A New Beginning – Irene’s Weight Loss Journey

Part 1

We are pleased to share Irene’s weight loss journey, in her own words. Here is Part 1 of her journey after she had weight loss surgery at Emerson in January 2025. Stay tuned as her transformation continues…

Compassionate care and a team who truly listened gave me a new beginning. 

I have always been the chubby girl—and I was okay with that. In fact, I was proud. I took after my dad, who I adore, and in my Kenyan upbringing, being chubby meant you were well-fed, well-loved, and doing well in life. I had confidence and joy in who I was. 

When I moved to the United States at 19 to attend Worcester State College, I brought that confidence with me. But over time, surrounded by junk food and constant access to sweets and ice cream, the pounds kept adding up. I was still cool, still myself, but my body started sending signals that something had to change: high cholesterol, shortness of breath. I tried cleaning up my diet, but traditional foods and habits were hard to let go. 
 
Weight Loss What?! 
A friend told me about weight loss surgery. I was shocked. “Huh? What?” I remember saying. I tried other methods but not weight loss medication because I did not want any chemicals in my body. I followed the Optavia diet for three months and lost 40 pounds. But it was not sustainable. I missed my food, my culture. I gained all the weight back. 

Then came the first try to really lose weight for good. I made an appointment at a weight loss center near my home. Sitting in the waiting room alone, I felt cold, nervous, and completely out of place. A nurse put me in a room and played a video about surgery. I panicked. I wasn’t ready. I ran. I had never even had surgery before. It was too much. 

On a Friday afternoon, someone I worked with shared that she had weight loss surgery at Emerson Health. The way she talked about it lit up the entire room. She raved about her experience and how kind everyone was. That very night throughout the weekend, I couldn’t wait. On Monday morning, I drove to Emerson and walked right in to the Weight Loss Center. 

The Moment When Everything Changed 
I met Jess at the front desk. She sat with me and made me feel like I belonged. I felt so safe and heard. Then she introduced me to Dr. Laura Doyon. “Hi!” I said, as if greeting an old friend. I told her my story, and I knew immediately that this was the place for me. At Emerson I was not judged for my weight. Everyone listened to me closely. Nobody blamed me for being overweight.  

Everything that followed — paperwork, appointments, prep — I embraced fully. “Jump? How high?” became my motto. I had found my people. 

A New Person 
I was ready in every way when I had my sleeve gastrectomy on January 16, 2025. The care I received at Emerson Health was unlike anything I ever experienced. The anesthesiology team was fantastic—I joked they could have put a sandwich in my IV and I wouldn’t have known. Everyone, from nurses to staff, to my new-BFF Dr. Doyon, showed me that they genuinely cared. 

After surgery, the nurses made me feel extra special and confident in my decision to have surgery. One even drew a heart around my heart rate; another gave me a star sticker and said I was their star patient. I stayed overnight, sipping soup the next morning and feeling like a whole new person. 

I Think It’s Working 
Since then, I have lost about 40 pounds. On surgery day I weighed 367 pounds. While I stay away from the scale now, my clothes keep getting smaller. I feel amazing. I am 41years old and often think, “I can skip anywhere now.” It feels like the miracle I was waiting for. 

This journey is not easy and I am still new to it. People will judge you for anything. But what matters most is finding a place where you feel seen, supported, and safe. That is what Emerson gave me. Even my mom, who lives with me, is amazed. “I think it is working!” she tells me often. My body is different. I look healthier. I feel fantastic. 

My next appointment is in July. I can’t wait to walk in and tell the whole team thank you. Emerson Health rolled out the red carpet for me, and I will never forget it. 

This was the start of my new life. And for once, I am not just pretending when I say: I feel incredible.