‘I’ve Literally Lost Half Of Me:’ Wilma’s Weight Loss Story

“I've literally lost half of me,” Wilma Carter said. “I used to weigh 356 pounds. I now weigh 178, thanks to the help of the Franciscan and Weight Loss Center.”

Initially hesitant about weight loss surgery, Wilma was convinced by her long-time primary care doctor to undergo gastric sleeve surgery at Franciscan Health.

“My primary care physician – who’ve I've seen since I was 17, he's been with me all my life, basically – has seen all my ups and downs,” Wilma said. “I've been a lifetime yo-yo dieter. He has seen me lose and then gain. And for every pound I've lost, I assure you I would gain back double.”

Wilma finally approached her physician about trying medication for weight loss. His answer surprised her.

“He said no. And he was very firm, and he told me, ‘I recommend weight loss surgery,’” she recalled. “Then he even went further and said, ‘If you're going to do this, you need to go to Franciscan Health Weight Loss Center because they are the best in their state. Why would you not go to them if they're in your neighborhood?’”

Wilma was initially hesitant because the hospital was more than an hour away.

“They weren't in my neighborhood, but I made the drive and it was worth it,” she said. “Day of surgery, I did not feel nervous. I didn't feel nervous, I didn't feel anxious. I was excited. I was ready to do this. I couldn't wait to get where I am now.”

‘It’s Still Hard Work’

Surgery day was one milestone in a transition to a healthier lifestyle.

“If you're doing it, you have to know that it's still hard work,” she said. “It's just a tool.

“Make sure you're adding daily movement in, even if it's just walking and being consistent because you have to be consistent. And then lean into the support that you're going to get from the Franciscan Health Weight Loss team. If you do all that and you stay consistent, game changer, your life will absolutely change.”

‘I’ve Gained So Much Confidence’

Weight loss surgery wasn’t about losing weight; Wilma gained confidence as well.

“After surgery, I felt like there's emotional growth because I've gained so much confidence. I've gained so much,” she said. “So a lot of emotional growth and confidence just off the charts.”

In fact, Wilma and her husband are planning to reach new heights with her 170-plus pound weight loss.

“My husband and I have created a goal to hike Mount Kilimanjaro, which seems wild to me, but Franciscan Health has helped me get to this point in life,” she said. “I'm going to take advantage of everything I can, but that's one of our future outlet goals.

“Climbing that mountain, if you're even considering it, just do it. Just do it. Just call the doctor, make the appointment, talk to somebody. Don't wait, because that's my biggest regret, just waiting. Waiting so long to make that decision. So, if you're thinking about it, do it.”