Elyse F.

"I was too overweight to keep up with my students. I was in physical and mental pain. And I thought it was unrealistic for me to lose as much weight as I needed to. Thankfully, I found the Redefine team. They taught me that I could lose the weight and keep it off. Sometimes, the teacher is the student." 

— Elyse, Redefining health education

What were your reasons for taking the leap to weight loss surgery?

My husband and I tried to get pregnant and it wasn't happening. Being a teacher, it was difficult to work with children, running with them and getting down on the floor with them, but hurting all the time. I took the leap to weight loss surgery for all the kids in my life, the 300 students that I teach and the children I hope to have.

What was the biggest life change for you after gastric sleeve surgery?

Everyday things have become so much easier. Texan games use to be horrible because I would get bruises due to the seat size. In a crowded place, I had to grab something and I can bob and weave to get it. I can get down on the floor with my students and sit crisscross.

Since surgery, what have you been most proud of?

My husband and I both got weight loss surgery. I'm proud that we did it and did not fail. I was so concerned with failing and thought I had unrealistic expectations then I surpassed my own expectations. I am a person who doesn't like being in the spotlight. But, I lead by example and try to be a role model. Since surgery, I walked a 5K and was so proud of myself. I plan to walk another one soon.

If you could share one thing with a potential patient thinking about taking the leap to surgery, what would it be?

People come up to me a lot and ask, "How do you feel?" I tell them, besides accepting Christ and marrying my husband, this is the best thing I've ever done. It's difficult, but if you go into it wholehearted, it is so rewarding and makes life 100 times easier.