Almost ten years after gastric bypass surgery, Sarah Kingsbury is still giving credit to the team at the Salem Health Bariatric Surgery Center for her active lifestyle.

She first reached out to bariatric surgeon Catherine Boulay, MD, in 2016.

“I had tried every diet,” Kingsbury said. “I had lost and gained hundreds of pounds over the years. I had been heavy my whole adult life.”

Creating healthy habits

A few of her coworkers recommended Salem Hospital. As part of the program, Kingsbury first met with a bariatric nutritionist to lose a small percentage of the weight on her own.

“You have multiple appointments to ensure that everything else in your body is good for surgery,” she said. “We did counseling and talked about movement to make sure we had a good plan.”

Kingsbury decided to schedule her surgery in 2017 after her son graduated and went off to college.

“[Salem Health was] wonderful to work with for scheduling and insurance,” she said. “Everything just fell into place, and they really took care of everything.”

Preparing for challenges

As she prepared for surgery, Kingsbury said Dr. Boulay never sugarcoated the tough steps ahead.

“She was very honest about recovery and the difficulties you could encounter, which really prepared me to be successful,” Kingsbury said.

Those challenges included a liquid diet for two weeks before and after surgery. But during recovery, Kingsbury said the process was seamless.

“I didn’t have any complications, but I knew if I had any questions or concerns, I could call the bariatric team at any time and they’d be available for me if needed,” she said.

Annual check-ins for success

Now Kingsbury meets with Dr. Boulay annually.

“Some years you may have gained a few pounds, but she always points back to your why,” Kingsbury said. “She always asks if you still have pain, or any of the comorbidities of being heavy, reminding you those are gone now. That always reminds me to keep going, keep working hard and not give up on my health.”

At her highest weight, Kingsbury was 380 pounds, and she could barely walk due to the pain in her ankles.

She’s now maintaining right at 200 pounds, is off high blood pressure medications and spends a lot of time enjoying the outdoors.

“I never was an outdoors person,” Kingsbury said. “Now we kayak, hike and bike. I have energy and adventures that I never dreamt I would go on. Even just enjoying a vacation where you can walk for hours sightseeing.”

Even years out from surgery, Kingsbury said she suggests the Salem Hospital bariatrics team to anyone who will listen.

“I’m sad I wasted so many years on fad diets,” she said. “If I could go back and do it sooner, I would have.”

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