Gastric Sleeve Surgery Helped a Mom Say Yes Again

Michelle Dildine felt stuck.

The mother of five tried for years to lose weight and keep it off.

Living with nerve and autoimmune conditions complicated her weight-loss efforts. Swelling and pain in her feet and legs limited how active she could be and made everyday tasks more difficult. Still, the 37-year-old tried.

She walked. She changed her eating habits. She gave up soda for a year.

Nothing seemed to work.

For Michelle, the challenge wasn't a lack of effort. It was finding an approach that worked for her body and her health needs.

"I weighed 265 pounds, and if I did lose a little weight, my body struggled to keep it off," Michelle says.

She could not be on her feet for more than four hours per day and had to cut back her work schedule as a result. She kept multiple shoe sizes in her closet because swelling dramatically changed the size of her feet. Family outings started happening without her because she could not keep up with her husband and children.

"I felt trapped in my body, like I had cinder blocks on my feet," Michelle says. "For the longest time, I just stayed behind. That was the hardest part. I didn't want to miss out. I wanted to be involved."

Accredited weight-loss care, close to home

Michelle manages her nerve and autoimmune conditions with medication. For this reason, she was not interested in weight-loss injections, which would require her to keep track of another prescription.

She was open to the idea of weight-loss surgery, but she wasn't familiar with the procedures.

She scheduled a consultation with Jaroslaw Michalik, MD, a surgeon at Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital who specializes in bariatric surgery.  

Dr. Michalik founded Missouri Baptist Sullivan's surgical weight-loss program, which is accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program, recognizing the hospital's commitment to safety, quality outcomes, and comprehensive support before and after surgery.  

"From day one, the process was amazing," Michelle says. "We went over the procedures and discussed what would be the best fit for me. We talked about how the process works and what it looks like from start to finish. We talked about the nutrition aspect of it. It seemed like a perfect fit."

Dr. Michalik recommended gastric sleeve surgery to Michelle. The minimally invasive procedure reduces the size of the stomach to help patients feel full sooner and support long-term weight loss when combined with healthy lifestyle changes.  

“It would boost my ability to lose weight—and keep it off,” Michelle says.

But surgery was not the first step.

Before her procedure, Michelle completed Missouri Baptist Sullivan's six-month bariatric program. The program focused on helping patients build healthy habits before surgery and prepare for sustained success after the procedure.

Michelle worked closely with a Missouri Baptist Sullivan registered dietitian and bariatric nurse who helped guide her through each step of the process. One of the most important lessons came through food journaling.

"When you write down certain foods that you're eating and you're seeing it over and over, it holds you accountable," Michelle says. "It really opens your eyes."

The program helped Michelle understand not only what to eat, but also why long-term habits matter and how they help bariatric patients even after weight loss. As surgery approached, she felt confident that she was prepared.

"It's not a temporary fix," Michelle says. "They prepare you with the knowledge you need to succeed.”

A life-changing year

Dr. Michalik performed Michelle's gastric sleeve surgery at Missouri Baptist Sullivan in the summer of 2025.

After one night's stay at the hospital, she was back home resting in her own bed.

She remained connected with her nurse and nutritionist while adopting the routines she learned before surgery. She took daily vitamins, followed her nutrition plan, and practiced portion control as she transitioned from a liquid diet to solid food. Throughout the first year, she returned for follow-up appointments with her care team multiple times to monitor her progress.

"This entire team has no problem connecting with you to make sure you're staying on track," Michelle says. "If you slip up, they're encouraging. They help you keep moving forward."

That support helped Michelle stay focused during the first year after surgery as new habits became part of everyday life. About a month after surgery, she had already lost nearly 50 pounds.

"That's when I thought, 'Wow, this is working,'" she says.

Five months later, Michelle and her teenage daughter were able to share clothes, something they had never done before. Shortly before the one-year anniversary of her surgery, Michelle was down 125 pounds.

Living more and missing less

For Michelle, the number of pounds lost tells just part of the story.

Surgery didn't make her nerve and autoimmune conditions disappear, but the weight loss reduced many of the physical limitations that once kept her from fully participating in daily life.

The swelling in her feet has dramatically decreased. She no longer needs multiple shoe sizes in her closet. She's increased the number of hours she can work.

Today, she frequently shares her experience with others considering weight-loss surgery. She has recommended Missouri Baptist Sullivan's bariatric program to more than 20 people, including family members and friends.

"My life now is significantly better," Michelle says. "I can go out with my kids. I can stay on my feet longer. I no longer feel like a burden. My family gets to see me living, saying, 'Yes,' instead of, 'I can't.'"

Learn more about Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital's bariatric surgery program or schedule a consultation  to discuss whether surgery is right for you.