Former Nurse Prioritizes Her Own Health and Loses 38 Pounds

A retired nurse, Gloria Garden is used to being the one who takes care of people. So, when it came time to ask for help for herself, she sought the advice of her primary care physician, Tala Dela Paz, MD.

“I told her that I was having a horrible time controlling my appetite and had put on quite a bit of weight,” she says. “It was frustrating, and I felt like I needed some help to get it under control.”

Dr. Dela Paz knew just the person who could help Gloria —Shweta Diwakar, MD, a medical weight loss physician at Cleveland Clinic Akron General. Dr. Diwakar specializes in nonsurgical weight loss options for people who have a body mass index (BMI) over 30.

“I look at individual factors that are barriers to weight loss, and individualize therapeutic plans for patients to adhere to,” says Dr. Diwakar.

Gloria says that although she leaned toward the heavier side for a number of years, she was small-waisted and carried her weight pretty well. However, experiencing the major life changes of newfound retirement and a global pandemic simultaneously led to extra weight gain and the unwelcome news that she was pre-diabetic.

“My church and my gym were shut down. I couldn’t see my grandkids. It was hard,” she says. “I was tired all the time.” 

Three years earlier, Gloria underwent a total hip replacement. She says the extra weight made her arthritis flare and her recovery harder. With plans to have her other hip replaced in 2021, Gloria set about losing weight. Her first appointment with Dr. Diwakar was in October 2020. 

“I had tried other weight loss programs in the past but found many of them complicated and hard to maintain. Dr. Diwakar’s plan is simple to follow,” says Gloria. “She encouraged me to write down what I ate, read labels, avoid simple carbs and sugars and drink a lot of water.”

“My diet plan includes cutting down on sugar and processed carbohydrates, and adding more whole natural foods,” says Dr. Diwakar. “I also recommend avoiding snacks in between meals for at least three hours.”

Gloria says she initially craved sweets and was hungry a lot, but she no longer experiences those cravings. Adding exercise back into her routine also helped Gloria stay on track and lose 38 pounds in 11 months. An added bonus was being able to wear clothes (some with the tags still on) that have been hanging in her closet for years.

"I joined a water aerobics class. I also line dance every Tuesday, walk laps at the mall and enjoy gardening. Soon, I will be starting private swim lessons,” she says. “I am feeling so much better, and I can wear clothes that haven’t fit me in a long time. I’m excited about finally reaching my goal.”

At 68 years old, Gloria says her goal was never to be “skinny” or a certain size. “I want to be healthier and have the energy to enjoy my grandkids,” she says. “I weigh myself daily because that’s what keeps me on track. I don’t want to lose ground.”

Gloria sees Dr. Diwakar every eight weeks and looks forward to their visits.

“Dr. Diwakar is wonderful. She is like a counselor. She’s very patient and takes the time to listen,” she says. “She is never judgmental and makes you feel good about every little accomplishment you achieve. I would encourage anyone who is struggling with their weight to give her program a try.”

Akron General has a dedicated, knowledgeable and patient-centered team of weight-loss specialists who can help you find the best, and most healthy, solutions for your weight-loss difficulties. For more information, visit AkronGeneral.org/BariatricCenter.