Health: NJ Foster Parents Undergo Gastric Sleeve Operation
By Stephanie Stahl
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- After fostering over 100 children, many with devastating medical needs, a New Jersey couple now focuses on their own health, losing almost 200 pounds together after getting gastric sleeve surgery.
As they celebrate the holiday, they're committed to their weight loss journey to get healthier for the kids.
The Christmas tradition of making holiday cookies with their family is different now for Trudy and Tim McFalls. They're no longer over-indulging on sweets. Trudy says, "I feel better about myself. I love buying new clothes."
Trudy has lost 42 pounds and Tim has dropped 120.
"I stopped focusing on me. I focused on the kids and their issues and making sure they were ok," Trudy says.
"We were happy to do it. We were glad to be there…When we had time to eat, we would eat whatever was there. We would eat, so it wasn't always the best food," adds Tim.
Trudy and Tim both had stomach surgery with Dr. Brendan O'Connell at Cooper's Center for Bariatric Surgery. They had what's called a gastric sleeve operation, which is less complicated than gastric bypass. Dr. O'Connell says, "The sleeve operation is a procedure that is done with a minimally invasive approach. We go in and remove approximately 80 to 85 percent of the stomach, so this is designed to limit food intake."
The McFalls, who live in Stratford, say there's an adjustment, but it's been easy, and now they're used to eating healthier, smaller portions focusing on low-fat protein. Tim, who had the surgery first over a year ago, gets emotional when he talks about finally being able to do things with the children.
"I feel like I'm the dad I'm supposed to be," he says.
"I wanted to try to get healthier for my kids because I want to be able to be there as they grow up," agrees Trudy.
Trudy had her surgery in August. She and Tim never had more than seven foster children at once. They're taking a break from fostering to focus on their health.
Gastric sleeve surgery, which does have some risks, is only for people who are morbidly obese.
For more info, visit: www.cooperhealth.org/bariatrics