Transformation Stories: Tracy

Since having gastric sleeve surgery, Tracy is down 84 pounds! This is her story.

Life Before Surgery

“Life before surgery was exhausting to say the least. I felt uncomfortable in all my clothes and sleep was horrible. I guess overall I felt pretty insignificant. I decided to have surgery because of Covid. I didn’t want to be considered “high risk” because I was overweight.”

Nicholson Clinic Experience

“The pre-op staff was all great and supportive. I like that they had me speak with a nutritionist and/or psychologist prior to surgery to be sure that I was ready. Post-op staff checks on you after surgery and follow-up visits with the office staff have been great and very encouraging. My questions about vitamins or blood work are always addressed and explained.”

Life After Surgery

“So far I have dropped 84 pounds (8 months out). Everything is different physically. At 55, my knees don’t ache anymore, my lower back issues are gone, I have a ton more energy and I sleep like a well fed baby! Emotionally I’m learning to love myself and learning to have fun with my friends and family and not have it center on food. It’s hard and sometimes I still see the heavy lady and feel fat, but then I remember I’m not her anymore. I eat for nutrition now, not just because it tastes good. My energy is amazing, some saggy skin here and there but I think it may be manageable. Thank you Dr. Long and Nicholson Clinic!”

John has lost more than 100 pounds since having gastric sleeve surgery. This is his story.

Life Before Surgery

“I gradually gained weight over a six to seven year period till I hit my top weight of 327. At this point, I decided it was time for a change. I had done diets before and lost 30-35 pounds but nothing long term. My physical exercise had gone to zero, not even being able to enjoy a short walk with my wife. I had become sedentary without even knowing it.

“My personal ‘ah-ha’ moment was visiting my mother. She has a knee problem that has left it very hard for her to move easily. She had gained 60-70 pounds and was hardly moving. You could say that scared me into action. Knowing that I did not want to be without movement due to my weight in my later years. Shopping in the big and tall section for 4X shirts and 54-inch pants was embarrassing, which led to a lot of online ordering of poor fitting clothing. Being able to shop for a large shirt and 36-inch pants is much more enjoyable.”

The Nicholson Clinic Experience

“I had consulted with another weight loss doctor and felt the experience was very impersonal, with no real concern with the welfare of the patient, only the ability to perform the surgery and collect the fee. While visiting with Dr. Roshek, the one thing he said that resonated with me was that weight loss surgery was just a tool in the tool box. That without a commitment to a lifestyle change centered around food and exercise, surgery would be a waste. Also the fact that he told me up front not to get hung up on a number for weight loss. The challenge of losing five percent of your body weight before surgery was key in that it helped you prove to yourself that you can do it.

“Nicholson Clinic staff was very personable and non-judgmental. When you are so overweight for so long, you invent reasons not to do things and always think that someone else is judging you as a person that can’t handle themselves. At the Nicholson Clinic, I always felt like everyone there was behind me and willing to help at any point. Granted, I did not avail myself of the many support programs Nicholson Clinic offers, it was nice knowing they were there. Best thing about Dr. Roshek is that he always seemed confident in what I was doing, which in turn gave me confidence to be successful.”

My Weight Loss Journey

“One thing I did to help with my food intake was to keep a food diary in a small 4×2 paper binder. Just what I ate, when I ate it, the calorie count and the protein count. Each morning, I would tally the day before and see if it was a good day. If not, I would look to see what I needed to do differently to make it a good day. This helped me enormously along the way. I kept it for a solid year.

“On the day I decided to start losing the pre-surgery weight, I took measurements of myself, chest, stomach, thigh, neck so I would have some means of comparison. This is also something I would highly recommend to other weight loss surgery patients.”

Life After Surgery

“Life now is completely different. I have lost 109 pounds so far and continue to lose. I move much more easily, free of the little aches and pains. I walk three-to-five miles a day to keep myself going. I am able to work longer with more focus since I am not worried about how long I can stand/move.

“My wife introduces me as her “boyfriend,” which after 33 years of marriage is pretty cool. My parents see me and ask where the rest of me went! My energy level is off the chart, as my 28-year-old tells me that I am constantly moving and need something to do all the time. I like looking at the “guy in the mirror.” He has done well and will keep doing well for himself and his family.”

If you are overweight, nobody can understand what you are going through unless they have truly walked in your shoes. People who struggle with obesity are afraid to reach out for professional support for a multitude of reasons. Seeking assistance does not indicate weakness, but rather a desire to finally see results in the most efficient way. If you can relate to any of the following hesitations, maybe it’s time to make an appointment and see about making a change in your life.

Doubt and Fear — Did you know the average person thinks about weight loss surgery for two years or more prior to making their first consultation appointment? Almost universally, successful bariatric surgery patients state their only regret is that they did not do it sooner. The hardest part about extreme weight loss is not the ability to change lifestyle habits, but rather doubt that one can change lifestyle habits. Years of failed attempts understandably leave self-doubt and debilitating self-recrimination. What would make this different? The truth is that research demonstrates the only treatment for morbid obesity that has any significant long-term results is bariatric surgery. While lifestyle changes remain the cornerstone of successful weight loss even after surgery, the surgery itself provides a tool that at this point in time is unrivaled for success.

Negativity — Just as self-doubt plays a role, a lack of support from others can be crippling. They too have seen the multiple attempts, the losses, the regains and the resulting depression and lost quality of life. Family and friends have been known to ask why an individual cannot just perform the same steps a surgical patient does to obtain the same results, without the risks and expense of surgery. Their doubt can exacerbate self-doubt and feel like crushing criticism, which can be emotionally painful. Family and friends may be concerned about the safety and advisability of surgery or may see surgery as the “easy way out,” losing sight of the fact that obesity is a medical condition for which there is no cure. Often, if the patient can bring those closest to them to the initial appointment, they find loved ones become calmer and more invested in the process.

Justification — Just as family members or friends may feel similar results can be had if an individual would “just try harder,” patients too can feel this. Seriously contemplating surgery frequently leads to a more determined effort to control eating and change lifestyle. While this can be successful, more often than not it ends as all other diets ended up to this point.

The expense of surgery can feel daunting and difficult to commit to. Whether it is a true financial hardship or simply a sense of guilt for spending money on a problem cast off as a “character flaw,” it may be difficult to contemplate the investment. It can be easy to lose sight of the cost of obesity over the years, in terms of health problems and missed work, but also quality of life and overall happiness. If one does not make health a priority, illness will make itself the priority instead. What is the true cost of that?

Giving Up — Seriously investigating bariatric surgery can feel like an avalanche. From anticipatory mourning for foods or bad habits to admitting things are out of control and not likely to fix themselves, the period of coming to terms with the need for surgical intervention may feel a bit like surrendering to the enemy. The real truth, though, is more akin to involving a serious ally in a war unlikely to be won alone. Patients have reported despair at the idea of radical change and reluctance to let go of favorite foods and habits, even while feeling the longing desire to be free from the prison their unhealthy body has become. It may be tempting to simply give up rather than leap into the unknown.

All of these are frequently reported in the bariatric population when considering surgery to treat obesity. You are not alone with your big emotions, your questions, your concerns and your hope. If the above resonates with you, consider a consultation. There, you can speak with the experts, get questions answered for you and your family and arm yourself with the kind of information needed to make an informed decision. After all, you only have the weight to lose.

If you have questions about weight loss surgery, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for surgery, contact Nicholson Clinic today to schedule a consultation.

Ilana has lost 105 pounds since having gastric bypass surgery and is just a few pounds from her goal weight. This is her story.

Life Before Surgery

“Before my surgery, I had no energy, walking more than a few steps was hard, my ankles would swell, my back and ankles hurt and I had bad heartburn. I was also on 2 blood pressure medications.

On July 15 2020, my life changed. I had gastric bypass surgery with Dr Nick. He gave me my life back.

The Nicholson Clinic Experience

“The staff and Dr. Nick are so easy to work with. During my initial office visit, Dr. Nick explained the surgery options I had and together we came to the decision that gastric bypass was the best option for me. He answered all my questions, explained the process of the surgery and what to expect after the surgery.

“The clinic has a person you can go to after the surgery that answers any questions you may have. When I hit a point that I was not losing weight, I met with Candace. When I left, I knew I could finish my journey.

Life After Surgery

“I have lost 103 pounds, I have energy, I am off my acid reflux and blood pressure medications. I don’t hide behind people to take pictures. I went from size 3x to medium. I love my healthy life. The most amazing thing is the way I see food. I don’t live to eat but I eat to live. Thank you Dr. Nick and staff for giving me my life back.”

Mark has lost 100 pounds (and counting!) following gastric sleeve surgery with Nicholson Clinic. This is his story.

Life Before Surgery

“Before my surgery I was 381 pounds, wore a 5XL shirt, 48 pants and 3XL shorts. After walking from one end of my house to the other I would have to catch my breath. I couldn’t go to the gun range, my favorite hobby, for more than a few minutes without my back hurting. Unable to sit in a booth at a restaurant, snorkeling and scuba diving were impossible. Embarrassed to be in pictures and ashamed of how I had let myself get this out of control and I was fed up with how limited I was.

“At this time I was considered a diabetic with a 5.9 A1C, high blood pressure, low HDL cholesterol and an enlarged liver. My fiancé suggested weight loss surgery and we found the Nicholson Clinic. Dr. Nicholson told me this was the opportunity to push the reset button on my life and get back to where I wanted to be. So I made the decision to turn my life around and went through with gastric sleeve surgery. All for my family, friends, children, soon to be spouse and most importantly myself.

“On June 22, 2020, I started the pre-op diet at 381 pounds. Following the diet to the letter I lost 30 pounds in the two weeks leading up to surgery. It wasn’t fun but my will to get healthy pushed me through. After surgery I was not hurting as bad as I thought I would be. Pain lasted a few days at the most and by Friday, after surgery on Monday, I was working from home again without pain and I was loosing multiple pounds per day.”

Life After Surgery

“Post surgery I have followed the diet to loose an additional 70+ pounds. In November 2020 I hit the 100 pound lost milestone, a mere five months since deciding to loose weight. Three days a week I meet with a personal trainer for an hour a day of weight lifting. The transformation my body has gone through has exceeded my wildest expectations. I never thought I could loose this much but I now have arms, forming a chest, glutes and legs. Going to the gym is something I now look forward to as I see the results. My back doesn’t hurt, I can spend hours at the gun range, helped move firewood across my parents acre property all without breathing heavy or breaking a sweat.

“I’m excited about all the activities I can do now. I can buy clothes in a regular store vs a big and tall only. I have confidence in my being. My family and friends can see it in my face and demeanor. I feel SO much better, not just medical but mentally. My A1C is now a 4.9! My cholesterol is normal and my blood pressure medicine has been cut in HALF. Now I am currently in a 2XLT shirt, 42 pants and 1XL shorts quickly moving to lower sizes with my weight in the upper 270’s.

“The hardest part is the mental. Once you have mentally made up your mind to change, the rest is easy. I’m not hungry, I eat five times or so per day with a heavy protein diet. If I can do it, anyone can. The Nicholson Clinic has been a dream come true.”

Melissa has struggled with her weight since she was a child, but she has not given up. After a Lap Band, two revisions and a tummy tuck, she has now found her way to success. She went from a size 16 to a zero. Here’s her story of perseverance and how “her outside now matches her inside.”

“I’ve been overweight since I was four years old. In high school, I wore a size 26.” Weight had been an issue for Melissa for as long as she could remember. In 2008, she weighed about 240 pounds and was a single mom with a one year old. “I was miserable. I couldn’t keep up with my son or do the things I wanted to do.” Her sister just had Lap Band surgery and after seeing results, she gifted Melissa a Lap Band as well, wanting her to be healthy and happy.

After getting the Lap Band in 2008, Melissa did see some weight loss. “I named my Lap Band ‘Victoria’ and she became my best friend!” Melissa was down to 170 pounds and doing well. “Then I slowly crept up to about 190 and was a size 12. I was ok with that weight but started having some complications, so came into the Nicholson Clinic for an evaluation.” There was no band slippage or erosion, but she started having some trouble swallowing. “In August 2017, I weighed about 210, took out ‘Victoria’ (my Lap Band) and had a sleeve revision.”

Melissa had a hard time managing her new sleeve. She had her thyroid removed a month after surgery. “I gave up.” She eventually caused a pouch at the bottom of her sleeve, essentially creating a second stomach. Melissa would snack and eventually starting drinking sodas. “I was working at a school dance and the only thing to drink there was soda. This became a slippery slope and before I knew it, I was drinking six to seven cokes per day. I started having bad gastric reflux. It was very painful. I tried to manage it with crushed ice every day to help soothe my esophagus, and I even bought prescription antacid in Mexico. I knew this wasn’t working and needed to go see Dr. Nick.”

When Melissa came in for an evaluation in November 2019, her diagnostic was clear, the acid reflux was a serious issue and the sleeve had to go. “We decided to do a sleeve to bypass revision. Dr. Nick made me set realistic expectations. I was 239 at this doctor visit. We set a goal to lose about 70 pounds, which sounded great. My insurance was approved quickly. I started the pre-op diet on December 14, lost 10 pounds, and had surgery on December 23.”

“I had a great recovery. I was walking the mall in four days. I went back to the Nicholson Clinic for my 10-day post-op. I’ll never forget what Rick, the PA, said to me. He was congratulating me on this quick success and asked about my goal, saying ‘what do you want to be?’ I started telling him how much weight I wanted to lose. He said, ‘forget about the scale, forget about the weight, what SIZE do you want to be?’ I told him I wanted to be a size 10 and wear a size large shirt. He told me I’d be in a bikini by this summer!

Over the next few months the weight was coming off but then Melissa hit a stall, right about the time COVID started. “I work in a school system and right after spring break we never went back to school. No gyms were open, I lost motivation.” Melissa was at 165-167 about this time. It was much better than where she started at 239, she was a size 10-12 and was happy, but still she felt she could do more. “After only three months, at 165 pounds, it was too soon to give up.” I eventually saw Dr. Roshek, who referred me to Dr. Trovato and got a tummy tuck on August 18. “Insurance paid for part of it, the panniculectomy,” the procedure to remove the excess skin tissue from the lower abdomen. “I had to pay for the rest. Which might not seem like a good financial decision for a single mom working for the school district. But, I’ve learned I have to take care of me. I have to do what I need for me.”

“I changed my mindset and started walking and the weight just started dropping off – five, six, seven pounds a week. I was hoping to be a size eight. Then I was a size six. Then a size four, then a size two. My lowest weight was 140 and I’m consistently around 143.”

Update: Since our interview with Melissa, she has dropped another size and one year after her surgery, she is a size zero!

“I dropped from a 10 to a 2 in 3 1/2 months!” What’s her secret to success? Melissa says, it’s about mindset and shares what works for her for diet and exercise. For diet, “if I want something, I take a bite of it, as long as it’s not a no-no, like soda, etc. I decided if I could just have one bite that would be enough. The second bite isn’t worth it. The second bite doesn’t taste as good as the first bite. Anything after that is just food in your mouth. That’s my biggest revelation. Then the next bite needs to be protein.” She says, “the way it feels to be skinny is so much better than the food. The feeling of being skinny is so much more satisfying than any bite of food I can take.”

For exercise, Melissa started walking. “I’m currently walking anywhere from six to 13 miles a day. It depends on my workload. I hit 95,000 steps last week and my goal is to hit 100,000 next week.” For Melissa, it’s the motivation and feedback she gets from others that really help.

“My whole life, I never got any compliments on my weight. Now I love hearing ‘you look amazing! or ‘oh my gosh, how are you losing weight in COVID?’ Never once in my life I thought I would have a single digit pant number. Let alone a size zero!” Melissa is thrilled with the result and happy to have the weight gone for good. “It kept me from doing a lot of things I wanted to do. Now I can be me!”

“I can’t speak highly enough of everyone in the office. From Debbie in the billing department, Melissa at the front desk, to Adam, Rick, Dr. Nick, and Dr. Roshek. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them! I feel like my inside now matches my outside.”

“If I could give anyone advice I’d say, don’t give up. Keep pushing. Even to people in a stall. I was there for three months in a stall. You have to be willing to do what’s necessary. Invest in yourself and do what you need to do for you.”

2020 has been a great year for Nicholson Clinic! Despite the challenges of this unprecedented year, we have continued on in our mission of providing the very best bariatric care to patients in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex and around the country.

We are so grateful for each of our patients and the trust they have placed in us to walk with them on their weight loss journey. Our dedication and hard work has paid off! Here are the awards and accolades our team has received in 2020.

D Magazine’s “Best Doctors” in Collin County
Dr. Nick Nicholson, Dr. Thomas Roshek and Dr. Brian Long were each voted to D Magazine’s list of Best Doctors in Collin County.

Each year, D Magazine asks physicians in Collin County whom they would trust to treat themselves or a loved one. Doctors are nominated by their peers, then reviewed and voted on by a panel of esteemed healthcare professionals. “Much like when a respected physician or their family member comes to us for bariatric care, this honor carries the same weight,” says Dr. Nicholson.

D Magazine’s “Best Doctors” in Dallas
In addition to the above recognition, Dr. Thomas Roshek was named one of the best doctors in Dallas by D Magazine.

Living Well Magazine’s “Top Docs”
The Nicholson Clinic team of doctors were voted to Living Well Magazine’s “Top Docs” list, named as a winner in both the Top Bariatric Surgeon category and the Top General Surgeon category for 2020. “Top Docs” are decided on by readers of Living Well Magazine, during an annual vote.

Living Magazine’s Best of Frisco/Plano
The Nicholson Clinic team of surgeons were voted Living Magazine’s Best of Frisco/Plano for 2020. Each year, winners are selected during a readers’ choice vote.

Texas Monthly Super Doctor
Dr. Thomas Roshek was named a Texas Monthly Super Doctor for 2020. Super Doctors is a listing of outstanding doctors from more than 40 medical specialities. The recognition identifies top doctors as selected by their peers and personal achievements. Super Doctors are nominated by other medical professionals and ultimately selected through a multi-step process of research and review. The Super Doctors list appears in top city and regional publications around the U.S., including Texas Monthly.

Congratulations to our team of surgeons on these outstanding accomplishments. We look forward to providing our patients high-quality, compassionate care for years to come.

2020. What a year it has been! Despite the pandemic, you have pressed on in your journey towards health, and we commend you!

Even in a “normal year,” the stress and emotions of the holiday season can be a challenge for weight loss surgery patients or anyone who is trying to maintain a healthy weight. We understand the pressure our patients face during the holidays, and with the added stress of the pandemic, you may be wondering how you’re going to survive the holiday season.

At Nicholson Clinic, we want you to know you’re not alone! We’ve put together this holiday survival guide to help you navigate this season of food and festivities.

Have a Plan and Stick to It

What are your current goals? Are you in the rapid weight loss stage after weight loss surgery? Are you simply trying to maintain your goal weight? Or are you still considering weight loss surgery as an option? Perhaps you’re just trying to stay on track during the holidays. Identify your goals and make a plan to help you achieve those goals.

Understand Your Emotional Triggers

Eating is psychological. And for many of our patients, their struggles with weight are emotional in nature and often the result of emotional eating. As a culture, we equate food with comfort. So in a year like 2020 when we’ve all needed a little extra comfort, it is easy to see how difficult the battle of emotional eating can be. As the holidays approach, it’s important that you can identify your emotional triggers so that you can overcome them.

Focus on eating foods that contain Omega 3 fatty acids, folic acid, vitamin B-12 and vitamin D — all nutrients that can help boost your mood without impacting your weight. Salmon, oatmeal and cottage cheese are a few good options that contain some of these nutrients.

Be Mindful When You Eat

Avoid mindless nibbling on holiday snacks and treats and pay attention to your portion sizes. Americans celebrate the holidays with food, and lots of it. Listen to your body and stop eating when you start to feel full. If you’re at a holiday gathering, take a quick assessment of the foods that are available and decide which ones are most worth your time. Make healthy options the mainstay of your plate. And when you can, find non-food ways to celebrate instead.

Make Time for Exercise

It is a busy time of year, but don’t let your fitness program take a backseat to the holidays. Schedule time to get your workout in, even if that requires getting a bit creative! Remember, not only does exercise help you maintain your weight loss, but it also creates “feel good” hormones called endorphins, which can also help you combat any stress, anxiety or depression that might creep up this time of year.

Know When to Say “No”

Holiday gatherings look a bit different this year, but if you are invited to holiday parties or gatherings and you feel uncomfortable attending, or unsure you’ll be able to stick to your healthy eating plan while you’re there, know that it is OK to say “no.” If you do choose to attend a holiday party, consider eating before you go so you aren’t starving when you arrive. And don’t hang around the snack table!

Surround Yourself with Positive Support

Having a strong support system around you is crucial to the weight loss surgery journey, and this support network is especially important during the holiday season. Keep those positive influences around you, along with those who know your struggles and the efforts you’re making to get healthy. And steer clear of anyone who may push you to party too much or eat too much food.

Make Your Own Healthy Holiday Foods

There are plenty of festive foods you can enjoy this time of year that won’t wreck your diet. Here are a few Nicholson Clinic-approved holiday recipes to try.

Apple Pie Splash Mocktail
Ingredients:

1 cup light apple juice (if you can’t find light mix ½ cup water with ½ cup juice)
1 bottle white wine or 4 cups light white grape juice (if you can’t find light, mix 2 cups water with 2 cups juice)
ice cubes

Garnish with:

cinnamon
cinnamon sticks for stirring
1 apple, thinly sliced

Directions:
Mix all ingredients together in a large pitcher. Garnish wine glasses with cinnamon around the rim, cinnamon sticks and few apple slices then fill each glass.

Caprese bites
Ingredients:

1 container cherry tomatoes (or other small tomatoes)
fresh basil
1 container small mozzarella balls (or chop 1 large ball into bite size pieces)
1 container toothpicks
extra virgin olive oil
balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Rinse your tomatoes, mozzarella balls and basil. Then grab your toothpicks and start assembling. Start with a mozzarella ball, then add basil and finish with tomato. Once assembled, put on a serving plate or bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

Prosciutto wrapped asparagus
Ingredients:

12 spears fresh asparagus
12 slices prosciutto

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 450°F and wrap each asparagus spear with one slice of prosciutto. Arrange each spear in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven for about 15min, until the spears are tender.

Holiday Cranberry Chicken
Adapted from this original recipe.

Ingredients:

2.5 lbs. chicken breast
fresh thyme
1 tsp Italian herbs
⅓ cup to ½ cup cranberries, fresh or frozen (thawed)
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Marinade:

⅓ cup cranberries, fresh or frozen (thawed)
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp coconut aminos
2 tbsp maple syrup
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
¼ tsp sea salt
¼ tsp black pepper
1 tsp minced garlic (approx. 2 garlic cloves)

Directions:
Clean your chicken then place in a roasting or baking dish. Set aside. Next prepare your marinade. Blend all the ingredients listed in the Marinade in a food processor or blender until liquified and smooth. Pour this over the chicken breast, coating evenly. Cover and place in the fridge to marinade for 30 minutes or up to 24 hrs. Once marinated, preheat the oven to 375°F. Remove chicken from the fridge. Add your extra ⅓ to ½ cup cranberries, thyme, and Italian herbs to the dish. Spread it out evenly on and around the chicken. Bake for about 30 minutes. Remove and flip over each breast. Then brush each chicken breast with the maple syrup/balsamic vinegar combo. Add more seasoning (like dried herbs, salt, pepper) to the top if desired. If using fresh herbs, wait to add until after broil. Broil for about 2-4 minutes or until the skin is crispy and chicken is cooked evenly inside. After thoroughly cooked, remove from the oven. Spoon the sauce from the pan onto each chicken breast and a pinch of black pepper or cracked pepper. Serve with the roasted cranberries on top and any extra fresh herbs desired.

Sugar-Free Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients:

1 jar Smucker’s Sugar Free Preserves, any flavor
1-12-oz bag whole fresh cranberries
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
Truvia or Splenda (optional)

Directions:
Empty preserves into a heavy saucepan and heat over medium low for 3 to 4 minutes until they soften and melt. Add cranberries and cinnamon; stirring constantly while mixture comes to a boil; cook until berries begin to pop. Reduce heat to low and simmer 15 to 20 minutes until the sauce is glossy and thick. Crush some of the berries against the side of the pot with your wooden spoon. Stir in Truvia or Splenda to taste and cook 5 more minutes before removing from heat to cool. For a smooth sauce, place in a blender and pass through a wire strainer using a rubber spatula. Cover and chill before serving.

March 11, 2022 Update: Deborah and Michael have now lost nearly 300 pounds as a couple, and started a Fitness Journey Challenge online. Learn more here and how to join.

It’s a fact. Couples who work to lose weight together are more likely to be successful—some studies suggest the success rate for couples is nearly three times higher.

Michael and Deborah Tew, Nicholson Clinic Patient Fitness Ambassadors, are just one story of many Nicholson Clinic patient couples who have made the decision to undergo weight loss surgery together. Now, just over a year later — and down over 250 pounds together — they’re not only motivating each other, but they’ve invested their energy into motivating others to stay active and lose weight.

This is their story.

For both Michael and Deborah, weight has been a lifelong struggle. As a teenager, Michael and his mother joined a weight loss group at their church. “I’ve always been aware that I had a weight problem,” he said. “The kids at school made me especially aware, but I’ve never truly figured out how to get control of it. So my weight has always had control over me.”

Although he had tried to lose weight in the past, Michael never really believed success was possible. “Looking back at my life, I’ve never done anything to help control my weight that proved to myself that I could actually do anything different,” Michael said. “That I could actually be successful at it. That I could actually achieve what I had always dreamed of achieving.”

Michael and Deborah were both surrounded by family members who were overweight or obese. They had a front-row seat to the toll obesity could have on a person’s health and started to experience those effects themselves. “I could see how some family members struggled later in life, mainly due to weight issues that were never resolved,” said Michael. “I could see myself starting to have the same issues but much earlier than they did. That scared me. So, I went looking for “radical.” What could I do to radically change my health?

Deborah watched as obesity-related health concerns claimed both her parents’ lives. She knew she was headed down the same path, but lacked the tools to successfully lose weight and keep it off. “Before surgery, I had resigned myself to the fact that I was destined to follow in the footsteps of my parents and most of my family who have all struggled with being overweight and diabetic,” she said. “I lost my mother when she was only 56 to a massive stroke and my father passed away in early 2020 at the age of 67 due to congestive heart failure and other complications. I was pre-diabetic and had high blood pressure and had lost all motivation. I would try a diet plan and might lose 20 pounds or so, but would always gain it back and usually then some. I was miserable and felt hopeless.”

Together, Michael and Deborah began considering the “what ifs” of weight loss surgery. “I knew people who had weight loss surgery, some had been successful in keeping the weight off, some had not. I didn’t want to have surgery, just to gain it all back. I felt like if I had surgery, surely I wouldn’t be successful,” said Michael.

But after processing his fears with Deborah and his doctors, Michael knew that bariatric surgery was an opportunity he couldn’t afford to miss. “What if the weight loss tool that I needed was within reach, but I never reached for it? What a tragic loss that would be.”

Michael and Deborah both admit that they had enabled each other’s bad eating habits. “We would always justify eating a treat because we wanted to celebrate something or we felt like we’d been doing good or some other excuse we made up,” he said. “There were a lot of behaviors that had been modeled to us over so many years that we had to overcome.”

They were both beginning to suffer the physical, mental and emotional toll of obesity. “Before surgery I would get so tired when walking for an extended period of time and my back or knees would usually ache the next day,” said Deborah.

Fed up, it was time to take the next step. “Life was really hard and I knew that it didn’t have to stay that way,” Michael said. So together, they made the decision to do something about it and began the process with the Nicholson Clinic.

“Deborah and I started talking about bariatric surgery and we came to the conclusion that we were scared of all the ‘what ifs’ that came with surgery, but we were more scared of what if we didn’t do anything at all.”

Michael and Deborah were scheduled for surgery with Dr. Long on the same day. “We arrived at Baylor Plano knowing that we were doing what we were supposed to be doing,” Michael said. “That didn’t take away all the fears, but allowed us to feel confident with our decision.”

Now, 15 months post-op and each losing more than 100 pounds so far, Michael and Deborah are well on their way to their individual goal weight. While they recognize the journey hasn’t been a walk in the park, and wasn’t meant to be, they are grateful for the tool that has helped them make real, sustainable changes and see results.

“Since surgery I can honestly say I feel amazing and am healthier than I have ever been in my whole life,” Deborah said. “When I started seeing significant weight loss, I not only physically started feeling better, but I mentally began to change and started seeing exercise as an investment in my health rather than a chore. Now I am no longer pre-diabetic and am no longer on blood pressure medication. I’ve lost nearly 100 lbs and while I still have more to lose I no longer feel like a healthy weight is unattainable. For this first time in my life I feel like I have the tools and support I need to lose the weight and live the rest of my life in a healthy way.”

Increasing their physical activity has been key for both Michael and Deborah. But it hasn’t been easy. Finding motivation to stay active has been a process. One day, Michael’s cousin invited him to a Facebook fitness group where individuals of all fitness levels encourage and motivate each other to keep making progress. And to sweeten the deal, every member of the group makes a small contribution to a pot that is distributed to group members at the end of the month.

“At first it seemed a little cumbersome and scammy,” said Michael. But, “it worked. It was my niche. I loved the community of having all the fitness-minded people cheering each other on every day, plus winning the money was enticing and exciting!”

It was an experience they wanted to share with others and in July 2020, Michael and Deborah launched a “Monthly Fitness Journey Challenge” group on Facebook. Starting with just 37 members, the group has grown to more than 100 members from more than 15 states, and even one member in Europe! The group is open to anyone and Michael and Deborah encourage other Nicholson Clinic patients to join.

Here’s how it works:

Pays $10 to be part of the private Facebook group. (All of that money is distributed at the end of the month.)
Do a 20+ minute workout of your choice daily.
Post a sweaty selfie and a screenshot from a fitness tracker app showing your workout.
That post counts as an entry toward winning the pot of money collected each month.

“For me, this group forces me to be intentional, it keeps me focused on what I’m doing and makes me keep a plan together,” said Michael. “That works for me. It’s important to find what works for you…Find something that makes you excited. If you’re excited about it, you’ll be more consistent and consistency will help you achieve your goals.”

Going forward, Michael has set another goal for himself, something he never dreamed of doing. He has signed up to run the BMW Dallas Half Marathon. “I’ve thought about it for several months, wondering if it’d be possible,” he said. “Exhilarated and scared all at the same time. I still don’t know what I’m doing, but I know I have the tools in my toolbelt to help me get there.”

We look forward to cheering him on and seeing him achieve this goal!

Ten years ago, Mandy had gastric sleeve surgery. After experiencing weight regain, she made the decision to have sleeve-to-bypass revision surgery with Dr. Long. She has already lost 111 pounds in 4 1/2 months. This is her story.

Life Before Surgery

“I had the gastric sleeve 10 years ago and I lost roughly 50 pounds with it, however I started gaining back pretty soon in that journey. I was able to eat a lot of slider foods that I should not have and the mindset for me was not in the right place. Also the acid reflux I had was very painful.

“After struggling with my weight for almost all my life I made a plan this year was going to be my year. I turn 40 this November and after a rough last few years, I wanted to focus on me. I want to see my kids get married and have their own families. I wanted to not have to take blood pressure and thyroid medicine. I wanted to walk to my car and not be out of breath. I wanted to go on an airplane and not spill into the next chair and need the seatbelt extender.”

The Nicholson Clinic Process

“The whole process was super quick. I would say within five to six weeks of meeting Dr. Long, I was approved by my insurance and had surgery scheduled. Dr. Long was amazing and answered all my questions and he really made me feel safe and secure with my decision for a revision. I didn’t feel judged or anything. Jordan helped me through the process of getting approved and surgery scheduled. Sweet Candace always answers my emails no matter how small or silly my questions may have been. Having the Facebook classes with her each month and the private Facebook group page has helped me so much!

“The support is amazing and I truly believe has made me so successful for this revision surgery. I have met with Adam a few times also and he is top notch. Never makes you feel rushed or like your just another person. He has made me feel so important and like I really do matter and he wants me to be successful also. I also joined a gym I found on the clinic website. It’s called Dallas Iron Fitness. My insurance covers a trainer and I go three times a week and that really has helped me. I’m grateful for the clinic having that on the website so I could learn about that.”

Life After Weight Loss Surgery

“May of this year I topped the scale at 430 pounds. The day I met Dr. Long, I weighed 409, and today, four-and-a-half months from surgery, I weigh 298. I still have a journey but I feel amazing. No acid reflux. I am able to work out six days a week. I can walk with my daughter and keep up. I went from a size 30/32 to currently a 18/20. I can’t wait for the next six months to see where I am. I truly am so happy I had this revision and love this clinic.”