For Pam, weight had been a struggle since her teenage years. Like many people who choose bariatric surgery, her journey was about much more than a number on the scale. It was about confidence, energy, freedom, and getting back to the person she felt she had lost along the way.
Pam’s highest adult weight was 230 pounds. After undergoing gastric sleeve surgery, also known as vertical sleeve gastrectomy or VSG, with Dr. James Augusta at JourneyLite in August 2025, she reached a current weight of 138 pounds.
That is a total weight loss of 92 pounds!
But for Pam, the biggest change has been the way she feels in her everyday life.
“This surgery provided me with a version of life I never knew was possible. I live my life without limits.”
Life Before Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Pam says she first noticed her weight was a problem as a teenager. Over time, the physical and emotional effects became harder to ignore.
She described feeling insecure in her clothes, constantly tugging and pulling at fabric, hiding behind larger outfits, and trying to cover areas of her body that made her uncomfortable.
As the weight continued to increase, even ordinary daily activities became harder.
Walking up stairs left her out of breath. Cleaning the house required planning because she knew she would need time afterward to recover. Physical activity took so much out of her that much of her day felt like it was spent in “recovery mode.”
“I wasn’t living,” Pam said.
Why Pam Chose Gastric Sleeve After Trying a GLP-1 Medication
Before choosing weight loss surgery, Pam tried a GLP-1 medication. She found that it helped reduce hunger, but it did not feel like a long-term solution for her.
She also experienced significant side effects.
“I tried a GLP-1 and while it helped to curb hunger, it didn’t feel sustainable. It made me really sick after being on one for about 30 days. I needed something more permanent. I needed tools — not just a shot.”
For Pam, gastric sleeve surgery offered something different. It was not just about appetite control. It was about having a long-term tool that could help her change her relationship with food, movement, and her health.
How Gastric Sleeve Helped Pam Regain Control
After VSG surgery, Pam says she regained control over her life.
The stairs that once left her breathless are no longer a challenge. Now she can run up them. She can work out without feeling out of breath. She looks for opportunities to move her body, and she says she now craves activity.
“VSG helped me regain control over my life. I can not just walk up my stairs — I can run, fast and far.”
The emotional transformation has been just as meaningful.
Pam says she has rediscovered herself and her personal style. She now feels confident wearing clothes she never thought she could wear before.
Her favorite part?
“There is nowhere on my body that I try to cover up anymore. I am proud of my body.”
JourneyLite’s Support Made a Difference
Pam credits the JourneyLite team with giving her the tools she needed to be successful after gastric sleeve surgery.
She says the support she received was both practical and encouraging. Instead of extreme diets or unrealistic restrictions, Pam learned how to fuel her body, maintain energy, and build in extras in a manageable way.
“I couldn’t have done this without the support from JourneyLite. They gave me all of the tools — physically and metaphorically — to be successful.”
She also appreciated that the team wanted to see her reach her goals as much as she did.
“They want to see you achieve your goals just as much as you want to hit them, and they provide you with an attainable plan.”
From Recovery Mode to Living Without Limits
Before surgery, Pam felt limited by her weight and insecurities. After losing 92 pounds, she says there is nothing she cannot do because of her weight.
Her transformation is not just about weight loss. It is about freedom.
Freedom to move.
Freedom to feel confident.
Freedom to wear what she wants.
Freedom to live without constantly planning around exhaustion, breathlessness, or insecurity.
Pam’s story is a powerful example of how **gastric sleeve surgery at JourneyLite** can help patients who are ready for a more permanent weight loss tool.
Considering Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
If you have tried diets, medications, or GLP-1 injections and feel like you need a more durable solution, gastric sleeve surgery may be an option to consider.
At JourneyLite, patients receive support from an experienced bariatric team, including surgeons, dietitians, and medical providers who help guide them before and after surgery.
Pam’s journey shows what can happen when the right surgical tool is combined with the right support system.
