Patient Success Stories
Patricia
Now I’m living the best version of myself.
At her highest weight of 250 pounds, Patricia Hines, of Ohio County, experienced high blood pressure, sleep apnea, constant heart burn, digestive difficulties, irritable bowel syndrome and overall fatigue. After working all day, she would need to take a nap before starting supper; she lacked the stamina to meet the demands of her life.
Patricia reached “the end of her rope” as she faced a future of not having control of her health. She was suffering from gastroparesis, a condition that prevents the stomach from emptying properly. She would soon need a gastric stimulator to assist with digestion. At age 42 she was determined to be healthier and happier for the next half of her life.
Having heard about weight loss surgery, Patricia sought out Dr. Ravi Alapati at Owensboro Health Weight Management. She remembers him saying, “We can definitely help you. You are a perfect example of why we do what we do.” His staff showed kindness and support as they helped her prepare for gastric bypass surgery in November 2021.
Now, more than a year later and 100 pounds lost, Patricia is free of all the worrisome symptoms she experienced previously. She sings on the praise team at her church and is a Christian school administrator in her spare time. She shares her story to encourage others with similar struggles.
“Envision your life in five years,” she suggests. “Do you want to be stronger, healthier and free to chase your dreams? This tool helps change your life for the better. I finally feel I am living the best version of myself.”
Liberty
Liberty lost 178 pounds and found her best self.
Liberty Philpot, 29, of McLean County, remembers being “the big one” among her friends, and as a teenager she tried many diets to lose weight. After giving birth in her mid-twenties, Liberty continued to gain weight until she hit her highest weight – 327 pounds. Embarrassed to go out in public, she couldn’t stand looking at herself in mirrors or reflections in windows.
Her turning point came during a camping trip when she and friends went hiking on a mountain. Her asthma, overtaxed heart and aching joints made it almost impossible for her to make it to the top. Liberty knew she needed to change her lifestyle.
She heard about Dr. Alapati from a friend who had the surgery and was doing quite well. Liberty found a supportive community in the care team and other patients she met who were overcoming similar health struggles.
Liberty worked hard to lose 74 pounds on her own and, after her sleeve gastrectomy in August 2020, she lost another 104 pounds. Today she is maintaining a healthy weight and enjoying what she says is a “second chance at life.” Whether she is hunting, gardening or caring for her chickens, she is grateful for the freedom to be her best self.
Stacy
Stacy lost 123 pounds and found her best self.
Stacy Lawson, 45, began to struggle with her weight after giving birth at age 20. She remembers her highest weight being 320 pounds on her 5’5” frame. She tried many diets and visited several doctors for help losing weight, but ultimately she continued gaining weight. Stacy realized she was obsessed with food and addicted to diet soda and sweets. For two years, the thought of having to give those up kept her from pursuing weight loss surgery.
Stacy’s turning point came when she was shocked by a photo of herself at a birthday party. Not long after, a close friend had a stroke – a wake-up call for Stacy to improve her health before it was too late. Her sky-high blood pressure, looming pre-diabetes and painful feet and joints were enough to make her want a healthier future.
Since her Sleeve Gastrectomy in February 2021 at Owensboro Health, Stacy has never longed for the sweets and diet soda from her “old” life. Now 123 pounds lighter, she stays busy working out five days a week at the Owensboro Health Healthpark and pursuing adventures that previously were impossible for her, like horseback riding and white-water rafting with her family.
Nathan
Nathan lost 160 pounds and found his best self.
After high school, Nathan Booker of Owensboro gained 10 pounds every year for 20 years until he topped out at 430 pounds. He was eating fast food twice a day, and he had difficulty feeling full until he was so stuffed that he was miserable.
During a doctor’s visit, Nathan learned he had full-blown diabetes and out-of-control high blood pressure. Remembering that his father, grandfather and uncle all died in their 60s with diabetes and heart disease, Nathan decided at age 40 to “go for quality instead of quantity” of years to come.
He turned to Dr. Ravi Alapati for help. They helped him develop a healthy lifestyle as he prepared for weight loss surgery in March 2020. His gastric sleeve procedure helped him feel full and satisfied after eating a small amount of food.
A year and a half later, people don’t recognize him when he walks by. Nathan has lost more than 160 pounds, no longer suffers from diabetes or high blood pressure, and has renewed energy to enjoy life with his family.
Karen
Karen lost 104 pounds and found her best self.
After battling an eating disorder and the ups and downs of dieting for many years, Karen’s weight had swelled to more than 300 pounds by the time she turned 50.
“I had given up hope,” she says. “I devoted my life to helping others, but I didn’t think I was worth helping myself.”
Her turning point came when she wasn’t able to go hiking and rock climbing with her family. Her cardiologist later warned that her weight was life-threatening and suggested she consider weight loss surgery.
Karen reached out to Dr. Ravi Alapati and the supportive staff at Owensboro Health. They quickly put her at ease and helped her to develop healthier eating habits as she prepared for gastric bypass surgery in December 2019.
In less than a year, Karen has lost 104 pounds and is much healthier and happier. She’s planning on running a 10k this summer, as well as her next vacation when she will be “climbing some sort of big rock with my family.”
As the weight decreased, Karen’s hope increased, and she began valuing herself for the first time. “At the age of 51,” she says, “I’ve finally decided I like myself!”
Tammi
Tammi Lost 110 pounds and found her best self.
A lifelong struggle with weight and not taking care of herself kept Tammi from enjoying her life. Weight-related leg pain made it difficult to walk short distances or to care for her grandchild. When Tammi decided she wanted to really live and not just survive, she reached out to Owensboro Health. With guidance from bariatric surgeon Ravi Alapati, MD, and his experienced, supportive staff, she learned healthier habits to prepare her for weight loss surgery in December 2018.
In just a year, Tammi has lost 110 pounds and is now living the healthier, happier life she could only dream of before. She is grateful to Dr. Alapati and his staff for walking with her every step of the way. Now she wants to help others with similar struggles to find their best self.
Donnie
Donnie lost 100 pounds after weight loss surgery with Dr. Ravi Alapati in February 2019. The retired electrician from Muhlenberg County says the improvement to his quality of life is “off the charts.” Before his gastric-bypass surgery, Donnie had two knees replaced, and he had a severe, weight-related hiatal hernia. After hours of online research, Donnie chose gastric bypass surgery at Owensboro Health. He says, “It’s the best decision I ever made for myself.” Now Donnie enjoys crappie fishing in his new boat and recently went ziplining with his wife in Haiti.
Bree
Bree lost 95 pounds after weight loss surgery at Owensboro Health! After her gastric sleeve surgery in December 2018 with Dr. Ravi Alapati, the 39-year-old school-bus driver from Muhlenberg County is healthier and happier than ever. “It feels great to be able to move around and not be winded for breath or looking for a place to sit down to rest!” says Bree. “I have a new sense of self confidence that I don't think I've ever had. I LOVE the NEW me!”
Patrick
Patrick lost 104 pounds after weight loss surgery at Owensboro Health! After his gastric sleeve surgery in December 2018 with Dr. Ravi Alapati, the 42-year-old warehouse supervisor from Leitchfield, Kentucky, is healthier and happier than ever. “At one point I was having constant back issues and considering back surgery,” said Patrick. “The weight loss surgery has eliminated my back problems, and I no longer need to take blood pressure medications.”
Holley
Holley lost 125 pounds after weight loss surgery at Owensboro Health! After her gastric-sleeve surgery in December 2018 with Dr. Ravi Alapati, the 33-year-old social worker is healthier and happier than ever. “I wanted to be alive, fully alive, for my children,” she said. “This experience has surpassed every goal or expectation I could have had. I have changed my entire life, and because of it, I have also gained my life.”
Amber
In just more than a year, Amber lost 104 pounds and is now maintaining her weight loss, living the healthier, happier life she has always wanted. Read about her experience.