Contemplating ORBERA® and Discovering True You
Laurie then began to consider ORBERA, a weight loss balloon she’d heard of years before. She remembered being intrigued by the non-surgical aspect of the procedure. After speaking with a physician friend and doing some research, Laurie found True You Weight Loss. Soon thereafter, she scheduled a consult in December 2020.
After her initial meeting with Dr. McGowan, Laurie was immediately impressed with his style, transparency, and down-to-earth communication style. She also spoke candidly with True You’s nutritionist Laura Sebring, MS, RD, LDN, and found an immediate connection. Therefore, Laurie didn’t feel shy when discussing with them her concerns about ORBERA and the ways in which it could potentially hinder her lifestyle.
“I love to cook and entertain, and I love food, wine, and breweries. Three-hour conversations over a full table are a part of my life,” reflected Laurie. “I told Dr. McGowan and Laura that while I could commit to making changes, I also had no interest in eating chicken breast and lettuce leaves for the rest of my life. When they assured me this wasn’t required to be successful, I was ready to move forward.”
The Procedure of a Lifetime
With her husband’s full support, Laurie scheduled her ORBERA procedure for January 16, 2021.
While she was excited to have a plan, Laurie explains her feelings of vulnerability around having a weight loss procedure. “In the beginning, I was reticent—there was maybe some shame there,” shared Laurie. “I’d always been confident and successful in so many areas of my life, but I couldn’t seem to lose weight on my own. Once I could acknowledge the benefits of asking for and receiving the help I needed, I was ready to embrace the life change I was about to make.”
On the day of her procedure, Laurie felt anxious but also completely prepared and excited for the future. She was confident in Dr. McGowan and his team, and everything leading up to her procedure went very smoothly. Laurie went home to Sanford right after her procedure to rest and recover. While the first day and a half at home were very uncomfortable for Laurie, she knew the discomfort was only temporary.
“Dr. McGowan had warned me that those first several hours were going to be tough. I had his direct cell phone number, which was very reassuring even though I didn’t need it,” said Laurie. “But I followed his instructions clearly, and after 36 hours, I felt totally fine.”
