Carey Charlton’s Weight Loss Journey

Although I was extremely overweight, on paper, I looked great.  I didn’t have high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol. I had no health issues at all; I just couldn’t get the weight off no matter how much I worked out and how well I ate. Before I got to 200 pounds, I spent a year with a trainer and took spin classes. I didn’t lose a single pound all year.

Fast forward through a few more years of failed attempts at weight loss through proper diet and exercise, I was finally at my rock bottom. I was looking through some photos and came across some of my sister. Several years back she got the lap band procedure and I realized how great she has done and how she looks now compared to before.

I started researching surgery options and came across Saint Francis Center for Surgical Weight Loss. I discussed the three surgery options with my surgeon and my extremely supportive husband. We decided on the gastric bypass procedure because I needed the metabolic change that comes with the GB.

The day I began the liver shrink diet I was 230 pounds. I’m just under 5 feet tall and I had a BMI of 44. At my one year post op appointment, I weighed 145 pounds. I lost 85 pounds in less than a year and I couldn’t be happier. I spent the first 8 months doing 5Ks to give myself something to work towards. Since then, I have slowed down and don’t work out as much due to my work and school schedule. My weight is holding steady at 145 pounds.

I still struggle from time to time with cravings but that is normal.  Being prepared daily and sticking to a schedule has helped me achieve my goals. I would recommend this, or any of the surgery options, to anyone who is struggling with their weight. I would highly recommend Saint Francis Center for Surgical Weight Loss as they were nothing but wonderful. From start to finish, I was treated with respect and dignity.