“My life-changing bariatric surgery”

At 35, Entachio Kleinhans weighed 132kg when she chose to have bariatric surgery in 2019. After trying many diets without success, the procedure helped her lose an impressive 68kg.

Why I chose bariatric surgery

Cape Town entrepreneur Entachio Kleinhans made a life-changing decision in 2019 after the untimely death of her brother. “Like me, my brother was obese. He died of kidney disease 12 days before his 40^th birthday,” she says. “After he died, I promised myself that I would do everything I could to turn 40 – and to look 40.” The mother of one started dieting in earnest, something she had tried, and failed at, many times before.

After years of searching online for weight-loss solutions, Entachio finally discovered bariatric surgery. She then found Dr Etienne Swanepoel, a general surgeon who leads the Bariatric Centre of Excellence at Mediclinic Durbanville. Dr Swanepoel has performed over 400 successful life-changing weight-loss surgeries.

“He explained everything to me. It took me five months to put aside the money for the operation without dipping into my medical aid and I finally made the appointment in May 2019.”

Preparing for bariatric surgery

Dr Swanepoel recommended a gastric bypass, one of several types of bariatric surgery available. The procedure involves creating a small pouch at the top of the stomach and connecting it to a section of the small intestine, bypassing the rest of the stomach and part of the small intestine. This reduces your stomach’s capacity to hold food and decreases calorie absorption.

Prior to the operation, Entachio had to undergo a thorough physiological and psychiatric evaluation to ascertain her suitability for bariatric surgery.

Two weeks before the surgery, she was advised to blend most of her meals into liquids to prepare.

New weight loss habits

After the operation, her doctor told her to keep drinking liquidised meals for the first few months before progressively having small meals. The main adjustment after the surgery was to eat a lot less, says Entachio, as her stomach could stretch again if she eats large meals.

“If I go out for supper now, I will order a small steak and a salad and take half an hour to eat it. I have always been an emotional eater, and I still am, but now I just make different choices. I eat less junk food, less carbohydrates and more fresh vegetables with my protein. And I opt for fruit rather than chocolate when I feel like having a sweet snack.”

Even years after the surgery, Entachio says she still can’t drink a full glass of any sugary carbonated beverage as it makes her feel “instantly full, like I’ve eaten an entire meal”. If she chooses fast food, she can only eat one bite of a burger and five chips before feeling full.

She always makes sure to have a nutritious lunchbox filled with "padkos", including apricots and cherries, whenever she’s travelling for work.

Life after bariatric surgery

Entachio lost a total of 68kg in a few months after the operation – dropping from size 60 to size 34. “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done,” she says.

“I celebrated my 40^th birthday, and I’m living my best life. I’m hiking, having fun with my daughter, dancing, and swimming. I’m still about 10kg heavier than I would like to be; weight that I could lose if I had an operation to remove the excess skin. But I’ve come to terms with this for now.

“When I see others who mirror how I used to look, I want to go up to them and tell them there is something they can do. Of course, you need to be emotionally and mentally committed for bariatric surgery. If you aren’t, you’ll go back to eating badly and you’ll become obese again.”

To find a bariatric surgeon near you, go to www.mediclinic.co.za