Meet Annolie M.

What was life like before bariatric surgery?

Before I had weight loss surgery, I was miserable. It hurt to walk, and daily activities like going to the grocery store, felt like an impossible task. I was dealing with multiple health issues, as a result of my weight. I had major hormone imbalances, and was told I was infertile. My asthma was at an all-time high, due to the weight and pressure on my lungs, and I had a pretty extensive foot injury that was made worse by the weight I was carrying.

If you put off the decision to come in for a long time, why was that? What kept you from booking a consultation?

I decided pretty quickly that weight loss surgery was necessary, I had tried every avenue. Every diet, I failed at, or it failed me, every weight loss pill was just an extra expense coming from my wallet, and my final straw was when I went to an orthopedic surgeon and was told my tendon had irreparable damage and would have to have extensive surgery but only after I lost weight, would the foot surgery actually be successful. Three months later, I was on the operating table getting the switch.

What was it like to work with the team from the start of your journey to today?

From the moment I had my first phone call, to every visit leading up to surgery, and even to now, I have had the most supportive and amazing experience with the Panhandle Weight Loss Center team. I could not have asked for better!

I now have the ability to walk my dogs around the neighborhood, go to the gym, and do resistance training without feeling like it is absolutely impossible. I also have the ability to actually enjoy day to day life without constantly feeling guilty about what I had done to my body