Showing up for Her Sons: Michelle Weaver's Story

Michelle Weaver, age 44 of Rolla, has battled her weight since childhood. Over the years, she tried everything from restrictive diets and calorie counting to weight-loss medications. She could lose 20 to 40 pounds, but keeping the weight off was much harder.

“I've literally done it all,” Michelle said. “And it never stuck.”

After years of trying different options, Michelle began considering bariatric (weight-loss) surgery. It took her a good year to accept that surgery might be the next step, but her desire to be more active with her two sons helped her make the decision.

“I have two teenagers at home,” said Michelle, who works in Human Resources at Phelps Health. “And I needed to be more active for them.”

Taking the Next Step

Michelle first met with Donny Roshan, DO, of the Phelps Health Weight Loss and Bariatric Center, in September 2024 to learn more about her options. She was nervous about surgery, but taking time to ask questions, complete testing and understand the process helped her feel ready to move forward.

“I think we met for about 45 minutes total,” said Michelle of her first appointment with Dr. Roshan, a bariatric and general surgeon. “He actually told me, ‘I can see you're scared.’ And I was. I was extremely scared to even be talking about surgery. But he made me feel very comfortable, explaining everything down to the details.”

After additional testing, she chose gastric bypass surgery, which she underwent on December 30, 2024.

By the time of her surgery, Michelle had lost some weight on her own, going from 281 pounds at her heaviest to 254 pounds. At the time of her interview, she weighed 180 pounds, with a goal weight of 150.

Before surgery, even everyday activities could be hard. Climbing the stairs at home, walking in hot weather—sweating buckets—and keeping up with her family during outings took extra effort. Arthritis and previous surgeries, including spinal fusion and foot surgery, added to her physical challenges.

A family trip to Silver Dollar City with her son brought those limitations into focus. The theme park’s hills made walking difficult, and she struggled to keep going throughout the day. She also couldn't fit into the roller coaster seats, keeping her from doing something she loved. 

Now, she looks forward to returning to the park and enjoying the experience with her family.

“I don't have any issues walking anymore,” Michelle said. “On the elliptical, I’ve gone from 10 minutes to 45 minutes without even thinking about it.”

Building Healthier Habits

Michelle’s progress has required steady, intentional changes to her daily routine. She now plans meals ahead of time, prioritizes protein, tracks her food and water intake, and takes the vitamins her care team recommended after surgery. Meal prepping on Sundays helps her stay on track while balancing work and family activities.

Exercise has become another important part of her routine. She started going to the gym about 2 months after surgery, beginning with 20-minute sessions. She now works out 4 or 5 days a week, often for an hour or more, combining cardio and weightlifting to build strength.

Michelle has also noticed improvements in her health. Her blood pressure has dropped from 150 to 160 over 90, to about 117 over 60 at her last checkup. Her resting pulse has also dropped from more than 100 beats per minute to around 60 to 70.

She reports non-scale victories, as well. Michelle has more energy, sleeps better and feels happier. Before surgery, she struggled with depression and found it difficult to be as involved with her family as she wanted. Today, being more active has helped her feel more connected to the people she loves.

Her family has noticed the difference, too. One of her sons recently told her he was glad she could spend more time with him. And her older son has started going to the gym with her a couple of days a week.

Looking Ahead

Michelle credits her husband with being a steady source of support throughout her journey. He supported her decision without making her feel that her weight defined her. She has also found encouragement in an online bariatric support group, where members share experiences, healthy recipes and practical advice.

She knows the process requires lifelong commitment. Meal planning, exercise and mindful eating are now part of her lifestyle, and she continues to work toward her personal goals.

For Michelle, the difference shows up in everyday life. She can walk farther, spend more time with her sons and look forward to family outings that once felt difficult. One thing she's especially eager to do is return to Silver Dollar City and ride the roller coasters.

“This has changed my life forever,” Michelle said. “And I'm looking forward to the next 30 pounds.”