Maintaining health and 105-pound weight loss two years after gastric bypass

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After many failed attempts at losing weight, Dawn York of Lowden, Iowa, spoke a hard truth to herself. “I’m not able to live the life I want to live.” 

Now more than two years after weight loss surgery and 105 pounds lighter, Dawn is healthy, energetic enough to enjoy the outdoors and yes -– finally living the life she wants to live.

“I’m still doing great with my health. Holding steady with my weight. Feeling amazing,” Dawn said. “I’m 2½ years post-surgery. I’m still following all the rules, and it pays off. I really don’t feel there is a hard part to this. I’m thankful every day for the new life I have.”

A long journey to better health

Dawn spent 24 years battling her weight, as well as struggling with a long list of related medical problems. “I was in a surgical boot four different times for ankle and foot injuries, and I was routinely getting injections for pain in my knee. I had acid reflux and high cholesterol, even with being on prescription medicine for both issues. Migraine headaches plagued me, as well as chronic pain throughout my body, which negatively impacted my sleep and daily life. The pain was so bad I didn’t have any ambition to play with my grandchildren,” she recalled.

With her health issues getting worse, Dawn feared she wouldn’t pass her health insurance screening and couldn’t afford higher premiums. She knew she had to make a life-changing decision, which for her meant weight loss surgery.

In November 2022, Dawn had Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass surgery with David J. Aanestad, MD at the MercyOne Genesis Weight Management Center.

“At the time of surgery, I weighed 255 pounds, and my post-surgery goal weight was 175. As of today, I've lost 105 pounds and wish I’d had the surgery 10 years earlier. If my pre-surgery story sounds like yours, I highly recommend this procedure as a solution.”

Fewer medications, more fun

Dawn is now off her medications for acid reflux and cholesterol. Her pain is gone, and she has only had to get one injection in her knee since the surgery. She no longer suffers from migraine headaches, and she sleeps well at night. Along with feeling great, Dawn said, “I passed every part of my health screening for insurance, and I no longer have to worry about my premiums going up because of my weight and poor health.”

In addition to feeling and looking great, Dawn now has the energy and mobility to play with her grandchildren every weekend and enjoy the outdoors. “I’m’ able to play on park equipment, jump on our trampoline and even go roller skating with them.” She can do countless activities she couldn’t do before the surgery, including getting up and down off the floor or walking with ease and generally living her best life.

“The team at the MercyOne Genesis Weight Management Center is just amazing and so supportive. I’m a very lucky person to have found them and to change not only my life but also my family’s life. The team at Genesis gave me the tools I needed to live the life I wanted to live.”