Retired Teacher Shares How Weight Loss Surgery Opened Up Her Gates to Happiness Again
11/9/2023
Lisa Laughlin, a 58-year old retired high school teacher, recalls struggling with her weight since the age of 18.
“I’ve been a yo-yo dieter since college. In 2012, I actually lost 110 pounds, and then gained it all back plus 30 more,” said Lisa. “Food was my go-to thing. I ate when I was happy. I ate when I was sad. I ate when I was mad. And that’s a lot of eating.”
Lisa shared that as her weight kept going up, her life began spiraling downward until she reached her heaviest weight, 330 pounds, in 2021.
“I had high blood pressure, I was pre-diabetic, and my joints were taking a beating. I was only 56 years old and had to use a cane to walk and hold myself up,” she sighed. “At that time I was still working as a high school teacher. I would go to work, then come home and sit on the couch the rest of the day. I actually began sleeping on the main floor because I couldn’t get up the stairs to my bedroom anymore.”
Lisa recalls that her husband, daughter and even her co-workers began sharing their concern about her health and credits these loving relationships for nudging her to pursue weight loss surgery.
“I wasn’t living, I was just existing. I knew I had to get help,” said Lisa.
Lisa began working with Dr. Vinay Tumuluri, one of Northwest Medical Group’s physicians specializing in medical weight loss in March of 2022. With his support and guidance, she lost nearly 70 pounds to prepare for her bariatric surgery. She underwent a vertical sleeve gastrectomy by bariatric and general surgeon Dr. Andrew Martin in October 2022. At her one year post-op appointment, Lisa had lost 173 pounds.
“I feel like I got my life back – my joy back,” said Lisa. “My health has drastically improved. I’m off my blood pressure medicine, I’m no longer pre-diabetic and I’m able to walk without a cane.”
Lisa also shared that she has regained her confidence. “I can fly on an airplane without a seatbelt extender, shop in regular clothing stores, take walks, and go to a spa without feeling embarrassed,” sang Lisa. “I also must add that I could not have done this without God’s help. The Northwest Health weight loss and bariatric program has changed my life and opened up my gates to happiness again.”
Advice: “Weight loss surgery must be your decision. People can tell you all day long that you need it, but you have to be ready to make the commitment. It’s a big decision and hard work. It’s worth it and will change your life, but you have to do it for you.”
To learn about the bariatric weight loss services at Northwest Health visit nwhealthin.com/bariatric-weight-loss.
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