Meet Jennifer N.

What was life like before bariatric surgery?
My life before surgery was hard, and I tried to manage through it. I remember walking my kids to the doctor’s office, and the elevator was out. My kids rushed up the stairs while I huffed and stopped, thinking I wouldn’t make it to the next flight of stairs. Anyway, that day I clearly remember coming home and researching weight loss surgery. I talked to my husband, who didn’t believe in it at first. I tried going on a diet, counting calories, and working out, doing everything the doctor would suggest, only to come up short. On top of that, I now weighed more than I did before. During my weight loss journey, my husband passed away from a massive heart attack. It turned out he had too much fat around his heart. After his passing, I finally called the doctor to schedule a consultation. I needed to do something so I could move forward.

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

I debated having surgery for two years.

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

The Panhandle team was truly amazing. Everyone was nice and helpful. Making sure I was taken care of from beginning to end.

Life after weight loss: I can breathe. I sleep much better. My joints don’t hurt, and stairs are my favorite thing to do now. I am off all medications except for the vitamins that I now have to take for the rest of my life. It has been a blessing to keep up with my kids.