Finding her smile

Mother of three regains energy after bariatric surgery

Litricia Williams was tired of feeling limited because of her weight. For years Williams had suffered with an eye condition that left her permanently on prescription steroids. The medicine caused Williams to gain excess weight.

“After I began to gain weight, I started to get depressed, she revealed. "I honestly tried every diet, including diet pills, but I wanted something that would be permanent. Nothing that I tried seemed to work.”

This Chesapeake resident and mother of three small children began researching bariatric surgery in 2006.

“I spoke with Dr. Eric Yancey from the bariatric program at Chesapeake General Hospital and he was really wonderful, educational and down to earth. I went to the group sessions and met with him one-on-one.”

After six months of research, Williams decided that the bariatric surgery was the right choice for her. She had the surgery on Jan. 5, 2007.

Three months later , Williams was 51 pounds lighter. The key, according to Williams, is sticking with the program and eating healthy.

“Before this surgery I had no energy," she said. "Now I play with my kids more. People say that I am different at work and that I smile more. I really look forward to the future now."

For more information about the bariatric program at Chesapeake Health, call the coordinator at 757.312.3000 or e-mail ruth.cody@chesapeakeregional.com.