Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Celebrating Women Weight Loss Surgery Heroes for Mother's Day



Recommended Posts

In honor of Mother's Day, I'm celebrating 5 women with unique stories on how they defeated obesity and went on to lead lives they love. After failed attempts at diet and exercise, bariatric surgery can sometimes offset the effects of obesity and help people take back their lives. Discover how five ordinary women used different surgeries to overcome their health challenges. Come join the celebration and add your success story in the comments!



Sandi's Decade-Long 250-Pound Weight Loss

Sandi says, "I expected no miracle from my obesity surgery, just the relief of my constant physical hunger. I did the rest of the work in changing my lifestyle habits." Indeed, Sandi is a WINNER. Learn how Sandi achieved permanent weight loss through changes in body, mind, and spirit after her Lap-Band. READ MORE.

Fabiola Lost Weight by Never Losing Faith

Fabiola Apollon is familiar with the setbacks and success of weight loss. She was not a first time winner, nor a second or third, for that matter. However, she is a woman of great spirit, and her determination finally won the battle with a gastric sleeve revision, spirituality, and dedication. Since the gastric sleeve surgery, Fabiola’s dress size has dropped to a size 8/10, from the size 22 that she used to wear. READ MORE.

Jen Found True Love after Weight Loss

Before Jen could love another person she first had to find the love within that she had for herself. Jen did not engage in dating when she was morbidly obese. Since being "sleeved" Jen’s life has changed dramatically! Finding self acceptance after weight loss can be one of the most empowering benefits of bariatric surgery. And, Jen married the man of her dreams on October 17, 2015. READ NOW.

Mikimi Got Plastic Surgery Paid by Insurance

Mikimi’s journey through body contouring after massive weight loss is one of triumph over challenges: From battling *** insurance approval for plastic surgery after gastric bypass, to enduring wound healing issues, to again fighting for *** insurance coverage for plastic surgery revisions — and winning! READ NOW .

Jassira Beat Obesity Infertility to Become a Mom

Jassira Espaillat-Batista had been together with her husband, Juan, for 6-years without using birth control. At 340 pounds and unable to ovulate, obesity infertility made it impossible for her to conceive a baby naturally. The duodenal switch helped her to realize her dreams of motherhood. But it was a difficult journey that almost cost her life. Today she is mom to two beautiful boys! READ NOW.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks so much for this great article! What a way to honor these women on Mother’s Day. I love the way you gave us beautiful examples of women at different places in their lives and who had different choices of weight loss surgery type and also an example of plastic surgery. Jassira’s story in particular shows what women can go through in order to become mothers. I don’t think that motherhood is always appreciated as much as it deserves.

Congratulations to each of these strong women and the many others like them.

This is a great way to Celebrate these and other women who have worked so hard and shown so much dedication not only to themselves and their health, but also to their families.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you, Alex. I love patient success stories. It is so inspiring to see ordinary people doing extraordinary things! It is also worth noting that between these success stories, all of the different weight loss surgeries are covered. Sandi is a wonderful example of massive weight loss with the Lap-Band. Jassira was successful with the duodenal switch. Jen and Fabiola had gastric sleeve. Mikimi had the gastric bypass. And I tip my hat to each and every one of them, all living life fully now, and so very happy!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Sign in to follow this  

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×