Cathleen P. treasures her three grandkids. At 61, she would love nothing better than to be with them for many more years.
“I love being a grandmother,” she says. “It’s the best thing in the world.”
But, starting a few years ago, Cathleen’s health looked to be getting in the way. Her health conditions included sleep apnea, prediabetes, high cholesterol, arthritis, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. She also has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which makes it hard to breathe.
“I had a hard time walking around,” Cathleen says.
She knew losing her excess weight would help, so she tried diets and weight-loss pills. In 2015, Cathleen lost 20 pounds but quickly regained the weight.
“...And then some,” Cathleen says.
So, when her doctor told her that having bariatric surgery could help with long-term weight loss, Cathleen was ready to explore it.
“I just had to do something,” she says.
Getting ready for bariatric surgery
In 2023, Cathleen came to the Temple Bariatric Program. She met with bariatric surgeon Rohit Soans, MD.
“He’s a wonderful doctor,” Cathleen says. “He is so down-to-earth. He doesn't judge you.”
Her body mass index (BMI) and obesity-related health problems helped her qualify for weight-loss surgery. And tests showed she was healthy enough for the operation.
Cathleen met with a team of specialists to help her prepare for surgery. For example, a nutritionist helped her make changes in her diet, which helped her lose 45 pounds.
“I did very well on my journey of training my body how to eat,” Cathleen says.
She also met with a psychologist to make sure she was mentally and emotionally ready for bariatric surgery.
In August 2024, Cathleen had gastric sleeve surgery.
Cathleen spent one night in the hospital after the operation and went home the next day.
“Let me tell you, that place was outstanding,” she says. “I would recommend Temple to anybody. The doctors and nurses there were so nice and friendly. It was fantastic. I can’t believe the level of attention I received.”
‘I feel fantastic’
When she came to the Bariatric Program, Cathleen weighed 249 pounds. A few months after her surgery, her weight was down to 175.
The weight loss resolved Cathleen’s sleep apnea. She no longer needs to use her CPAP machine to help her breathe when she sleeps.
“I can finally sleep decently without a mask,” she says.
These days, Cathleen walks more than 2 miles each morning after work.
“I’m full of energy,” Cathleen says.
