Valerie Moskowitz weighed 270 pounds, had Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and had experienced a mini stroke when she contracted COVID-19 in the hospital where she works as an ICU nurse.

While she wasn’t hospitalized from COVID, she spent a month at home struggling to breathe. During that time she reflected on her health and decided she needed to make some changes. She worried that if she contracted COVID for a second time, she might not survive it.

Valerie had gained weight while being pregnant and struggled to lose it. After her second pregnancy she was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.  She attempted to lose weight, and sometimes would be successful, but would always gain all the weight back.

She would often take nearly 20,000 steps a day at her job as an ICU nurse, but unfortunately this wasn’t enough to bolster her health. During lunch she would often “inhale” her food quickly in effort to get back to work due to her demanding job.

During the first COVID-19 surge, Valerie had many patients in very critical care that were very much like herself; overweight, diabetic, and struggling with health problems related to obesity.

Being sick for a week with COVID really caused Valerie to rethink her life. “I needed to have Gastric Sleeve Surgery, because I am afraid of going through another surge of COVID-19 without it.”

Moskowitz had Gastric Sleeve Surgery in August of 2020 and has committed to a healthier lifestyle of eating and exercise. Since then she has lost 70 lbs and has changed the way she eats, including more fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and smaller portion sizes. In addition to eating healthy, Valerie has begun walking daily before or after work.

Another major benefit of having Gastric Sleeve Surgery is Valerie has been able to discontinue taking her diabetes medication. She has also begun to lower her doses for blood pressure and has noticed her sleep apnea has improved. “I am grateful to not have to take the medication regimen I was on. That did something mentally to me. It really bothered me.”

Valerie hopes to lose another 50 lbs, and says her goal weight is 150 lbs. She says she loves the way she feels. “I’m just glad that now I’m in a place where I can see things clearly and I can feel better on all levels. My mental health, emotional health, and my physical health.”

Moskowitz shares some tips below on what helped her during her weight loss journey to find success both before and after surgery.

1. Find Support

Valerie works with four people who have all undergone Gastric Sleeve Surgery. She believes it is important to know someone who understands the process and can help advise you during your weight loss journey.

2. Choose yourself

It is important to commit yourself to making healthy changes. She looked at surgery as a tool to help lose weight, but also recognized the importance of making healthy lifestyle changes.

3. Be mindful

After a long day of work in the ICU, Valerie would often go home and eat a lot of carbs. They helped her to soothe her stress. Since surgery, she now pays more attention to what she eats and why. “I used to eat a lot of things I had no business eating. But now I no longer do this.”