Woman shares weight-loss journey, tips to stick to plan

At 5’2 and weighing more than 260 pounds, Lindsey Fertitta had a wake up call at the 2009 Relay for Life.

Fertitta and her father were co-chairs for the 2009 Relay for Life to honor her mother who died of breast cancer. During the event, her father watched as she struggled to walk, trying to catch her breath.

Back then, Fertitta said she lived to eat.

“No literally, I would lay down at night and think of all the things I was going to eat the next day. I was completely consumed with food,” she said.

Her father soon shared his concerns. “My dad and I were talking, and he broke down and said that he was proud of the woman I had become with my dedication to helping others but that it pained him to know that if I kept up with my current lifestyle that he would have to bury his daughter beside his wife,” Fertitta said.

She said it was at the Relay for Life event the realization set in that her lifestyle affected those who cared for her.

“I couldn’t deal with the pain I was putting my daddy though,” Fertitta said. “Reality set in when I realized my 67-year-old father could out walk me and do circles around me. Plus, I didn’t think it would be fair for a father to have to bury his child.”

Fertitta said that was the wake-up call she needed. A week later, she set an appointment to see her doctor, Dr. William Norwood of Norwood Baratric in Shreveport.

“I was nervous and anxious because I had tried so many other means of losing weight and I was really concerned with my mental health,” Fertitta said. “Was I mentally prepared for this journey this particular goaround?” Prior to her doctor’s appointment, Fertitta tried liposuction, therapy, Weight Watchers, Curves, Healthy Inspirations, Metabolic Research, Adipex and Pondimin (Fen-Phen) pills, and went through multiple gym memberships. “I would lose weight but would always gain it back within months,” she said.

Her results of regaining the weight lead Fertitta to weight loss surgery.

“[I knew] if I didn’t try this and succeed this time, I truly felt it would be the end of my life,” she said.

Along with her weight loss struggles Fertitta was also diagnosed with clinical depression at a young age.

“Food addiction and mental health go together about as well as water and oil,” she said. “I was so upset with myself and my behavior that I would often lie awake at night dreaming of suicide or hoping that I wouldn’t wake up in the morning,” she said.

Fertitta’s appointment with Norwood resulted in Lap Band surgery or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, which is essentially surgery to make the stomach smaller. To perform this surgery, doctors wrap a device around the upper part of the stomach to form a ring limiting the passage for food forcing patients to consume less.

“I think like a lot of overweight people who are considering getting Lap Band, the perception is that you will have the surgery and the weight will magically just start falling off – that you do not have to change your lifestyle or eating habits. That is, in my opinion, the number one reason why people do not succeed with weight loss surgery,” Fertitta said. “The lap band is a tool not a miracle worker. You have to realize that your entire lifestyle will change from eating the proper foods, to eating when hungry, learning your body cues: tired, bored, hungry, upset, happy, etc., and exercising are the keys to weight loss success.”

Fertitta said she stuck to the plan after having the surgery.

“I did everything the doctor told me to do. Within two hours after getting home from the hospital, I was up making laps in my house, and the next day after surgery, I was out walking a mile. Previous to the surgery, I could not have told you when I had walked a mile.”

“Cheating during the first two weeks is something I heard a lot of people did, but I strictly stuck to the diet he gave me, and I lost 16 pounds in the first two weeks,” she said.

Fertitta said her lifestyle has been transformed. “I am far more active than I ever have been. The ‘new Lindsey’ actually enjoys working out and makes time in her day to do so. When I can’t make it to the gym I work out at home,” Fertitta said. “Before every BLT – bite, lick and taste, I ask myself ‘Is it worth it?’ If the answer is no, I don’t have it. If it is yes, I enjoy it in a small portion.”

Fertitta has lost 135 pounds and went from a size 24/XXXL to 00/2/ XS/S.

“To say that I am happy with the surgery would be an understatement.

This surgery has literally saved my life. I could have easily died of a heart attack or from depression/suicide brought about by my weight,” she said.

Fertitta said she likes seeing different reactions from people she knows.

“The best was when I saw my uncle at a restaurant, and I hadn’t seen him in a year after my surgery. I walked up to him said ‘Hi, Uncle Mickey,’ and he gave me this strange look. I said it again and once again I got the look. I said, ‘Can you not say hi to your favorite niece?’ He gasped and said ‘Lindsey? I was wondering who that good-looking skinny girl calling me uncle was.’ That’s a great feeling!” – Lydia Earhart