"In January of 2017, my mother-in-law suffered a stroke and was hospitalized at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. We stayed by her side for about 7 days but unfortunately she passed away. She was in relatively good health, but suffered from type 2 diabetes most of her adult life. I had recently been told I was pre-diabetic and was already taking medications for high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Every time we went anywhere while we were at Mercy, we took the elevator and I noticed a placard there about the relatively new Gastric Balloon procedure. That placard, combined with Phyllis' passing, made me realize how much I had let my own health decline due to weight gain. The day we left the hospital I went home, got online with the Mercy website and the Bariatric Surgery page, and filled out a pre screening questionnaire, submitting it to Sara Maduka. By March of 2017, I had my first official appointment with the team which included Dr. Saurabh, Jen, and Lori. I found out that I qualified for surgery (weighing 252.4 pounds and being 5 foot 3 inches tall) and they scheduled me for the gastric sleeve procedure on June 19th! Dr. Saurabh set a goal for me to lose 30 pounds before surgery by exercising and watching what I ate. On March 7th, I joined the Wellness Center at the University of Iowa, where they have an indoor track, and began walking two miles every morning. My reward every day was a 20-minute sauna! By following Jen's diet plan, with the walking, I actually lost 50 pounds by surgery time! The hard work paid off and the procedure went smoothly. The walking continued (along with the sauna!) and by the time my sixth month follow-up appointment rolled around on December 22nd, I was down to my goal weight of 137.8 pounds. None of this would have been possible without the help of Sara, Jen, Lori, and Dr. S! I thank God everyday for my team as without their support, none of this would have been possible. I am going to start swimming for exercise and no longer have to worry about counting calories. By listening to what my body is telling me, I now have the proper tools to eat and to live! Thank you Dr. Saurabh, Sara, Jen and Lori!"
