In the spring of 2013, Christopher and Julia Trundle decided they wanted to get in shape and improve their health. So they started to do research about bariatric, or weight-loss, surgery options.
“We were pretty overweight and wanted to do something about it,” explained Christopher.
The Trundles have three children, a 9-year-old girl and 5-year-old twins (one girl and one boy) who are active, so they wanted to run around and play sports with them. Christopher is 35 years old and Julia is 30.
In May 2013, Dr. George Woodman of the Baptist Weight Loss Center at Baptist Memphis performed bariatric surgery on both Christopher and Julia. The couple has changed their lifestyles, and they are now regular runners and YMCA members. Christopher even plays basketball in a men’s league. The family has cut out carbonated beverages and has started eating a healthier low sugar, high protein diet.
“The kids have been great. They eat what we eat,” said Julia. “They aren’t picky eaters. They’ve always eaten vegetables.”
Christopher’s health has improved. Before the surgery and weight loss, he was on medications for high blood pressure and high cholesterol. He no longer needs the medicine.
Christopher said they used to be sick frequently, but changing what they eat has fixed that.
“Eating cleaner does affect your health,” he said.
So far, Christopher has lost 155 pounds and Julia has lost 125 pounds.
“We followed what we’re supposed to do with no excuses,” said Julia.
Julia has told a lot of people about her experience and has even referred a few of them to Dr. Woodman.
“Our results speak for themselves,” said Julia.
“The surgery was the best decision we ever made,” added Christopher.
Baptist offers services and programs within the Baptist Weight Loss Center, whose mission is to help achieve long-term weight loss and to help patients learn to live a healthier lifestyle. Options available through the Baptist Weight Loss Center include a variety of programs that focus on exercise, healthy eating, and managing psychological triggers and stress.
Baptist Memorial Health Care also offers RENEW, a healthy lifestyle program that combines personal training, nutrition, and psychological counseling to help with managing emotional triggers, stress, change, and expectations, and also making healthy food choices. Club Get Fit is a family-based weight management program that helps parents and children make healthy lifestyle choices. Baptist has a team of dietitians and nutritionists who can spend one-on-one time with patients to personalize a meal plan and to set realistic goals for a healthier lifestyle. The Healthy Living support group is a community-based program that offers information on a variety of topics each month. For more information on any of these programs, please visit www.baptistonline.org or call 901-226-LOSE.