Deciding to undergo an elective surgery is never easy. Many factors can drive a patient’s choice.
Sue Novak, 56, of Bismarck, North Dakota, survived an estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer, meaning cancer cells in her body are stimulated by estrogen. Fat cells also mimic the effects of estrogen in the body and could cause a recurrence. For Novak, that meant weight loss surgery could be a literal lifesaver.
“If you were estrogen positive, you kind of wanted to keep a handle on that,” Novak said. “I had gained so much weight, it was hard to do anything. It hurt to walk. It hurt to not walk. If I tried to exercise, it hurt. If I didn’t exercise, it hurt. It was just this vicious cycle. I realized at that point I had to do something or I probably wouldn’t be here much longer.”
Weight loss journey
In early 2023 Novak met with weight loss surgery specialist Bree Dewing, M.D., and her team at Sanford Bismarck. They agreed on a plan for gastric bypass surgery later in the year. At 340 lbs. and wearing size 26 pants, Novak didn’t wait for surgery to begin her weight loss journey.
“Between February and November, I lost 40 pounds on my own, just changing what I was eating,” Novak said. “The more weight I lost, the more I was able to move. I was doing dance classes in the pool. As the weight started coming off, then I could walk better and I could move better and my clothes were fitting better.”
Her dedication impressed Dr. Dewing.
“She is a very motivated individual, so I knew she would do very well with this type of operation,” Dr. Dewing said. “She had some comorbid conditions that are significantly improved with weight loss surgery, so overall that made her a really great candidate.”
Novak underwent gastric bypass surgery that November.
“This surgery provides restrictions, so patients feel full faster and less hungry during the day,” said Dr. Dewing. “Food and drink go into the small gastric pouch. Part of the stomach, which is the largest portion, is bypassed. The volume of the pouch is approximately a half a cup of food, or the size of an egg approximately. Patients go through a significant amount of preoperative education so they’re understanding and expecting that sensation, which is one of the major ways in which a gastric bypass works.”
Novak does admit it wasn’t always easy changing her eating habits. Some of her old favorite foods upset her stomach now. The results, she says, were absolutely worth it though.
“Now I am 189 lbs. I’m in a size 12 pants and a size medium to large top depending on the fabric,” Novak said. “I feel amazing. I look in the mirror and I just can’t believe it’s me.”
Lust for life
For all the inherent health benefits of her weight loss, Novak talks mostly about the activities she’s able to enjoy again. Lowering her risk of breast cancer was a major factor in having the surgery, but the other benefits include a whole lot of fun.
“I rented a bike one day and I rode five miles. I haven’t been on a bike in 25 years,” Novak said. “It had probably been 20 years since I’d been on a rollercoaster, and that was something I loved. The first one I got on, I was in the very front row, and I looked at the ride operator. I was like, ‘Oh my God, I fit.’ And he’s like looking at me like I’m crazy. I’m like, ‘You don’t understand. I fit.’ And the tears started rolling.”
A former semipro football player herself, Novak also made it a point to go to an NFL game in Tampa where she proudly walked up the ramps to her seat rather than taking escalators. She loves to travel too, and she talked about the joy of fitting into her airplane seat without a seatbelt extender.
As if all that wasn’t enough, her new healthy lifestyle also allowed her to fulfill one more lifelong dream. Novak is now a foster mom.
“I didn’t have any biological kids. I was never blessed with any, and I knew I’ve always wanted to be a mom. So fostering was on my list. It was to have the surgery and lose weight and move into a bigger place and be able to be a foster mom. And I did all of that in five months,” Novak said. “To be able to be outside. Like, he’s 9, and we were outside kicking the ball around and I wasn’t quite running, but going up and down the street, just to be able to do that felt amazing. It just put such a smile on my face. I was like, I’m really doing this.”
What a journey it’s been. Sue Novak has lost 150 lbs. and 14 pants sizes. But she’s gained so much more.
Learn more
- Weight loss surgery Q&A with an expert
- Sanford Fargo patient shares weight loss on ‘Today’ show
- Woman’s weight loss journey helped along at Sanford Health
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Posted In Bismarck, Cancer, Weight Loss
