Bariatric Consultation Services

Have you had or are you considering bariatric surgery? According to a study conducted by NCBI, 37%of RYGB patients had significant weight regain at 7-year follow-up, and up to 76% of SG patients had significant weight regain at 6-year follow-up. We have personal experience with bariatric surgery, having undergone sleeve gastrectomy (SG) surgery in 2018. The following year, my husband also had SG surgery and we have been encouraging and holding accountable, each other since that time. Because of my personal experience, I am uniquely able to empathize and advise patients regarding bariatric lifestyle.

So, why do so many people end up re-gaining the weight? Because they don't follow the rules! In addition, many people simply do not understand that this surgery is a tool and is only helpful if it is used (and CONTINUES to be used) in the correct way. I firmly believe that the reason that my husband and I have been successful with our weight loss is because we have followed the rules AND we hold ourselves and each other accountable. We offer pre and post operative bariatric consultations and counseling services for individuals who are considering surgery or have had surgery and need additional help. It is so easy to fall back into those old habits. This is an addiction and is going to be a lifelong battle, but we can help you fight it.

~Ashley

July 2017

We love before and after photos. Why? Because the camera doesn't lie. It literally forces you to take a look at yourself. My husband and I used to hate having our pictures taken but honestly, even then, we didn't really realize (or want to admit) just how unhealthy we were. The second picture taken just two years later shows how wrong we were.

October 2019

Obesity Limits Your Possibilities

Obesity can also have negative effects on your ability to get pregnant. Fat cells produce estrogen and, as they increase in size, can cause hormonal imbalance that decreases fertility. Although I had been overweight at the time of my first pregnancy, I had age on my side which I believe off-set the obesity factor just enough that I was able to get pregnant. A few year later we decided to expand the family, but, after years of trying, seeing specialists, and taking hormone treatments, we still had no luck and gave it up. After a friend of mine became pregnant following her weight loss (me with her baby pictured left) it made me seriously consider that my weight was at least part of the issue (duh). Why hadn't any of my doctors talked to me about losing weight? Because it's a hard conversation, that's why. I probably would have been embarrassed and offended and a little angry. I wish they would have.

Thankfully, I came to the realization on my own. After our weight loss, my husband and I decided to give it another try and our second son was born November 13 2021. The picture to the right was taken 6 weeks after his birth. The fact that the recovery after my second c-section (both emergent) was so much easier, even being 14 years older, was shocking to me. I attribute it to being in a much healthier place physically.

Obesity Can Affect Your Fertility

Obesity Can Lower Your Quality of Life

Listen folks, I am not saying that if you're overweight or obese that it means you are miserable and I am not trying to "fat shame". I am just telling you my views both from personal experience and from a medical standpoint. Whether you want to admit it or not, what I am saying is true and if you are going to be a client at Prestige Wellness, you are going to have to get comfortable with some hard conversations...because you NEED them to happen, and we ARE going to have them.

A Sad Vacation Story:

An example of this for my husband and me: in addition to being able to expand our family and just generally feeling better, we have recently started being able to enjoy vacations. Back in 2016 we took a trip to Las Vegas and, looking back, it was just physically exhausting. The plane ride was uncomfortable due to the "small seats"...in reality, we were just too big. Walking around Vegas was probably the most exercise we had done in years and was, you guessed it, exhausting. We went to see George Strait (my husband had always wanted to see him in concert), but we were so tired from walking around all day we both fell asleep during the show....not kidding. Very embarrassing. We wanted to do the zip-line on Fremont street but, with me at 286 lbs and my husband just over 300, we were both over the weight limit. Skyjump at the Stratosphere...both too heavy. Skydiving...both too heavy. Skydiving simulator....nope, still both too heavy. Mule ride at the Grand Canyon...forget it. It was disappointing, embarrassing, and frustrating. So what did we do while we were there? We ate of course.

Oh the Joy!

After Vegas, we did not go anywhere again until years later after our weight loss. In 2023 when we decided to go on our first cruise. We had always avoided cruises, telling ourselves, and everyone, that we would be too anxious about being out on the ocean when in fact, we were really just thinking about the small rooms, even smaller bathrooms, and of course being in a swimsuit was not high on our list of fun things to do. After our weight loss, everything changed. We. Had. A. Blast. The plane ride was no problem...plenty of extra room in those "small seats". Our stateroom was comfortable and the bathroom, which would previously have been like a clown car, had plenty of room. We walked miles around the ship with no problem, and when the elevator was full we took the stairs without any issues. We snorkeled for hours with plenty of energy to spare, and sat through entire shows without falling asleep! So I know what you are probably wondering...what about the food on the ship? After all, one of the main things talked about with cruises is the amazing food, right? Well, it was amazing and we ate what we wanted....within the rules. The cruise lines actually discourage food wastage so they were more than happy to accommodate our requests for smaller portions, and they have sugar free options as well. If there was something we wanted to try, we tried it, but we stayed careful and followed the rules. We wore our swim suites all day with no coverups, readily posed for pictures, and we got to do every single excursion and activity we wanted that would previously have been off the table. We had such a great time!

A New Beginning...

We finally got to zipline!

So what do we want you to take from this? Start living your life! Again, we are not trying to "fat shame" anyone, but we have been there so we know the profound positive change even a small weight loss can make. If you want to go on doing what you have been doing and living the way you have been living, and you are happy, then more power to you. But, if you are honestly happy with how things are, then why are you visiting this site and reading about weight loss and bariatric consultations? Maybe you're just curious...that's fine, knowledge is power. Maybe you're looking for someone to point a finger at for "fat-shaming"....we've seen that too. It won't work. We are here to help people and that starts with frank honesty, from us and you. We will not soften our approach or back down from helping people realize their health potential and start reaching for what they want and need. So, if you're looking to pick a fight with us or cause drama, we strongly encourage you to look elsewhere. If you feel like our direct and honest approach is going to be too "abrasive", then we may not be right for you. However, if you are looking for supportive advocates with personal experience who are going to help you, encourage and push you, then look no further. This is going to be uncomfortable and hard and it will take time and effort; but it is so worth it! Whether you have had bariatric surgery in the past and need a re-set, are considering bariatric surgery, or are just interested in general weight loss, schedule an appointment with us today to discuss your options and get started.

Start Living Intentionally