Weight loss surgery patient says what she gained is as important as what she lost

Thirty-five-year-old Gladys Liciaga, of Vineland, says there is only one thing she would change about her weight loss surgery experience with Ahmed Attia, D.O., medical director of Bariatric Surgery at Inspira Medical Center Vineland. 

“I wish I had met Dr. Attia sooner.”

Gladys, a professional event planner who works from home, said she was never a “larger person”, but, like many mothers, found getting back to a healthy weight after delivering her third child extremely difficult, despite repeated efforts.

“For years, I did different diets,” she said. “And they worked, but only for a period of time. It was never consistent. I was really struggling, physically and emotionally.”

Gladys started researching bariatric surgery, but felt a bit frustrated because she didn’t know where to turn to get the most accurate information. That’s when a friend of hers, who had bariatric surgery performed by Dr. Attia, suggested she contact his office for an evaluation.

“My friend told me not to give up,” Gladys said. “I saw how it had changed life for her and even though I didn’t have high hopes, I thought ‘I’ll just give it a try’. Dr. Attia’s office made an appointment for me right away.”

She said the experience with Dr. Attia and the office staff was “amazing right from the start.”

“Everyone there was so understanding and kind. They told me not to worry and they were going to take care of me. When they told me that I met the requirements for the surgery, I wanted to cry. They were even great about that!”

With a renewed enthusiasm, Gladys made a commitment to get back to a healthier weight permanently. She said that Inspira Bariatric Surgery Program Coordinator, Tiffany Lilly, R.N, helped her prepare. 

“Tiffany was amazing,” Gladys said. “She guided me through everything. I was much more relaxed because of her. She answered every question.”

“I did exactly what they told me to do,” she said. “I started working on losing weight and eating well immediately. I followed all the steps. I wanted this to work!”

Dr. Attia performed a sleeve gastrectomy in May, 2023.

A sleeve gastrectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that restricts the amount of food a patient can consume by removing 75 to 85 percent of the stomach.

Now, more than a year and a half after her surgery, Gladys is maintaining her new healthier lifestyle. She went from a 225 pounds to between 130-135 pounds.

“I have not only lost weight, but I have gained muscle because I am exercising and can do so much more.” Gladys said. “I am the sports mom who is always running around to my kids’ sports practices. I have asthma, and that was much worse when I was overweight. Now I can not only tie my shoes, which used to be difficult, but then use them to go run a couple miles!”

Gladys said that she is also grateful for the support of her husband Miguel, and their children Brayden (14), Zoe (8), and Adelyn (7).

“Miguel was great,” she said. “He saw how motivated I was and he helped me pick out exercise equipment, including an elliptical, a treadmill and full body machine. Now I do cardio and weight training at home so I can work out consistently and still be around for our kids.”

“I wanted to do this for my whole family,” she said. “I want to motivate my children to take care of themselves too. I want to be the best version of myself for them and for me.”

Gladys said that she appreciated the nutrition advice she got from Candice Wasolaskus, M.A., R.D., a registered dietitian who works with Dr. Attia’s patients. 

“She was very sweet and she explained what to expect before and after the surgery,” Gladys said. “She was available to answer questions as I thought of them.”

Summing up her experience at Inspira, Gladys said, “Dr. Attia answered every question I had before I had the surgery. And, just as important, he was there in the weeks and months after the surgery to help me understand. At one point I was feeling a little down. I wasn’t sure if I was losing weight fast enough and he reassured me that I was doing perfectly fine. He told me to trust the process and to make sure that I was taking the recommended vitamins because I wasn’t taking in as much food anymore. He was just so reassuring the whole time.”

Gladys said the positive physical changes are only one part of her experience. 

“Everything is better. I am able to do all the activities I want to do with my children. I have more energy. My mood is better. I am happier. I look at myself and feel like I accomplished something that I wanted for a long time. I want to motivate other people and tell them this one thing - it is possible!”