At 425 pounds, John O’Dell knew he needed to make a change. After consulting with his doctors and the team at the Center for Bariatric Surgery, John chose to have gastric bypass surgery. Now, more than a decade later, John reflects on what he learned after his surgery.
My relationship with food would change
I thought about food all the time. When I ate breakfast, I would think about what I would have for lunch, and when I was at lunch, I would think about dinner.
Initially it wasn’t easy to adjust to these changes, but between the surgery and the mental work I did, I don’t really think about food as much. I really only think about it when I need nourishment for the day.
I would run a 5k within a year after my surgery
Before surgery, I would feel winded and tired after going for walks with my wife. But soon after surgery, I ran my first 5k—a color run that I did with my wife.
I still have the hat that I wore, and it is a reminder that I can do anything. The color run was on Saturday, and the next day I did another 5k run for obesity awareness. I was impressed!
My first 5k run
Before his bariatric surgery, John became winded and tired on short walks. Now he competes in colorful 5k runs.
And I would become a bit competitive
In addition to running 5K races back-to-back, I would take all the challenges I could. I challenged my wife every day to a step off. If she did 10,000 steps, I would do 11,000. All the way up to 22,000 steps in a day!
Shopping for clothes would matter to me
When I was a big man, I never really saw myself as overweight, even though I had to buy clothes at a big man shop. I would go into other stores and get looks that felt like “Why is he in here? He cannot buy anything here; he is too fat.” Now I can go into regular clothing stores and feel comfortable. It may seem silly but that matters to me.
Weight loss is a mind game
If I sat down with someone considering weight loss surgery, I would share my experience and help answer their questions and support them in whatever decision they made. You have to think that you can put in the work—surgery is just one tool in a toolbox for weight loss. Weight loss is a mind game, and you have to have the right mind set.
You have to make the decision for yourself. I chose bariatric surgery for me and only me, because I wanted to live a long, healthy life.
Choose an award-winning center for bariatric and weight loss surgery
John is one of the earliest patients of the Center for Bariatric Surgery at The Miriam Hospital, which began serving patients in Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts in 2012. Since then, the center has consistently been recognized and awarded for dedication to patient safety and outcomes, maintaining the highest standards of surgical care. The team prides themselves on their commitment to patients, offering comprehensive pre- and post-operative support to help them achieve their health and weight goals.
For more information about the program, visit the website or call 401-793-3922.
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