JourneyLite Featured Patient of the Month-July 2023: Teresa T.

Rebeca

Surgery: gastric sleeve
Surgery date: May 2024
My highest adult weight was (lbs): 340
My current weight is (lbs): 180
I first noticed that my weight was a problem:As a child

Tell us in your own words how your weight has affected your life: I have been overweight my entire life. This has led to feelings of depression, and shame.. I wasn’t able to do things with my child. No energy, etc.

I had surgery 5/22/24 today is 3/19/25, I am 10 months post op, and am down 160 pounds, 4 shirt sizes, and 5 pants sizes.

Tell us how surgery, balloon, or medication has helped you get control of your weight issues: I have tried all of the diets, and exercises and just couldn’t get past a certain weight, and eventually gave up and got back into the same pattern. This surgery has helped me not only with portion control; but making better food choices.

Tell us about the support you have received from the team at JourneyLite and how it has impacted your success: The JourneyLite team is there for whatever you may need! Don’t be afraid to reach out.

What’s one thing you can do now that you couldn’t before you lost the weight: Keep up with my child!

Optional Comments: Don’t be afraid, take the leap, you will not regret it!

Christie

Surgery: gastric sleeve
Surgery date: October 2023

My highest adult weight was: 286 lbs
My current weight is: 150 lbs

I first noticed that my weight was a problem: As a child

Tell us in your own words how your weight has affected your life: Chubby, thick, fat, overweight, “pretty face”, obese -all words that carry shame and the message “I am not enough”. The extra pounds have been a burden that has weighed me down my whole life. The older I got, the more my extra weight limited me and that was not OK with me.

Tell us how surgery, balloon, or medication has helped you get control of your weight issues: I went into gastric sleeve surgery knowing this was a tool not a solution. I knew my mindset about food, my habits, and my emotional coping strategies needed to change. I knew I needed to know “I am enough” regardless of the number on the scale. The sleeve acted as a guardrail on the new road I was learning to navigate physically, emotionally and mentally. Once the weight started coming off, my momentum and motivation kept growing.

Tell us about the support you have received from the team at JourneyLite and how it has impacted your success: Emily Curry, my dietitian, gave me very clear cut guidelines for food choices, macros, portions, and eating schedule. I followed everything she suggested. Melissa Peters, my medical practitioner, helped make sure I was eating nutritionally and supplementing my diet with the correct vitamins. This meant, not only steady weight loss, but also no hair loss and plenty of energy throughout.
What’s one thing you can do now that you couldn’t before you lost the weight:

I literally feel, move, and live better than I did 20 years ago. I bike 10 miles a day, lift weights, and run 3 miles a couple of times a week. I could not go up and down stairs without much difficulty and pain. I run up and down them without pain and without the hand rail. In addition, I am training for a sprint triathlon. Lastly, my big WHY – to be able to run and play with my grandchild actively without limitations. I have my life back – better than ever.

Optional Comments: As a mental health therapist, I knew the importance of addressing my root cause issues that led me to cope with my emotions with food. In my life coaching business, I have now added weight management coaching. Not only do I have the education, experience and skills, but also the testimony of achieving and maintaining my weight loss goals. I love helping others reclaim their lives back. www.christiecoaching.com