Cheryl's Story

Cheryl's Story

It’s been five and a half years since she underwent a surgical weightloss procedure at CVMC, and Cheryl Cook is not only excited about shedding more than 135 pounds, but she is also proud to be maintaining that healthy weight by enjoying a super active lifestyle that includes running, practicing yoga, going on amusement park rides with her grandchildren and encouraging others who are considering surgical weightloss too.

Cheryl's transformation was set into high gear as she approached the milestone birthday of turning 50 while also grieving the loss of her late father. “I started to think about my own mortality and began contemplating what I could do to break the family cycle,” she recalls. “The impact of having so many obese family members was impossible to ignore. My parents and numerous close relatives had weight-related health issues like diabetes and hypertension. My mother had suffered a stroke and my father endured his first heart attack in his 50’s.”

With her own weight issues dating back to middle school, Cheryl remembers the pangs of discouragement after failed attempts at dieting and fitness throughout her young adult life. She also remembers the humiliation of not fitting into a restaurant booth and being turned away at amusement parks because her weight restricted her from riding some of the rides.

“My weight was affecting the relationship I had with my children, but it was learning that I was going to be a grandmother that motivated me the most to make a change,” Cheryl says.

Frustrations about weight inpacting her quality of life extended beyond Cherly's personal life too - she had started struggling at work too. As an Administrative Statistical Specialist in CVMC's department of Health Information Services, Cheryl's back throbbed and she perspired profusely after walking around the hospital carrying out the routine duty to pick up charts.

“I just couldn’t do it anymore,” Cheryl exclaimed. She decided to attend a surgical weight management seminar hosted by CVMC. Shortly thereafter, she began preparing mentally and physically for gastric bypass surgery. She credits her husband, John, a network of family members and multiple friends that she made along the journey as playing a key role in her success.

“Today, I have more energy than ever,” Cheryl says. “I keep challenging myself so I don’t backslide. For example, last year I competed in an obstacle course rope challenge and I've completed five different 5k running events within the last 2 years.”

Her health has improved tremendously and she relies on an expanded support system that includes members of the CVMC Weightloss Support Group and its private Facebook group. She says that she discovered along the way that the challenge is not just physical, but also mental. “It took some time for me to see myself as the new person I am,” she says. “I had a hard time learning to take compliments.”

ENCOURAGED BY CHERYL’S STORY?
Cherly concludes by saying, "My goal is to continue on this path that is my new life and hopefully help others along the way who may need some encouragement. If you are considering surgical weightloss, I wish you all the best and hope you realize, that with CVMC, you will be in good hands."

If you are interested in finding out if bariatric surgery is right for you, consider attending a free information seminar to learn more about the Catawba Valley Medical Center Surgical Weight Management Program. To speak to the program coordinator, call 828.326.2082.

Cheryl's Story