I’m Kelly, and in November 2022 I had a gastric sleeve with Dr. James Augusta at JourneyLite. For as long as I can remember, my weight has been the lens through which I saw the world. As a child, I was always the heaviest one—at home, at school, even on my sports teams. No matter how hard I tried, I felt like the “big one” in every room, always aware of how much space I was taking up. As an adult, my life became a series of calculations and quiet fears. At 370 pounds, everyday situations turned into stressful events. Walking into a restaurant meant scanning for a booth and wondering if the seat would hold me. Going out with friends required planning around where I might fit, what chairs had arms, and how far I’d have to walk. Theme parks, concerts, and other “fun” activities were minefields. I watched people hop on roller coasters and rides without a second thought, while I stood off to the side pretending I didn’t want to join. The hardest part, though, was my son. I could see his childhood happening in front of me, but I wasn’t fully in it. I struggled to get down on the floor to play. Running, chasing, jumping, and being silly all felt out of reach. I was on the sidelines of his life, saying “No, I can’t” more often than I ever wanted to. That’s when I knew something had to change. I didn’t just want to lose weight—I wanted my life back.

Choosing JourneyLite

When I came to JourneyLite and met Dr. Augusta and the team, I felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time: hope. They didn’t just see my weight; they saw me as a whole person—a mom, a woman who wanted to live a full, active life. Together, we decided that gastric sleeve surgery was the right tool to help me finally take control. The surgery itself was the start of my transformation, not the end. It gave me powerful tools and clear boundaries that I couldn’t ignore or negotiate with: Portion control became built-in. My new stomach simply wouldn’t allow the huge portions I used to eat. I learned to listen to my body’s true satiety signals—that quiet “I’m satisfied” instead of the overstuffed feeling I used to chase. Because I could only eat small amounts, I had to prioritize nutrition—protein, vegetables, and real, nourishing food instead of empty calories. I also had to relearn how to eat and take care of myself. I slowed down, chewed thoroughly, and put my fork down between bites. I separated drinking from eating and treated hydration like a real habit instead of an afterthought. Movement became part of my daily life, and taking my vitamins and supplements became an act of self-respect instead of a chore. Weight loss surgery didn’t “fix” me. It gave me a framework and a sense of urgency I desperately needed so I could finally break old patterns and build new ones.

The Power of Aftercare

I truly believe the reason I’ve been so successful is because of the aftercare I received at JourneyLite. The team didn’t disappear after surgery—they leaned in. They walked me through each phase of the diet step by step, answered every question, and never made me feel like a burden. When I was unsure, they were there. When I needed encouragement, they provided it. I always felt like a person, not a number on a chart. Their guidance, support, and genuine compassion made the process feel manageable, even on the hard days. I never felt alone in this journey, and that kind of support is priceless.

My Life Now

Today, I weigh 138 pounds. That’s a 232-pound difference on the scale—but the changes go far beyond the number. The world that once felt so small is now wide open. I walk into restaurants and just sit down without thinking twice about the chair. I can say yes to hikes, family outings, and last-minute plans without worrying if my body can keep up. I can buy clothes off the rack without dreading the fitting room. Theme parks, which used to feel like an obstacle course of embarrassment and avoidance, are now pure fun. I walk up to a roller coaster, pull the harness down, and feel the wind in my hair instead of the weight holding me back. Most importantly, I’m no longer watching my son’s life from the sidelines—I’m in it. I can kneel to tie his shoes, chase him around the yard, play on the playground, and plan active adventures without fear. I’m not the mom who says, “No, I can’t” anymore. I’m the mom who says, “Let’s go!” This journey has been about so much more than losing weight. It’s about shedding shame, anxiety, and constant fear. It’s about finally living as the person I always knew I could be—a present parent, an active participant, and a woman who enjoys her own life. If I had to sum up what I can do now that I couldn’t do before? I can enjoy life—fully, freely, and without limits. And for that, I am endlessly grateful to Dr. Augusta and the entire JourneyLite team.

My name is Leslie, and I had a gastric sleeve with Dr. James Augusta at JourneyLite Surgery Center in January 2025. My highest adult weight was 304 pounds, and today I’m down to 192 — a total loss of 112 pounds. Even writing that still feels surreal.

I first noticed my weight was a problem as a child. I look back at old pictures now and my heart just breaks a little for that younger version of me. I see this sweet kid who had no idea how hard things were going to be because she didn’t yet know how to take care of herself. At the time, I didn’t fully understand how much my weight was shaping my life. Now, with some distance, it’s easier to see all the ways it held me back.

When I was heavier, everything was harder. Walking was harder. Getting out of bed was harder. Sitting on an airplane was uncomfortable and embarrassing. I had been overweight my entire life, so it just felt “normal” to struggle. But slowly, I stopped doing the things I loved. I stopped skiing because just walking to the hill felt like too much work. I stopped swimming because I hated how I looked in a swimsuit. I stopped going on walks because I couldn’t make it very far without being out of breath. My world got smaller and smaller, and I didn’t truly see it happening until I began to come out on the other side.

Choosing the gastric sleeve was, in every sense, a lifesaver for me. During the pre-surgery phase, the weight started dropping quickly, and that alone was a huge motivator. For the first time, I could see real, measurable progress. After surgery, everything changed. Needing so much less food made me realize just how much I had been overeating my entire life. Feeling full faster was a complete game changer. The constant cravings for unhealthy foods started to fade.

I began to learn what my body actually needs: protein to live, to heal, and to thrive. I discovered that I could be perfectly happy and satisfied with something as simple as a protein shake. I didn’t need restaurants and alcohol to socialize and have fun with friends. That was a big mindset shift. As the weight came off and my habits changed, something even more powerful happened—I started to truly love myself. Not in a superficial way, but a deep, genuine appreciation for who I am and what my body can do.

Am I at my “ideal” weight yet? No, not quite. But for the first time in my 45 years, I actually believe I’ll get there. I’m not dreading the process or waiting to be happy later; I’m enjoying and appreciating the journey right now.

The support I’ve received from JourneyLite has been incredible and has made all the difference. From the beginning, they genuinely cared about me and believed in their process, and that confidence rubbed off on me. Early on, their assurance helped me feel secure in my decision. The monthly appointments with the dietitians and doctors gave me structure and accountability. I never felt like I was doing this alone—and I still don’t, almost a year later.

I still get texts from Dr. Curry checking on my progress, and he always responds with something positive and encouraging. The dietitian team is amazing at answering questions—whether by text, phone, or during our classes and meetings. One of the last classes I attended focused on non-scale victories. The timing was kind of perfect, because my scale hadn’t moved in about four weeks. But just a few days before that class, I had slipped on a pair of pants that had been too tight—and suddenly, they fit. That was a powerful reminder that progress isn’t always just numbers.

No question has ever felt too silly or basic for the JourneyLite team. They take everything seriously, and they truly want you to succeed. When they say, “If you need a boost, message us,” they mean it. Their determination to see their patients succeed is so obvious, and it helped me keep going on days when I wasn’t sure I could do it on my own.

It’s honestly hard to pick just one thing I can do now that I couldn’t do before, because there are so many. One of the biggest victories is being able to sit in a single airplane seat and buckle my seatbelt comfortably. I travel a lot for work and pleasure, and that used to be such a source of stress and embarrassment. Now, it’s just… normal. I can walk without getting out of breath. I actually want to ski again, and I’ve already scheduled two ski trips for 2026. I can cross my legs. I can shop for clothes in the same stores as my sisters—and that feels like such a gift. I can walk by a mirror and genuinely smile, not because I’m “perfect,” but because I’m truly happy.

I was 44 years old when I finally reached a point where I felt like I needed to cry out for help. I had tried so many different programs over the years and had some temporary success, but the weight always came back. JourneyLite was the answer to that cry. For me, it was absolutely the right decision at the right time.

If you’re reading this and you’re on the fence, I get it. It’s scary. But it doesn’t hurt to have a conversation. Schedule a call with JourneyLite. Ask the questions. Learn about your options. It might just be the answer to your prayers the way it was for me.

My name is Tina, and in February 2025 I had a gastric sleeve with Dr. James Augusta at JourneyLite. Today I’m down from my highest adult weight of 250 pounds to 162 pounds—and I feel like I finally have my life back.

As a young adult, I started to realize that my weight was becoming a real problem. At first it was little things: feeling winded walking up a flight of stairs, dreading photos, constantly tugging at my clothes to hide my body. Over time, those “little things” turned into big problems. I woke up every morning with aches and pains. My joints hurt, my back hurt, and even simple tasks felt exhausting. I couldn’t walk very far without needing to stop and take a break.

It wasn’t just physical. Being morbidly obese affected me emotionally and mentally in ways that are hard to put into words. I became the person who never wanted to go out in public. I’d turn down invitations, avoid social events, and come up with excuses to stay home because I hated how I felt in my own skin. My world slowly got smaller and smaller.

By the age of 52, I felt stuck. I had tried every diet out there—if it had a name, I probably tried it. I would lose a little, gain it back, and often end up heavier than when I started. Each “failure” chipped away at my confidence. I started to believe maybe this was just my fate.

That’s when I made the decision to move forward with the gastric sleeve at JourneyLite.

From my very first visit, I knew I was in the right place. Dr. Augusta and the entire JourneyLite team didn’t just see a number on the scale—they saw me as a whole person. They listened to my story, my fears, my past attempts, and my hopes for the future. They didn’t judge me. They encouraged me.

My journey from pre-op to post-op has been nothing short of amazing. The office staff, nurses, nutritionists, surgeons, and surgery center team have all treated me with kindness and respect. They answered every question I had—no matter how big or small—and never made me feel silly for asking. I truly felt like I had a team behind me every step of the way.

One of the biggest ways JourneyLite has changed my life is through education. I didn’t just have surgery and get sent on my way. They taught me about portion control, how to recognize when I’m truly satisfied, and what foods help my body versus what foods hold me back. I learned which choices support my health and which ones I need to stay away from. For the first time, I feel like I have the tools to maintain my weight loss instead of just “being on a diet.”

The changes in my day-to-day life are incredible. I wake up now with very minimal pain. I can move more freely and walk longer distances without needing to stop and catch my breath. I actually look forward to going places instead of dreading how hard it will be.

Shopping for clothes has completely changed too. I don’t have to hide behind baggy shirts anymore. I can buy clothes that are actually in style and feel excited to wear them. I can cross my legs comfortably—something that might sound small, but to me it’s a big deal.

And here’s one of my favorite “non-scale victories”: I used to use my lap and belly as a little shelf when I was putting on my makeup. I could balance things there without even thinking about it. Now, when I try to do that, everything just slides right off and ends up on the floor. The difference is, now I can bend over easily to pick it all up!

The support from the JourneyLite staff hasn’t stopped just because my surgery is over. They’ve always been there for me, no matter what my question is. Knowing I can reach out and get guidance, reassurance, or just a little encouragement has made a huge impact on my success.

Choosing gastric sleeve surgery with Dr. Augusta at JourneyLite was not an “easy way out.” It was a brave decision to take control of my health after years of struggling and feeling defeated. I’m still on my journey, but I finally feel hopeful, capable, and proud of how far I’ve come.

If you’re reading this and you feel like I used to—tired, in pain, hiding from life, and afraid nothing will ever work—I want you to know there is hope. With the right team, the right tools, and a willingness to change, you really can rewrite your story.

I’m living proof.