Surgical Weight Loss Success Stories

I am so happy with life!

I have a whole new perspective on how life should be lived and how to live it to the fullest!

136 pounds lost to date!*

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

It's made everything so much better!

I can wear clothes I never could before, and I'm able to keep up with my kids and enjoy the time with them.

117 pounds lost to date!*

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

I like myself and see each day as a new adventure!

Clothes shopping is so much fun! I enjoy walking, kayaking, traveling, and camping on my own.

93 lbs. lost to date!*

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

Life is great!  I am happy.

I am not tired all of the time, my blood pressure has decreased back to my normal range, and I no longer need to use a CPAP.

170 lbs. lost to date!* 

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

It's been an amazing journey and I'm not done yet.

Watching the transformation of myself has been totally eye-opening.

130 lbs lost to date!*

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

My blood pressure is significantly lower now.

I am so much more confident when I’m out in public, I’m so much happier and my husband and I have an amazing relationship and it’s only made it better.

41 lbs. lost to date!*

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

I no longer have high blood pressure, and my chronic low back pain that I will have the rest of my life due to reasons other than weight has significantly improved and has not limited me since surgery.

I am healthier, more confident, have a positive outlook on life, and am more emotionally sound.

140.2 lbs. lost to date!*

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

My heartburn is gone and I no longer take meds to control it.  I also have Hashimoto's and have not had any noticeable issues since surgery.

My overall outlook is positive, and I am more comfortable in my own skin, which has given me more self confidence in group settings.

71 lbs. lost to date!*

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

Pre-surgery I was a Type 2 diabetic and relied on medication to regulate my blood sugar. Now, I am medication free and my diabetes is currently in remission. 

"This journey has really opened my eyes to how heavily I relied on food to control my mood and pacify my emotions."

75 lbs. lost to date!*

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

After years and years of the weight loss yo-yo and trying all the fad diets that never worked long term, I had pretty much given up on losing weight until I met with Dr. Eibes! 

"This was the best investment in myself! I only wish I had done this sooner!"

100 lbs. lost to date!*

 

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

Adam began his weight loss journey when he decided to go to the surgical weight loss class with his wife and left with an initial consultation appointment set up and a willingness to try and get healthier!

"Do it!  It was one of the best decision’s that I’ve ever made!"

115 lbs lost to date!*

 

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

Jackie was struggling with back and knee pain as well as sleep apnea and depression.  After having weight loss surgery, she says, "I am the happiest I’ve ever been. I am no longer on antidepressants and life is so good now!"

133 lbs. lost to date!*

Robert wanted to make a change for his children and his own health.  Now he's even playing with his grandchildren!

119 lbs. lost to date!*

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

Brad was having trouble just walking to the mailbox, and his overall outlook wasn't great. Since having weight loss surgery, he is walking 8 - 10 miles per day, and he's in a better place emotionally. Brad's only regret is not having the surgery sooner!

194 lbs. lost to date!*

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

After discovering Iowa Weight Loss Specialists, Jeanna knew she had made the right choice. She says she couldn't find a better group to walk this journey with her and that she now has the life she always dreamt of for herself.

"Now everyone can see the me that I always saw."

112 lbs. lost to date!*

 

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

Nicole was ready to get her life back. She had tried many different options, but wasn't successful.  After attending a free class with Iowa Weight Loss Specialists, she knew she was in the right place.  Not only has Nicole lost weight, but she's gain something much more important - self love.

111 lbs. lost to date!*
 

 *Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

When Katy's co-worker had success at Iowa Weight Loss Specialists, she was intrigued.  But it was a trip to Disney that finally helped her make the decision to have weight loss surgery.  Incorporating therapy and exercise, Katy's had great success and is living a happy, active life. 

164 lbs. lost to date!*

 *Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

Brittney wanted to lose weight for her kids and her personal health.  After weight loss surgery, Brittney has been able to take on fitness activities that she wasn't able to before.  In fact, she says, "I am capable of absolutely anything!"

127 lbs. lost to date!*
 

 *Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

Even though Gerald Hill had been thinking about gastric bypass, he finally decided to try the gastric sleeve with Iowa Weight Loss Specialists.  Now he says he has a new lease on life.

"I will compete in the Iowa Games this July in track and field. Something I thought I would never do again."

110 lbs. lost to date!*

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

Angela was taking 3 different medications for her diabetes and it was still out of control.  She finally made the decision have weight loss surgery because she wanted to live for her children and herself.

"I don’t stand on the side lines anymore - I live!"

101 lbs. lost to date!*
 

 *Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

Lindsy was depressed and hated the way she looked.  Since having the surgery, she feels she's been given the opportunity to start over with life. 

"I can now do one of the most important things in life. I can smile! I am confident in who I am."

103 lbs. lost to date!*
 

 *Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

When asked why she chose weight loss surgery, Kourtney said she just wanted to be healthy, happy, and have more energy for her kids.  After surgery she was even able to going ziplining.

"I'm loving myself more.  Best decision of my life!"

102 lbs. lost to date!*
 

 *Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

Cassie Fleharty woke up one day and decided enough was enough. Her weight had controlled her life for too long and she knew it was time to do something about it.  Cassie says the process has changed her physically, mentally, and spiritually.  

"I've been given my life back!"

112 lbs. lost to date!*

 *Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

Tessa had been researching weight loss surgery, but still thought she could battle her weight on her own, so she kept trying. Now she says, "I wish I had been able to see where I am now....I would have gotten this surgery years ago."

87 lbs. lost to date!*
 

 *Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

 After weight loss surgery, Ashley discovered she could do things she never imagined doing.

114 lbs. lost to date!*

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

Weight loss surgery gave Ashley more confidence.  Not only did it change her life, but it changed her son's life in such a good way.

115 lbs. lost to date!*
 

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

Kristin has had so much success with her weight loss surgery that she recommended IWLS to her sister and her daughter.

87 lbs. lost to date!*

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

Nicholle had a lot of anxiety over being out in the public at her previous weight, but now she is an active part of society again. She says she's gained a whole new level of confidence and that she's the person she should have been 25 years ago.

122 lbs. lost to date*

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

Nicole didn't realize how uncomfortable she was and how bad she felt. Now she's riding long distances on her bike, paddle boarding, and taking rowing classes.

106 lbs. lost to date*
 

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

Brooke Willey thought surgery was the easy way out for weight loss.  She realized that wasn't the case, and though it's hard work, she says it is so worth it.

92 lbs. lost to date*

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

Karen's excess weight was causing her to live life on the slidelines.  Now she's an active participant.

113 lbs. lost to date*

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

Amie didn't want to become a statistic due to her weight. She also wasn't living life to the fullest and needed to become a role model for her daughters. She says, "Having the vertical sleeve has changed my life. I'm more confident and no longer try to hide in a crowd."

105 lbs. lost to date*

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

Husband and wife, Damon and Karin, would never have had the energy to open a second pizza joint if it wasn’t for their weight loss surgeries with Iowa Weight Loss Specialists. 

206 combined lbs. lost to date*

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

After attending the free informational class, Jeremy felt that having a vertical sleeve gastrectomy was the right choice for him.

Jeremy says: “My joint pain has disappeared and I no longer have acid reflux. I’ve even exceeded my weight loss goal!”

114 lbs. lost to date*

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

Anita’s excess weight and high blood pressure were putting a strain on her career. After having the surgery, she no longer has to have a physical every three months for work – saving her time and money.

Anita says: “I couldn’t be more thrilled with the results!”

95 lbs. lost to date*

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

Before surgery, stress injuries on Mark’s joints prevented him from exercising. Now he runs over three miles several days a week!

Mark says: “At first I was skeptical that surgery would work for me, but it has given me a new life."

105 lbs lost to date*

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

After hearing about another person’s experience and thinking back on all the times she had tried to lose weight in the past, Molly decided to attend an informational meeting and schedule her surgery with Iowa Weight Loss Specialists.

Molly says: “You won’t regret it! It’s the best decision I could’ve ever made.”

93 lbs lost to date*

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

Before surgery, Stormy was barely able to walk up stairs or exercise. Now she is running and exercising almost every day!

Stormy says: “I haven’t once regretted my decision to have surgery with Iowa Weight Loss Specialists.”

134 lbs lost to date!*

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

Shelley knew that she was done being overweight when she no longer had the energy to play with her son. Now she can easily get up and down off the floor and run around in the back yard with him.

Shelley says: “I feel like I can conquer the world!”

102 lbs lost to date!*

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

At high risk for heart disease and diabetes, and finding it difficult to maneuver around the free dental service bus where she worked serving school children, Faith decided it was time for a change.

Faith says: “I am so sad when I think about the way I used to feel when I was overweight. I am so much happier now!”

92 lbs lost to date!

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

When she realized she could not hold her daughter on her lap at a movie theater, Jennifer decided it was time to change her life.

Jennifer says: “This surgery has not only improved my self-confidence and self-worth but it has made me realize how lucky I am to have been able to have this procedure and to get control of my health."

75 lbs lost to date!*

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

As a probation/parole officer, as well as a coach for high school football and wrestling, Chase Roller was motivated to live a more active and healthier life. But his weight (and the strain on his arthritic hip the weight caused) was holding him back. Now he says his only regret is not having the surgery 10 years ago.
 

160 lbs lost to date!* 

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

Meet Jennifer Nizzi. After trying diets her entire life and always gaining the weight back, Jennifer chose weight loss surgery.

She says: “It was the best decision I’ve ever made for myself and my family!”

62 lbs lost to date!*

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

Iowa Weight Loss Specialists opened in July 2014. Our very first patient was Steve Simonin, President & CEO of our hospital site, Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics.

Steve says: "For the most part, people are just really wanting to know if it was worth it, and I can tell you for me it DEFINITELY was!”

75 lbs. lost to date!*

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

As a funeral director, Pearce was horrified at the number of people he saw who died too young from health conditions related to obesity. At 330 lbs himself, he needed to make a change.

Now, for the first time in 20 years, Pearce loves the person he sees in the mirror and feels confident he’ll be living a long, happy life.

125 lbs. lost to date!*

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

After 30 years of trying every diet that existed, Lisa decided it was time for a change.

Today, she’s 80 pounds lighter, her health has improved, and she no longer needs medication. Her elevated energy levels mean she can now go hiking and biking with her husband and kids.

73 lbs. lost to date!*

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.

Julia, concerned about the effect her unhealthy lifestyle was having on her children, decided to make a change!

"Since surgery, I feel fantastic... I am able to keep up with my kids, I'm off medications, and I haven't felt this good in 15 years! I am so grateful for IWLS and their tools to help me achieve my weight loss goals."

90 lbs. lost to date!*

*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.