Page 20 - Summer-2015

THE WEIGHT IS OVER

Dignity Health’s Weight Loss Surgery Institute of the
Central Coast helps patients reclaim lives

At Jessica Stewart’s heaviest she tipped the scales at 271 pounds. “I was shocked at how quickly the weight just fell off,” confesses
She was morbidly obese. Her blood pressure had skyrocketed, Jessica with a smile. “Now, I am literally half the size I once
her overall health was in decline, and she began to question if was. This surgery is the best thing I have ever done for myself!”
she would live to see her children grow.
Although she used to get winded just going up a flight of stairs,
After turning to the Dignity Health Weight Loss she has now reclaimed her life as a self-proclaimed athlete.
Surgery Institute of the Central Coast for care, With a new lease on life she is now a marathon runner, a
she underwent a gastric sleeve procedure triathlete, a yoga enthusiast, and takes every opportunity to
in December of 2013. Within just one week enjoy the great outdoors.
following surgery she lost 17 pounds, and
now, just 17 months later she has lost half Jessica explains, “For years I made excuses. I couldn’t shop at
her body weight, weighing in at traditional clothing stores. I watched my family enjoy special
135 pounds. activities while I stood on the sidelines. Sometimes I would skip
social events just to avoid an hour of trauma in the closet trying
to figure out what to wear. In all, losing the weight has allowed
me to gain confidence. Now, I join my kids in riding down the
water slides. I’m now able to try new things; it’s truly liberating.”

“NOW, I AM HALF THE SIZE I
ONCE WAS. THIS SURGERY IS

THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER
DONE FOR MYSELF!”

—JESSICA STEWART, ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA

BEFORE

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