Richey Heaton is a breast cancer survivor, but she claims the procedure that has given her a new life is laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. After winning her battle with cancer, she was committed to living her life to the fullest. Although happy, she never thought she could be where she is now—110 pounds lighter and able to live a much longer and healthier life. Having to fight such a stark reality as breast cancer, Richey was determined to not let her life slip away because of being overweight.

The laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery gave Richey the hope that she never before had. She watched her only daughter, Betsy 32, also struggle through life with weight gain before getting weight loss surgery herself. Even then, Richey thought she was different. “I always thought I couldn’t do it. That it could work for other people, but not me. I made excuses for myself and said I was too old or I couldn’t do it because I had cancer. But, Betsy was my guardian angel and pushed me towards the surgery that saved my life.” After her daughter’s encouragement and her own success with weight loss surgery, Richey attended several seminars on weight loss options around East Tennessee before deciding to make an appointment with the Tennessee Weight Loss and Surgery Center (TWLSC) at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville. “I thought they had the most comprehensive care available for weight loss surgery. They prepared me mentally with counseling, educational programs and what I like to call the ‘food bible’.”

In the beginning it was not easy. Richey faced several hurdles, but with the support she received from Dr. Gregory J. Mancini, a surgeon at the medical center, and from the rest of the TWLSC team ultimately gave her the opportunity that saved her life. Before the surgery, she suffered from severe diabetes, high blood pressure, fatigue and several heart problems. She also struggled to eat well-balanced meals because of her addiction to fast food. “Eating to me was like a drug. It was hard for me to stop and learn to eat healthy. But the people here have been my home away from home and really helped me overcome the psychological issues that are associated with weight gain.”

Now celebrating over two years since her surgery, she feels, and looks, like a different person. More than just weight loss, the new energy evident in her face and voice have transformed her.  “It is the small things in life like being able to walk and still have energy, experiencing roller coasters and generally not always having to sit on the sidelines that have given me a new outlook on life.”

Daughter Betsy, who also has been successful with her weight loss surgery, says in the beginning the surgery does for you what you can’t do for yourself. Richey and Betsy emphasize that you have to be ready to make a lifestyle change and it isn’t a miracle that happens overnight. Both say they would get the laparoscopic gastric bypass procedure again in a heart beat, but their advice to others is commitment. “Eating healthy food in healthy proportions and exercising regularly has to be your new way of life for it to work”. Looking at Richey now, you would have never imagined the woman she was just two years ago. She is now cancer free with no remaining major health issues and she credits this reversal to her weight loss. Where will you see Richey today? She is at the medical center, working as a volunteer from time-to-time.