Indeed, Dr. Ando’s life took a major divergence from what she previously knew, including a drastic change in the size and make-up of her diet. She must also stay on a strict vitamin regimen for the rest of her life as a result of losing the ability to absorb as many micro-nutrients in an altered digestive tract.

“Surgery is just a tool; you still have to do the right things after surgery to maintain a healthy life, because you can make yourself gain the weight back,” Rebecca said. “You have to eat the right proteins, get all your vitamins, exercise and take plenty of water and fluids.”

It is a path Rebecca continues to tread faithfully – with goals of continued weight loss.

“She’s worked so hard – revision patients have to work harder to make it work – but she told me, ‘I’m not going back,’ and she’s doing the right things to ensure that,” Dr. Richard said. “And, as a care provider herself it says something when she chooses you to help her. You don’t take that lightly.”

Rebecca also has an active and committed partner in weight loss in her husband, Ren, which has helped make a big difference.

“He has encouraged me all along,” Rebecca said of her husband. “He has cooked healthy meals, made changes along with me for support, and been a source of accountability. Most of all, he wants me to succeed, and that helped so much when I was struggling to believe in myself.”

No longer restricted by excess weight, Rebecca is now free to do whatever she chooses with her 2-year-old son, Hank.

“Hank came to visit me at the hospital the other day when I was on call, and we were running up and down the sidewalk outside. I could never have done that without getting very tired before,” Dr. Ando said. “And I choose active things to do with him because it’s good for both of us.”

That said, she acknowledges there are still tougher days than others, including battles with old habits.

“You have to change your brain, because when your diet changes so much you realize how much we obsess about food in our normal lives,” Rebecca said. “It really opens your eyes. And there are times I still have to fight cravings. And there are times when I get down on myself because I feel like I haven’t met a weight-loss goal.”

In those instances, it is a major asset to have Dr. Richard and Longstreet Clinic’s Center for Weight Management team in her corner.

“He really wants you to be successful, and he got me through every step of the process,” Rebecca said. “If ever I have a question, he is accessible and he is always motivational. I leave every meeting with him feeling better than when I went in.”

It is a campaign she must continue to wage – but one she is confident she can complete in a battle she is now winning.

“I’m super proud of how far I’ve come,” Rebecca said. “I’m a success story, and I feel I can keep going and that feels amazing!”