WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, SportsBariatric Surgery: a year long journey PART IV
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by Cami Mountain
MARSHFIELD (WAOW) -- In the last part of this special report, it's been exactly one year since we first met Laura Kruse and six months since her surgery. Laura and her family talk about their new eating habits and their life long lifestyle changes.
Breakfast at the Kruse home has dramatically changed since Laura had bariatric surgery. Before, she'd eat an entire three egg omelet and all the fixings. Now, she might eat half and her son Nick, 19, often gets what's left.
"When I look at what I used to eat on a regular basis at a regular meal and what I eat now and what other people around us, sometimes I'm appalled." Laura admits, "I look at that and go, 'Oh my god. I can't believe we did that.''
But it's not just the size of portions that have changed for the Kruse family. Laura now cooks much healthier and when the family dines out it can't be for a quick bite.
"If we're out shopping or something and everyone wants to stop for a quick lunch, the struggle is sometimes, what can I eat? What is here? What can I deconstruct so I get what I need kinda thing." Laura says.
But those difficulties definitely don't outweigh the good things in Laura's life. Since surgery, she's lost nearly 100 pounds and gained a better nights sleep and more energy. Those changes, her daughter Hannah see's more than the weight loss.
"She's willing to take me swimming, walking, biking." Hannah says, "She did this Fit for Life camp for my school with me which I thought was really fun. I just like spending more time with her."
Laura credits every pound lost to her family, especially her husband John. But for him, the surgery wasn't so much about his wife getting thinner.
"For me, it's always been a health issue." John adds, "You could see her health deteriorating. Her stamina wasn't there. This surgery isn't just a surgery. It's a way to change your whole lifestyle."
The entire family's lifestyle has changed. They're all eating less, eating healthier and exercising more.
"I feel a lot better. Nick says, "I'm getting healthier. That's always a good thing."
And for Laura, a good thing is the physical change she's seeing in her body. Going through old pictures takes her to a heavy place.
"I didn't realize I looked like that." Laura remembers, "In my mind, I looked different than what those pictures were showing and I look at pictures now and it's like, 'Oh wow! That's really cool.'"
Laura isn't setting a number on the scale goal, instead focusing on how she feels.
And she only has one word to describe it.
"I feel great. I just feel great."
I want to congratulate Laura on her weight loss success and thank her for allowing our cameras to follow her through such a difficult journey.
Online Reporter: Cami Mountain
