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For Jenny Sisk, losing weight had always felt like a battle, one she fought for more than 25 years. Her journey probably sounds familiar to others who also struggle with managing their weight.

Jenny, 54, tried Weight Watchers (twice), the Atkins diet, gym memberships and countless other weight loss programs. Each time, she lost weight, only to regain it later. She understood why she had trouble keeping the weight off, but it didn’t translate into a permanent solution.

“Consistency was tough,” Jenny admits. “I like to eat! My husband is a fantastic cook. And growing up, food wasn’t always available, so when it was, it felt like a treat.”

The turning point

Jenny’s extra weight didn’t slow her down initially, but everyday activities eventually became more difficult. Her asthma, which had been manageable for years, began to slow her down.

“I didn’t realize at the time that my weight was making it harder to breathe,” she says. “I walked my dogs every night, but climbing hills left me stopping to catch my breath.”

Seeing her brother lose 70 pounds made her think about losing weight again. One day, her husband made a comment that really struck a chord.

"He said, why not consider committing to something more permanent,” says Jenny.

That’s when she began to explore having bariatric surgery.

Taking the first step

Jenny attended a led by Timothy Snow, DO, FACS, FASMBS, director of bariatric surgery at Sentara Comprehensive Weight Loss Solutions, Charlottesville’s Metabolic and Bariatric Care Center. The way he talked about being overweight was a breakthrough for Jenny.

“He talked about weight as a disease, not just a matter of willpower,” she recalls. “I always felt like I should be able to do this on my own, but he explained that it’s just not that simple for some people. That helped me see surgery as a tool, not a failure of self-control.”

She began the presurgery process by meeting with a registered dietitian and learning to track her food using the

“I had to be accountable,” she says. “It made me realize that this wasn’t about admitting defeat — it was about getting the help I needed, just like a diabetic taking insulin.”

After several months of insurance approvals and testing, Jenny, then 52, took a life-changing step: she underwent gastric sleeve surgery with Dr. Snow.

Gastric sleeve surgery involves laparoscopically or minimally invasively removing approximately 75-85% of the stomach. The remaining stomach takes the shape of a tube or “sleeve” and is about the size of a banana. The procedure limits the amount of food you can eat, helping you feel full sooner while supporting normal digestion and absorption of food.

Recovery and results

The surgery went smoother than she expected. “I spent one night in the hospital, and I was up and walking right away,” she says. “I took two weeks off work to adjust, but I never got sick or had any complications; it was like it was meant to be.”

Over the next 18 months, Jenny lost 130 pounds. She logs her food daily, never skipping; even her pumpkin spice latte treats go into the app. She feels healthier than ever and inspires others to take control of their health.

“I think accountability is key. You have to record everything you’re eating: good, bad, or ugly,” Jenny says.

Her asthma has improved so much that she has been able to reduce her medication twice. Everyday tasks, like doing laundry, which requires taking the steps to and from the basement, or helping her husband with home projects, are no longer a struggle. And best of all, she can now walk for hours with her dogs without getting winded.

A new lifestyle, not a diet

Jenny doesn’t deprive herself. Instead, she’s made more thoughtful choices about her food. She’s switched from nightly desserts to enjoying healthier options like Greek yogurt with chocolate chips, Yasso frozen yogurt bars, or chocolate-dipped bananas.

She also knows that balance and long-term choices matter the most.

“It’s not about being perfect; it’s about making good choices most of the time,” she shares.

Sharing her success with friends

Jenny’s weight loss surgery success has inspired others, including a coworker who had bariatric surgery after hearing her story.

“He’s lost 80 pounds, and I love sharing tips with him,” she says. “It makes me happy to help others realize they can do this too.”

Jenny’s advice to those considering weight loss surgery:

• Don’t wait.
• Log your food. All of it!
• Lean on the support you get from your Sentara surgeon and team.

Jenny says the support she got when talking to the dietitians and counselor stayed with her even after surgery. She still actively participates in the encouraging others to stay on track.

Newly retired, Jenny enjoys long walks in the park with her dogs and feels stronger and healthier than ever.

“It’s the best decision I ever made. I wish I had done this so much sooner,” she says. “It’s life-changing.”

 

Interested in learning more about Sentara weight loss programs?