Bariatric Surgery Testimonial: Dorothy

Dorothy after surgery

Dorothy before surgery

For many people who struggle with obesity, dieting and exercise alone are not enough to lose and maintain substantial weight loss to improve their improve their health.

For some, bariatric surgery, in addition to lifestyle changes, may be the holistic approach to achieving and maintaining great health.

About 800 central Illinoisans have undergone bariatric surgery through Memorial Medical Center’s Bariatric Services program, all with the intended goal of living a more fulfilling, active life after shedding weight.

One such success story is Dorothy, who has lost 112 pounds since her surgery in 2010.

Dorothy experienced some health issues in the summer of 2009 that scared her enough to rethink her weight loss options. Since her surgery she participated in the “Fight for Air” stair climb  and prepped for a 5K run. She also credits her weight loss with helping her regain her self-confidence.

Dorothy says, “I love life! I just turned 50 on July 31 and I looked forward to it! I used to feel depressed and drained all the time. Now, even on a bad day at work or when something stressful happens, I seem to be able to cope better than I could before.”

Read her story in her own words below.