Michigan City resident Jeannine Wolfe knew she had health issues. Her type-1 diabetes was out of control, she had hypertension, chronic headaches, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, fatty liver and foot pain caused by plantar fasciitis. And she was only 29 years old.
“Back then, I saw more doctors than I can remember,” she says.
Wolfe thought she was doing everything she could to improve her health. Like millions of Americans, Wolfe’s health issues were tied to her weight. At 240 pounds, she had a body mass index of 43, which placed her in the category of morbidly obese. And while she was seeing a variety of health professionals, none of them could effectively guide her through treating her obesity disease.
Summing up the courage to take a new approach to treating her health issues, Wolfe decided to attend a free seminar presented by Bariatric Surgeon Paul Stanish, MD, and the Healthy 4 Life team, to explore which options might be available to her.
“During this time, I got to know the entire staff at Healthy 4 Life and began to realize how incredible they are,” says Wolfe. “Not only did they provide endless encouragement and answers to all my questions; they made sure I was educated and ready, medically, mentally and emotionally to have long-term success with my weight and health issues.”
Wolfe decided to have laparoscopic gastric bypass. And while she considered it to be the first step in her weight-loss journey, it was also the first step to her getting her life back medically.
Now at the age of 31 and 90 pounds lighter, Wolfe has transitioned to a healthier, happier person. “I enjoy kick-boxing, rollerblading, swimming and even running,” she says.
“From this point forward, I will never let weight compromise my health,” adds Wolfe. “I want to live my life to its fullest!”
Find out more about weight loss and the Healthy 4 Life program at the hospitals of Community Healthcare System that helped Jeannine get back on track.
