For much of her life, Angel Smith struggled with her weight. After having children, her weight gradually increased to the point that it began affecting nearly every aspect of her daily life. Working at Country Kitchen for 24 years meant long hours on her feet in a physically demanding job. By the end of the day, she was exhausted, her feet would swell and hurt so badly she could barely walk. Any physical activity, like climbing stairs, left her short of breath.
She tried countless approaches to lose weight, including dieting, exercise, and over-the-counter weight loss medications, but the results were always temporary. Any weight she lost eventually came back. After talking with a friend who had undergone bariatric surgery, Angel decided to explore her options with Dr. Mujeeb Siddiqui, Bariatric Surgeon at Hannibal Regional Medical Group. From the beginning, she felt supported and at ease. “He was very knowledgeable and made me feel comfortable,” Angel shared. “I never felt pressured, just supported throughout the process.”
In August 2023, Angel underwent sleeve gastrectomy surgery. At her highest weight, she weighed 324 pounds. Now, nearly three years later, she is maintaining a healthy weight of 145 pounds. Throughout her journey, Angel says the dietitians helped her build healthier habits and develop a better relationship with food. “I’ve learned to listen to my body and stop eating when I’m full,” she said. During her active weight-loss phase, she incorporated cardio and strength training into her routine. Today, she maintains her weight through walking and resistance exercises.
After losing nearly 180 pounds, Angel says she is truly living life to the fullest. She moves more easily, breathes better, and no longer deals with the constant foot pain that once limited her daily activities. Most importantly, she can now run and play with her grandchild, something she cherishes deeply. Activities she once avoided, like swimming and traveling, are now things she fully enjoys without worrying about her weight limitations or the judgment of others. One of her favorite milestones was taking her very first motorcycle ride, an experience she never imagined possible before her weight loss. “It was so much fun,” she said. “I never would have done something like that before.”
Looking back, Angel says she only wishes she had considered bariatric surgery sooner. Before surgery, she worried about potential complications, but she says she experienced none. “I let fear hold me back for a long time,” she shared. “If I could go back, I would do it all over again.” To learn more about surgical and medical weight loss options, contact Hannibal Regional Weight Management Solutions at (573) 248-5407.