Nora Lopez's Weight Loss Journey

Nora Lopez is a special education teacher, a busy mom of two, a stepmom, and a step-grandmother. About five years ago, she weighed more than 280 pounds. She often felt tired, had knee pain, and found it harder to do everyday activities.

Her doctor first talked to her about weight-loss surgery, also called bariatric surgery. At that time, Nora did not feel ready. Even though she had struggled with her weight for most of her life, she did not have health problems like diabetes or high blood pressure.

Sergio Bardaro, MD, a bariatric surgeon at MetroHealth, says many people think about weight-loss surgery when their weight makes daily life more difficult. Some people have trouble getting around, keeping up with their children, or fitting comfortably in seats. Surgery can also help people who have health problems related to obesity.

In 2014, Nora decided to move forward with surgery. She met with Eileen Seeholzer, MD, who took time to learn about Nora’s daily life and helped her find healthy changes that would fit her busy schedule.

Because Nora cared for her family and managed many responsibilities at home, losing weight was not easy. She started with small changes:

• Eating breakfast instead of skipping it
• Drinking protein shakes in the morning
• Avoiding fast food
• Choosing healthier meals

These changes helped her lose 30 pounds before surgery.

Recovery and Weight Loss Success

Nora had her surgery during her Christmas break from work. She stayed in the hospital for about three days and returned to work in less than a month.

Soon after returning, she was able to go up and down stairs more easily. Over time, she lost about 120 pounds. Her weight loss also made it possible for her to have knee surgery.

Today, Nora says she has much more energy. She enjoys exercising, traveling, hiking, and spending active time with her family.

“I’m not tired anymore,” she says. “I feel better about the time I spend with my kids, and I feel better about myself.”