I’ve been obese since I was in my early 20’s and had just turned 40 in May of 2019. When I went to my initial consultation I was on another diet. Another failed diet. I walked into my first consultation with Eviva on Dec. 31st 2019. I don’t know why I was so nervous but it was their last appointment of the day on New Year’s Eve and I felt a little bit like royalty if I’m being honest. I had Dr. Vanderwel all to myself and got to chat at length with the staff.

When I spoke to Dr. Vanderwel and realized the reason why I was sitting in his office on New Year’s Eve I immediately broke into tears. My “why” for surgery is and was that I want to live to see my grand children. I have three small children who are 2, 4 and 6 years old. My health was in decline. I had just been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, Severe Sleep Apnea, high blood pressure and was at least 120 pounds over weight.

I had two torn meniscus in both my right and left knees that made it difficult for me to walk, let alone be able to chase after my three children. I want to live. I want to be able to play with my kids, run up a flight of stairs and I want to feel in my body as I do in my head. I wanted to finally get a clean bill of health and to make this side of 40 better than the other.

Flash forward to Feb 2020 and I nervously went into surgery with very low expectations. The surgery itself was easy for me. I didn’t experience any side effects or complications. I was in and out in a day and up on my feet just a day or two later. Within the first 10 days I lost 17 pounds. I’m now a little past my 3.5 month surgerversary and I’ve lost 66 pounds.

I’ve conquered my diabetes, its in normal ranges now. I’ve turned in my sleep apnea machine. My blood pressure is normal. My energy is through the roof and for the first time since I was a child, I went down a water slide with my 4 year old son because I was able to finally fit in an innertube. I wear normal size clothes now and am more confident, more spontaneous and excited to take on this new life. I’m not to my goal yet but that day is coming and I’m going to crush it!

I can’t thank the staff at Eviva enough for saving my life. I never thought I’d be someone who had VSG surgery or bariatric surgery at all. I always thought I’d be able to do it “on my own”. But as it turns out, I needed help and there is absolutely no SHAME in asking and receiving the help one needs. While I don’t believe that this is a “fix all”, its what helped me get past my stumbling blocks and put me in a place of complete peace with food. I’ve never felt so blessed.

Thank you Eviva, for all you’ve done!

I can’t wait to update my story once I’ve lost 100 pounds!

XO

-Lisa