe obesity. I'm not saying its any excuse to let yourself go, but some people would die before they lost that much weight.
Gc 10-20-2009 @ 9:01PM
I have Medicare. Medicare's rules require the use of Centers of Excellence surgeons and facilities. In NJ, there are only a handful of such centers. That said, these centers and surgeons have years of experience performing bariatric surgery and have above average morbidity and mortality rates. So yes, choice of surgeon and facility is very important.
Reply
Katie 10-20-2009 @ 10:09PM
It's great to hear about their success. I've had the gastric by-pass twice! I still weigh over 300 lbs. I still only eat around 500-900 calories per day and when not in the hospital due to malnutrition, I golf, bike, and walk for exercise. This is not the cure-all. That's why insurance companies haven't embraced this as a cure. Not that I'm any great fan of insurance companies! I think they ALL suck! They have such a stranglehold on this country and the economy that's there isn't any fix for our current health care problams until we curtail them!
One of these days I hope to die and not have to face the struggle any longer. I will never fit in with everyone's opinion that all over weight people are lazy and stupid.
Reply
Ron 10-21-2009 @ 12:15AM
What big ol' part of the story are you leaving out, Katie?
ali 10-22-2009 @ 7:59AM
i too had the operation 4 yrs ago and i would do it again ,i have lost about 170 lbs , and your right it is not the easy way out , as some people do die , i am very sorry for their loss. it is a steeping stone to get you to lose weight but i have to be the one to keep it off and to eat right , it's like a smoker they have help to stop but they too must keep from smoking
Elizabeth if you never had a weight problems you are so blessed. i did not take the easy way out. i did all the weight loss programs ,and the dr visits but nothing worked .and if you ask people who have had this ,it is in no way the easy way out, it's changes your life forever
Angela 10-22-2009 @ 9:36AM
Please dont ever feel that you are not worth anything. You are beautiful person no matter who you are. I am a big person, but nothing will make me have that surgary. My sister died from a surgary not a weightloss one, but I saw the struggle she went though in life because of her weight and she has no hair. It is society that cannot except that everyone is different. If you are fat it is because you are lazy. If your to skinny well u need to eat more. I am a very strong person I dont care how people look at me I know I am beautiful whether I am a size 6 or a size 56. Stay strong and believe in yourself. just know you are not alone there are other people that feel the same way!
Angela