For decades, Katie tried everything to lose weight.
“Whether it was a diet – like Keto, Weight Watchers, or Jenny Craig – or getting a personal trainer and going to the gym consistently; I was even you name it I went for it,” Katie said.
And none of it worked – at least not for long or consistently enough.
“I would either watch my weight yo-yo, or I would plateau after losing a fraction of what I was aiming for,” said Katie, a Gainesville resident who is also wife and mother of three.
Even when she had short-term success, Katie’s long-term outlook was dim. And as she moved into her 40s, she was also facing life with a Body Mass Index (BMI) in the 40s. When you consider that a BMI of 30 is considered obese, Katie knew she needed to try something more. And while she was not yet dealing with any other symptoms caused by obesity (called comorbidities), she was already suffering from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) – which commonly occurs alongside obesity.
However, she also had limitations on what she could try. Due to her work situation, she couldn’t afford to miss time due to bariatric surgery. And because she is not diabetic, her insurance would not pay for weight loss shots (such as Ozempic or Mounjaro). While she pondered this reality, her battles with weight continued.
“I gained 60 pounds in one summer! And I went on a crash diet – but all I lost was 10 pounds,” Katie said. “It was so frustrating.”
That was until she found a potential lifeline – online.
“I found an advertisement for doing ESG (Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty) with Longstreet Clinic on a social media site, and I was immediately intrigued,” Katie said. “Everything it mentioned worked with my lifestyle, and it was non-invasive, so I called and scheduled an appointment.”
Katie met with Longstreet Clinic Center for Weight Management surgeon Robert Richard, M.D., FACS, who explained the details of ESG – an incisionless procedure, during which he reduces the portion of a patient’s stomach that accepts food by 70-80%.
Dr. Richard accomplishes this through a flexible endoscopy, which sutures off part of the stomach. The effect is that the patient feels full after much smaller portions. This limits the number of calories that the patient ingests and allows them to feel full longer. The procedure lasts approximately 30 to 45 minutes and affects only the stomach (other bariatric surgeries may require incisions in the small intestine). ESG also allows for extraordinarily quick recovery times, and there are very few complications associated with this procedure – the newest bariatric surgery approved by the FDA.
“Dr. Richard was very thorough and very personable, and he was confident I was a good candidate for ESG. And after hearing what he had to say, I was in,” said Katie, who underwent the procedure in January 2024.
Katie was back at work in just three days, suffering no ill-effects, and following the Center for Weight Management’s instructions to the letter.
The results have been nothing short of amazing.
“I lost 50 pounds in just a few months. I haven’t been this size since college, and it’s not just the size; I feel so much better too. There’s pressure off my joints, and I’m more willing to be active now,” said Katie, who was back in the gym within a week of the procedure. “My kids (ages 14, 12, and 3) see my happiness, and they’re proud of and happy for me too. And I’m going through a weight loss journey with my husband at the same time.”
Katie’s husband qualified for shots because he does have diabetes. But for Katie, ESG made more sense – both financially and physically.
“It was $1,500 a month for shots or $10,000 one-time for surgery, and I used my HAS card and care credit to get the payments for ESG down significantly, and the Center for Weight Management is happy to work with patients to make it work for them,” Katie said. “They want to get you healthy and keep you there.”
That’s also why the Center for Weight Management provides its patients with detailed instructions for life after ESG and continues to see patients even after they’ve lost weight and successfully kept if off.
“They’re very kind there, and they celebrate your victories with you,” Katie said. “You have to find what works for you – and they are dedicated to helping you do that. I was willing to work for my weight loss, but I needed to find what was right for me. This was it, and I’m excited to see what the future holds.”
Katie continues to follow a diet of 700-800 calories a day, focusing on protein and non-starchy vegetables. She also knows to take it slow and plan out her meals ahead of time. But while it has been an adjustment, life with ESG is a massive improvement.
“It’s not been easy. It’s been a whole lifestyle change – but I’m so glad I did it,” Katie said. “And I’d definitely recommend it for anyone who is a candidate.”
