Weighed Down by Obesity & Other Challenges
Originally from Bristol, Va., Scott moved to Roanoke, Va., shortly after his college graduation. He still lives there today with his wife and two children. A dedicated middle school math teacher, Scott lives an incredibly active life through his work and hobbies. In addition to teaching, he drives a school bus, coaches youth sports, builds decks, and owns a home remodeling business. His three main jobs and busy lifestyle keep him on the go, however, in the past, challenges like weight gain, depression, and anxiety continuously threatened to slow him down.
“I am not a sedentary person, and I never have been,” Scott says. “I’ve always been active, regardless of my size. But I struggle with depression and anxiety, which leads to a lot of emotional eating and stress eating. I believe that mental health accounts for 60 to 70 percent of any weight battle.”
Fad Diets Not the Long-Term Solution for Scott
Before he found True You Weight Loss, Scott’s longtime mission to lose weight and regain control of his health was like a roller coaster ride. Over the years, he tried many different weight loss strategies and fad diets, including vitamins, weight loss drinks, pyramid schemes, the ketogenic (keto) diet, WeightWatchers®, medical-assisted diets, and even the controversial Xenadrine® supplement. Quite often, these diets and supplements seemed to work for Scott temporarily, but none of the strategies were sustainable for the long-term. Time and again, once he stopped dieting, the pounds would creep right back on, and then some.
A Milestone Moment – Scott Discovers True You
As Scott contemplated his long-term options, he evaluated bariatric surgery, weight loss medications and other procedures, but due to recovery time, cost and potential risks, he hadn’t yet found the right option. One day during lunch, he learned about True You Weight Loss from a friend and colleague who had undergone a bariatric revision procedure with founder and medical director Dr. Christopher McGowan.
“I had been doing my research and learned that if something unexpected happened to me during a weight loss procedure, my insurance company wouldn’t cover it,” Scott explains. “So I told my coworker that I couldn’t afford to take that kind of risk. Then she said something that changed my life. She said, ‘Scott, what risk you are taking now by doing nothing?’”
Scott says this comment made by a good friend inspired him to take immediate action. He immediately started researching Dr. McGowan and True You, and was very impressed. After learning about the non-surgical endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), Scott was excited to have found a new potential solution. He was also happy to learn that True You Weight Loss was located in Cary, N.C., only a few hours from Roanoke. Eager to set up a consultation with True You, Scott was certain this was going to be the right option for his long-term weight loss goals.
“My consultation in March 2023 was just a formality for me,” Scott says. “I had already researched the procedure and knew I was ready to do it, but it was important for me to learn more about what to expect from recovery – and to learn about the potential risks of the procedure. Once I was reassured about these considerations, I got really excited that there was actually an option out there that could work for me.”
