“The Mental Part of the Journey Was the Most Important”

Jill Sands will tell you that she was always thin as a young adult. And now, a little more than a year after having bariatric surgery, she also has the strength to admit that she needed help to overcome her unhealthy relationship with food.

“I struggled with some mental health issues as I became an adult,” Jill shares. “I dealt with it by eating. Food became therapy and then a crutch.” She tried to deal with her weight issues but couldn’t maintain the lifestyle. “I would lose 20 pounds and then gain 40,” she says. “Things got really bad. I was physically restricted. I couldn’t play with my two kids or walk my dog. It was just depressing.”

Reaching Out for Help

When Jill finally admitted to her primary care physician that she needed help, she chose Weight Management & Bariatrics in Grand Haven. “For me, the most important part was figuring out the ‘why,’” she says candidly. “They helped me realize that my relationship with food was a problem. I worked hard on fixing my habits and finding healthy ways to deal with stress instead of eating. I’m still not perfect, but I’m making a lot more good decision now.”

“The mental part of the journey was the most important part,” she says. “I was ashamed of needing help. I didn’t want to tell anyone I was even thinking about bariatric surgery. Admitting I couldn’t do it alone was hard. But facing and acknowledging my fears was powerful. If I had diabetes, would I refuse insulin? If I had cancer, would I turn my back on radiation? This surgery was a necessary tool to help me rebuild a healthy lifestyle. I had nothing to be ashamed of, so I did it.”

Reaping the Rewards

Now Jill is 14 months post-op and doing extremely well. “This is a long-term commitment,” she says. “The support I got was fantastic. I had some problems with kidney stones after the surgery, and the bariatric team helped me stay on top of my overall health. They focused on me as a whole person. Now I’m fully recovered and living life!”

Jill celebrated just like a Super Bowl winner by heading to Orlando with her family. “I’m a secret Harry Potter junkie,” she confesses. “We went to Universal, and I rode all the rides I couldn’t enjoy before because of my weight. I had my photo taken in front of the castle.” Now there’s nothing Jill can’t do. “This has been the best summer I’ve ever had, traveling, and camping and helping my son’s fishing team. I don’t ever say ‘no’ because of my weight.”

Jill wishes everyone who struggles in secret with their weight would learn more about Trinity Health Grand Haven. “They have more than just surgery,” she reminds people. “A lot of the fad stuff is not healthy. Here you have the dietitians, the exercise, and the support to help you succeed safely. Embrace the challenge. Use your resources and your community.

Learn More

It’s not unusual to struggle with difficulties in your weight. But when you’re ready to get back on the path to health, we can help.

Trinity Health offers a free online seminar to help you explore bariatric surgery in the comfort of your own home. If you have questions or would like to speak with someone directly, please call us at 844-423-7564. We would love to talk with you or answer questions.