Amanda and Evelyn's Story

Since Amanda Lee and Evelyn Martinez began working together five years ago, the best friends have been inseparable.

"During the time that we’ve been friends, we’ve done pretty much everything together," says Amanda. "We ate good and bad together; we gained weight and lost it together." And ultimately, the best friends made the life-changing decision to undergo bariatric surgery … together. Ironically, neither of them ever imagined they would qualify.

Your medical history matters

Though Evelyn was borderline diabetic, had high blood pressure, and suffered from back and knee pain, she was shocked when her endocrinologist asked if she had ever considered surgical weight loss. To be a candidate, an individual's body mass index (BMI) must be at least 40, or 35 if you have certain medical problems like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea. Evelyn's BMI was 43.

Knowing that she needed to make a change—for herself and her 16-year-old daughter—the 36-year-old single mom registered to attend an informational seminar, led by bariatric surgeon Daniel E. Swartz. When she asked her best friend to come along for moral support, Amanda’s reply was not exactly what she expected to hear. "You’re crazy," she said to Evelyn. "Why would you even consider it?"

Amanda herself was diagnosed as morbidly obese at the age of 10, along with all her siblings, but she had resigned herself to just being 'fat Amanda.'

"I remember aunts and uncles telling me I would be so much prettier if I lost weight, but I knew I couldn’t change my genetics, and I never thought of my weight as an issue," Amanda says.

Still not in favor of surgery, she agreed to attend the seminar with Evelyn and promised to keep an open mind. Little did she know how that one decision would change the rest of her life. “As I looked through the pamphlets and listened to Dr. Swartz, I thought to myself, ‘that's me; this is us.’"

Like many people, Amanda had a misconception of what morbid obesity looks like. It wasn't until the seminar that she understood how seriously her weight was affecting her health. "We have a history of heart disease in my family," Amanda says. "I decided that if I'm going to have surgery, it isn't going to be so someone can crack my chest open."

That night, both of the women scheduled a consult with Dr. Swartz – for the same day, of course.

Taking the first step

Their appointment marked the start of their weight loss journey. As a prerequisite to surgery and a requirement of most insurance companies, they then began a 6-month educational program where they learned about nutrition, exercise and food addiction.  The curriculum is designed to prepare patients for life after surgery and gives them the tools needed to achieve long-term weight loss.

"Those classes went above and beyond," Amanda says. "Everything I learned I took with me and it helped me so much after surgery."

Upon completion of the program, Amanda underwent gastric sleeve surgery in late August. Evelyn had the same procedure just two months later.

It's been barely one year and the best friends have already lost more than 160 pounds combined. Plus, Evelyn is off of her blood pressure medication, has lowered her A1C and no longer has back pain.

But even more significant than what they lost is what they gained.

"My weight used to hold me back," Evelyn says. "Now that I'm comfortable in my own skin, I'm experiencing so many new things."

Instead of spending Friday nights at home together eating junk food and watching movies, Amanda and Evelyn go to the Farmer's Market, attend concerts with friends, work out at the gym, and the list goes on.

"We used to hide behind our weight," Amanda says. "Now, the sky is the limit."

Amanda and Evelyn consider themselves lucky that they had each other to lean on throughout their transformation, but they are equally grateful to have Dr. Swartz as their surgeon.

"Dr. Swartz gave me my life back," Evelyn says. "He believed more in me than I did in myself and because of that I get to be the mom, daughter, sister, and friend I want to be."