Looking back, Whitney Resch, 44, a high school English teacher from Poland, Ohio, remembers being an active teenager, riding horses and running cross country. She also remembers struggling with her weight. For years she tried different diets and programs, but they always ended in frustration.
“I would lose a few pounds, then gain them back. Lose then gain,” she says. “It was an endless cycle.”
In her early 40s, as her weight climbed to 355 pounds, she came to terms with how much it was stopping her from living.
“I’d teach, then go home because I was tired. My joints started to hurt,” Whitney says. “Just walking from my classroom to the bathroom at school was difficult.”
The idea of bariatric surgery scared her, but so did the thought of continuing her life this way. She began researching bariatric programs.
The “Best of the Best”
Whitney’s search led to UPMC Bariatric Services at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh, an hour from her Ohio home.
“I wanted to find the best of the best, and my research led me to UPMC,” she says. “They have a great reputation and provide support before, during, and after surgery — that was very important to me.”
She scheduled a virtual appointment with Anita Courcoulas, MD, chief of the Division of Minimally Invasive Bariatric and General Surgery at UPMC.
“From the first time I talked with her, I felt like I could do this,” says Whitney. “Dr. Courcoulas has a lot of experience and exudes confidence. She answered my questions and didn’t judge me. She asked about my life and goals, not just how much I weighed.”
Together, they decided that gastric bypass surgery would be the best option. The procedure reduces the size of the stomach and the length of the small intestine, so you feel full quickly and eat and absorb fewer calories.
“We never talked about a specific weight goal,” says Whitney. “I just wanted to be healthy — to be active without being sweaty and out of breath and hurting.”
Phenomenal Support
Because of COVID-19 and the fact that Whitney lives an hour away from Pittsburgh, all her appointments were virtual visits.
“Dr. Courcoulas’ team included a psychologist, a physician assistant, and a nutritionist,” says Whitney. “Through counseling with UPMC, I discovered that while I was eating healthy foods, I was overeating.”
As she prepared for surgery, Whitney worked closely with Lisa Martich, RDN, LDN, clinical nutrition coordinator.
“Lisa and I met every six weeks, and she’s been a huge part of my journey,” says Whitney. “I was never on my own.”
When she arrived at UPMC Magee on the day of her surgery, Whitney was nervous but ready.
“The surgery took about 90 minutes and went smoothly,” says Whitney. Two days later she was back home. “I had some pain, especially when I stood up or sat down. But it didn’t last long,” she says. “I learned that the more I moved, the better I felt. I walked all the time when I got home, up and down the street and laps around my house.
“I can't say enough good things about UPMC. Their whole process is amazing,” adds Whitney. Being able to contact team members through the MyUPMC patient portal was a big plus. “When I first got home, I worried about every little thing,” Whitney says. “I knew they’d respond. Having access to that kind of support was a relief.”
Healthy and Getting Healthier
Though numbers were never Whitney’s goal, they are impressive. She weighed 355 when she first called UPMC and 341 at the time of her surgery. Eighteen months later, she was down to 213 pounds and went from a size 28 to a size 14.
“I’ve lost 142 pounds since my highest weight,” says Whitney. “This is a miracle to me. I’m able to live life again.”
Whitney recently went on a 2.5-mile walk with her 8- and 5-year-old nephews “like it was no big deal.” She also joined her sister and mom on a three-day trip.
“We did vacation things, including eating out. I followed my plan and enjoyed my time with them,” she says.
“Surgery is not the easy way — it takes work and dedication,” says Whitney. “It was scary, but it was the best thing I’ve ever done. I’ve never felt more empowered. Everything changed for the better, and I love it.”
Whitney's treatment and results may not be representative of all similar cases.
