Kandace’s gastric sleeve success story
Before surgery, Kandace felt that her weight intensified the pain and limitations she experienced with fibromyalgia. After gastric sleeve surgery with Dr. James Augusta at JourneyLite, she lost 96 pounds, reported a major improvement in pain, and returned to skating, swimming, dancing, and active time with her family.
When weight amplified an existing struggle
At 230 pounds, Kandace says daily life had become difficult both physically and emotionally. Living with fibromyalgia already meant managing pain, and she felt the added weight made that pain more intense.
She became short of breath after walking brief distances. Even bending down to pick something up from the floor could feel overwhelming.
Watching family adventures slip away
The hardest part was missing activities she loved. When Kandace tried roller skating with her husband and daughter, a couple of laps could leave her sitting on the bench, breathless and aching. The family experiences she wanted began to feel increasingly out of reach.
“They helped me get my life back.”
Choosing gastric sleeve surgery
In June 2024, Kandace underwent gastric sleeve surgery with Dr. James Augusta at JourneyLite. She describes the procedure as the best decision of her life.
Kandace lost 96 pounds after surgery. Just as important to her, she says she regained the ability to move through daily life and participate in the experiences that matter most.
A tool, a team, and daily work
Kandace says the JourneyLite team answered her questions, guided her through each stage, and helped her understand an important principle: surgery is a tool, while the ongoing work belongs to the patient.
She is grateful to Dr. Augusta for his care before, during, and after surgery and credits the broader JourneyLite team with helping her feel supported throughout the process.
Back on skates and building a fuller life
Kandace now jogs, swims, dances, and roller skates again. She has even started taking line dancing lessons with her husband.
She reports that her pain has improved by about 75–80%. For Kandace, being able to move, join her family, and feel strong and active again represents the most meaningful part of her transformation.
Kandace’s journey at a glance
- Procedure
- Gastric Sleeve Surgery
- Surgeon
- Dr. James Augusta, JourneyLite
- Surgery date
- June 2024
- Starting weight
- 230 lbs
- Total weight loss
- 96 lbs
- Reported pain improvement
- Approximately 75–80%
Kandace gave JourneyLite permission to share her story and images. This testimonial reflects one patient’s personal experience. Individual results vary.
