Bariatric surgery helps Wilmington woman find 'freedom' on the stage and focus on living
The first thing one notices about Latoya Barrett is her energy.
The Wilmington resident never meets a stranger, and as the chief operating officer at Purpose Church, she stays busy creating new programs and the classes.
“Young people, I can out-do them. I can out-go,” Barrett said with a chuckle.
But not long ago, the 45-year-old lacked energy and her blood pressure registered 232/111, which placed her at risk of a stroke.
Barrett, who has struggled with her weight, was also experiencing complications from a lap-band surgery performed in Atlanta many years ago, and she was no longer losing weight. These issues led her to seek help from Dr. Colston Edgerton, a bariatric surgeon with Novant Health.
After several visits, Edgerton opted to remove the band and perform a sleeve gastrectomy using a minimally invasive procedure and removed 75 percent of her stomach.
Barrett noticed a difference almost immediately. The issues created by the lap band were gone, and she had more energy. She has since lost 53 pounds. But for her, the decision to have surgery was less about losing weight and more about getting healthy.
“This made me do a lifestyle overhaul completely,” she said.
Her blood pressure registered 130/73 at a recent doctor’s visit.
Edgerton explained while the surgery has some metabolic affect on its own, it’s best when patients commit to making changes in their lifestyle, which include eliminating sugars and fats and exercising.
“We love patients like Latoya who are motivated,” he said.
Barrett explained she is now prioritizing the people she loves and placing value on the time spent with them. She still enjoys family dinners, but now, they’re less about food and more about those gathered around the table.
With her health in check and a renewed energy, Barrett is taking on new challenges. She recently took to the stage at Thalian Hall in Techmoja Dance and Theatre Company’s production of The Color Purple.
“That was a blessing in itself,” she said. “I opened up as the church soloist and it was…freedom. There was so much freedom doing it.”
Barrett is now encouraging others to think about their own health journeys.
“It’s that ‘What is it going to take for me to enjoy the presence of myself so that I enjoy the presence of others,” she said. “That’s what it’s all about.”
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This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington woman says bariatric surgery helped her get healthy
