by Mercy's Bethany Pope
Key points:
- Mother of twins and full-time nurse struggled with weight for years made a decision to pursue weight-loss surgery.
- She tried everything from GLP-1s to diets, but wanted a physical tool to help make lasting mental and lifestyle changes.
- Decided on a gastric sleeve option with Mercy Washington's Dr. Lisa Hawver and after nearly two years, she lost 115 pounds and went down from size 20/22 pants to size 10/12.
- Bariatric surgery resolved many of her other health issues.
WASHINGTON, Mo. - Whitney Young, a mother of young twins and a full-time nurse, always struggled with her weight. She tried many things over the years, but nothing stuck. At 35, she made the decision to pursue weight loss surgery.
“I would lose and then gain weight. I tried GLP-1s, but I wasn’t making the behavioral changes needed to maintain the weight loss if I stopped taking medication,” Young said. “I decided I needed a physical tool to help me make lasting mental and lifestyle changes.”
As someone with a family history of type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and heart issues, Young was also concerned about her future health.
“I want to be there for my daughters in the future and also have more energy to spend time with them now,” she said.
Working with Dr. Lisa Hawver and her team at Mercy Bariatric Center in Washington, Young decided on a gastric sleeve option over gastric bypass surgery for several reasons:
- She did not have diabetes or significant acid reflux – two common reasons to choose bypass.
- She wanted a less invasive option first, with the ability to convert to bypass later if needed.
- Her body tolerated foods well overall.
A year and a half after her surgery, Young is down approximately 115 pounds and went from wearing 2/3XL tops to size medium and from 20/22 pants to size 10/12. She has more energy and is able to keep up with her girls. The changes she learned to make throughout the process have impacted the whole family.
“All around, it’s been great for my family,” Young said. “We are active together, my husband and I meal prep together every Sunday and I’m watching my kids make better choices as far as food and snack selection.”
In addition, some health issues Young battled have virtually disappeared. She said she did struggle with fertility and had symptoms of polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS, including irregular cycles.
Young works at Mercy Clinic Primary Care in Cuba and Owensville, Missouri, where her change also improved her ability to relate to patients.
“I wanted to show my patients that it’s doable and not scary,” Young said. “Many of them have been more open to consider bariatric surgery after hearing my story. Plus, if I can do it, anybody can do it.”
Her own transformation was so striking that one patient didn’t recognize her when she returned from her six‑week postoperative leave.
“I have more energy now and am able to keep up with my kids,” she said. “I don’t hear food calling my name anymore.”
For patients in the Four Rivers area, Young said having Dr. Hawver and her team right here in Washington made a world of difference.
“I didn’t have to take a full day off work or lose time with my family and could even do virtual check-ins for some visits.”
For anyone interested in weight-loss surgery, learn more with an online bariatric seminar available here.
