For Adriel Vedenhaupt of Hannibal, managing her health had become a daily challenge. She was living with several complex health conditions, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), type 2 diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and plantar fasciitis. She also had severe allergies that could cause anaphylactic shock, along with a gluten allergy. At one point, Adriel was taking 25 pills a day, yet her health issues remained difficult to control.
Weighing 273 pounds, Adriel knew losing weight could be an important step toward improving her health. Her primary care physician, Internal Medicine Physician Dr. Priyanka Yerragorla at Hannibal Regional, helped her explore her options. When weight-loss medication was not covered by her insurance, Dr. Yerragorla suggested Adriel consider bariatric surgery.
“At first, I was nervous,” Adriel says. “It felt like such a drastic step.” Then she talked to someone who understood exactly what she was considering. A close friend had already undergone bariatric surgery and was an insulin-dependent diabetic. Her friend strongly encouraged Adriel to consider surgery as a way to improve her own health. She walked Adriel through the process and shared her firsthand experience, helping Adriel understand what she could expect.
That conversation gave Adriel the confidence to take the next step. She scheduled a consultation with Bariatric Surgeon Dr. Richie Goriparthi at Hannibal Regional Weight Management Solutions. Adriel says Dr. Goriparthi took the time to thoroughly explain the process and answer all of her questions. More importantly, he made her feel comfortable with the decision. “He told me that if I had doubts at any point, I could share them with him, and he would support whatever decision I made,” Adriel says. After discussing her options, the Sleeve Gastrectomy procedure was determined to be the best choice for Adriel. Her surgery was scheduled for September 2025.
For Adriel, the journey was about much more than surgery. Preparing for the procedure and learning how to maintain her health afterward required significant changes to her relationship with food and exercise. Registered dietitians Kristy Taylor and Olivia Rees became an important part of that process, teaching Adriel how to make healthier choices and supporting her along the way. “They were my biggest supporters,” she says. “Words cannot express how grateful I am for their guidance.” Adriel also began participating in the Y-Fit program at the Hannibal YMCA and worked with a personal trainer to learn how to exercise safely and effectively. Today, she exercises five days a week.
Nearly a year after beginning her bariatric journey, Adriel weighs 173 pounds, 100 pounds less than when she started. But the number on the scale is only part of her transformation. Her energy has improved, her health has drastically improved, and the 25 medications she once took each day have been reduced to just five, with hopes of reducing that number even further. She recently traveled to Chicago and was able to walk miles without becoming short of breath or experiencing the pain and discomfort that once made simple activities difficult.
Adriel compares her journey to the metamorphosis of a butterfly. “I felt like I was an unhappy, unhealthy caterpillar,” she says. “Surgery was my cocoon. Now I feel like a beautiful butterfly, ready to spread my wings and enjoy life.” That new outlook has become part of how Adriel approaches each day. “I can, and I will. Watch me,” has become her motto. Adriel gives all the glory to God and credits the people who supported her throughout her journey, especially her parents, Jami and Lee, her children Coby and Mackenzie, her extended family, her friends, and church family at Hannibal First Assembly of God.
Today, Adriel hopes her story can encourage others who may be struggling with obesity and related health conditions or considering bariatric surgery. Her message is simple: Don’t live in fear. “If you make the decision to do it today, you will be so thankful a year from now, just as I am,” Adriel says. For Adriel, bariatric surgery was more than a procedure. It was the beginning of a healthier chapter, and a reminder that sometimes taking one difficult step can open the door to a whole new life.
To learn more about surgical and medical weight loss options, contact Hannibal Regional Weight Management Solutions at (573) 248-5407.