Ilana has lost 105 pounds since having gastric bypass surgery and is just a few pounds from her goal weight. This is her story.
Life Before Surgery
“Before my surgery, I had no energy, walking more than a few steps was hard, my ankles would swell, my back and ankles hurt and I had bad heartburn. I was also on 2 blood pressure medications.
On July 15 2020, my life changed. I had gastric bypass surgery with Dr Nick. He gave me my life back.
The Nicholson Clinic Experience
“The staff and Dr. Nick are so easy to work with. During my initial office visit, Dr. Nick explained the surgery options I had and together we came to the decision that gastric bypass was the best option for me. He answered all my questions, explained the process of the surgery and what to expect after the surgery.
“The clinic has a person you can go to after the surgery that answers any questions you may have. When I hit a point that I was not losing weight, I met with Candace. When I left, I knew I could finish my journey.
Life After Surgery
“I have lost 103 pounds, I have energy, I am off my acid reflux and blood pressure medications. I don’t hide behind people to take pictures. I went from size 3x to medium. I love my healthy life. The most amazing thing is the way I see food. I don’t live to eat but I eat to live. Thank you Dr. Nick and staff for giving me my life back.”
Mark has lost 100 pounds (and counting!) following gastric sleeve surgery with Nicholson Clinic. This is his story.
Life Before Surgery
“Before my surgery I was 381 pounds, wore a 5XL shirt, 48 pants and 3XL shorts. After walking from one end of my house to the other I would have to catch my breath. I couldn’t go to the gun range, my favorite hobby, for more than a few minutes without my back hurting. Unable to sit in a booth at a restaurant, snorkeling and scuba diving were impossible. Embarrassed to be in pictures and ashamed of how I had let myself get this out of control and I was fed up with how limited I was.
“At this time I was considered a diabetic with a 5.9 A1C, high blood pressure, low HDL cholesterol and an enlarged liver. My fiancé suggested weight loss surgery and we found the Nicholson Clinic. Dr. Nicholson told me this was the opportunity to push the reset button on my life and get back to where I wanted to be. So I made the decision to turn my life around and went through with gastric sleeve surgery. All for my family, friends, children, soon to be spouse and most importantly myself.
“On June 22, 2020, I started the pre-op diet at 381 pounds. Following the diet to the letter I lost 30 pounds in the two weeks leading up to surgery. It wasn’t fun but my will to get healthy pushed me through. After surgery I was not hurting as bad as I thought I would be. Pain lasted a few days at the most and by Friday, after surgery on Monday, I was working from home again without pain and I was loosing multiple pounds per day.”
Life After Surgery
“Post surgery I have followed the diet to loose an additional 70+ pounds. In November 2020 I hit the 100 pound lost milestone, a mere five months since deciding to loose weight. Three days a week I meet with a personal trainer for an hour a day of weight lifting. The transformation my body has gone through has exceeded my wildest expectations. I never thought I could loose this much but I now have arms, forming a chest, glutes and legs. Going to the gym is something I now look forward to as I see the results. My back doesn’t hurt, I can spend hours at the gun range, helped move firewood across my parents acre property all without breathing heavy or breaking a sweat.
“I’m excited about all the activities I can do now. I can buy clothes in a regular store vs a big and tall only. I have confidence in my being. My family and friends can see it in my face and demeanor. I feel SO much better, not just medical but mentally. My A1C is now a 4.9! My cholesterol is normal and my blood pressure medicine has been cut in HALF. Now I am currently in a 2XLT shirt, 42 pants and 1XL shorts quickly moving to lower sizes with my weight in the upper 270’s.
“The hardest part is the mental. Once you have mentally made up your mind to change, the rest is easy. I’m not hungry, I eat five times or so per day with a heavy protein diet. If I can do it, anyone can. The Nicholson Clinic has been a dream come true.”
Melissa has struggled with her weight since she was a child, but she has not given up. After a Lap Band, two revisions and a tummy tuck, she has now found her way to success. She went from a size 16 to a zero. Here’s her story of perseverance and how “her outside now matches her inside.”
“I’ve been overweight since I was four years old. In high school, I wore a size 26.” Weight had been an issue for Melissa for as long as she could remember. In 2008, she weighed about 240 pounds and was a single mom with a one year old. “I was miserable. I couldn’t keep up with my son or do the things I wanted to do.” Her sister just had Lap Band surgery and after seeing results, she gifted Melissa a Lap Band as well, wanting her to be healthy and happy.
After getting the Lap Band in 2008, Melissa did see some weight loss. “I named my Lap Band ‘Victoria’ and she became my best friend!” Melissa was down to 170 pounds and doing well. “Then I slowly crept up to about 190 and was a size 12. I was ok with that weight but started having some complications, so came into the Nicholson Clinic for an evaluation.” There was no band slippage or erosion, but she started having some trouble swallowing. “In August 2017, I weighed about 210, took out ‘Victoria’ (my Lap Band) and had a sleeve revision.”
Melissa had a hard time managing her new sleeve. She had her thyroid removed a month after surgery. “I gave up.” She eventually caused a pouch at the bottom of her sleeve, essentially creating a second stomach. Melissa would snack and eventually starting drinking sodas. “I was working at a school dance and the only thing to drink there was soda. This became a slippery slope and before I knew it, I was drinking six to seven cokes per day. I started having bad gastric reflux. It was very painful. I tried to manage it with crushed ice every day to help soothe my esophagus, and I even bought prescription antacid in Mexico. I knew this wasn’t working and needed to go see Dr. Nick.”
When Melissa came in for an evaluation in November 2019, her diagnostic was clear, the acid reflux was a serious issue and the sleeve had to go. “We decided to do a sleeve to bypass revision. Dr. Nick made me set realistic expectations. I was 239 at this doctor visit. We set a goal to lose about 70 pounds, which sounded great. My insurance was approved quickly. I started the pre-op diet on December 14, lost 10 pounds, and had surgery on December 23.”
“I had a great recovery. I was walking the mall in four days. I went back to the Nicholson Clinic for my 10-day post-op. I’ll never forget what Rick, the PA, said to me. He was congratulating me on this quick success and asked about my goal, saying ‘what do you want to be?’ I started telling him how much weight I wanted to lose. He said, ‘forget about the scale, forget about the weight, what SIZE do you want to be?’ I told him I wanted to be a size 10 and wear a size large shirt. He told me I’d be in a bikini by this summer!
Over the next few months the weight was coming off but then Melissa hit a stall, right about the time COVID started. “I work in a school system and right after spring break we never went back to school. No gyms were open, I lost motivation.” Melissa was at 165-167 about this time. It was much better than where she started at 239, she was a size 10-12 and was happy, but still she felt she could do more. “After only three months, at 165 pounds, it was too soon to give up.” I eventually saw Dr. Roshek, who referred me to Dr. Trovato and got a tummy tuck on August 18. “Insurance paid for part of it, the panniculectomy,” the procedure to remove the excess skin tissue from the lower abdomen. “I had to pay for the rest. Which might not seem like a good financial decision for a single mom working for the school district. But, I’ve learned I have to take care of me. I have to do what I need for me.”
“I changed my mindset and started walking and the weight just started dropping off – five, six, seven pounds a week. I was hoping to be a size eight. Then I was a size six. Then a size four, then a size two. My lowest weight was 140 and I’m consistently around 143.”
Update: Since our interview with Melissa, she has dropped another size and one year after her surgery, she is a size zero!
“I dropped from a 10 to a 2 in 3 1/2 months!” What’s her secret to success? Melissa says, it’s about mindset and shares what works for her for diet and exercise. For diet, “if I want something, I take a bite of it, as long as it’s not a no-no, like soda, etc. I decided if I could just have one bite that would be enough. The second bite isn’t worth it. The second bite doesn’t taste as good as the first bite. Anything after that is just food in your mouth. That’s my biggest revelation. Then the next bite needs to be protein.” She says, “the way it feels to be skinny is so much better than the food. The feeling of being skinny is so much more satisfying than any bite of food I can take.”
For exercise, Melissa started walking. “I’m currently walking anywhere from six to 13 miles a day. It depends on my workload. I hit 95,000 steps last week and my goal is to hit 100,000 next week.” For Melissa, it’s the motivation and feedback she gets from others that really help.
“My whole life, I never got any compliments on my weight. Now I love hearing ‘you look amazing! or ‘oh my gosh, how are you losing weight in COVID?’ Never once in my life I thought I would have a single digit pant number. Let alone a size zero!” Melissa is thrilled with the result and happy to have the weight gone for good. “It kept me from doing a lot of things I wanted to do. Now I can be me!”
“I can’t speak highly enough of everyone in the office. From Debbie in the billing department, Melissa at the front desk, to Adam, Rick, Dr. Nick, and Dr. Roshek. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them! I feel like my inside now matches my outside.”
“If I could give anyone advice I’d say, don’t give up. Keep pushing. Even to people in a stall. I was there for three months in a stall. You have to be willing to do what’s necessary. Invest in yourself and do what you need to do for you.”
March 11, 2022 Update: Deborah and Michael have now lost nearly 300 pounds as a couple, and started a Fitness Journey Challenge online. Learn more here and how to join.
It’s a fact. Couples who work to lose weight together are more likely to be successful—some studies suggest the success rate for couples is nearly three times higher.
Michael and Deborah Tew, Nicholson Clinic Patient Fitness Ambassadors, are just one story of many Nicholson Clinic patient couples who have made the decision to undergo weight loss surgery together. Now, just over a year later — and down over 250 pounds together — they’re not only motivating each other, but they’ve invested their energy into motivating others to stay active and lose weight.
This is their story.
For both Michael and Deborah, weight has been a lifelong struggle. As a teenager, Michael and his mother joined a weight loss group at their church. “I’ve always been aware that I had a weight problem,” he said. “The kids at school made me especially aware, but I’ve never truly figured out how to get control of it. So my weight has always had control over me.”
Although he had tried to lose weight in the past, Michael never really believed success was possible. “Looking back at my life, I’ve never done anything to help control my weight that proved to myself that I could actually do anything different,” Michael said. “That I could actually be successful at it. That I could actually achieve what I had always dreamed of achieving.”
Michael and Deborah were both surrounded by family members who were overweight or obese. They had a front-row seat to the toll obesity could have on a person’s health and started to experience those effects themselves. “I could see how some family members struggled later in life, mainly due to weight issues that were never resolved,” said Michael. “I could see myself starting to have the same issues but much earlier than they did. That scared me. So, I went looking for “radical.” What could I do to radically change my health?
Deborah watched as obesity-related health concerns claimed both her parents’ lives. She knew she was headed down the same path, but lacked the tools to successfully lose weight and keep it off. “Before surgery, I had resigned myself to the fact that I was destined to follow in the footsteps of my parents and most of my family who have all struggled with being overweight and diabetic,” she said. “I lost my mother when she was only 56 to a massive stroke and my father passed away in early 2020 at the age of 67 due to congestive heart failure and other complications. I was pre-diabetic and had high blood pressure and had lost all motivation. I would try a diet plan and might lose 20 pounds or so, but would always gain it back and usually then some. I was miserable and felt hopeless.”
Together, Michael and Deborah began considering the “what ifs” of weight loss surgery. “I knew people who had weight loss surgery, some had been successful in keeping the weight off, some had not. I didn’t want to have surgery, just to gain it all back. I felt like if I had surgery, surely I wouldn’t be successful,” said Michael.
But after processing his fears with Deborah and his doctors, Michael knew that bariatric surgery was an opportunity he couldn’t afford to miss. “What if the weight loss tool that I needed was within reach, but I never reached for it? What a tragic loss that would be.”
Michael and Deborah both admit that they had enabled each other’s bad eating habits. “We would always justify eating a treat because we wanted to celebrate something or we felt like we’d been doing good or some other excuse we made up,” he said. “There were a lot of behaviors that had been modeled to us over so many years that we had to overcome.”
They were both beginning to suffer the physical, mental and emotional toll of obesity. “Before surgery I would get so tired when walking for an extended period of time and my back or knees would usually ache the next day,” said Deborah.
Fed up, it was time to take the next step. “Life was really hard and I knew that it didn’t have to stay that way,” Michael said. So together, they made the decision to do something about it and began the process with the Nicholson Clinic.
“Deborah and I started talking about bariatric surgery and we came to the conclusion that we were scared of all the ‘what ifs’ that came with surgery, but we were more scared of what if we didn’t do anything at all.”
Michael and Deborah were scheduled for surgery with Dr. Long on the same day. “We arrived at Baylor Plano knowing that we were doing what we were supposed to be doing,” Michael said. “That didn’t take away all the fears, but allowed us to feel confident with our decision.”
Now, 15 months post-op and each losing more than 100 pounds so far, Michael and Deborah are well on their way to their individual goal weight. While they recognize the journey hasn’t been a walk in the park, and wasn’t meant to be, they are grateful for the tool that has helped them make real, sustainable changes and see results.
“Since surgery I can honestly say I feel amazing and am healthier than I have ever been in my whole life,” Deborah said. “When I started seeing significant weight loss, I not only physically started feeling better, but I mentally began to change and started seeing exercise as an investment in my health rather than a chore. Now I am no longer pre-diabetic and am no longer on blood pressure medication. I’ve lost nearly 100 lbs and while I still have more to lose I no longer feel like a healthy weight is unattainable. For this first time in my life I feel like I have the tools and support I need to lose the weight and live the rest of my life in a healthy way.”
Increasing their physical activity has been key for both Michael and Deborah. But it hasn’t been easy. Finding motivation to stay active has been a process. One day, Michael’s cousin invited him to a Facebook fitness group where individuals of all fitness levels encourage and motivate each other to keep making progress. And to sweeten the deal, every member of the group makes a small contribution to a pot that is distributed to group members at the end of the month.
“At first it seemed a little cumbersome and scammy,” said Michael. But, “it worked. It was my niche. I loved the community of having all the fitness-minded people cheering each other on every day, plus winning the money was enticing and exciting!”
It was an experience they wanted to share with others and in July 2020, Michael and Deborah launched a “Monthly Fitness Journey Challenge” group on Facebook. Starting with just 37 members, the group has grown to more than 100 members from more than 15 states, and even one member in Europe! The group is open to anyone and Michael and Deborah encourage other Nicholson Clinic patients to join.
Here’s how it works:
- Pays $10 to be part of the private Facebook group. (All of that money is distributed at the end of the month.)
- Do a 20+ minute workout of your choice daily.
- Post a sweaty selfie and a screenshot from a fitness tracker app showing your workout.
- That post counts as an entry toward winning the pot of money collected each month.
“For me, this group forces me to be intentional, it keeps me focused on what I’m doing and makes me keep a plan together,” said Michael. “That works for me. It’s important to find what works for you…Find something that makes you excited. If you’re excited about it, you’ll be more consistent and consistency will help you achieve your goals.”
Going forward, Michael has set another goal for himself, something he never dreamed of doing. He has signed up to run the BMW Dallas Half Marathon. “I’ve thought about it for several months, wondering if it’d be possible,” he said. “Exhilarated and scared all at the same time. I still don’t know what I’m doing, but I know I have the tools in my toolbelt to help me get there.”
We look forward to cheering him on and seeing him achieve this goal!
Ten years ago, Mandy had gastric sleeve surgery. After experiencing weight regain, she made the decision to have sleeve-to-bypass revision surgery with Dr. Long. She has already lost 111 pounds in 4 1/2 months. This is her story.
Life Before Surgery
“I had the gastric sleeve 10 years ago and I lost roughly 50 pounds with it, however I started gaining back pretty soon in that journey. I was able to eat a lot of slider foods that I should not have and the mindset for me was not in the right place. Also the acid reflux I had was very painful.
“After struggling with my weight for almost all my life I made a plan this year was going to be my year. I turn 40 this November and after a rough last few years, I wanted to focus on me. I want to see my kids get married and have their own families. I wanted to not have to take blood pressure and thyroid medicine. I wanted to walk to my car and not be out of breath. I wanted to go on an airplane and not spill into the next chair and need the seatbelt extender.”
The Nicholson Clinic Process
“The whole process was super quick. I would say within five to six weeks of meeting Dr. Long, I was approved by my insurance and had surgery scheduled. Dr. Long was amazing and answered all my questions and he really made me feel safe and secure with my decision for a revision. I didn’t feel judged or anything. Jordan helped me through the process of getting approved and surgery scheduled. Sweet Candace always answers my emails no matter how small or silly my questions may have been. Having the Facebook classes with her each month and the private Facebook group page has helped me so much!
“The support is amazing and I truly believe has made me so successful for this revision surgery. I have met with Adam a few times also and he is top notch. Never makes you feel rushed or like your just another person. He has made me feel so important and like I really do matter and he wants me to be successful also. I also joined a gym I found on the clinic website. It’s called Dallas Iron Fitness. My insurance covers a trainer and I go three times a week and that really has helped me. I’m grateful for the clinic having that on the website so I could learn about that.”
Life After Weight Loss Surgery
“May of this year I topped the scale at 430 pounds. The day I met Dr. Long, I weighed 409, and today, four-and-a-half months from surgery, I weigh 298. I still have a journey but I feel amazing. No acid reflux. I am able to work out six days a week. I can walk with my daughter and keep up. I went from a size 30/32 to currently a 18/20. I can’t wait for the next six months to see where I am. I truly am so happy I had this revision and love this clinic.”
One year after having gastric sleeve surgery with Dr. Roshek at Nicholson Clinic, Savannah is down more than 110 pounds. This is her story.
Life Before Surgery
“Before surgery, I’ll be honest and say I was completely miserable. I had back pain, foot pain, just all over pain. I was only 22 years old and I had severe depression and anxiety. I didn’t like to go out in public besides work and home because of those issues, I always felt like people were judging me because of my size. I was a little over 327 pounds, young, beyond unhealthy and knew I wasn’t going to live much longer going on the way I was. I had tried to diet and exercise before, but then life happened and I gained every bit of weight I had lost back plus some. I had PCOS, which made it hard to lose weight anyways, so that didn’t help my situation.
“I had been looking into weight loss surgery for years but didn’t take the plunge until last summer when I made my first appointment. Weight loss surgery saved my life, and I believe that with my whole heart.”
The Nicholson Clinic Process
“My process with the Nicholson Clinic was great! They made my first appointment super quickly. I stayed updated on how everything was going in the process. If I were to call with a question, they answered it as soon as they could. Towards the end before surgery, I was having major problems with my gallbladder and gallstones. I almost had to have emergency surgery in my hometown because of it, but I was able to call the clinic and they sped my process up by calling insurance and then moving dates around once approved to get me in quicker so I could have my gallbladder out as soon as I had the sleeve done. This was SO helpful to me and saved me a lot of healing time and money as well.
“In the time since my surgery, Nicholson Clinic has been amazing as well! They again have been able to answer questions I may have and if they weren’t, they would be able to direct me to the right people. I will always recommend The Nicholson Clinic. I live in Ada, Oklahoma and drove all the way there to have all of my appointments and the surgery itself. I could have gone somewhere else closer to my hometown but chose not to!”
Life After Weight Loss Surgery
“My life is completely changed after surgery. I don’t have any more pain in my body. I don’t have anxiety or depression anymore. I’ve been told I smile and laugh more. I’ve been told I’m happier. I’ve been told I have so much more confidence than I have in my entire life and that it shows to others. I have been an inspiration to others in and out of the gym, something I never thought would happen.
“I’m a total of 110.1 pounds down from my highest weight and so many inches. I have gone from a super snug 3XL shirt to a comfortable large. My pant size has dropped from a size 24 to a plus-size 14/regular 15.
“I’m so happy that I made the decision to save my life a year ago with the sleeve surgery with Dr. Roshek! I joined a gym at just six weeks post-op and have been going consistently ever since. When I first started in the gym, I could barely walk a 2.0 on the treadmill. I couldn’t lift very much weight because of the pain I was in constantly. I wouldn’t step up on the six-inch plyo box. There are so many things I couldn’t do.
“Today, I can run a 9.0 speed. I can lift weights easily. I can JUMP on a 24-inch plyo box easily. I can do ab workouts without it hurting my back. I can shuffle sideways on a treadmill easily, which is super hard when you’re overweight and have a fear of falling. I can also keep up with girls that are half my size.
I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone and made new friends, actual GOOD ones, the kind of friends that you know will always be there for you no matter what. These are just a few things that can happen during this journey that you’d never expect when you first begin. This is one decision I will never ever regret.”
Leaning on the support and encouragement of family and friends — some of whom have had weight loss surgery themselves — John took the leap to have gastric sleeve surgery with Dr. Long at Nicholson Clinic. This is his story.
“I decided to have the surgery since my parents and brother had similar surgeries years ago and it’s been a great transformation for them. My younger brother especially. He inspired me to make the change and my family was very supportive of my decision to have the surgery. I also had a friend who highly recommended Dr. Long and the Nicholson Clinic and coached me through the process.”
The Nicholson Clinic Process – With You All the Way
“The [Nicholson Clinic] process went very smoothly. I am thankful for the expertise, personal follow-ups, and holistic approach the team employs. This helped significantly with the physical and emotional aspects of the decision.”
Life After Surgery – Adventure Awaits!
“I’m grateful for each of the 128 pounds I’ve lost so far since late December 2019 and I’m excited about going down this pathway to a much healthier and happier life. I am getting rid of my 5XL clothing and moving towards being able to shop at “regular” stores for the first time in years.
“I am able to work out daily now. I own and operate a local pool service and this has given me much more energy and stamina for the work we do. I am resuming tennis and playing basketball with our daughter as she prepares for middle-school tryouts.
“I’m so excited to get back out and enjoy traveling again and my wife and I have a trip to Southeast Asia booked for next fall. It’s a great motivator to continue making positive progress so we will look and feel our best on this bucket list adventure.”
Nathan underwent gastric sleeve surgery with Dr. Long in January 2018, which helped him shed 158 pounds. In the two-and-a-half years since surgery, Nathan has successfully maintained his weight loss.
This is his story.
Life Before Surgery
“Before surgery, life was difficult due to all of the excess weight. Going up the stairs in my home would make me winded. Medically, I had gout, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea. Although I thought I didn’t mind being a big guy, I had no idea just how much my life experience was being affected by my weight. I was often depressed and irritable.
“What compelled me to get surgery was a blood pressure scare. I was traveling for work and I was checking my blood pressure. It got really high and wasn’t going back down. I called an ambulance and the EMT’s recommended I go to the ER. They took me to the ER and the medical team there monitored me. My heart was not slowing down and they were afraid I was going to have a heart attack, so they gave me some medicine to slow everything down. That incident made me realize it was time for a change.”
The Nicholson Clinic Process – With You All The Way
“The process with the Nicholson Clinic was great. Everyone was kind and professional. They gave me a lot of information. They made sure I understood that the surgery was not “the easy option” to weight loss. They made sure I knew that if I really wanted to change my life, I would need to follow up the surgery with a commitment to live and eat differently.
“The day of the operation was easy. My family and I came in the morning and I was out later that day. Post Op was not easy because of how everything feels, but the Nicholson Clinic had prepared me for everything, so it wasn’t a surprise.”
Life After Surgery
“My life today is very different. I am no longer on gout medicine. I am no longer on blood pressure medicine. I have no sleep apnea. As of this morning (July 2, 2020), I weigh 187 pounds. I make sure I weigh my food to never eat more than 4 to 5 ounces at one sitting. I log all of my food in an app.
“When I found out how many people gain the weight back, or stretch out their new stomach, I was determined to not let that happen to me. I do not let my eyes tell me how much to eat. I let a food scale tell me. I always am full after a meal, but if I serve myself more than necessary, I will over eat, so I don’t ever put more than the necessary amount on my plate. I have started jogging and I enjoy it. I go hiking with my wife and I enjoy it.
“My attitude about life has improved greatly. I did not realize that carrying around all that extra weight was a strain on my physical health, but also my mental and emotional well being. The truth is I was headed to an early grave. Today, that’s not the case. Secure in the knowledge I am doing what I can to take care of my health, I am free to experience a much richer life.”
Congratulations, Stacy, on your One Year Surgery Anniversary!
Stacy, like many Nicholson Clinic patients, had struggled with her weight for years. The excess weight was affecting her health, her energy level and causing severe back and knee pain. She knew something had to change. Here’s her story and how she lost 114 pounds and counting.
Life Before Surgery
“I have been overweight for as long as I can remember. I remember my pediatrician telling my mom it was ‘just baby weight.’ My parents never made a big deal about my weight but did eventually send me to a weight loss camp. Very early on I learned about food and exercise but was never able to apply it consistently. I have always been known as ‘pretty for a big girl.’ I was never really miserable about my size, I liked being thick but being thick did not like me.
“I have always had back issues, to the point of having injections in my spine and considering surgery. My doctor advised that while losing weight would not cure my issue it would reduce the damage. In September of 2018, I tore my medial meniscus and had to have surgery to repair it. My surgeon and physical therapist both advised that if I did not lose weight, they would be replacing my knees in five to seven years.
“I have two sons and three grand kids and a career where I manage 20 people every day. I was miserable not having the energy to keep up with my day to day life, much less family and work. Something had to change.”
The Nicholson Clinic Process – With You All The Way
In the first nine months after surgery, Stacy was down 100 pounds! At the one year mark, she has lost 114 pounds!
“From my first appointment at Nicholson Clinic, I felt supported. I knew that everyone had my best health in mind, mentally and physically. EVERYONE was so kind and took the time I needed to feel comfortable and understand every detail of the process. I had a consultation with several clinics and was blown away by my experience with Nicholson Clinic. They walked me through my surgery options in detail and a plan was set for my needs. My Nicholson Clinic insurance advocate helped with insurance, and we all know how difficult navigating that can be. Everything was packaged up in a fantastic folder for me to take home and review. But it didn’t stop there, support is available all the time. I know I can call, email, post in the support group, check archived documents, attend classes online and in person, and join support groups. The resources are almost limitless.
“Post-surgery, I thought, “well their part is over and now the rest is up to me” and that couldn’t be further from the truth. I still feel just as supported as when I first walked in the door. Every follow up visit is a celebration of how well I am doing and motivation to keep pushing. I have had very few concerns but every email, phone call, and request has been met with concern, urgency and reassurance. I am so pleased with my entire experience with Nicholson Clinic and I could not have done this without everyone there.”
Life After Surgery
“Life is great! My back and knees are not so stressed out and I am amazed at how much better I feel physically. I can take the stairs, I can work all day, and not go home wiped out. I actually have energy for my family and my life. I wept when I could spend hours chasing after my three grandkids at Christmas and didn’t have to keep taking rest breaks.
“Mentally I feel like I have been equipped to take on the world. I have enrolled in classes, reinvested in hobbies and put down the deposit for my 45th birthday trip! Greece here I come! No excuses! Nothing can stop me now! I am enjoying a whole new wardrobe and lifestyle thanks to the Nicholson Clinic and my hard work.
“My surgery was July 8, 2019 and on July 7, 2020, the day before my one year anniversary, I have officially lost 114 pounds! I still have work to do but I am just beginning, and I know I am not doing this alone.”
Congratulations, Stacy, on your One Year Surgery Anniversary!
Stacy, like many Nicholson Clinic patients, had struggled with her weight for years. The excess weight was affecting her health, her energy level and causing severe back and knee pain. She knew something had to change. Here’s her story and how she lost 114 pounds and counting.
Life Before Surgery
“I have been overweight for as long as I can remember. I remember my pediatrician telling my mom it was ‘just baby weight.’ My parents never made a big deal about my weight but did eventually send me to a weight loss camp. Very early on I learned about food and exercise but was never able to apply it consistently. I have always been known as ‘pretty for a big girl.’ I was never really miserable about my size, I liked being thick but being thick did not like me.
“I have always had back issues, to the point of having injections in my spine and considering surgery. My doctor advised that while losing weight would not cure my issue it would reduce the damage. In September of 2018, I tore my medial meniscus and had to have surgery to repair it. My surgeon and physical therapist both advised that if I did not lose weight, they would be replacing my knees in five to seven years.
“I have two sons and three grand kids and a career where I manage 20 people every day. I was miserable not having the energy to keep up with my day to day life, much less family and work. Something had to change.”
The Nicholson Clinic Process – With You All The Way
In the first nine months after surgery, Stacy was down 100 pounds! At the one year mark, she has lost 114 pounds!
“From my first appointment at Nicholson Clinic, I felt supported. I knew that everyone had my best health in mind, mentally and physically. EVERYONE was so kind and took the time I needed to feel comfortable and understand every detail of the process. I had a consultation with several clinics and was blown away by my experience with Nicholson Clinic. They walked me through my surgery options in detail and a plan was set for my needs. My Nicholson Clinic insurance advocate helped with insurance, and we all know how difficult navigating that can be. Everything was packaged up in a fantastic folder for me to take home and review. But it didn’t stop there, support is available all the time. I know I can call, email, post in the support group, check archived documents, attend classes online and in person, and join support groups. The resources are almost limitless.
“Post-surgery, I thought, “well their part is over and now the rest is up to me” and that couldn’t be further from the truth. I still feel just as supported as when I first walked in the door. Every follow up visit is a celebration of how well I am doing and motivation to keep pushing. I have had very few concerns but every email, phone call, and request has been met with concern, urgency and reassurance. I am so pleased with my entire experience with Nicholson Clinic and I could not have done this without everyone there.”
Life After Surgery
“Life is great! My back and knees are not so stressed out and I am amazed at how much better I feel physically. I can take the stairs, I can work all day, and not go home wiped out. I actually have energy for my family and my life. I wept when I could spend hours chasing after my three grandkids at Christmas and didn’t have to keep taking rest breaks.
“Mentally I feel like I have been equipped to take on the world. I have enrolled in classes, reinvested in hobbies and put down the deposit for my 45th birthday trip! Greece here I come! No excuses! Nothing can stop me now! I am enjoying a whole new wardrobe and lifestyle thanks to the Nicholson Clinic and my hard work.
“My surgery was July 8, 2019 and on July 7, 2020, the day before my one year anniversary, I have officially lost 114 pounds! I still have work to do but I am just beginning, and I know I am not doing this alone.”
