Destiny Green

After years of trying fad diets with little success, Destiny Green turned to bariatric surgery, in search of a permanent solution that would help her lose weight and take control of her health. Now, more than two years after undergoing gastric sleeve surgery at Capital Hospital with Roy Schwartz, MD, Green has lost more than 225 pounds, is now off blood pressure medication and is no longer at risk for diabetes.

“I was tired of going up and down with weight loss,” Green said. “I would go on all of these fad diets, lose weight and always gain it back. I’m only 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighed 356 pounds, so my heart was under a lot of stress. I wanted to live a long, healthy life, so the gastric sleeve seemed like the right decision for me.” Since undergoing the procedure, Green said both her energy levels and self-confidence have skyrocketed.

“I was confident before, but I’ve noticed I’m more confident within myself,” she said. “I’m also able to do so many things I wasn’t physically able to before, like polish my own toes. I will never forget the most embarrassing moment that happened to me — I was in front of a lot of people at our local fair, I was told I was too heavy to go on one of the rides. Now, I can’t wait to go on the rides at the fair.”

Green has also taken full advantage of the resources at the Capital Hospital. “I’ve learned so much that I use myself and also share with other people, especially about eating,” Green said. “The classes and dietary counseling have been so helpful and completely transformed how I eat and grocery shop.” Destiny still utilizes the Bariatric Center in the maintenance stage of her weight loss journey. “I still go in just to check-in and make sure I’m on the right path,” she said. “They’ve been very helpful coaching me through maintenance of my weight loss so I can make sure I don’t go back to where I was before.”

For those considering bariatric surgery, Green said her biggest takeaway has been the importance of following the plan set out for her by her dietician, nutritionist and physician, which includes vitamins and exercise in addition to a nutrition plan.

“I’m so thankful I was able to have this surgery and to have doctors who are able to perform a surgery like this,” Green said. “I’m forever thankful for this surgery and for everyone who has taken care of me along the way. My life has been completely changed by it.”