Meet Kelli

What was life like before bariatric surgery?
I am a single mom and work full-time at a demanding job. I was able to put in a full days work but by the time I came home I had no energy to enjoy life with my children. We simply existed and got through the day just to do it again tomorrow.

If you put off the decision to come in for a long time, why was that? What kept you from booking a consultation?
I had considered surgery for over 15 years. I was not financially able to do the surgery and I wasn’t sure I had the support I needed to help me with my kids. Last year, I decided that I wanted my kids to have memories of me other than just being at work all the the time, coming home and crashing. I wanted to be active with them, so I took the plunge and started researching yet again.

What was it like to work with the team from the start of your journey to today?
After talking with multiple clinics, I was all but ready to decide this wasn’t for me. Then I got a call back from Panhandle, I was at ease from the beginning. I scheduled my first appointment with DR. Neichoy and when it was over, I knew “this is the place for me”. This was the beginning of a wonderful journey that I am so thankful for. I never felt nervous just excited as they walked me through the process.

What is your life like now? What’s the #1 thing you love being able to do now?
I can work all day, come home and enjoy life with my kids. My son got a go-kart for his birthday a couple of years ago and I had to stand by and watch other people ride with him because I couldn’t fit. This year… I am riding with him and the smile on his face is amazing. I am now engaged to my biggest supporter. We are planning a family vacation to Disneyland in July, this will be the 1 year anniversary of my surgery and I am looking forward to keeping up with my kids at the park and riding with them instead of watching from the sidelines!