Berks County Woman Takes Control of Health and Sheds 85 Pounds After Weight Loss Surgery

Trina Love, a resident of Berks County in Pennsylvania, has successfully transformed her life by losing an impressive 85 pounds after undergoing weight loss surgery at Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center. At her highest weight of over 300 pounds, Love faced significant difficulties in performing daily activities and experienced frequent pain in her feet and ankles. These challenges prompted her to seek a solution that would offer long-lasting results.

Love’s struggle to shed weight intensified after her son was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of 5. Coping with emotional eating and unsuccessful attempts to lose weight after the birth of her daughter, Love began researching bariatric surgery. Despite losing 65 pounds over the previous nine months with the help of a physical trainer, her persistently high blood pressure and other health issues remained unresolved.

After thorough consideration and education about the pros and cons of surgical weight loss, Love decided to undergo the gastric sleeve procedure. She visited Penn State Health Medical Group – Noll Drive, where she met Dr. Allison Barrett, the director of bariatric surgery at Lancaster Medical Center, who would ultimately perform Love’s surgery. Feeling a strong connection with Dr. Barrett, Love had the confidence that her best interests were at the forefront of her care.

The surgical weight loss team at Penn State Health took a personalized approach to Love’s journey. Over the course of several months, Love met with Dr. Barrett, a nurse practitioner, a dietician, and a social worker who assessed her mental health. These steps ensured Love’s physical and emotional readiness for the procedure, in which Dr. Barrett utilized the advanced da Vinci Surgical System for a minimally invasive approach, resulting in smaller incisions, reduced pain, and quicker recovery.

The success of Penn State Health’s “enhanced recovery after surgery” program, including early access to calories and nutrition through liquid diets, reduced narcotic usage, and encouraging immediate mobilization, greatly contributed to Love’s positive experience. With minimal post-surgery complications, Love adhered to a liquid diet for two weeks and resumed work after just two weeks of recovery. The program’s emphasis on healthy habits before and after surgery ensured the sustainability of Love’s weight loss.

Dr. Barrett and Taylor Ford, a nurse practitioner at Penn State Health, both emphasize the importance of understanding that surgery is a tool, not a magic solution. Patients undergoing weight loss surgeries must commit to long-term lifestyle changes and healthy habits to achieve and maintain successful weight loss. Surgery remains the gold standard for severe obesity cases or those who cannot afford weight loss medications.

One year post-surgery, Love has lost an incredible 85 pounds, reduced her body mass index from 44 to 28, and improved her mobility and joint comfort. While maintaining healthy habits can be challenging, Love expresses her gratitude for the positive impact on her life and her ability to be there for her family.