Patient Stories
Jan's Story
“I’ve finally fulfilled my dream.”
After Jan had lost 105 pounds only to gain it all back, a dietitian at the McConnell Heart Health Center suggested that bariatric surgery could be an option worth exploring. And after going back and forth with the decision, Jan finally decided to go through with the surgery.
She says losing 146 pounds has changed every facet of her life.
“I used to keep to myself and didn’t enjoy being around people,” says Jan, “conversation always seemed to come back to my weight, but now it’s completely different.”
After the surgery, Jan’s new found energy and confidence gave her the courage to ask for new projects at work. She also started tutoring at the Columbus Public Schools, “Before, I never would have put myself out there in a school full of elementary kids or in front of a room full of people at work. It’s just amazing.”
A common fear for many after weight loss is a fear of gaining it all back, but not for Jan.
“I went in there with an attitude – that I was going to make the best of it that I could – and I woke up feeling different. I’m never going to gain that weight back.”
She also fondly calls Dr. Myers “the man of her dreams.”
“I always had a dream of being a very fit person and he gave me that dream. He’s the first and only surgeon who I felt actually cared. He is just so genuine.”
Credit is also due, she adds, to the Fresh Start Bariatric program for helping her keep the weight off— “This program is the entire package – surgery and post-surgery support – you don’t fail.”
Read More
