A New Year, a New Outlook

Teresa Chrusciel’s 2008 New Years resolution was to lose weight. But she didn’t announce it with a champagne toast at midnight. On that day she had gastric bypass.

“I was 32 years old with two young daughters and I hated to leave the house because I was so heavy,” she says. For three years she struggled with her insurance company to help cover the cost of surgery. By the time they agreed, Teresa weighed 353 pounds.

Confident but nervous about the life-changing surgery, Teresa put her faith in George Kerlakian MD and his staff. “They didn’t let me down,” she says “They held my hand through the whole thing.” Overweight her entire life, Teresa wasn’t accustomed to the way Dr. Kerlakian and his staff treated her. “I was used to people not talking to me because I was so heavy. But they were just incredible. They treated me like a real person. So encouraging, not at all egotistical. I was so impressed.”

Now 161 pounds lighter, Teresa knows that much of her success is due to the good choices she’s made. “But they have played a huge role in it too,” she says.

Teresa’s not the only one in her house that has changed since her surgery. Husband Evan has lost 90 pounds. “I buy healthier foods, so he’s eating so much better.” Daughter Taylor has learned to examine labels at the grocery. “She’ll tell me, ‘Can’t have this. Too much sugar. Too many calories.’”

Family camping trips also have changed. “When I was heavier, I didn’t want to leave the camp area. I’d tell the kids to go ahead without me.” Now the entire family plays putt putt and swims. Before the surgery Teresa says, “I wouldn’t be caught dead in a bathing suit!” Now she feels more confident and has been able to teach her youngest daughter Evelyn to swim.

Teresa’s job as a contract manager means she frequently walks from one facility to the other. At 300+ pounds, she was accustomed to being the one in the back, out of breath. “I just felt stupid,” she says. Today she’s leading the pack instead. “They tell me, ‘Slow down girl!’”