My bariatric surgery success

A new father explains his reasons for undergoing extreme weight-loss surgery.

The birth of his first child in July 2022 was a time of deep self-reflection for Christopher Olivier. “It was important for me to be able to play with my son as he grew up. I wanted to be the dad who got involved cycling and playing ball with my son, rather than standing on the sidelines,” says Christopher.

At that stage, in terms of his weight and health, Christopher wasn’t in a good state.

“I weighed over 150kg. I was constantly tired. Just a short walk would have me out of breath in no time. A cycle was more than a challenge. I was too exhausted to do any kind of exercise,” he says.

Christopher wanted to ensure a good quality of life for his child, but he knew that without drastic action to address his unhealthy weight, this would remain a pipe dream.

In March 2023, he underwent bariatric – or gastric bypass – surgery with Mediclinic Durbanville surgeon Dr Etienne Swanepoel. Fifteen months post-op, he is more than 50kg lighter and weighs a trim 96kg.

What is gastric bypass surgery?

Bariatric or gastric bypass surgery is a procedure to help patients lose weight by surgically decreasing the size of their stomach. This reduces the amount of food their body can absorb.

Bariatric surgery is normally only recommended for patients who have been unable to lose weight through diet and exercise, or for those with health problems caused by obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease or lung disease. Bariatric surgery patients need to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly after the surgery.

“In childhood, I was always the ‘big kid’. I kind of made peace with being overweight. But things got out of hand as I got older and didn’t make time to exercise or live a balanced life,” says Christopher.

In the four years prior to the surgery, Christopher gained almost 30kg. He was 37 years old in 2022 when he considered the operation and cannot imagine how large he would have become without it.

“Being so overweight really started bothering me. I had limited mobility and was constantly tired. Considering a cycle with a friend or a 5km fun run was out of the question. It was really an uphill battle,” he says.

Christopher had tried various diets over the years, but had no success and ended up putting on more weight and losing motivation. He wasn’t an “unhealthy eater” but he wasn’t eating three balanced meals a day.

“Although I don’t have a sweet tooth, I used to skip breakfast and forget to pack in food for lunch. By the time I got home at night, I would be ravenous and would over-eat. I would start with a sandwich and then eat junk before my main meal at night,” he explains.

Making the decision

One of his friends had successfully undergone the procedure with Dr Swanepoel, which encouraged Christopher to make the initial appointment.

“I knew this was my second chance in life,” he says. “Dr Swanepoel and the other members of the multidisciplinary team at Mediclinic Durbanville gave me peace of mind that this was the right thing to do.”

To qualify for the procedure, patients need to see a range of specialists, including a surgeon, a dietitian and a psychologist.

“The surgeon won’t operate until each specialist is happy that you are physically and mentally ready. They all want to be reassured that you are fit for the procedure and won’t slip back into bad habits afterwards,” he says.

Following an approval process, Christopher upgraded his medical aid plan to fund about 80% of the costs of the operation.

A personal reset

“I am very happy with my weight now and aim to maintain it below 100kg,” he says.

Christopher says that, despite it being a “massive decision”, he knew he was in good hands with the multidiscplinary team of specialists. “They prepared me for what was to come, explaining the benefits and risks, and helped me to make an informed decision,” he says. “It is not an easy way out, like some people think. You have to be ready for a life change like this.”

Christopher says he is almost back to a normal diet, although the portions are smaller. “I try to make sure I eat breakfast every morning. I pack lunch for work and have dinner, always conscious of portion control. My diet is now 60% protein, 20% fat and only 20% starch and other foods.

He says he feels like a different person after the surgery. His sleep has improved and he wakes up refreshed and able to focus and concentrate. “I can run around with my son, who is now two years old. I am also cycling again and did my first Cape Town Cycle Tour after a few years. It’s just lekker being able to do the things I want to in life and enjoy them,” he says. “After marrying my lovely wife in 2016, this is the second-best thing I have ever done.”