Samantha recently walked down the aisle, a moment she once believed she would never have the health, confidence, or energy to reach. Her wedding was not just about saying “I do,” but about the long personal journey that brought her there.
A Family Connection That Built Trust
That journey traces back to middle school, when Samantha watched her mother undergo gastric bypass surgery under the care of Van Vallina, MD, FACS, Bariatric Surgeon at Duly Health and Care. She recalls a moment when Dr. Vallina stepped in during an emergency that ultimately saved her mother’s life.
That experience built a trust that stayed with her into adulthood.
In her early 20s, Samantha returned to Dr. Vallina to explore surgery for herself. At the time, she was not ready. “I originally went in asking about the lap band, but he told me that was like putting a splint on a broken arm,” she recalled.
He did not pressure her. “I don’t decide for people when it is time. We do that together,” he said. “The first conversation is just that, a conversation. You decide when the right time is.”
Together, they chose to wait.
Finding the Right Path Forward
About five years later, Samantha felt mentally and physically ready to take the next step. “He helped me look at all the options, gastric bypass, sleeve, switch, and we talked about what would fit my lifestyle,” she said.
Finding the right procedure for each patient is essential, Dr. Vallina explained.
“Surgery is a big step, and it’s important to choose the procedure that fits you best. You get one shot at it, so I help patients understand the benefits and limitations of each option.” — Van L. Vallina, MD, FACS, Board Certified Surgeon at Duly Health in Care
Together, they decided gastric bypass was the best fit. By then, her weight had reached 508 pounds.
“I honestly never thought I would live to the age I am now. I thought I might die in the next couple of years,” Samantha shared. “I had high blood pressure, was pre-diabetic, and had no cartilage in my knees. I was planning my wedding thinking, ‘I never thought I would actually get married.”
What stood out most was Dr. Vallina’s approach. “He is a strong advocate for his patients. If something needs to be done, he makes sure it gets done before he leaves the room. He is assertive in the right ways,” she said.
For him, that advocacy is personal. “Often patients that come to me have been dismissed or blamed for years. The least we can do is be there for them, to show that someone is finally on their side,” he said.
Considering Bariatric Surgery? Start With a Conversation
Just like Samantha’s journey began with an honest conversation about her options and readiness, yours can too. Duly Health and Care’s board-certified bariatric surgeons help you explore whether weight-loss surgery is right for you with a personalized approach that considers your lifestyle and goals. Schedule an appointment with one of our surgeons to discuss your options.
Life After Surgery: More Than Physical Changes
Life since surgery has brought many changes for Samantha. She no longer feels the need to bring her own camping chair to events, worried about breaking someone else’s, and she can now sit cross-legged comfortably. She shops in a wider range of stores and has been able to stop all of her blood pressure medication.
The transformation has been more than physical. It has also been mental and emotional. “There is a huge mental aspect,” Samantha explained. “I lost my main coping mechanism, which was food, and had to learn to deal with my emotions in healthier ways.”
Dr. Vallina emphasized that fear can be a major barrier. “Most people are not held back by knowledge. They are held back by fear — fear of failing again, fear of judgment, fear of changing their life. You have to name the fear before you can move past it.”
Samantha began seeing a psychiatrist after surgery, and she said that emotional work was just as important as the physical changes.
Taking Her Life Back
Now at around 210 pounds, Samantha feels she has taken her life back. “It is life-changing for sure. I would always say yes to someone considering surgery unless there is a medical reason not to.”
Her gratitude for Dr. Vallina runs deep, both for his advocacy and his commitment to advancing care.
“He stays up to date, goes to conferences, and is willing to adapt when new techniques or research show a better way,” she said. “He does not just stick to the old way because ‘that is how it has always been done.’ That gives me confidence that I am getting the best care.”
For Samantha, the journey has never been only about weight. It has been about regaining her life. “I did not realize what I was missing until I got it back. It is a new life.”
Ready to Take the First Step?
If you’ve been struggling with weight management through diet, exercise, or medication alone, a conversation with a bariatric surgeon can help you understand your options. Duly Health and Care’s experienced team takes the time to discuss procedures like gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and duodenal switch — and help you decide what fits your life and goals.
You don’t have to make any decisions right away. Like Dr. Vallina said, the first conversation is just that: a conversation. You decide when the time is right.
Schedule an appointment with a bariatric surgeon at Duly Health and Care to explore whether weight-loss surgery is the right path for you.
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