"The Best Shape of My Life!"

“Do you want the short answer? I was fat,” responded Jaime Willis when asked why she chose gastric bypass surgery. “My father said to me one day, ‘Jaime, you’ve been letting one thing stop you from doing all other things you want to do,’ and that was my weight.”

Jaime came from a family with a history of obesity, so losing the weight was not only a self-esteem issue, but also an important health issue. She tried everything from going to her personal physician to weight-loss programs. She had some success, but nothing that was permanent.

“I first started researching gastric bypass surgery in 2000. My insurance didn’t cover it and I wasn't comfortable with the physician I found,” said Jaime. That disappointing experience had turned Jaime off for years. But in 2003, after graduating from law school and still weighing over 300 lbs, she decided to start the research into surgery again.

“I found Dr. Gary Harrington of Washington Adventist Hospital through my primary care physician. He treats you like family and makes sure you’re comfortable and understand the surgery.”

Since the surgery, everything’s changed. Jaime lives 1½ miles from her office. Prior to surgery, she took a bus from her
apartment to her job. Now she walks to work almost everyday. “I used to count that as my exercise, but now it’s just part of my lifestyle,” said Jaime.

“I’m now in the best shape of my life! I’ve lost 150 lbs over the last year and a half and I just turned 30. I’m dating
and I’ve just started a “Survivor Style” fit club. And right now I’m training for a half marathon!”

Jaime also participates in Washington Adventist Hospital’s monthly bariatric information group and monthly support group both of which are very important to her success. “I am grateful to be able to meet with others that have had surgery to discuss our experiences and concerns. Recently at the information session for those who are considering
the surgery, a participant commented that those of us who have had the surgery have more than significant weight loss in common - she noticed that we were all happy."

To learn more about life after bariatric surgery, attend Washington Adventist Hospital’s Bariatic Information Group held on the second Tuesday of every month from 6-8 p.m. at the hospital’s Conference Center.

For more information call Maureen Fama, Program Coordinator, at 301-891-5607.