Sabrina's Story

Sabrina's Story

Surgical Weight Loss Has Opened New Doors

After being overweight for most of her life, Sabrina Muncy, 35, decided she was ready to make a drastic lifestyle change and undergo surgical weight loss at Catawba Valley Medical Center. Within about six months, Sabrina lost 102 pounds and cannot imagine her life without the surgery.

She is now able to be active with her family and is no longer concerned about her physical limitations. “It feels amazing,” said Sabrina. “[My weight loss] has opened up so many doors and opportunities. Before the surgery I constantly had to think about whether I could be involved in activities with my family, wondering how long I would be able to walk or stand.”

Sabrina’s struggles with her weight date back to childhood. As her mom dealt with substance abuse issues, Sabrina turned inward and used food as a coping mechanism. She is grateful for the emotional support CVMC’s surgical weight loss program offers her to overcome her tendency to overeat now that she is healthier.

She is excited about another benefit of her weight loss: she no longer requires blood pressure and diabetes medicines. Within about two weeks of the surgery, all she was required to take were vitamins.

“The whole experience has been amazing,” added Sabrina. “My surgeon was so supportive, and I can’t say enough about the nurses and the surgical weight loss team. They were so attentive. I felt supported throughout the entire experience.”

Sabrina recommends the surgery to others who have struggled with being overweight. The procedure typically requires only one night in the hospital and it is possible to be back on your feet the following day.

“It’s all about the attitude you go into the surgery with,” Sabrina said. “I needed this to work. Failure is not an option. I want to live. I’m too young to worry about dying.”

Weight-loss surgery can be an option for those individuals who are 18 years of age or older, weigh more than 100 pounds over recommended weight, have a documented Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or greater, and have exhausted all other efforts to lose weight through diet and exercise. Interested in learning more? Sign up here to attend a FREE seminar and have your questions answered by our weight loss experts. You can also visit Catawba Valley Medical Center’s Surgical Weight Management Program online or call 828.326.2082 for more information.