When Amanda Rodriguez was in high school, she was one of the few students who had a key to the school elevator. At 292 pounds, she couldn’t walk up the stairs.
“It was really embarrassing and it took a toll on my mental state,” said Amanda. “I was just really unhappy with myself.”
After both her parents had gastric bypass surgery and lost weight, they encouraged her to undergo the same procedure. Serafin Rodriguez was worried about her daughter’s health, especially when she showed early symptoms of diabetes.
Three years after her surgery, the results are dramatic.
Now 19, Amanda lost about 120 pounds. Last year she left home to study psychology at the University of Connecticut, and proudly describes how she can walk around the hilly campus.