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Healthier in my 50s than my 30s
Audrey Henriquez
Aug, 2023
Physicians: Seth Miller, MD; James Kroeze, DO; Teri Peak, NP; Rebecca Wolff, NP
Mother of three and St. Joseph resident, Audrey Henriquez, spent years avoiding amusement park rides. It started in 2002 when her son was in eighth grade and she volunteered to be a chaperone on a field trip to an amusement park. She could not wait to experience the thrill of going on a roller coaster with her son—but that quickly changed when she could not secure the seatbelt.
“When the park employee arrived alongside our cart to check if we were strapped in properly, I was immediately asked to exit,” said Audrey. “It was humiliating.”
Over the following years Audrey was motivated to try any diet trend that promised quick and easy weight loss results, but they all were unsuccessful.
“I didn’t think of food as fuel for my body,” said Audrey. “It was more of an attachment and I was hooked.”
“Dr. Kroeze informed me about the various bariatric surgery procedures done at the weight loss clinic and shared that with positive results I could be taken off my blood pressure medication and experience less joint pain if I was to move forward with it,” said Audrey.
“It was important for me to discuss this with my family to ensure we’d all be mentally prepared for this journey and I decided to hold off surgery.”
The turning point
Two years later, at 314 pounds, Audrey decided to attend a free Lose Weight…Find Health seminar hosted by Corewell Health bariatric surgeon Seth Miller, MD, to learn more about finding a permanent solution.
“Dr. Miller presented himself with such compassion and he provided scientific evidence as to how the various surgeries could greatly impact one’s life,” said Audrey. “He gave me all the information and left the decision up to me.”
This time, she decided to have the procedure and joined a six-month program to prepare for bariatric surgery. It included a consultation with Dr. Miller and monthly meetings with a registered dietitian and nurse practitioners, Rebecca Wolff and Teri Peak.
“I found the classes to be extremely valuable,” said Audrey. “One of the many lessons taught was how to take sips of liquids instead of gulps and to avoid using straws because that can cause gas cramps. By actively learning how to make necessary diet and lifestyle changes early on, it felt like second nature by the time I had surgery.”
On the morning of March 9, 2020, at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals Niles, Audrey underwent the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. It involved dividing her stomach to form a smaller pouch for food.
“I was anticipating being in a lot of pain when I woke up after surgery,” said Audrey. “But I felt great—no pain, cramping or discomfort. I was back at work two weeks later.”
Over the next three to four months, Audrey began losing an average of 15 pounds a month. After six months, she no longer needed her blood pressure or joint pain medications.
From spectator to participant
Since her surgery, Audrey has lost 184 pounds and gone from wearing a size 26 to wearing a size four.
“Some days I walk out of the house in sweatpants, no makeup on, and grey roots showing—and I feel fabulous,” she said. “What’s important is that you’re comfortable in your own skin and healthy.”
Earlier this year, she went on a vacation to Florida with her family and was able to join them on all the roller coaster rides at an amusement park.
“Those thousands of small things in daily life that no one really worries about—like getting into the passenger seat of a car and wondering if the seat belt will fit—are no longer something I have to think about,” said Audrey.
Watch more of Audrey's story in the video below: