For Shamone E., 39, proud mother of three boys and wife to her husband of 13 years, family is everything.
Being a wife and mother are the two parts of Shamone’s identity she is most proud of.
However, somewhere along the way of caring for others in her life, her own needs took a back seat, especially when it came to her health.
At 237 pounds, Shamone no longer felt like herself.
“There were many days I felt depressed,” said Shamone. “I didn't see myself in the mirror, I saw someone else. I didn't want to feel this way anymore. I was tired of being uncomfortable; tired of not feeling beautiful. I wanted to change my life for myself.”
In 2019, Shamone committed to putting herself first by beginning Ascension Wisconsin’s weight loss program
Weight-loss care teams are with you every step of the way
Determined to change her lifestyle, Shamone scheduled an appointment with Christopher Weber, MD, bariatric medicine, at the nationally accredited Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Hospital Bariatric Center in Milwaukee.
After discussing her weight-loss goals and undergoing metabolic testing to determine the number of calories her body burns each day, Shamone’s care team, including Dr. Weber, helped create a personalized weight-loss plan tailored to her unique needs.
“A major benefit of a comprehensive weight management program we provide at Ascension is that we can adjust, adapt, personalize and offer something different,” said Dr. Weber. “Our team understands the science behind WHY it is hard to lose weight. We are constantly reviewing the latest evidence and research in the world of medical weight management and so we can provide a wide variety of options.”
Shamone’s personal weight-loss plan included taking weight-loss medication to assist her with her health goals. She also began a meal plan, tracked her calories and started incorporating more protein into her meals.
Growing up, Shamone was athletic and competitive. She ran track and field in high school and only struggled with maintaining a healthy weight later in adulthood. She knew that to create real change in her life, she had to embrace her competitive mindset again and not give up on herself.
“We focused on mental health and the challenges I was facing first. Then we focused on weight loss,” Shamone said. “I needed guidance on where to start and how to motivate myself to keep going. Dr. Weber’s encouragement helped me a lot.”
Along with changing her eating habits, Shamone re-committed to regular exercise and soon found joy in kickboxing and yoga. By month three, Shamone was down 20 pounds.
Achieving her weight loss goals and inspiring others
Today, Shamone has lost 67 pounds and couldn’t be more proud of herself.
Since beginning her weight-loss journey with Ascension Wisconsin, Shamone’s life has changed drastically. She finds comfort and happiness knowing that committing to her weight-loss goals helped ensure she could be around for her children long-term, and can one day watch her sons get married and become fathers.
“Even for those who have tried everything else, there is always something more that we can try, whether an innovative nutrition plan, novel medication, or the most effective surgical treatment,” shared Dr. Weber. “Shamone was so patient and persistent throughout the process, and you see the success she has had as we worked together over time to dial in a personalized, effective, sustainable plan.”
Shamone has inspired her cousin, her best friend and her mother to commit to living a healthier lifestyle. All of them have followed in her footsteps, achieving their own weight-loss goals.
When reflecting on the progress she has made since starting her weight-loss journey, Shamone shared, “My life has changed a lot since starting my weight-loss treatment. I am confident, beautiful and blessed to be here. But the biggest change is, I found myself again.”
Ascension Wisconsin Weight Management
Deciding to take the next step in your weight-loss journey takes courage. And Ascension Wisconsin is here to provide you with support along the way. With medically supervised weight loss, you are guided and monitored by a multispecialty care team. We start by listening to you, to better understand you and your health goals. Then, we create a personalized weight-loss plan that is right for you.
Learn more at ascension.org/Wiweightloss.
Weight-loss results may vary depending on the individual. There is no guarantee of specific results.