I Feel Like Me!

April Bump, 43 year old Butler native, wife and mother of four children, underwent gastric bypass surgery 9 months ago at Independence Health System. She has, to date, lost 100 pounds; going from a size 20w jean to a size 3/4.

April has fibromyalgia and spinal degenerative disc disease. She was counseled by her family doctor to lose weight or face being wheelchair bound by age 60. April struggled with breathing issues, difficulty walking, climbing stairs, and was on 10 medications a day to survive. April could not enjoy her day to day life with her husband and family.

After struggling with her diet for 14 years, and being unable to participate in family activities or even walk without severe difficulty and pain, April decided it was time to put herself first. She sought out Dr. Meng-g M. Lee at the Independence Health System Bariatric Clinic. April chose to switch insurance providers so that she could become a patient of Dr. Lee. Dr. Lee was upfront and honest with her during her consultation and throughout her surgery and recovery.

Once recovery began, April shares that the first month was very difficult. She dealt with and still faces food addiction. April is a member of a support group on social media and also had the benefit of a family member who had the same surgery a week prior to hers, who was a great comfort and help to her. April also felt very comfortable contacting Dr. Lee's office if needed and felt that any concerns she had were addressed quickly.

"I feel like me", she says. Once the weight started to come off, April noticed so many changes. She was able to get into and out of her kayak with ease. She could enjoy her family's disc golf game by walking the course with them. Just enjoying a walk outside and walking ahead of her husband and dog - was a huge accomplishment to April. She looks forward to gardening, hiking, and other outdoor activities this spring and summer that she could not do before her surgery.

April has been able to support and encourage others, like her daughter-in-law, who had a similar procedure. "I want to be an influencer for her", she says proudly. April feels great nearly a year from her surgery. She knows and listens to her body, which is a new experience for her. She is off all but one medication and she says that she feels "we can be a family again" because of the surgery Dr. Lee performed, and her successful recovery.