Mackenzie's Success with the Gastric Sleeve Procedure

My entire life I have always struggled with my weight. I was the biggest girl in school and was always made fun of for it. I played Softball, Volleyball, and Basketball, but was never able to lose the weight. I always told myself that I was staying the same weight (280) and I wouldn’t let myself get above 300.

After I graduated from high school, started college and worked the night shift, the weight started to pile on over the next few years. After many failed attempts to lose weight through diet and exercise programs and even medication, I knew I had to take control of my life and be a healthier me. I was 22 years old with terrible back and knees. There were so many things that I loved to do that I could no longer do, I was constantly exhausted, had no energy to do the things I loved, shopping for clothes was so limited and depressing, and I had zero self-confidence. There are many health issues that run in my family like diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol, and thyroid issues. I considered myself healthy because none of these affected me...yet.

In August of 2020, I stepped on a scale and couldn’t believe what I was seeing, I was 350 pounds (my highest weight I ever saw on a scale). How did I let myself get to this point? I made the decision that night to take control of my life. With it being in the middle of COVID, I was unable to attend an informational seminar. Libby Palmer was able to give me all the information I needed to get moving into the program. With the help of Dr. Ringley and the office staff, I decided the sleeve gastrectomy was the right option for me. Everyone at the Covenant Bariatric & Metabolic Center helped me to learn the proper ways to eat and portion control.

In December of 2020 I had the sleeve gastrectomy and have never looked back. I have lost a total of 125 pounds in about 8.5 months and continue to lose. My family has been very supportive and is very proud of me for taking the leap to better myself. I have the energy I was missing, I can take my dogs for a walk and not be completely exhausted, and my next step is to go to Cedar Point. I start Nursing school in August 2021 and I am so glad to be a healthier me and have the self-confidence to make friends within the program.

I can’t believe it took me this long to make the change and become a healthier and happier version of myself! I am never looking back and couldn’t be happier with my decision!