St. Luke's Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Clinic
Lost 188 pounds
Gained: Freedom from Disease
Rylee Schweizer was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 25. Joint and back pain were her constant companions. At age 28, Rylee was depressed and miserable at 319 pounds.
She was at the beginning stages of kidney and liver failure. Her doctor told her she had two choices: bariatric surgery or kidney dialysis. She chose the surgery.
Rylee called and scheduled an appointment with Dr. Christian Oakley at St. Luke’s Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery to discuss the benefits as well as the possibility of “failure” after a gastric bypass.
“Dr. Oakley was open and honest with me,” Rylee says. “He explained that this was not a cure-all, but a chance to start a new life and new lifestyle.”
Rylee credits the bariatrics team at St. Luke’s for giving her support and hope as she recovered and began making noticeable progress.
Today Rylee is 30 years old, 188 pounds lighter, and free of disease. She has more strength, flexibility, and energy, and she is not taking her second chance at life for granted. She is constantly on the go: swimming, biking, walking, camping, and fishing with her husband, without any physical difficulty. She has a new mindset, a new lifestyle, and a new sense of hope and direction.
"This surgery is a chance to regain control of your life, your health, and your confidence,” Rylee says. “It changes your feelings about who you are. It opens the avenue for all of us who struggle with food and weight issues and gives us a fresh new start to begin loving ourselves and respecting ourselves in a way many of us never knew or believed we deserved.”
Rylee is supported by the experienced physicians and bariatrics team at St. Luke’s Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Clinic. Our proven track record of favorable outcomes for weight loss surgery, and our comprehensive commitment to high quality bariatric care are why we are an American Society for Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence.
Considering weight loss surgery?
If you are 100 or more pounds over your ideal body weight, and are thinking about weight loss – or bariatric – surgery, join us for a free seminar to learn more about how we can help you.
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