Allen & Shelly Ellsworth:
For the Family
by June Zaragoza, MPH, RD, LD

Allen and Shelly were both considering gastric bypass surgery.  Allen was the first one to go through the evaluation process due to more severe chronic health problems.  He recalls, “If I was going to be there for my family I had to do it. There’s a great deception. I can lose it on my own. I could, but I won’t – whether it’s right or wrong. Eating was so habitual.”  According to him, “The whole process was pretty thorough from start to finish.  It’s gone pretty well as it’s been predicted.”

Over a year later and down 114 lbs., he says, “It’s helped me find hunger pangs and a full feeling.  I could eat endlessly – copious amounts of food.  Now I quit when I have that full feeling. I’d do it again in a heartbeat. It’s been a gift.”  He also states for the two of them, “We both knew this was not a get out of jail free card.  You’re going to have to change your ways with diet and exercise.  It’s not a solution, it’s a powerful tool.”

Shelly had her surgery 4 months later. She states, “My initial motive was for health with diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. I had a lot of things going on.  I wanted to be there for my children.” 

Now after losing 75 lbs., she is off her CPAP machine and medications for high blood pressure and triglycerides and feels much more energetic. She exercises faithfully twice a week at the gym and one other time during the week.  And, as her husband states, “She’s getting foxier by the week.”

Shelly is also profoundly grateful for Allen’s weight loss, stating, “I’m just thankful he had this because he’s going to be around a lot longer.  I have hope we will be able to retire.  Before I didn’t know what my future held.  I’m very thankful.”

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