Patient Success Stories

Micah's Journey

185 Pounds Lost!

I was 319 lbs at my highest weight and it felt overwhelming. There was a constant cycle or pattern of starting the next diet, struggling to find an outfit to wear to various events, wondering if I would fit in booths at restaurants, struggling to keep up walking with people that were much older than me. I would start a diet on a Monday, give up or fall off the wagon in a couple of weeks or months, suffer with guilt, and start the process all over again.  I came to a point where I realized that I needed help and that I needed to handle this situation just like I would any other in my life that I couldn’t solve on my own. I needed to hire a team that was willing to give me their guidance and support.

The thought had crossed my mind for about 4 years before I met with Dr Walton. I got divorced in 2016 and considered it then but realized that I wasn’t in a healthy mental space to take that on during that time. So, I continued down the pattern that I mentioned above until a friend at work came in one day in June of 2020 asking if I wanted to start the newest fad diet with her and I said “No, if I do anything I want to look into surgery”. I got on the phone that same afternoon and started calling around. I felt like I was just “another number” at a lot of the local places I called in Tulsa so I called a friend of mine that had surgery and she recommended Dr. Walton. I scheduled my appointment with him and met him for the first time on 6/17/20. I made the decision to change my life that day. I stopped drinking Coke that day (I’ve never had one since) and changed so many other habits. My first meeting with Dr. Walton changed everything for me.

I cannot say enough positive things about the support and help I received with the team at WeightWise. I have referred 7 other people that have either also had surgery with Dr. Walton or someone in their local market. It was a complete referable experience for me!

The mental tax that I paid as a result of carrying excess weight has been relieved. I mentioned above the amount of thought and energy that was occupied by being overweight and also needing to take action to do something about it. When that went away, there was all kinds of freedom and space in my mind. I can see where transfer addiction is a real thing because you truly need to do something with that energy, space and time. I changed almost every habit in my life to make sure I was making good choices and I am a completely different person today than I was before I met Dr. Walton. I don’t know if I can adequately describe the ripple effect that meeting him and being gifted this chance to live a healthy life has had. It truly has touched so many people around me because of what I’ve been able to do with this opportunity.

Rebecca's Journey

120 Pounds Lost!

Before weight loss surgery, life felt really heavy, physically and emotionally. I honestly felt hopeless that I’d ever be able to lose the weight, no matter how hard I tried. I was so self-conscious about how I looked, and I worried constantly about serious health problems, especially given my family history. It was like living under a cloud of worry, and I knew something had to change.

I had been thinking about weight loss surgery for about six months before I finally took the step. My brother had surgery in Colorado the year before, and seeing his success made me realize it was possible. It gave me hope that I could achieve a healthier, better life too.

From the very beginning, the team made me feel supported and encouraged. They answered every question, and they really cared about me as a person, not just a patient. That support meant everything during such a big decision.

The most noticeable change is that I’ve lost 120 pounds, going from a size 22 to a size 4. I’m no longer pre-diabetic, and I don’t deal with GERD anymore. I breathe easier, and I don’t feel like I have to hide from cameras. My husband beams with pride, and my adult children admire my courage for taking control of my health. It’s been 12 years since my gastric bypass, and even though I’m older, I feel younger than I did the week before surgery. Most importantly, I have the energy to go on adventures with my seven grandchildren, six of them under the age of six, something I never could have done before!

Kristen's Journey

I was not happy or healthy. I was a Divison 1 athlete and to look in the mirror and no longer remember that happy, healthy person was hard.

I originally had looked into weight loss shots and my insurance would not cover the cost. So I started looking into surgery about a year before I actually had the surgery.

I had a co-worker at the time go through the process with WeightWise and she spoke very highly of Dr. Walton and all of the staff at WeightWise. Jayme, my advocate was amazing and held my hand through the entire process. She is the best!

I no longer have sleep apnea, which I never knew I had until I completed the sleep study that was required.

Kayla's Journey

I felt like a spectator in my life. Existing but not actively participating is a good way to describe it. I would get through my workday, come home, and most of the time go straight to bed. My body hurt so badly when I had to be on my feet for long periods of time. It was getting hard to do anything. I was not a good wife, mother, or friend.

I did 6 months of prep work before I was able to proceed with surgery. I was required to meet with Dr. Walton, my advocate, Dr. Keller, support group, exercise physiologist, and my Nurse Practitioner on at least a monthly basis before my procedure was approved. It was the greatest thing that could of happened because I had to deal with all the reasons behind my obesity.

I was fortunate that my insurance worked
with WeightWise to provide coverage to employees and families of Stillwater Medical Center. The team made the process so easy. From the medical to the support staff, everyone was there to help you from start to finish. Dr. Walton has built a program that gets to the root of your issues. The success of the program and his ability as a surgeon speaks for itself. Let’s face it, most of us did not need his services just because we couldn’t control our eating habits. They treat your mental, physical, and all of the in between.

I have a healthy relationship with food and exercise for the first time since I was a college athlete. I look forward to healthy choices rather than seeing them as daunting. I love hiking and look forward to outings when I didn’t even have the desire to leave the house before my surgery. I still see Jennifer Wu, my NP every 3 months to keep me accountable. I attend support group as often as I can.