Greta

One patient’s journey to better health

I have always been overweight. Even as a child, I was heavier than other girls in my class. This discouraged me from attending swimming parties or going to the lake with my friends and those are memories I will never get back.

At the age of 14, I had several very emotional events occur and I feel like my weight problem really began to unfold after that. I became an emotional eater and tried to lose the weight. Some diets were successful, but only for a short time.

I was talking to a friend at our sons’ ballgame last summer, when she told me she worked for Dr. Mallico and explained the bariatric services he provided. I had considered weight loss surgery before, but it always seemed like a very complicated process that would take forever with my insurance company. However, after my conversation that day, I decided to make a consultation appointment. I was very impressed by everyone’s experience and knowledge about the procedure. They were always willing to answer my many questions both before and after my procedure and never made me feel like I should know the answers since I was a nurse.

Dr. Mallico was so easy to talk with, and made me feel very comfortable and important. From the female perspective, it was also comforting to know nurse practitioner Pattie Shoe was on board to help me through the journey as well.

Even the office staff was great and with me through every step of the process and were quick to get authorization from the insurance company. I never felt alone in the process. Debbie and Ashley have always made it a joy to come in for weight checks.

Friends and family have given me lots of support as well. The one thing I have learned from my journey is that I have to make myself happy first. As I began losing weight, I felt a part of me come alive again. I actually feel good about myself. I smile more. Now when I look in the mirror, I see what is inside instead of my overweight body that I had looked at for years. I have developed self-confidence that I never thought I would have. I still have a long way to go to reach “my” ideal weight, but I am definitely on the right track. Just knowing the success I’ve had thus far, gives me the desire to continue with healthy habits. I exercise more often that I did before and I’m much more conscience of what I eat now.

When I look back at pictures of myself, I don’t even recognize that person anymore. It’s so nice to feel good about the person you are becoming on the outside and not just the person you knew you were on the inside.

I felt like I was always judged because of my weight, but don’t think about that nearly as much anymore and soon hope to not think about that at all. I would definitely recommend this surgery for anyone who struggles with obesity.

Life is too short to be unhappy. My children are still young and I have many memories to make with them and now I feel comfortable doing it. We recently took a family cruise and for the first time, I walked around in a bathing suit and played with my children in the water. I had always been ashamed to take off my cover-up before. These wonderful memories would not have been possible without Dr. Mallico and his wonderful staff. Thanks Stanly Surgical Weight Loss Center for giving me my life back!

Seminars on gastric banding and gastric sleeve are held the fourth Monday of every month at 6:00pm at located at 923 Second Street, Suite 205. Register online for an upcoming seminar here or to learn more, call (704) 982-0648 or 877-414-6515.