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Finding a balance
McKenzie Stanton
Apr, 2021
Physicians: Seth Miller, MD; LuAnn Tracy, NP; Rebecca Wolf, NP
If you are struggling with obesity and other health-related problems because of your weight, you are not alone and it’s time to get help. Take the first step to living the life you have always imagined.
Visit lakelandweightlosscenter.com/onlineseminar to watch a free, online seminar and complete a short evaluation.
As a full-time student working two jobs, Dowagiac resident, McKenzie Stanton, didn’t have much time to focus on creating a well-balanced diet. She was often forced to eat meals an unregular intervals or grab a quick snack on the go. With the added stress to keep up with the demands of work and school, it quickly became a recipe for increased weight gain.
“I have always struggled with my weight and started to gain a lot during high school and into my college years,” said McKenzie. “I had tried dieting and even cut out all pop and sugar at one point, but nothing seemed to work.”
When she started suffering from severe lower back pain, McKenzie turned to her primary care physician, LuAnn Tracy, NP, in search of a solution. LuAnn suggested losing weight to relive some of the pain and referred McKenzie to the Lakeland Weight Loss Center.
“It got to the point where it was difficult for me to bend over and pick up my son because of the pain in my back,” said McKenzie. “I was exhausted all the time. I didn’t want to keep living this way and was ready to find a solution.”
As a first step in the process McKenzie attended a Lose Weight…Find Health seminar where she learned more about the weight loss journey she would embark on. Soon after, she began attending six months of shared medical appointments leading up to surgery.
“Everyone I met at the weight loss center was very straightforward about what to expect,” said McKenzie. “I learned a lot about how and what I should be eating and felt prepared going into surgery.”
After consulting with bariatric surgeon, Seth Miller, MD, McKenzie decided to pursue a vertical sleeve gastrectomy. The minimally invasive procedure removes a large portion of the stomach, approximately 60 to 80%, leaving a banana-shaped “sleeve.” By making the stomach smaller, patients feel full much quicker.
“I was so grateful for Rebecca Wolf, [NP], who met with me in the hospital after surgery,” said McKenzie. “She took the time to answer all my questions and made sure I was ready to go home. Amanda Miranda, [MA], was also a great resource during all of my follow-up appointments as I worked through changes to my body and eating habits after surgery.”
At her highest McKenzie weighed 251 pounds. Since her surgery she is down to 162 pounds. She also experiences less back pain and can keep up with her 3-year-old son.
“Before I began this process, I didn’t have the energy to get up and do anything,” she said. “Now I can run around with my son and not feel super winded. I’m able to move around much more freely which has also been a big help at my job.”
McKenzie has also made strides to change her diet with a focus on healthy, well-balanced meals.
“In addition to trying new foods, I also purchased an air fryer and have loved this new way of cooking,” said McKenzie. “I also think it makes food taste 10 times better.”
Knowing what a significant impact weight loss surgery has made in her life, she wasted no time sharing the good news with her loved ones. In fact, a few of her family members have also joined the program.
“If you stick with what your providers tell you and eat like you’re supposed to, you’ll see results in the end,” said McKenzie. “Trust me, it’s worth it!”
Watch more of McKenzie's story in the video below: