Meet Brenda

What was life like before bariatric surgery?
I was so heavy I had to use a walker to walk. I was miserable and I did not believe it was my weight. Then in 2017 I had some breathing problems when I walked too fast. Went to my doctor and failed the stress test. Went in for a stint, but had to have quadruple bypass surgery. It was a wake up call. I gained 15 pounds during rehab and I was miserable. I was incontinent could not walk very far . I was an old women and not even 70 yet. Stuck in a fat body, depressed, and unable to lose weight.

If you put off the decision to come in for a long time, why was that? What kept you from booking a consultation?
I went to a consult to another doctor. My son had the sleeve and he was a success story. After my consult, I was hopeful but I was afraid. An acquaintance had the surgery and she lost so much weight, I didn’t recognize her. But she said she was miserable, threw up every time she ate anything. She passed away three months later. Two steps back for me. 

What was it like to work with the team, from the start of your journey to today?

At some point I realized I had to do something. So this time I went to PWLC. Everyone was so positive and I was desperate. So started the presurgery diet. I lost 15 pounds. It was challenging, but I was still desperate. Had the surgery and started loosing, but was so nauseous a lot . But as I continued to loose. Lost 30 pounds. Was easier to walk, but still was pretty sedentary

What is your life like now? What’s the #1 thing you love being able to do now?
After 50 pounds, I am able to go to the mall! I am no longer incontinent. Wearing a size XL or size 16. I still have 50 to loose. Have hit a plateau, but that’s on me. The holidays have had me too busy and not sticking to the diet. So it’s time to get busy and be committed to loosing the next 50 pounds.