Choosing weight-loss surgery empowered her new approach to life

When Laura Kennedy had weight-loss surgery in December 2023, she expected to lose weight. But what surprised the 37-year-old from Newtown Square, Pa. was her surge in confidence, inspiring her to try new adventures.

Recalling what motivated her decision, Laura says, "I've always fluctuated with my weight, but it never prevented me from doing things in the way that it had the past couple of years."

At Laura's peak weight of 293 lbs., she noticed a decline in her stamina and mobility. It was harder to keep up with her nieces, and the weekly tap and jazz classes she'd previously enjoyed now caused foot pain.

Laura had dealt with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) since puberty. As she entered her mid-30s, PCOS made weight loss more difficult, no matter how hard she tried. It was a Catch-22 — carrying excess weight made exercising harder, and not exercising contributed to weight gain.

Then, in the summer of 2023, Laura's primary care physician referred her to the Comprehensive Weight and Wellness Center at Main Line Health.

Bariatric surgery: an eye-opening, empowering choice

Laura's mindset at her first appointment was one of self-blame. She assumed she had to work harder — to exhaust every option before considering weight-loss surgery. The staff member she spoke with assured Laura that the multiple diet plans and gym memberships she'd tried were enough.

That conversation, and the ones that would follow, were eye-opening. Laura learned that bariatric surgery could reverse PCOS and improve her nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Laura also had a family history of diabetes, heart disease and cancer — conditions that bariatric surgery has been shown to reverse or help prevent. Though she was not prediabetic, Laura knew "if I continued down the same path that I was on, it was only a matter of time."

Despite the increasing popularity of GLP-1 agonists, or injectable weight-loss drugs, Laura wanted a longer-term solution she wouldn't have to worry about affording if her insurance coverage changed.

After discussing her options with bariatric surgeon Samantha Witte, MD, Laura decided to undergo a duodenal switch.

A supportive team

Laura had a good experience preparing for surgery and appreciated meeting with various specialists on the team, including a psychiatrist, nurses and the exercise physiologist who coached her on staying active and charted her current measurements and fitness levels.

"That was probably one of my favorite parts, because it really kind of put everything in perspective," Laura says, adding that knowing where she was starting helped her set goals for the months ahead.

Laura had surgery at Bryn Mawr Hospital, and because it was her first major operation, was a little nervous. The nurses, anesthesia team and Dr. Witte quickly put her at ease.

Dr. Witte performed the procedure laparoscopically, a minimally invasive approach that requires only small incisions. Laura stayed overnight and was home the next day on a two-week liquid diet. Her pain was minimal, and she'd been well-prepared for what to expect.

Anytime Laura had a question or issue — like the time she felt some cramping after drinking a protein shake — she was able to reach someone or get an immediate call back.

"It really was a wonderful experience," she says.

A life-changing impact

Prior to her procedure, Laura was hopeful that weight-loss surgery would lead to improvements in her health. After recovery, her liver enzyme levels went down and her PCOS symptoms began to resolve.

Laura's periods, which had been irregular for as long as she could remember, suddenly normalized.

"I've had a regular cycle every single month," she says.

One of the biggest PCOS challenges Laura had struggled with was her inability to shed weight. Now that was changing, too.

"Before, I could eat less or eat healthy and work out, and I still would not lose weight. But after having surgery, the effort and the work I was putting into my health and my weight loss was actually working," she says.

The day of her surgery, Laura weighed 262 lbs. Nearly nine months later, she reached her goal weight of 160 and is focused now on getting stronger.

Laura's weight-loss journey has boosted more than her physical health. From the outset, when she first learned about the benefits of bariatric surgery and the different kinds available to her, Laura felt empowered. By making this choice for herself, she was taking back control over her well-being and her future.

"I feel like I've had a complete shift in my mentality and how I view things," Laura says. "There's something about this process and the support of the team — and again, the fact that it's working — that's very motivating."

Among Laura's non-scale victories are discovering how clothes fit now and being more open to new activities that were once outside her comfort zone. She joined a gym in her neighborhood that teaches Muay Thai, a type of Thai boxing, and decided to brave a few classes.

"I never trained in martial arts before. I couldn't do a pushup or sit-up or jump rope," she says. "But surgery has given me this mentality of 'I can get through this and I can accomplish this.' And so I stuck with it and now I train every single day. It's my favorite thing I've ever done."

"Setting goals that seemed so far away a year ago and reaching them in less than a year is exciting for me," Laura says. "It's really changed my perspective on what is possible and what is achievable."

Next steps:

Make an appointment with Samantha Witte, MD
Learn more about the Comprehensive Weight and Wellness Center
Read about the different types of bariatric surgery