
Sue’s Story: “If I can do it, you can too.”


Heather
I’ve been overweight for as long as I can remember. Through my mid-20s and beyond, my weight was always “the thing” in the background of my life. I tried every diet, pill, and shot that came along. I’d lose some, gain it back, and end up heavier and more discouraged than before.
The real wake-up call came in May 2024 at my favorite place in the world: Universal Studios.
I was there with my family, excited like a little kid to ride everything—only to find out I couldn’t fit on most of the rides. I needed a seatbelt extender on the plane. Just walking through the parks left me winded, with my legs burning and my feet absolutely killing me. I couldn’t keep up with my family anymore, and instead of making memories, I felt like I was holding everyone back.
Then in June, I saw a picture of myself from my now daughter-in-law’s bridal shower. I remember how hard it was to even find a dress I liked in my size, and sandals that didn’t hurt my feet. Seeing that photo was painful. That was the moment I knew I couldn’t keep going like this.
Shortly after, I picked up the phone and called JourneyLite for a consult.
Making that call was terrifying—but it was also the first time in a long time that I chose myself.
From the very beginning, the team at JourneyLite made me feel supported and informed. We decided that gastric bypass was the best option for me. I went into surgery in December 2024 with a mix of fear and hope… and it truly has been a lifesaver.
Since surgery, my relationship with food has completely changed. I don’t think about food constantly anymore. Because there aren’t many foods that really “bother” my stomach, my bypass forces me to be intentional:
I have to watch my portions.
I have to prioritize protein and water.
I have to choose foods that will nourish me, not just fill me.
As the numbers on the scale started going down, my confidence went up. I began trying new things physically—walking more, moving more, pushing myself a little bit at a time. For the first time in a long time, I started making myself a priority instead of an afterthought.
I can’t say enough about the team at JourneyLite. I have never once felt alone in this process.
The follow-up visits have been so important for my success. I’ve learned how I need to eat, why exercise matters, and what to expect at every stage. Any time I’ve had a question or concern, support has been just a phone call or text away.
That kind of ongoing support is priceless. It’s not just about the surgery—it’s about giving you the tools and guidance to change your life for good.
The changes in my life go far beyond the scale.
For the first time that I can remember, I can keep up with my family on vacations. On hikes, I’m usually the one who’s way ahead now, with plenty of stamina to spare. I don’t have to plan my day around where I can sit down or how far I’ll have to walk.
In October 2025, I went back to Universal—this time 90 pounds lighter. I fit on every single ride with room to spare. My legs didn’t burn when I walked. My feet didn’t hurt. I wasn’t in agony the next day. Instead of feeling embarrassed or limited, I felt free and excited and present with my family.
And there are little victories that mean just as much:
I no longer need a seatbelt extender on flights.
I can shop in regular sections and actually enjoy buying clothes again.
After about six years, I can finally wear my wedding rings again.
These are the kinds of moments that remind me how far I’ve come.
If I’m honest, I wish I had made the call to JourneyLite years ago. But I’m also grateful I did it when I did—because it showed me that it is never too late to change your life.
Gastric bypass hasn’t just helped me lose weight; it’s helped me gain control, confidence, and a future I’m excited about. I don’t feel trapped in my body anymore. I feel capable. I feel hopeful. I feel like me again.
If you’re where I was—tired, discouraged, avoiding pictures, struggling to keep up with the people you love—please know this: you don’t have to stay there. Reaching out for help isn’t a failure; it’s the bravest first step you can take.
I’m so thankful I trusted JourneyLite and Dr. Augusta with that step. It truly changed everything.
Robin’s JourneyLite Gastric Bypass Success Story
Patient of Dr. James Augusta – Gastric Bypass, December 2024
For as long as she can remember, Robin carried the weight of more than just the scale. She was overweight by age 5, in the high 200s by junior high, and in the mid-300s by the end of high school. Sports slipped away when her body couldn’t keep up. Then came unimaginable loss—her mom to breast cancer in 2000, her dad in 2004—and food became her comfort through grief and pain.
By 32, Robin weighed 337 lbs and underwent a hysterectomy. She fought back on her own and lost about 70 lbs, keeping it off for a few years. But life hit hard again. In 2021 she nearly died from COVID and spent two years on oxygen. Just as she was beginning to reclaim her life, she had a terrifying episode—pounding heart, shortness of breath while simply sitting still. That was her breaking point.
“I decided that day I was going to get help and lose this weight that has held me back from so many things.”
Robin found JourneyLite online and scheduled a consultation with Dr. James Augusta. Between insurance delays and work challenges, it wasn’t easy—but she refused to give up. She moved forward with gastric bypass surgery in December 2024. Just six months later, she is down to 197 lbs—an incredible transformation from her highest weight of 377 lbs.
“The surgery gave me the help I needed with portion control and to finally recognize when I’m full and stop,” Robin shares. “This hasn’t been an easy fix or an easy journey, but it’s the best thing I’ve ever done for myself.”
She credits the JourneyLite team for standing with her every step of the way. “The team at JourneyLite is so nice and caring. I’m so glad I found them and chose them to help me on this journey.”
Today, it’s the little-big things that mean everything:
She can walk without getting winded.
She can climb stairs without stopping to rest.
She no longer worries whether she’ll fit in a seat when she goes out.
She can bend to tie her shoes.
She can see and feel her collarbone.
“I have a lap,” she says with pride.
Most importantly, Robin has discovered a confidence she’s never had before.
“If you make up your mind and work hard, you can achieve anything you want.”
I spent most of my adult life telling myself my weight wasn’t a problem. After 30, it became impossible to ignore. Clothes never fit right—“big and tall” usually meant big, goofy, and still uncomfortable. More than anything, I wanted to be around for my kids and, one day, my future grandkids.
In October 2023, I had gastric bypass surgery with Dr. James Augusta at JourneyLite. It has helped me in ways I never thought possible. My highest adult weight was 461 pounds. Today I’m 234—and I’m still losing. The changes aren’t just on the scale. I can walk long distances, run, and play sports again. Everyday things feel lighter—tying my shoes, climbing stairs, keeping up with my family.
JourneyLite has been with me every step of the way. Their team checked in regularly—even nearly two years after surgery—answering questions, keeping me accountable, and making sure I had the support I needed. That ongoing care made all the difference.
If you’re on the fence, I get it. I was too. But taking this step gave me my life back. I’m healthier, more present, and excited for the future. Thank you, Dr. Curry and JourneyLite, for helping me become the dad—and someday grandpa—I want to be.
—Christopher
Kristin’s Journey: From Surviving to Thriving
For as long as she can remember, Kristin struggled with her weight. Even in childhood, it cast a shadow over her life, and as the years went on, that shadow grew heavier. At her highest adult weight of 355 pounds, daily life became a series of limitations—she couldn’t stand for more than a few minutes without pain in her legs and back, walking left her winded, and simple tasks like shopping or showering felt like insurmountable challenges.
Despite trying for years—countless diets, exercise plans, and efforts—nothing brought lasting change. Her health continued to decline, and along with it, her quality of life. But deep down, Kristin still held on to hope. What she feared most wasn’t surgery—it was failure. “I should have done it sooner,” she reflects now. “But I was so scared I would fail. I look back and realize I was already failing. Now, I’m succeeding.”
In June 2023, Kristin made a life-altering decision: she underwent gastric bypass surgery through JourneyLite with Dr. James Augusta in Cincinnati, Ohio. That decision marked the beginning of a transformation that went far beyond the physical.
Today, just a year later, Kristin weighs 145 pounds—a loss of 210 pounds that has completely changed her life. She’s no longer sitting on the sidelines. She can shop without gasping for air. She keeps up with her grandchildren. She even does something she once only dreamed of—ties her own shoes.
The changes go beyond what the scale shows. Kristin’s newfound energy, mobility, and confidence have brought her back to life. “I truly feel like a different person,” she says. “Changing my eating habits and putting my mind in a great place has changed everything.”
A big part of that success, she says, is thanks to the unwavering support of the JourneyLite team. “Even two years later, the staff has been amazing,” Kristin says. “Any time I have a question or concern, I get a quick answer. They truly listen, and they work with you to find the right path forward.”
Kristin’s journey is one of courage, perseverance, and rediscovery. She is no longer defined by her limitations but by her strength—and by a life she once only hoped was possible. “You gave me a chance at life again,” she says with gratitude. And she’s living that life to the fullest.


Heather
“Now I eat to live—not live to eat.”
– Heather, Gastric Bypass Patient, March 2023
I spent years battling my weight—caught in a cycle of emotional eating, trauma, and endless yo-yo dieting. From liquid diets to every fad out there, nothing brought lasting change. Even after working through the emotional side with a great therapist, the physical struggle remained. I knew I needed something sustainable—something that would give me the long-term support and structure I couldn’t find elsewhere.
That’s when I found JourneyLite—and it changed everything.
After months of careful research, I chose gastric bypass surgery. It wasn’t an easy road, but it was the right one. With the expert guidance of JourneyLite’s dietitians and nurses, I learned how to care for my body in a whole new way. I now make healthy choices with intention, and food no longer controls me. I’ve gone from 240 pounds to 129—and with that weight, I left behind self-doubt, fatigue, and limitations.
Dr. Augusta and the JourneyLite team were with me every step of the way. Dr. Augusta listened, cared, and tailored the experience to my unique needs. I’m forever grateful to him and the entire support staff for helping me reclaim my life.
Today, I’m running, walking, trying on new clothes, and—most importantly—spending quality time with the people I love, full of energy and joy.
If you’re thinking about surgery, do the research, ask the questions, and take the leap when you’re ready. Your health and happiness are worth it.
