Resetting Her Health: Emily’s Story

Emily Jones, 24, of Dixon, Missouri, knows what it feels like to live in a body that just won’t cooperate. A naturally energetic person, she found herself exhausted and weighed down by health problems far beyond her age. At her heaviest weight of 257 pounds, she was also fighting constant sickness.

Emily works at Phelps Health as a Patient Experience operations manager. She spends her days advocating for patients and employees. But for years, her own health struggles made it difficult to keep up with the life she wanted.

Early Health Struggles

Emily’s challenges began when she was 19, battling bulging disks in her back and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). At 21, she began experiencing fainting spells. In response to these troubling symptoms, Matthew Hurley, MD, her primary care physician, ordered an ultrasound. Emily was diagnosed with fatty liver disease, a condition more often seen in older adults.

When she returned home from college in 2023, she quickly gained 30 pounds in only 2 months. Emily was constantly tired, depressed and struggling to function day to day. Doctors tried different medications, but nothing seemed to address the root cause.

A Turning Point

During an appointment with Phelps Health Gynecologist Nathan Ratchford, MD, FACOG, Emily admitted she just wanted her body to function the way it should. Dr. Ratchford suggested she consider the new Phelps Health Weight Loss and Bariatric Center. 

“Looking back, I’m so grateful for him being willing to have an uncomfortable conversation with me,” Emily said. “At first, I resisted. I didn’t believe my weight was ‘bad enough’ for bariatric surgery.”

That changed when she met Donny Roshan, DO, a bariatric and general surgeon at Phelps Health. He connected her health problems—liver disease, PCOS, gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining) and more—back to her weight. He explained that even with strict dieting and exercise, she might not lose more than 10 pounds on her own. The honesty and compassion in that conversation opened her mind to surgery.

Making the Decision

After praying and talking with her pastors, Emily chose to move forward. The Bariatrics team guided her through education classes, testing and preparation. Testing revealed even more health issues that Emily hadn’t realized were abnormal.

Dr. Roshan recommended gastric bypass instead of the sleeve because it offered better long-term results given her conditions. Emily scheduled her surgery for December 2024, seeing it as the right time to take control of her future.

Surgery and Recovery

Surgery went smoothly, thanks in large part to the attentive care of the Bariatric team. They adjusted Emily’s medications and anesthesia plan based on her past reactions and listened to her concerns. Recovery required patience—2 weeks off work, and a liquid diet followed by puréed and soft foods—but Emily was determined to relearn her body and build new habits.

She described the process not as easy, but as incredible in every way.

“For me, surgery wasn’t just about weight loss,” Emily said. “It was a full reset—physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.”

Life After Surgery

In the months since surgery, Emily has lost 90 pounds. More importantly, her health has transformed. Her joint pain is gone. Her energy has returned. She sleeps better, no longer needs caffeine to get through the day and feels happier than she has in years. Even her hair and skin have improved, small but welcome signs of her body healing from the inside out.

Emily also regained her confidence. Before surgery, she avoided taking photos of herself because she didn’t like how she looked. Now she celebrates her progress, tracks it in a journal with pictures and feels more like herself again.

New Habits, New Lifestyle

Surgery required Emily to make significant lifestyle changes. Food, once a source of frustration, became a place for creativity. She developed her own “10-to-1” rule: for every 100 calories, aim for at least 10 grams of protein. This simple formula helps her stay full, fueled and within her calorie goals.

Emily also found healthier ways to enjoy favorite foods, like making pizza crust out of ground chicken.

“I found the recipe on TikTok and thought it would be gross, but it was delicious—don’t knock it until you try it! Even my youth group kids didn’t realize the crust was chicken,” she insisted.

For fitness, Emily works out regularly with her pastor’s wife, rebuilding muscle, and learning consistency at her local gym and track.

Support has been key. She leans on her church, coworkers and even “bariatric besties”—other patients she’s connected with along the way. These relationships keep her motivated and accountable.

Lessons Learned

Emily often shares her experience with others considering bariatric surgery. Her advice is simple: don’t rush in. 

“Count the cost,” Emily advised. “Bariatric surgery is not a quick fix—it requires hard changes and long-term commitment. But for those willing to do the work, it can be lifechanging.”

Her story is proof. What started as a desperate search for answers led Emily to a program that gave her the tools to reset her health. Today, she is living with more energy, confidence and joy than she thought possible. 

At just 24, Emily has already faced serious health challenges—and taken bold steps to overcome them. Thanks to bariatric surgery and her own determination, she now has a healthier body, a stronger outlook and a future full of possibilities.